Page 177 of Sky’s Edge

“And, with very bad timing, both Aleece and Bainon,” Tanyn kept at it.

My gods.

“Apparently, the attack on Sigil triggered Cormac, and he attempted another abduction of Gayle,” he finally explained. “This was thwarted by RS agents. They spirited her away. Aleksei ordered her sent to me. Mac went after her. And Aleksei and Laura went after both of them. As for Bain and Aleece, I have no idea what’s going on there, except Aleksei said she’s livid for some reason…at Bain. So I can only assume Bainon did not give us the heads-up he told us he was going to give us before he shared something crucial with her. They’ll all be here in a few hours.”

“Holy Hecate,” I breathed.

“You can say that again,” Zyra whispered.

“Holy Hecate,” I repeated.

Then I slugged back some martini.

Because I had a feeling I was going to need it.

Chapter 18

One

I sprang into action, calling up staff in order to ask them to prepare rooms for our incoming guests along with making sure there would be something available to eat, as they were flying through dinner.

Tanyn also sprang into action to warn castle security of incoming crafts along with arranging with Uly to provide a detail for Gayle to keep Cormac away from her, even if they were in the same building.

I decided not to comm any of them, since they’d be there soon and I could ask them directly what in all the hells was going on.

We had dinner.

And Tanyn, Nayden, Uly, four warriors and I were standing outside on the edge of the landing bay when Gayle’s craft landed.

The RS agents with her spirited her out and to us. Then, since another craft—obviously Cormac’s—was hovering, waiting to land, with Uly in the lead, surrounded by the other four warriors, we whisked her inside and up to her room.

Along the way, I introduced, “Gayle, honey, this is Uly, one of Tanyn’s best friends and, not incidentally, a total badass.”

“Totally like you,” Uly said under his breath.

Gayle didn’t say anything.

Not a surprise, she was visibly freaked.

I’d arranged for Gayle, Aleece, Laura and Aleksei to have rooms in Tanyn’s wing of the castle, and Cormac and Bainon would be on the opposite side.

This wouldn’t keep a fae and a sorcerer at bay should they want to get to their females, but it was all I could do.

Gayle’s room was a study of silvers and grays.

Like she did as we hurried through the castle, she didn’t even glance at it.

She drifted to her ass at the edge of the bed and stared at the floor.

The level of my concern elevated alarmingly, and I shot a look to Uly, when he said, “We’ll be stationed in the hall.”

I nodded.

He walked out and closed the door behind him.

I sat on the bed beside Gayle and put my arm around her.

“You’re good here. I’ve got you,” I murmured.