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“I can. If you will send an agent toLe Ville Marchlandetomorrow, I can offer video footage of their whereabouts for the past several evenings.”
“Bullshit,” Silvan spat.
“That’s fucking ridiculous!” another lycan called out. “We want justice!”
Unsatisfied with Bastian’s answer, the three women and two men shifted into wolf form. Romy’s pupils widened to take it all in. In one fluid motion, their bodies split at the head and peeled down the middle like a snake, leaving behind a powdery skin-like residue. Five wolves snarled, then threw back their heads to howl into the night sky. Silvan didn’t shift but extended his neck and joined in a howl, defiant and proud. Asa’s eyes widened as he looked around his pack in stunned disbelief. It was obvious he disagreed with their impulsiveness.
OutsideTuiteam feòil is fuil, the pack responded to their call, an eerie, haunting howl that she would’ve given her shivers if she’d been alone in the woods. One of the wolves nudged Asa’s hand and whimpered as if to say come with us, but Asa jerked from his reach, then turned his back. The shifted wolves vaulted over the fire and into the darkness, but Silvan hung back and paced near his father.
Asa’s hands folded over his belly, and he offered an apologetic look in Cassia’s direction. The stitches across his mouth disappeared. “High Priestess, I apologize for our behavior. We are all, naturally, grieving a great loss. Claude’s death cannot possibly be mistaken for an accident. Yes, new vampires are in town, and yes, we hope you will consider this when you conduct your investigation.”
“Thank you, Asa.” Cassia offered a closed-mouth smile, one of regret and sadness. “But you know this doesn’t exempt your son from his accusation or the penalty that comes with it should it be proven false? Our peace is fragile, and any threat to it—”
“Must be eliminated,” he finished. “Yes, ma’am, I know.”
“I’ll send a team to the Lycan Woods first thing tomorrow morning. Certainly, I know you’ll want to perform Claude’s last rites as soon as possible. Again, we are so sorry for this loss.”
“Thank you, High Priestess.”
She nodded, then with a lift of her hand, she dismissed him and the council. The fiery circle vanished, and torches lit up the area in their place, revealing a massive banquet table filled with various food and beverages. Each group dispersed to socialize with the others.
“High Council is the only occasion when we’re able to mix with other preternaturals.” With a flick of her wrist, Loren materialized two golden goblets and offered one to Romy. “We’ll celebrate with wine. And it’s not just any wine, either. It’s a special fae blend, and if you can drink more than one glass, I’ll give you a hundred bucks.” She disappeared into the crowd.
Though Romy was interested in the wine, the food, and socialization among races, the lycan’s whereabouts fascinated her more.Herlycan.Silvan. Was he still there? She rose to her tiptoes and strained to see above everyone until she saw his mess of dark curls near the exit.
As if he knew she was thinking about him, he pivoted on his left foot, and they locked eyes again. This time, he winked. The action wasn’t blatantly sexy, but she felt a burn between her legs just the same. No way in hell would she make it all the way back to New Orleans without relief. Maybe there would be a moment for her to slip away unnoticed?
With Silvan gone,Romy turned her attention to Bastian and his ongoing discussion with Cassia—or rather, the fae’s discussion. Unable to get closer, she focused on her mother, on the point of her nose and the kelly green of her eyes. Then she imagined Bastian, but instead of physical features, she envisionedmore. She’d hoped to hear actual words exchanged, but what she saw was far superior: his soul. His kindness, his hatred of being misunderstood, his love for simple things like wildflowers growing in a field or hummingbirds fluttering around in the springtime. His sorrow, so deep it threatened to consume everything.
Then…
Bastian sawher.
Her insecurities about her lack of magical abilities. The fear of disappointing her mother. Her deep and abiding love for Thora. The peace she found beneath the moon.
Andromeda, you are mine.
Laid bare, Romy looked away.
Between the lycan and the vampire, she was spent. She couldn’t stay in this place any longer.
Down by the river,Romy slid her hand between her legs. Her thoughts tossed in and out like the waves, gravitating between the two men she’d encountered tonight. Twodifferentmen. Not once but twice, Romy’s walls had been breached.
With Silvan, it was primal. A sensual lust. A carnal feast.
And with Bastian… a different kind of nakedness. Romy was defenseless. Unprotected. Exposed.
Both men pervaded her senses, and she reached the summit of pain and bliss.
To her left, amber eyes shined so brightly that she could see their reflection in the water.
To her right, a figure stood tall, concealed in the shadows. Both watching. Both waiting.
Both wanting.
With that thought, Romy surrendered to the pleasure and cried out into the night.
CHAPTER3
