Page 128 of Siren’s Secret

Her eyes glued into the second portal, and no matter how much Jarred squeezed her hand, her heart refused to calm down. No one spoke. Or if they did, she didn’t hear them.

A soft ripple later, a stunning woman stood on their front lawn, wearing a blood red evening gown. Her soft gray hair was in a chignon held up by a bejeweled comb and diamonds fell down her neck like a waterfall. Her aura rolled over them all like punch, hard enough that Wave was sure beings on the next street felt her presence.

Well, Grandmother had always known how to make an entrance.

Her eyes bored into Wave, who refused to move a muscle and held her own aura in a vicious grip. That was until the two lords stepped through the portals at the same time, their own auras rolling freely.

The males around her stiffened. Somewhere, an alarm blared, probably triggered by the sudden massive fluctuation in power levels in the area.

A tiny whimper—so small that she only felt it in their bond—tore free from Jarred’s throat and his hold on her hand slackened.

Wave’s temper flared. They were threatening her Claimed. Hers! The blinding rage that rose from her was so swift, it swelled over all the bonds before she had time to think of the repercussions.

She didn’t just let her own aura unfold; she pulled it out and slammed it against the three rolling over and around them. Tearing at the well inside of her, she pulled, and then she pushed.

Hard.

Lucifer hummed and tucked his aura around himself immediately. Esserieh had kept his tight this whole time, not offering an insult or threat to her. It was her grandmother staggering back half a step that brought a grim smile to Wave’s lips.

She didn’t like to play these games, but she would protect her mates.

Ire flared in her grandmother’s eyes, but she gathered herself quickly and reined in her aura, leaving Wave to face off with Grandfather. The High Lord of Stormbringers didn’t bat an eye and his aura kept pushing against Wave’s.

It was a test. She knew it. He wanted to gauge where her levels lay and he wouldn’t back down until he was satisfied. She should let go and back down. Let him win, but that tiny whimper still resonated in her soul.

He wouldn’t step a foot inside their home unless Wave was absolutely sure she could shield the others. He might be testing her, but she was testing him right back.

Lucifer’s voice suddenly broke the silence. “I think we might spend the next year here, seeing this unfold, so why won’t we invoke the rules of parlay and get on with the dinner?”

The push of her grandfather’s aura increased when he sensed his chance slipping away. Wave responded in kind, silent. She wasn’t backing down.

“Parameters?” Hellion called out. Something in his voice made Wave want to turn and look at him, but she refused to even blink.

“No hostile action can be taken within the Powerhouse walls. No harm done by intent by accident,” Lucifer replied and Wave couldn’t help but snort. “Anything to add, Lady Stormwell?”

“You expect me to get through a formal dinner with my grandparents without harm. Did Hell freeze over by any chance?”

“Wayla Michelli Stormwell! That is beyond rude,” Grandmother reprimanded her.

Wave tilted her head slightly. “So is you coming out with your aura blaring out like a hussy’s pussy, Angestilica Amaret Stormwell, but here we are,” she replied, being crass on purpose. Nothing riled up Grandmother like insolence and crassness.

“That is enough,” Grandfather rumbled softly.

Usually, that tone would have made Wave back off faster than the speed of light, but not today. Not as long as he was pushing his aura at her mate, Claimed, and bonded. Her siren rebelled in its cage and that made Wave grit her teeth and push even more stormbringer power into her aura, to make sure not a whisper escaped.

“For fuck’s sake,” Lucifer cursed. “All I wanted was a nice family dinner to sort out a little poisoning. Can you two save this posturing for another time?” He sounded exasperated, but Wave heard the true anger vibrating beneath it all.

Slowly, she moved her eyes from her grandfather to Lucifer, and to her shock, found him glaring at the High Lord and not her. Esserieh’s gaze flickered to Hellion, then back to her, and it took a moment for Wave to realize that she was shielding all the Powerhouses. Not just her mates.

“Fine,” her grandfather said, and as quickly as it had begun, his aura retracted to polite levels. Wave didn’t let her relief show, but pulled back her own aura almost completely and then pushed a polite smile on her face.

“Lord Henney Stormwell, Lady Angestilica Stormwell, what a pleasure to have you to visit. Lord Lucifer, Lord Brokenstar, truly a delight, as always. Please, come in. I believe the food is almost ready.” She waved toward the front door and inclined her head respectfully.

“Fucking scary,” someone muttered.

Grandmother responded to her manners like Wave knew she would. She plastered a genuine-looking fake smile on her lips and glided over to clasp Wave’s hands. “Granddaughter. It’s been too long!” They exchanged air kisses over both cheeks before Grandmother looked down at her dress. “You must tell me who designed this beautiful dress.”

“And that takes care of the introductions,” Lucifer said. “Let’s get inside. I need a stiff drink before round two.”