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It had been a surprise to me, since I’d been out of the supernatural community for so long, that the international society of witches had started dabbling in crime-solving. Perfect timing since the Night Guild is wreaking havoc all over the place.
“Well, looks like I’m headed back home again,” Erik says.
Xander looks over at him. “You don’t want to assign one of your men to do it?” He glances down the table at the rest of us. “Erik owns a private security business. They’re basically professional bodyguards.”
Erik shakes his head. “No, this one falls too close to home. I was planning on following up anyways after I read that file. I want to see what the Night Guild is up to in my old stomping grounds. I’ll take care of it personally.”
“Wait—Astrid Olsen—her mother is a high priestess in the Raven Society,” Rowan says. “I remember that name from a list of society leadership around the world.”
Erik shrugs. “Wouldn’t be the first time I babysat royalty.”
“Okay,” Xander says. “Erik is on witch protection detail. Ven will keep working on the grimoire list. Tamsin will figure out what kind of drug the Night Guild was working on. That leaves the rest of us to work on planning raids on the additional facilities Blake located in Russia and Japan, if everyone is willing.”
Murmurs of assent rise around the table.
“We’ve certainly got our hands full,” Rowan says, “But that’s what we’re here for. Expanding the Raven Society to help the supernatural community as a whole.”
“With all these leads to explore,” I say, “Hopefully we can figure out why Light is helping Darkness. It’s crucial we determine what tipped the scales and how we can rebalance things. No one is truly safe until we do.”
“We should spread the word to our contacts,” Ven says. “Family, friends, everyone we know in the community. The Night Guild operated for so long in darkness—pun intended—and no one knew who was behind things and what was really going on. Now that we know the truth, we need to share it. That way everyone can stay vigilant.”
“We’re growing in strength,” Xander says. “We’ve now got Raven Society headquarters in Raven’s Roost for North America, Ven and Ryder’s villa in Costa Rica for South America, and, if you’re willing, Tamsin and Blake, this house can be the European headquarters.”
I smile over at Blake. “This was my parents’ house, and now ours, and nothing would make us happier.”
Blake nods and squeezes my hand under the table.
I look out across the table. “Well, it sounds like we have a plan of attack.”
“I’ll leave for Norway in the morning,” Erik says, “And report back as soon as I know something.”
“Yes, the Night Guild’s interest in Astrid seems to be the strongest piece of intel we have at the moment,” Ryder says. “Good luck.”
We adjourn the meeting and invite everyone to dine with us. Apparently, I’d missed some fancy dinner Blake had planned the night that Darkness abducted me, so we’re doing a makeup. Everyone agrees to stay and enjoy it with us. Several hours later, we finally say farewell to all our new friends.
I turn to Blake after we wave goodbye to everyone and shut the front door. Ven and Ryder are going to stay with Luciana back at MacPherson House, but we’re staying at the Edinburgh house for the time being while I get started up at the hospital.
“It’s strange how suddenly life can change,” I say, stepping up and wrapping my arms around him. He kisses me softly. “Strange and wonderful.”
“I like all of them quite a bit,” Blake says. “It feels almost like we have a new family.”
“I hadn’t thought about it like that, but you’re right,” I say. It makes my heart feel warm. “Ven and Ryder, complete strangers, helped save my life back in Costa Rica, and now we have Rowan and Xander and Erik, too.”
“And you have an amazing new job,” Blake adds. “Devon is so thrilled.”
“I’ll have an opportunity to help a lot of people. Both with this new horizon in my medical practice, and with the Raven Society.” I look up at him. “And the Highlands are just a transportation spell away. I’ll be home in time for dinner every night.”
Blake smiles. “You and I both know you’re going to get obsessed with your new job, and I’ll have to pop over here and drag you back home.”
I open my mouth to protest, and he places a finger over my lips.
“And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He kisses me, softly at first, and then it deepens. “When I said the other day that you were stubborn and imperious and demanding, I meant it.”
I smack him and he grabs my ass, pulling me against him.
“You’re also strong, and driven, and brilliant, and compassionate. I don’t want some meek woman at my side through this life.” He pulls back and looks me in the eyes. “You, Tamsin MacPherson, are the only woman for this wolf.”
“I suppose,” I say, unbuttoning his shirt as I speak, “That on nights when I get stuck at work, you’ll just have to be very good at convincing me to come home.”
A growl rumbles through Blake’s chest as I kiss down the side of his neck. He lifts me and presses me into the wall behind us. “I think I can manage that.”
And then he shows me exactly how.
***
