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“You rang, Mr. John—oh!”
I glanced over my shoulder as she stood there, shaking her head and grinning from ear to ear. I know we should have stopped right there, but I was so close, and Chase felt so good, that when he touched my clit one more time, I let out a little scream and came, waves of orgasm rolling over me, sending me reeling as Chase followed suit.
“Carry on, then,” Jessila said, laughing as she shut the door behind her.
Chase broke out in loud guffaws as we disentangled ourselves, and I crawled under the sheet next to him. “Man, did you see her face?”
“You are a bad, bad man,” I said, snickering as I cozied up in his arms. I brought his injured hand to my lips and gently kissed the gauze. “You’re a bad man, and I’m going to have to punish you. How about if I order you to fuck me again?”
But he said nothing. My sweet detective was asleep, snoring soundly. I shook my head. He needed his rest, and so did I. I slid out from the bed to give him more room, pulled the covers up to his chin, then let myself go and transformed into my tabby self. One quick leap, and I curled up on the pillow next to his head, sleep beckoning like a warm, lazy day.
For the moment, everything was right with the world.
CHAPTER 29
Three nights later, we gathered what turned out to be quite a conclave in Smoky’s barrow. Among the invited: my sisters and me, Iris and Maggie, Chase, Morio, Vanzir, and Roz, along with a medley of humans and Supes.
Venus the Moon Child from the Rainier Puma Pride was there, and Wade from Vampires Anonymous. Shamas, our cousin, and Lindsey Cartridge, the director of the Green Goddess Women’s Shelter, showed up, along with Tim Winthrop, a female impersonator-computer guru FBH who was instrumental in helping us build the Supe community database.
But our most daunting guests were the three Earthside Queens of Fae, Titania, Morgaine, and Aeval. As we sat there, a tangible energy raced through the air.
“They should be here any moment,” Camille said during a lull in the conversation. “Trenyth, Queen Asteria’s assistant, sent word via Grandmother Coyote’s portal that they were planning on attending. There have been new developments, apparently, in the war at home.”
She sat beside Smoky at the head of the table, with Morio on her left. An empty chair to the right indicated the place they were saving in hopes Trillian would return.
Every stick of furniture, every glass or plate that Smoky owned was exquisite. Figures, I thought. Dragons love fine goods and money. There was nothing ostentatious, just an incredible array of unbelievably expensive possessions, most likely gathered over a thousand years or more. The furniture was old-world and hand carved, the crystal hand blown, and the wine from the best years and best vineyards.
I glanced around the barrow, amazed by how much room an innocuous mound of dirt could have beneath it. This molehill might as well be a mountain. Smoky’s barrow extended far into the earth as well as into other realms. No wonder Camille had said she felt like she was in some bizarre Alice-in-Wonderland sunken castle.
The ceiling of the barrow was a good thirty feet over our heads, while the walls enclosing us were granite on three sides. The fourth side opened into a huge ravine, and from below, I could hear the sound of water running. A stream or river wound through the bottom of the channel, but it was so deep and dim that I couldn’t see which. I wanted to go exploring but reined in my curiosity. Right now, we had more important things on the agenda.
Chase had just been released from the hospital. We were officially back together again. Though we hadn’t quite decided on the terms on which we were going to establish our relationship, we were determined to make it work. I sat there, his hand in mine, blessing the fact that he was alive.
I glanced around the room. I still hadn’t told anybody about meeting my sister yet, and I wasn’t entirely sure why. There was just something that kept me silent, some desire to keep the experience mine for as long as I could before I let anybody pick it apart and dissect it.
At that moment, a knock resounded from outside the barrow, and Smoky crossed to open the door. He stood back, bowing gracefully as the Elfin Queen—Queen Asteria—entered. She was followed by Trenyth, her assistant. I noticed Smoky staring outside, a look of surprise on his face. He said nothing, however, just shut the door and followed them back to the table.
After the round of introductions, everyone presented their news.
Venus went first. “Zachary will recover, but he’s out of the game for a while. His plans to run for councilman are on hold, so we’re pushing Nerissa to run in his place. I’ve marshaled the Elders and put my foot down. They agree to sponsor her, and they agree that it’s in our best interests to offer you whatever help the Puma Pride can give you. We’ve spoken to some of the other tribes who are going to sign the Supe Community Treaties. Within a month, we’ll form a militia. Let’s just say reading about the troll incident with Camille, and then Zachary being attacked by the RÄksasa spurred them into action.”
Tim stood up. “I’ve almost completed all the programming for the database, and we’ll have an expansive phone tree printed out soon. This will go to the elders of every tribe participating, as well as to individual members who are heading the different committees.”
Venus leaned forward. “Sounds good. What about privacy?”
Tim nodded. “I’ve managed to rig it to maintain a degree of privacy while still allowing us to reach everyone on the rolls within an hour, providing they’re near their phones. But the only people who will have access to the entire organization’s files will be the council, once it’s elected, and Camille, Menolly, Delilah, and me.”
Camille nodded and turned to Lindsey. “What do you have for us?”
The newly pregnant—and thoroughly delighted—newcomer to our group gave everyone a timid smile. Lindsey had been so much help with Erin Mathews, and she was a well-known priestess among the FBH witches, so we’d decided to bring her into the fold. She’d been terrified when we told her about the demons, but she was more than willing to help.
“As you know, most human pagans and psychics are a scattered lot and not taken too seriously, but I’ve managed to convince several of the larger magical orders that there are dangerous energies around, and that you’re trying to help deflect these. We’re working together to seal areas of the city with protective runes. It’s too early to tell, but we should keep an eye on the crime rates in those areas. Several of the Fae you recommended we talk to are working with us to strengthen our own magic. Kind of scary, but we’re with you.”
“Then it seems,” Menolly said, “that we’re building our allies.”
“Good. Speaking of allies, we have much to discuss and little spare time, so if you will allow me to go next,” Queen Asteria said, “then I can return to Elqaneve before morning.”
She glanced around the table, her gaze lingering on the three Earthside Fae Queens. “First, I have important news about the war in Y’Elestrial. Tanaquar’s forces have breached the city, and she’s claimed the crown.”
