“Determined to get yourself killed?” Gabriel finally released her and paced the room, red haze clouding his vision once more. “Are you mad? For fuck’s sake, woman. As much as I love talking to you, and kissing you, andespeciallythat thing you do with your tongue, I’d give it all up in a heartbeat for a chance to keep you safe. Don’t you get that?”
“Doesn’t matter. Renault said—”
“It’s a trap, Jacinda. The moment we set foot in that warehouse, he’ll take you from me, and I can’t—”
“Of course he’ll take me! That’s the deal—me for Cole. There are no other options here, Gabriel. If we don’t give him what he wants—or at least make itlooklike we’re giving him what he wants—Cole’s dead. And who’s next? One of your brothers?”
“Not happening. I’ll find Cole and deal with Duchanes before anything—”
“You don’t know that. Renault’s a smug asshole, but he’s not completely stupid. He’ll expect a double-cross.”
“Doesn’t mean he’ll be able to defend against it.”
“And if he can? What do you think happens to me then?” She grabbed her coat and boots, ignoring his protests. “He knows we’re here, Prince. He’s obviously got people watching the place. The minute he realizes I’m not with you, I’m dead. And this time, I doubt his goons will do me the courtesy of leaving a decapitated wolf as a warning.”
“Jacinda…”
Gabriel cursed under his breath.
Fucking hell, she was right. Gabriel knew it—he’d known it as soon as Duchanes had issued the demand. There was no way around this. They either showed up together as ordered, or the dawn would bring nothing but death.
Cole’s. Jacinda’s. Dorian’s. His own.
“Trust me on this,” she said, reaching for his hand. “Please, Gabriel.”
Gabriel finally stopped pacing and turned to face her again. Slid his hands back into her silky hair. Tried one more time to break through her obstinate, reckless, beautiful audacity—a thing he loved and loathed in equal measure.
“You risked your life to save Charlotte,” he said softly. “Now you’re ready to do it all over again for Cole?”
“Seriously? How is that even a question?”
“Because it’s… You’re just… If anything were to… Ah, moonflower.” Gabriel sighed and shook his head. As much as he wanted to chain her to a chair and lock her in the closet to keep her safe, he couldn’t help but admire her courage. Her fire. “What happened to the woman ready to sacrifice the whole world just to save her father’s soul?”
Tears glazed her eyes, and when she finally answered him, her voice was little more than a sigh. “Maybe she realized she wouldn’t be able to look her father in the eyes if she sat on the sidelines and let her friends die.”
Gabriel nodded, touched his forehead to hers. There was no use in perpetuating the argument—he’d already lost. “Then let’s just be sure we don’t let anyone die tonight, shall we?”
“Thanks for the ‘we,’ Prince.”
“We’re partners, are we not?” he teased.
“Despite your best efforts to play the lone hero…” She pulled back and grinned, then thrust out her hand. “Hell yeah, we’re partners.”
Gabriel took it. Held on tight. But he couldn’t return her smile—not when he thought about the odds.
“I’m still not sure what the fuck we’re doing,” he said. “What we’re walking into at that warehouse. Duchanes and his vampires? A hundred grays ready to attack? Dark mages preparing for another sacrifice?”
“Whatever it is, we can handle it. Together. We just need three things—well, four, counting the coffee.” Jacinda headed to the kitchen.
Gabriel followed, digging out the travel mugs as she set the pot to brew. “And the other three things?”
“A halfway decent plan, a little magic, and your favorite—leverage.”
“Secondfavorite.” Gabriel slid a hand around the back of her neck, tracing her earlobe with his thumb. “Weapons, Jace.That’smy first favorite, and you left it off your list entirely. We’re not going in there unarmed.”
“Silly vampire.” She glanced up at him and smirked, her eyes turning demon-black, a hint of silver-blue hellfire flashing through them like an electric current. “Who said anything about going in unarmed?”
Chapter Two
