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“Listen,fangboy,” Gabriel intervened with a glare in his direction. “Your trickery doesn’t count, and besides, one of us won’t be enough. The Thrall are deadly. She needs at least two of us with her, which is why I’m also going.”
Damian played with his black nails, appearing bored.
“I’m a dual being since I’m a ghoul, and I possess the gift ofsoul touch, which will come in handy if we run into other immortals and creatures during this little mission. Count me in,” Ryder added with a wink in my direction. “I’m intrigued by the idea of kicking some Thrall ass.”
‘I like the ghoul even if he is delusional.’
‘Shut up, fangboy.’
Damian barked out a loud laugh as I shook my head.
Gabriel narrowed his eyes, hugging my body closer. He nearly growled at anyone who came close. My disappearance must have left him feeling overprotective and dangerously territorial. Lycan were rumored to act this way only around mates. I had to admit I found his behavior sexy and sweet at the same time.
But . . . mates?
Damian pretended to gag, and I shot him a dirty look before snuggling in Gabriel’s embrace.
“You’re all missing a crucial point here,” Gypsy drawled from her spot on the bed. “Cassie will have to bond to the Cosanmembers following her into theEther.”
“It’s a necessity,” Aunt Gwen agreed.
Damian perked up and shot a wink in my direction.‘We can deepen our bond easily.’
“Not you,” I retorted, glaring in his direction. “I’ll just take Gabe and Ryder.”
A dangerous shadow crossed his face as his lip curled up on one side.‘We’ll see about that, pet.’
‘Don’t push it, vampire.’
He scowled at my response.
“Why is another bond necessary?” I asked, enjoying the way Gabriel rubbed circles into my back.
A low rumble seemed to originate down in his chest as he leaned in, and his nose skimmed the skin from my shoulder to my neck, right up to my ear, where he placed a light kiss on my temple. “Safety.” Some sort of purr followed, and I swear it slickened the area between my thighs.
Aunt Gwen sat in front of Gabe and me. “Yes, safety, but it’s more than that. The ancestors will be with you, but your power is connected to more than the Howe lineage. Your Cosan can lend their own talents and skills to aid you in your quest. It’ll boost your abilities and energy reserves.”
Why did this sound like some bizarre and twisted version of a bad video game?
I didn’t want to embark on any quest—much less go up against those damn Thrall again.
I barely escaped last time.
Sighing, I decided to bring the conversation back to the point. “What does any of this have to do with the rogue witch, Jadis, and the Salem witch families as targets?”
“Good question,” Gypsy answered as she smiled at Gabe. He couldn’t seem to stop his roaming hands. At least he kept it tame. “We should consult the leaves.”
“Yes, and we will,” my aunt assured Gyps, “but I think this rogue witch has an agenda. You were sent to theEtherfor a reason, Cass. This doesn’t bode well for Samhain. We must seek the ancestors after the leaves.”
As I gazed out the window, listening to Gabe, Ryder, and Damian discuss plans to return to theEtherwith me in tow, a small ebony bird flopped down on the ground, falling from the sky at an odd angle. It hopped a few times and then flew up onto our wrought-iron gate. Its beady little eyes seemed to lock directly on my house, specificallyme.
A raven.
Did the bird follow me from theEther?
The raven cawed and flew up to a tree on the border of our yard, hopping from branch to branch. I had the distinct impression the damn thing wanted me to follow, like the ones that helped me in theEther.
Was I only imagining the sense of urgency?
