“Then we’ll go, Alpha. I wouldn’t put my fear before my family.”
“No,Capo, you never have, and I didn’t doubt you for a moment.”
At least, in Arturo’s words, there was thanks. The world had changed them all.
Back into Chaos Carlo would go.
Chapter Nine
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CARLO CLENCHED HIShands to hide his shaking. He was inches from a portal—one Kallan, the Unseelie with green starbursts in his black eyes, had opened with Nanshe. They chose to do it that way to hide her signature. He’d open the portal, and then she would direct it to Ashes, Nanshe’s tower. From there, she could use her space to cover them getting directly into the Forgotten Tower.
But he couldn’t focus on that move just yet. A glittering, purple and blue miasma swirled in front of him in a sweeping whirlpool. As it traveled to the center, it darkened to black. No, black wasn’t the word; it was too insipid, an incorrect description of what was before him. It was the abyss, trapping pulsing magic older than time.
“Breathe, Carlo. It is not what you think it is.”
He snorted.It’s worse.
Nanshe sighed in his head, reaching for him. Her hand, soft and warm, wrapped around his. “Magic is not something to fear. It should be respected, come to correctly. There are things you just don’t understand.”
Kallan turned, holding his hands toward the portal. “Are we going?”
“You can release your gift. The portal will not close with me stabilizing it,” Nanshe answered.
“Oh.” Kallan gaped at the portal as he did what Nanshe said. “That’s amazing.”
“It’s sort of my thing.” Nanshe smiled.
“I can see that.” Kallan’s answering grin was warm. Too warm.
A growl ripped from Carlo before he could stop it. Jealousy spread through him like a heatwave, burning away any sense of what was in front of him. He pulled Nanshe closer, tucking her under his chin. Her soft curves fit him, puzzle pieces perfectly matched, and her cinnamon-tinged scent wrapped around his cock.
Fuck, he was stiff against her, craving more. Jealousy shifted to desire, tightening his balls and tensing his muscles. He wanted her, right here, right now. He didn’t fucking care who saw it.
Kallan threw up his hands. “I meant no harm, Carlo.”
