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He sniffs it, then wraps his fingers around the mug and takes a long sip, leaning back on the pillows. “Thank you.”

After passing around the rest of the mugs, waking Sam from his dozing to offer him one too, Miranda stands at the foot of Mack’s bed. “How are you feeling, Rhone?”

I flinch at the sound of his name on her lips. Only those closest to him call him by his first name, and even we do it sparingly.

He smiles at her and shrugs. “Not too bad,” he says. “Whatever you’re giving me seems to be keeping the worst at bay.” Then he glances at Snow. “Keeping Snow close helps.”

“That’s important,” she says. “And, like I said, the good news is that the elixir is nearly ready. I managed to locate most of what we need but there’s one thing that’s alluding me.”

“What is it?” Tanner asks. “We’ll find it. Whatever it is.”

I nod and stand up, slipping my hand into Tanner’s.

Miranda purses her lips. She puts her hands into the pockets of her long, thick cardigan then sighs a little. “I’m afraid it’s a big ask,” she says. “We need the claw of a demon.”

“A demon?” Tanner’s eyebrow quirks. “Any particular demon?”

“It doesn’t matter. Just has to be a demon.”

“Does Thornfield count?” Sam mutters.

“Unfortunately, vampires don’t have claws,” Miranda replies with a gentle chuckle. “Of course, we do get the occasional demon in the city, but they’re few and far between. I’ve heard of a potential nest on the outskirts of the county. In the woods. A group of⁠—”

“What about this?” Kim interjects.

Everyone turns to stare at him. He’s reaching into his pocket, beneath the bed sheets. After rummaging for a second – causing movements of the sheet that make me expect Tanner to throw in a dirty joke – he raises his hand.

In his palm is a thick black claw.

Miranda’s mouth drops open. Her eyes sparkle. “What is that?” she asks, crossing the room quickly and lifting the claw from Kim’s grasp.

“The Venatrix. I took it from him in the fight. Used it to slice Zephyra’s face off before I escaped, too.” Pride blooms in his voice, but then he looks at Kole and says, “Yeah, sorry about that. I should have led with the fact she’s alive.”

Kole’s jaw twitches. He folds his arms in front of his stomach, his tattooed shoulders rippling. “We can deal with her later. First…” He turned to Miranda. “Is this what you need? Will it work?”

Miranda turns the claw over in her hands. A slow smile spreads across her face. “Yes,” she says. “I believe it will.”

As she speaks, I can’t stop relief and excitement making me rush back to Mack and wrap my arms around him. Kissing his forehead, I whisper, “Did you hear that, Daddy? You’re going to be fine.”

Mack strokes my hair from my face and kisses the bridge of my nose. “Don’t count your chickens just yet, Little Star. Miranda needs to finish the elixir, and we need to make sure it works.”

“It’ll work.” Miranda has scratched the base of the claw and is tasting the tip of her finger. She nods, grinning. “It needs twenty-four-hours to brew. But then we’ll be ready to test it. I assume you’re volunteering?”

Mack nods firmly. “Very much so.”

“Good. I will update you shortly.” With a decisive wave, she turns on her heels and leaves the room.

“I need to take a walk.” Sam stands up, rising slowly as if his bones ache, even though I know it’s his soul that hurts.

I hate seeing him like this – not himself. A shadow that needs bringing back into the light. “I’ll come with you,” I offer. But before I can leave Mack’s side, Sam shakes his head.

“It’s alright, Nova. I need some time alone.”

I open my mouth to speak, but Mack squeezes my hand and whispers, “Let him go.”

I try to smile, but why does it feel like I’m getting one of my mates back and losing another?

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