Eventide

Part Seven Rejuvenation

There is something incredibly different about Ginger Slater and Sydney Maspeth. I’m still so busy trying to let my brain wrap around the fact that Victorian was right—one little touch put me directly into Sydney’s body. I saw what she saw. But she felt what I felt. Weird.

Ginger I’ll keep at arm’s length. Haven’t touched her. I can tell, though, that she is dying to get her little fingers on me. I’m ready for it. I still have processing to do.

Darius is definitely a different story. He’s old as dirt, although he looks around thirty, and has some sort of magical powers. That much I can tell. Not a vampire. Neither is Gabriel or the one who has done nothing but stare at me. Lucian. There’s something—I don’t know—feral about him. Unpredictable. Frightening, even. Unlike a vampire. This whole thing is strange. And I’m ready to get the hell out of Romania.

“These are two of WUP’s most crucial cases right now,” Jake Andorra says. “Ginger just lost her partner.” Jake flashes a warning look at Lucian. “And inadvertently gained another.”

I shake my head. “Lost her partner?” I ask.

“I’m a field agent, presently stationed near the village of Dunmorag in the northwest Highlands,” Ginger offers. “Relatively new to WUP, but I’ve been studying shifters ever since high school. We’ve”—she inclines her head toward Lucian—“chased our unsub to the Carpathians.”

“Shifters? Unsub?” I ask.

Ginger grins. “Shape-shifters. Those who can morph from one being to another. Say, from a man into a wolf.” She slides a glance at Lucian. “And unsub—that’s the term we give the bad guys.”

I simply nod.

“Sydney and Gabriel are knee-deep in shit over in Edinburgh,” Jake adds.

“So I see,” I answer. I slide a glance to Sydney and Gabriel. She looks like she can handle her own. I admire that.

Jake chuckles. “Ah, so you have. They have their hands full of the Jodís in Edinburgh. Along with a mortal group who call themselves the Gemini. There seems to be a band of Black Fallens taking over the city.”

“Black Fallens?” I dare ask.

Jake nods. “Fallen angels. Bad ones.”

“All threatened by nine malevolent spirits Darius there tried to take care of centuries ago,” Sydney adds. “They were a little smarter than he anticipated.”

Darius remains silent.

Rising from my place on the sofa, I pinch the bridge of my nose, shake my head, then meet Jake Andorra’s gaze. “Fascinating. Really. All of it.” I step closer, tilt my head, and look up at him. “But what’s any of this got to do with me?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Eli lean closer to me.

“Well,” Jake continues, and his green eyes all but glow as they stare down at me. “I was hoping to offer you employment once all of your present matters are handled.”

I gape. I glance at Eli, who shrugs. Then I move my gaze back to Jake. “I’m a tattoo artist. I own an ink shop. I’m raising my little brother. That’s what I do.”

Jake merely smiles. “You’ve too many…capabilities, Riley. Way too many to waste. You’d be the perfect addition to our team.”

I open my mouth to retort, but Jake holds up his hand. “Just…think about it.”

“I’ve thought about it. No.” I move away from him, because, really, I don’t trust him.

“Wait,” Ginger says, and steps toward me. “Seriously, Riley, think about it.”

Then goddamn it all, she does it. She grasps my arm before I can snatch it back. The room spins, my eyes cross, and everything goes blurry once again.…

“So, you think you can handle this one, huh, newbie?”

I’d glanced at Paxton Tarragon, the arrogant senior field agent I’d been training with for the past three months. He had been in his mid-thirties, had worn white, spiked hair, and had looked like Billy Idol. I’d narrowed my gaze, sick to death of being called newbie. The only thing I’d hated worse than that was being called blondie. Typical straight blond hair and blue eyes had been roadblocks in my career. No guy took a blonde seriously. Then add in the name Ginger? I’d always had to prove myself. Bastards. “Hell yeah.”

My conversation with Pax replayed in my head more times than I could count. Why had he had to have been so damn cocky? That seemed like a long time ago now.

Over the course of the next week, Lucian slowly introduced me to my new world, my new body, my new senses. I would not be able to master them all for some time; my hearing was exaggerated and sometimes hurt my ears and insides. My sense of smell was so intense, it overwhelmed me, and I couldn’t determine one smell from another—except for Lucian’s scent. His was unique and solely Lucian’s, and I could detect it a mile away. My strength and speed were immature but growing fast—almost too fast. I tripped, I fell, I hurled myself to speeds which my old body couldn’t handle yet. I busted my ass more times than I could count. But Lucian was right there to help me up.

Each night, we made intense love and fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms. Each night, I dreamed. Pax pursued me in his human form, always in a heavy mist, always through a dense wood. The white fog slipped through the trees and brush like long, reaching fingers, and I ran hard, stumbling and not in control of my new speed and strength. Pax, for some reason, was. His white spiked hair appeared behind every tree, every rock, as though he was toying with me. And every time, he’d catch me, back me against the base of a tree. “This is your fault, newbie. I’m here, trapped as an abomination, all because of you. I don’t know whether to thank you or rip your throat out.” I’d awaken, shaking violently, breathless, just before Pax shifted into his wolf form and lunged at me, teeth bared. I kept the dreams from Lucian. I thought I could handle them, or that they’d just go away. I was so very wrong.

My arrival in Dunmora, and the events that had followed, haunted me.

“So you have a couple of years behind you, and what?” He cocked his head and stared at me. “Think you’re ready?” He’d shaken his head and had popped the hatch. “I’ve been at this for ten years, newbie, and trust me—you’re never ready.”

I’d met Pax’s stare for a few seconds, had told him to eff-off in my head, had grabbed my pack and shouldered it. Then I’d really taken a good look around at the secluded Highland village. “Desolate” was the first word that had come to mind. A half dozen gray stone and whitewashed buildings hugged the pebbled crescent shore of a small lake—or, rather, a loch. Beyond the village, the Rannoch Moors were even more desolate than Dunmorag. Tufts of dead grass, brown heather, and rock stretched for miles. Far in the distance, dark, craggy mountains threw long shadows and loomed ominously. The skies were gray. The moors were gray. Even the water in the loch was gray. Well, black.

“Foreboding.” That was the second word that had come to mind.

“You gonna stand here all day and take in the scenery or what?” Pax had asked.

I’d given him a hard look, which he’d ignored, instead inclining his head to the pub behind us. “I’m ready,” I’d said. I had shifted my pack, had snugged my leather jacket’s collar closer to my neck, and together we’d crossed the small car park. The wind bit straight through my clothes, and I’d shivered as I’d stepped onto the single paved walk that ran in front of the stores. I’d glanced down the row of buildings. A baker. A fishmonger. The Royal Post. A grocer. An inn and a pub. And absolutely no people around. Weird. Very, very weird. Good thing weird had been our specialty.

A black sign with a sliver of a red moon painted on it had swung above the pub on rusted hinges, and the creaking noise had echoed off the building. In silver letters, the sign read THE BLOOD MOON. Pax had pushed in through the red double doors—quite befitting, the red—and I’d followed. Inside, it had taken my eyes several seconds to adjust to the dimmer light. A hush fell over the handful of people gathered in the single-room dwelling. “Guess we found the villagers,” I’d whispered to Pax. They had stopped what they were doing or saying to stare at us. No one had uttered a word.

I’d glanced at Pax, then all around, until my eyes had lighted on the man behind the bar. He had dark, expressionless eyes that reminded me of a shark’s eyes, and they’d bored straight into me. His head, shaved bald, had shined beneath the pub’s overhead light. He’d said nothing. I had walked up to him and had met his gaze. “We’re looking for Lucian MacLoud,” I’d said. “Know where we can find him?”

It was weird, mine and Lucian’s relationship. I felt completely at ease with Lucian, as though we’d known each other forever. He’d had nearly three weeks to come to terms with the fact that I was his marked mate; I’d had about twenty-four hours. Still, I accepted it readily and willingly. It felt…natural, as though my life was to turn out no other way than to be here, in the Highlands of Scotland, with an ancient Pict warrior-wolf. It felt even more natural to become a wolf, too. I can’t explain it without sounding like a lunatic, but there you go.

Lucian and I left the bothy the last day of my transition and traveled north and west to the MacLeod stronghold. Situated on a sea loch, the massive gray stone fortress, complete with four imposing towers, dominated the seascape. It literally stole my breath.

“You live here?” I asked incredulously. I glanced at him.

Lucian laughed, and reached over and grasped my hand. “Nay. We live here.”

My heart swelled at his words. We’d not exchanged the L-word yet; somehow, it just didn’t seem right. But we’d both claimed each other, and the word “mine” sounded nearly as powerful as, if not more than, the word “love.” There would be an adjustment period for both of us. But one thing of which I was absolutely positive: We were meant to be together.

Lucian pulled onto a single-track gravel lane that led to the massive front doors of the castle, and before we had the Rover in park, five big guys emptied the entrance and made their way toward us. All had dark hair in various lengths and bodies that looked like they swung axes and swords and kicked ass for a living.

Lucian glanced at me and laughed. “They won’t bite.”

I looked at him and raised a brow. “Doubt that.”

I climbed out of the Rover, slammed the door, and faced the MacLeods.

“Gin, my brothers. Arron, Raife, Christopher, Jacob, and Sean.”

Arron walked up and embraced me; the others followed. “Welcome,” Arron said, his eyes flashing quicksilver.

“About time we had a lass around the place,” Jacob said, and the others laughed.

The MacLeods welcomed me, and as it was with Lucian, the same held true with his brothers. It felt like I’d known them my entire life.

The MacLeod fortress entailed no less than two hundred acres and the shoreline, and inside the castle was a modernized habitat befitting an ancient wolf clan of Pict warriors. Primeval mixed perfectly with contemporary. It was mind-numbing to think how long ago Lucian and his brothers were born, how long they’d lived.

They prepared me for my transition that night; in all honesty, there wasn’t much they could do except stand by and wait, help out if needed. Lucian warned me the first time would be painful, and he apologized more times than I could count. He held me in his arms, kissed me, smoothed my hair from my face, and promised to not leave my side until it was over.

By nightfall, as the moon began to rise, Lucian and his brothers walked me to the shoreline, encircled me, and waited. I immediately knew it had begun when my skin began to itch. I felt as though I wanted to crawl right out of it, and I clawed and scratched at my arms, my neck, my abdomen. My temperature rose, higher and higher until I thought I would self-combust. My skin was on fire, and I began to pull at my clothes. No matter that it was October in the Highlands; I was hot. I didn’t have time to yank them off, either. I felt my skeleton give way, the popping and rubbing sounds reverberating inside my head. I cried out in pain, and in my peripheral vision I saw movement and knew it was Lucian. He stopped abruptly, and didn’t advance farther.

My heels and long bones shifted, elongated, contorted, and just when I thought I couldn’t take the pain and heat a second longer, I fell to the ground, let out a low, long bay, and it was over. I leaped up, shook my body, and met the silver gazes of six other wolves, their shaggy dark coats glistening in the moonlight.

We ran that night, my new brothers, my mate, and I. We ran from the west coast of Scotland clear to the east, along the shores of the North Sea, and it was invigorating, mind-freeing. My new body rocked with sensations, and I wanted to keep running. I saw everything through my new eyes, and it was as though I was seeing the world for the very first time. Lucian ran beside me, his silvery blue gaze watching me closely. We spoke to each other in our minds. He never left my side. At some point, exhaustion overtook me. We made it home, and I fell hard asleep.

When next I woke, I was in my human form, tucked closely against Lucian’s body. The sun had not yet risen, and I felt invigorated. I wanted to explore the shore, so I slipped from our bed, quickly dressed, and headed outside. No one else stirred. I was the only one awake.

The brisk Highland air greeted me, along with a healthy dose of mist. I found it strange not to be cold, but my core stayed over one hundred degrees, so there was no need for a jacket. I breathed in the air, sweet with clover and something else I couldn’t name, and took in my surroundings. On the left side of the gravel lane, a meadow, and at its edge, a dense copse of wood filled with towering pines and oaks.

Then I saw it. Through the slender ribbons of mist I saw something white move into view. I stared, my newly sharpened vision trained on the spot. Before my brain registered what my eyes saw, I knew. Pax. He waited for me. Without thought, I took off toward him at a jog, and by the time I reached the wood line, I was at a full run. Pax had disappeared.

I eased through the trees, the canopy above keeping out any light that may have filtered in, and searched for Pax. Deeper into the wood I moved, determined to settle things with my old partner. Surely, no matter his fate or mine, we could come to terms. We’d been partners. We’d sort of been friends. He’d watched out for me. I knew, despite the awful dreams, he wouldn’t hurt me.

In the next instant something heavy slammed into my body, and I was knocked hard against the base of an aged oak. I was turned abruptly, and when I looked, the man who pinned me against the tree was not Pax. I frowned, shoved, and cursed. “Get the hell off of me,” I growled and shoved my knee into his balls. “Now!”

He sucked in a breath but quickly recovered. “Oh, no, love,” he said, his accent thick, his tone full of hatred. He pushed me hard against the tree. “We’ve been waiting for the chance to get at Lucian MacLeod and his brothers, and you’re it.” Without warning, he punched me—caught me right in the jaw, and my head snapped back and slammed into the hard wood of the tree.

I glared at him. “He’ll kill you,” I said, my pitch lowering.

The man laughed. “Right. We’ll see about that.”

Four other men emerged from the wood. One of them was Pax. He ambled up to me, his eyes laced with disgust. He pushed the guy away from me and leaned close to my ear. “You did this to me, newbie,” he said, just like in my dream. “I can never go home now. I’ll never see my wife again, thanks to you.” His breath brushed my neck. “I’ve half a mind to just rip your throat out now instead of letting these assholes use you to bait your mate.”

I met Pax’s hard glare. “Do it,” I said. “Stop talking about it and do it.”

A low growl escaped Pax’s throat, and in the next second he shifted into his wolf form. His fangs, dripping with saliva, hovered close to my ear, my throat. In my head, I imagined myself in my wolf form; nothing happened.

In the next second, in a flurry of fur and fangs, a pack of nearly black wolves entered the wood at full speed. The men with Pax shifted, and the fight began. I was knocked into a tree, where I fell, crouched to the ground, and watched.

I couldn’t make myself change. I was helpless.

The melee was horrific. Bones crunched. Blood. Cries of pain. No human words met my ears, but I heard them in my head.

Then, a large wolf with a band of white on his chest charged me. It was Pax. I knew it. And I was no match for him. I rose, my back against the tree, and kept my eyes trained on my old partner.

Just before he lunged, a large black wolf leaped from out of nowhere and slammed Pax to the ground. They fought; fangs gnashed, massive claws raked, bodies smashed into each other. The black wolf was Lucian—about that I had no doubt. With a final agonizing cry, Pax’s neck was broken, and Lucian—God, it was awful—tore into his throat.

Then it was over.

Lucian moved toward me, shifted, and stood naked before me. He was covered in Pax’s blood. Anger radiated off him. Anger and relief.

“Let’s go,” he said, and grasped my hand, threading his fingers through mine. “This is over,” he said, and squeezed my hand. “For now.”

Together, we walked back to the hall, and Lucian bathed and got dressed. Lucian’s brothers cleaned up the aftermath, and Lucian explained to me what was to come. I can’t say that I was shocked.

“I’m verra sorry about your partner,” he said, folding me into his embrace. He rubbed my back, a rhythmic motion that calmed me instantly. “He was no longer himself—you understand that?”

I nodded against his chest. “Yes.”

He looked at me for a moment, searching my eyes. “There are others. From all over the world, no’ just Scotia. As you worked for WUP, your talents will be trifold as a MacLeod warrior. We go where we’re needed. We fight to protect innocents. And you are one of us now, Gin. Your skills will grow and you’ll become as fast, as strong as I.” He kissed me then, long, erotic, slow. When he pulled back, his gaze all but worshipped me. “But you’re not there yet, and I’ll no’ take any more chances with your life. You’re mine,” he whispered against my mouth, then brushed his lips across mine. “And I’ll no’ leave your side until you have full control over all of your new powers.” He rested his forehead against mine. “I canna lose you, Gin. You’re mine forever.”

Suddenly I’m Riley again, and I fall back as Scotland and wolves and blood and bone-crunching fade away, and the interior of Castle Arcos emerges once again. I stumble, shake my head, and press my fingers into my eye sockets to try and stop the vertigo from sending me sprawling. “Damn it,” I mutter, and then feel two strong hands steady me.

Surprisingly, they aren’t Eli’s.

“Please, lass,” a deep, heavily accented voice says quietly in my ear. “Please.”

I turn and meet the intense gaze of Lucian MacLeod.

A fast flash of his body morphing painfully into a wolf scrapes behind my eyes. I see it. I feel it. It’s like…I’m him. For only a brief second. Then he steadies me and turns me loose.

Lucian is a werewolf.

And so is Ginger.

The sincerity in Lucian’s gaze nails me. Paralyzes me. His words sink deep into my psyche, and never have I known myself to fall so hard for a plea as I was falling right this very minute.

“I’ll think about it,” I say to Lucian.

His gaze lingers, and I can only conclude that he’s trying to see if I mean what I say. Finally, he gives a slight nod and moves away.

“But,” I say, looking directly at Jake Andorra, “I want to know more about…your organization. As in, everything. As in, what would be expected of me.”

He smiles. “I shall tell you everything, indeed.”

“Ah, there you are,” a voice calls out. Smooth. Flawless. Powerful.

Immediately, I know it’s him.

He moves so fast, I don’t see him until he’s standing right beside me. Eli protectively pushes between us.

“Back down, boy,” Julian Arcos says. Gilles and Victorian have entered with him, and both stand a ways back. “I will hold counsel with Riley Poe. Alone.” His voice is cold, his gaze icy as he inspects me from head to toe. “Now.”

“Non,” Eli says, his fingers lacing through mine. His voice is harsh, determined, deadly. “Not without me.”

Julian Arcos passes a long, cold gaze over first me, then Eli. “Alone.”

Not only does Eli stiffen, but Noah, Jake, Gabriel and Lucian all take a step closer.

The male adrenaline in the room pulses.

“It’s okay, Eli,” I say, and move forward. I throw a glance behind me. “Guys, it’s all right. I’ll go.” He’s not going to do anything to me, Eli. With you, Gilles, and the others here? No way. So chill out. I got this.

Eli’s glare slides over me, and I know he’s on fire. Not only does he hate losing control to Julian, but his protectiveness over me has all but consumed him. I can tell. So I put a hand on his forearm, squeeze, and move in front of him.

Julian’s long silvery hair gleams beneath the lamplight as a chilling smile touches his mouth. “Come,” he says to me, and grasps my hand, tucks it into the crook of his arm, and without another word, leads me from the others.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little intimidated. He’s an ancient, powerful strigoi vampire with more control than even I can fathom. He’s evaded a vampire’s death for centuries. He’s badass and knows it.

I know it.

“’Tis true, my dear,” Julian says quietly, bending his head slightly toward mine.

I don’t even look back as we leave the great hall.

Julian guides me through the manse, down long corridors and up stairs. By the time we enter the room, I know I’ve lost my way. No doubt he’s done it on purpose.

The moment we enter the room, Julian moves away. Here one second, gone the next, and I’m pretty sure he’s doing it to freak me out. He continues to shift as he speaks. Shit head.

“Riley Poe. I’ve heard much about you over the years,” he says, appearing next to the wall of books across the room. He slides one out, examines it with long, elegant fingers as though completely uninterested in my presence. “’Tis all Victorian has talked about since his return home.” He slips me a glance and a smile. “Riley, Riley, Riley.” He sighs and replaces the book and looks at me. “I can now see why my son is so obsessed with you.”

I blink, and he’s gone. Turning my head, I search the massive room for his silver head of hair. He’s nowhere.

Then he’s everywhere.

“The power you have over him intrigues me,” Julian says in my ear. I snap my head to look at him and he’s gone again.

“How he’s controlled himself around you intrigues me just as much,” he continues. A long finger traces the black inked wing at my cheek. “What is it about you, Riley Poe, that completely drains my youngest son of all decent vampire capabilities? Do you know the power he exerted in order to keep from killing you once he’d tasted your blood?” His lips brush my cheek. “Myself as well?”

I try to move but nothing happens. I’m paralyzed, frozen in place. Only my mind races. I try to speak—even that doesn’t work. Senior Arcos has me under his power, and it’s damn strong. My eyes, though, work perfectly, and I keep them trained on Julian as he moves in front of me. I decide to speak to him in my mind. So you brought me in here, deep into the belly of your moldy old castle, far away from the others, just to suck the life out of me? Where I come from, that type of person is called a pussy, Jules. I’m just saying.

Julian stares at me, then laughs. “Of course not, dear. I merely wanted you to understand my position.” He inclines his head. “And to make you an offer.”

I stare at him, waiting.

He smiles. “If ever you tire of living the life you lead, Riley Poe, Castell Arcos could surely use a queen.”

What the hell? Julian Arcos is coming on to me? I continue to stare. Dumbfounded. Is it my strength? My powers? Our blood bond? Whatever it is, uh…no way.

Julian shrugs as he hears my thoughts. “For Victorian, one day.” He strokes my cheek. “Or for me. And the answer is yes to all of your own questions. We’d be…invincible together.”

Thanks for the offer, Jules, but I’ve got a life already and I’ll keep it, if it’s all the same to you.

Julian’s icy gaze moves over me, slowly. “As I said. If ever you tire of the life you lead.” His gaze lingers on my mouth. “And I fear, my dear girl, with all of the powers inside of you, one day, you will.”

Our gazes clash and lock.

“In the meantime, make sure my eldest is returned to me, unharmed,” he says. “And one more thing. Valerian will not be an easy foe to capture. Mention his mother and you may have a slight advantage, even if momentarily.”

I blink, and Julian Arcos disappears.

My body relaxes, and I’m in control once more.

And Julian Arcos has just given me a tip on how to catch his son.

Easing from the library, I slip out into the ominous hallways of Castell Arcos.

“Don’t mind Father,” Victorian says from an adjacent alcove. “He likes you.”

“Yeah, I got that,” I say, and look at him in the low light of the sconces. “You’ve been out here the whole time?”

Victorian shrugs. “Of course. I wasn’t about to let Julian Arcos take you into the bowels of the castle alone.” He grins. “Not that he would’ve harmed you. But he may have frightened you.”

For a long moment, I stare at Victorian Arcos. Not in a million years, especially after that first night in Bonaventure, when the Arcos brothers both took my blood, would I have ever dreamed he was anything other than a filthy bloodsucker. He seems kind, loyal, and loving. So very different from his brother. So very different from your typical vampire, actually.

“I am different,” he says, his smile wistful. “Yet it’s not enough.”

I’m guessing that, since my latest DNA donors, my mind is an open target for most, if not all, vampires. I’ll have to investigate that. Possibly see what I can do to change it, as it annoys the hell out of me.

“Enough for what?” I ask.

He takes a step closer. “To win your love.”

The play of light in the brown depths of his eyes as he watches me almost paralyzes me. “I feel something for you, Vic. I just don’t know what that something is. It baffles me, but there is a connection there. But of one thing, I’m absolutely positive,” I say. “I’m in love with Eli. My loyalty lies with him alone.”

A slow, wistful smile lifts the corner of his perfectly shaped mouth. He lifts a hand, pushes a stray strand of hair from my face. “Your bald honesty is only one of the things that fascinate me about you, Riley Poe,” he says, his elegant fingers lingering on my jaw. He leans in, his eyes searching mine. “Allow me just this one private good-bye,” he requests. “I’ve waited…forever.”

With his other hand, Victorian cups my face, lowers his mouth to mine, and gently presses his lips against mine. The kiss doesn’t last long, but I feel every ounce of Victorian’s emotion in the kiss. He breaks it, momentarily rests his forehead against mine, then presses his lips to my temple. “Te iubesc,” he whispers. “Mersi.”

I love you. And, thank you.

Victorian pulls back, looks at me, then blushes furiously. Damn, his cheeks literally turn fire pink. “I forgot you can now understand Romanian,” he says quietly, the r rolling with his accent. “Forgive me.” He meets my gaze. “But I cannot help it.”

I shake my head and study him. Such an anomaly. What I once thought was a monster proves to be a sweet, romantic, blushing, young, and beautiful man. Who just so happens to have to live off human blood. I link my arm through his and tug him toward the end of the hall. “I think in another place, another time, Vic”—I look at him—“who knows? But for now, I love you…as a friend. And one I feel a strong connection to.”

He smiles at me, and I’m positive it’s a smile that has brought many a young maid straight to her knees. “And I accept that, Riley Poe,” he says. “As long as you realize”—he looks down at me—“that I will wait for you. For however long it takes.” His eyes glow. “Forever.”

I smile back. “I’d expect nothing less from you, Mr. Arcos.” We hit the steps and make our way back to the great hall. “You’re coming back with us, right?” I ask.

Victorian nods. “Much to your lover’s disdain, yes. I have to ensure my brother’s safety.”

I nod. “Good. We can use your help.”

“Go to your man,” Victorian whispers, and hangs back. “The lucky bastard awaits you with the others. I think they are arranging a formal meeting for you.”

With a final smile at Vic, I walk ahead and join Eli and the others. Gilles has joined the group. All heads turn my way as I approach.

Eli, pacing, stops and walks directly to me. He grasps my shoulders. “Well?” he asks. “Are you okay?”

Giving him an assuring smile, I lean up and kiss him. “Oui, Monsieur Dupré.” I blink. The French rolls off my tongue as though it’s my first language. Intrigued, I decide to give it another try. “Est-ce-que vous avez été examiner pour la rage récemment?” I wait expectantly for praise.

A moment of silence hangs in the air before laughter breaks out in the Arcos great hall.

Eli’s lips purse tightly together, and he covers his mouth with his hand before shaking his head.

“What’d I say?” I ask. I look at Gilles. He’s still chuckling.

“Damn, girl,” Noah says, wiping his eyes. “You just asked Eli if he’d been checked for rabies recently.”

“Oops,” I say. “Guess I need to work on that, huh?”

Eli pulls me into a hug. “Non,” he whispers against my ear. “I like you just the way you are.”

I fall easily into his embrace. How simple it is for me to take comfort there. Much easier now that I’ve admitted to myself, and to Eli, how much I truly love him.

From the corner of my eye, I notice Victorian hanging back somewhat from the group. And for a moment, my heart aches.

He smiles at me. No, love. Do not ache for me. As I said, I will wait for you. And I shall also enter your thoughts routinely. You’ll grow weary of hearing me, no doubt.

I do nothing more than smile back at him.

“We must prepare for departure,” Gilles announces, drawing everyone’s attention. “Luc has called several times. The situation is growing, and it’s no longer safe to leave the entire city and our loved ones solely in the hands of my children and wife.” He faces Eli. “Valerian has been in hiding, commanding his newlings. They’ve converged now. A large clan descends upon Savannah. We must leave at once.”

Jake Andorra moves to Eli. “My team and I will accompany you.”

Eli nods and grasps his shoulder. “Merci. We can use all the help we can get. Merci.”

“I will help as well,” Victorian adds, standing tall, erect, and meeting Eli’s hard gaze without flinching. “’Tis my duty to bring my brother home.”

Eli looks first at me, then back to Victorian. “Only because Riley trusts you so much will I allow this.”

Victorian simply nods and leaves the hall.

“Well,” Noah says, clapping his hands together and rubbing them vigorously. His smile is lethal, predatory. “Time to make like a tree and get the fuck out of here.”

I shake my head. Noah’s mercury gaze lights on me and I can’t help but grin at him. Sick fool.

Within an hour, we’d packed up and, thanks to Julian Arcos, boarded two helicopters bound for Bucharest. Apparently I’d been so out of it on the journey that I’d missed the flight to Castell Arcos. But even I have to admit that the sight of the massive, ancient castle rising out of the misty rocks of the Carpathians is one I’ll not soon forget. Turrets and towers—foreboding, all of it. Yet…enticing. I guess that’s the whole vampire lure. To me, though, it is sheer beauty.

At the airport, we board the Arcoses’ private jet—a Gulfstream, no less, manufactured directly in my hometown of sultry Savannah, Georgia. The jet is immaculately decorated and lavishly furnished; I admit that it is pretty kick-ass to roll in so much luxury. Not sure I’d ever buy one myself, but it damn sure beats sitting all cramped in coach, with someone kicking the back of your seat or, worse, falling asleep on you. Had that happen to me once. Some weird dude who looked like Satan, complete with pointed goatee and all, fell right over on me. Tried to snuggle. No, thank you.

As we take off from Bucharest, the sun is setting, and the sky we fly into is various shades of orange, red, yellow, and purple. The Carpathians rise in the distance, and for a solid second, I feel sad that I’m leaving. It’s weird—I’ve never had the first little desire to go to Romania, yet I have some sort of connection to it. I now have the urge to return. Someday.

It’s not weird, love. The connection to my home is inside of you now, just as my blood, my brother’s, and my father’s circulate with each pump of your heart. It’s natural to feel this. Mayhap one day you’ll come back?

My eyes shoot over to Victorian’s, and he’s of course watching me. I smile and shrug, then turn back to the window and watch Bucharest fade away. Maybe I will. One day.

I settle down next to Eli and take notice of my traveling companions. Five vampires, two werewolves, two ancient Pict Druthan warriors, and one mortal-turned-very-important-immortal. And me.

I have to wonder what exactly the pilot is.

“Well,” Jake Andorra says, addressing everyone. “Since we had to hurry and leave in such haste I suggest we take this time to acquaint Ms. Poe with WUP”—he slides me a glance—“and what would be expected of her.” His gaze lights on everyone. “Agreed?”

The plane fills with various forms of agreement: ayes and yeses and ouis.

Jake nods. “Good.” He’s sitting in the seat across from me, so he leans forward, clasps his hands together, and meets my gaze. “As you can see, my WUP team is made up of…rather unique beings.” He nods to the various occupants of the plane. “Werewolves. Vampires. Immortals.” He smiles. “And you, Riley Poe.”

“What am I?” I ask.

Jake shrugs. “That, I haven’t figured out yet, but trust me when I say, you’ll fit right in with the rest of the team. You see, we take on cases too dangerous and powerful for mere mortals to handle. This case is probably our most dangerous thus far.”

I keep my gaze trained on Jake.

“You see, there’s really only one thing more lethal than a vampire,” he says. “A Black Fallen.”

“What’s that again?” I ask, not sure I got the full scoop earlier.

“’Tis a fallen angel, engulfed in the blackest of magic. And three of the Fallen have descended upon Edinburgh, Scotland, with a vengeance.”

“Why?” I ask.

Jake glances at another. “Gabriel?”

The big guy, Gabriel, meets my eyes. “The Black Fallen seek two things: one, a soul. No’ just any old soul. A pure one.”

“And the second?” I ask.

“’Tis an aged tome—the Seiagh—a dark, ancient book of the most potent spells, stolen from the Fallen’s possession centuries before.” His unusual eyes bore into mine. “They’ll stop at nothing to get both.”

“Aye, and it’ll take all of our powers combined to stop them,” Jake says.

“Ms. Maspeth,” Gabriel continues, “was chosen at birth to be the only one capable of reading the ancient script of the Seiagh.” He nods at Sydney. “The Fallen want her as badly as they want the bloody book.”

Across several rows, my eyes meet Sydney’s. Neither of us says a word. We don’t have to. I’ve been inside her body, linked to her soul. I’ve seen what happens in Edinburgh with the Fallen. I’ve been witness to the…things the Fallen have created to help seek out a pure soul to steal. They’re vicious, horrible creatures that are hideously gross when killed. What a frickin’ mess. And Sydney has kicked some major monster ass.

I move my gaze back to Jake. “And what about Ginger and Lucien’s deal?”

“It’s…complicated,” Jake begins. “But it’s a war brewing between two werewolf clans. Major treaties are being broken, and innocents are getting killed.”

I glance at Ginger. No lie, innocents are getting killed. I saw that while in her body, too.

I think for a moment, and raise my gaze to meet Eli’s. We look wordlessly at each other. For several long seconds. Then I glance at Jake.

“I’ll consider joining the team, Andorra,” I say. “If you consider taking my brother on, as well. I’m not leaving him behind, and he’s a damn good fighter.”

Jake grins and nods. “I know that to be true. Done, Riley.”

“I said I’d consider it,” I repeat. “I haven’t signed a contract yet.”

Jake merely grins again. “Ah, but you will. And I’ll be ever so grateful for it. Besides, you owe me a new jet. You all but tore the other one to shreds.”

“Sorry ’bout that,” I answer, and Jake continues grinning at me. Prick.

Ginger, her head against Lucien’s shoulder, looks at me. “Your powers, your energy, they’re fantastic,” she says. “So many innocents can benefit from them, Riley. Join us, please?”

My gaze moves to Sydney, who echoes Ginger. “Please?”

I simply shake my head and sigh. “I will…heavily consider it.”

“You won’t regret it,” Ginger says.

Glancing out the plane’s window, I stare at the weightless, empty air. I’m in an airplane with two werewolves, several vampires, a couple of immortals, and whatever you want to call me.

How life has certainly changed.

When I think back on me as a kid, doing such stupid, stupid things like drugs, drinking, and quitting school, and then when I think of my life now? It’s impossible to even fathom. Absently, my fingers move to the black wings inked at the corner of my left eye. Damn, I’ve done some idiotic things in my life. I hate worse than anything that my mom had to suffer through them. She didn’t deserve all that I gave her. And she damn sure didn’t deserve to die the way she did.

I can’t help but wonder what she’d be like now. What she’d think of Seth and me now. Would any of this even have happened? To be perfectly honest I’m surprised I didn’t die young. All the shit I got into as a preteen? How it must’ve killed her inside, to see her baby become such a…loser. I know that I might not be who I am now had it not been for those poor choices, but it’s hard not to hate myself for putting my mom through it all. My heart still hurts, still longs for her. Sometimes I can even feel her close to me. Sometimes, I swear to God, I can smell her. I get a whiff of someone wearing some perfume that reminds me of her and—whack! Heartbreak all over again. I really miss her. At times, I wish she could see, just for a second, that I didn’t stay a loser.

Eli’s hand finds mine, and he laces his fingers through mine. He looks at me with those enigmatic eyes, and I immediately feel calm. He smiles, and it almost makes my heart seize.

I lay my head against Eli’s shoulder. My eyes grow heavy, and I close them. After tucking a pillow under my head, since Eli’s bicep isn’t the softest of things, I drift off to sleep.

“Riley, wake up,” Eli’s voice whispers against the shell of my ear. “We’re home.”

My eyes flutter open, and the moment my brain registers my whereabouts, I sense newlings. I look at Eli. “We’ve got to hurry.”

The urgency in his face makes me know my words ring more than true.

We race from the airport in three cars, through Industrial Park and up Bay Street. I’d slept so hard on the flight home, I don’t even remember landing twice for fuel. Well, I’m full of energy and ready to fight. I’m sick and tired of our lives being disrupted. It has to end. Now.

We drive straight to Monterey Square and to the House of Dupré. It’s now four p.m. Seth meets me at the door and grabs me into a fierce hug. My feet literally leave the ground.

“Ri!” he says into my hair, hugging me so tight I can’t breathe. His arms are like bands of steel around me. He looks at me, those green eyes revealing every single emotion he possesses. “I was going crazy here, worrying about you,” he says. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, of course, squirt,” I reply, having to almost look up to answer him. I smile at him. “You’ve grown.”

Seth blushes. “Yeah, a little.” He kisses my cheek. “I’m glad you’re home, Ri. This time for good, right?”

I drape an arm over his shoulder. “Damn right.”

We walk in together.

The crowd behind me files in, and the moment Elise spies Gilles, she hurries to her husband and flings herself into his arms. They embrace for a long time.

“Riley!”

In the next second, Nyxinnia Foster throws herself at me, almost impales my eye with a pigtail, and hugs me tightly. “I’ve missed you!” she says. “Luc wanted me to stay here. Things are bad, Riley. I’m glad you’re home.”

“Yeah, looks like you brought the whole country back with you,” Luc says, walking up and pulling me against him. “Nice of you to come back mostly normal, Ri.”

“She’s never been normal,” Phin says, and he, too, pulls me into a hug.

“Whatever,” I answer. “And Nyx must be rubbing off on you guys. All this hugging.”

Phin says something to Luc in French. She might not be normal, but she’s still hot as hell.

“Yeah, I’m hot as hell all right,” I say. Then smile.

“Damn,” Luc says. “What happened?”

“All right,” Gilles says, and walks to the center of the room. “We’ve guests and introductions.” He looks around the room and his gaze lands on me. “Then we’ve business to discuss.”

“Where’s Preacher and Estelle?” I ask Phin.

“On Da Island,” he answers. “They’re there with Josie, Zetty, and Riggs.”

Gilles makes fast introductions, then inclines his head. “Philippe will show you to your chambers,” he says. “You may settle in and meet in my study in thirty minutes. There is much to discuss.”

Eli now stands on one side of me, Seth on the other, and Phin and Luc fill in the spaces. “You brought back a pair of wolves, bro?” Luc asks. “Sick.” He glances around. “Arcos is staying here, too?”

“Yes,” I answer. “And don’t be an ass, Luc. He’s here to help.”

Luc glares at me.

“I want to hear more about what’s happening in Edinburgh,” Phin says. “How old is Darius, anyway?”

I shrug as I watch the ancient Pict climb the Dupré staircase behind Gabriel and Sydney. “Old as dirt, I think,” I answer. “Pretty cool guys, though.”

“And they’re here to help, too,” Eli adds. “So be nice.”

Luc shrugs. “Cool by me.” He leans toward me. “That whole vampire versus wolf thing? It’s all Hollywood. No bad blood between us.”

“Good thing,” I say. “Because Ginger looks like she can kick your ass.”

Luc rubs his chin. “You’re probably right.”

“All right,” Eli says. “Let’s get ready. We’ve got to get a plan together. Tonight.”

Thirty minutes later we all meet in Gilles’s study. Philippe passes me as he brings in a loaded tray of food. One gray eyebrow lifts, as does the corner of his mouth. “Mademoiselle,” he says. “So nice of you to return…as yourself. Mostly.”

“Oh, I’m anything but myself, Phil,” I say. His other eyebrow lifts and he continues on. Damn, no telling what I did before Romania. It must’ve been pretty bad, though.

Gilles is front and center, and the others line the walls in chairs. “I’ve spoken to Preacher,” he says. “And to Garr in Carolina. The newlings are being led. They’re merging. And they’re coming here.”

“Led by Valerian,” I say.

“Oui,” Gilles answers. “And it’s you, Riley, that he wants.”

I sigh. “Figured as much,” I mumble. “So what now?”

Eli’s hand grasps mine.

“We lure him out,” Gilles says.

“You mean Riley lures him out?” Eli answers. “No, Papa.”

I roll my eyes. “Okay, Eligius,” I say, and turn to him. “Seriously. After all this, after all we’ve been through, after all I’ve endured, you’ve seen what I’m capable of. Now’s not the time to be overprotective.”

That little speech wins me a frown from Eli.

“It won’t be as easy as you think,” Victorian adds. “My brother is cunning. He suspects something is up.”

“Have you told him anything?” Luc says.

“No,” Victorian answers, and looks at me. “I wouldn’t.”

Gilles nods in satisfaction. “There is an old woman. Gullah. She’s been…in hiding for many years. Preacher says she’s back and knows something that will help us.” He looks toward me and Eli. “I want you two to go and speak with her.”

Eli nods. “Done. When?”

“Tonight.”

“You others will span the city,” Gilles continues. “Nyx, love, you will stay here, with me and Elise.”

“Okay,” Nyx says.

“Garr believes the research facility off the coast has been taken over by Valerian and his clan,” Gilles says. “Drummond Research. The Gullah have watched them for years, but to my knowledge, they’ve been one hundred percent scientific in their research.”

“We’ll check it out,” Eli says. “After our visit.”

“Bon,” Gilles says. “Her name is Darling. You’ll find her in LaFayette Square after nine p.m., so says Preacher.”

“I want no less than four visiting the research island,” Gilles said. “If Valerian has taken over, it will not be easy to maneuver.”

“Will do,” Eli says.

Gilles glances around, then nods. “Eat. Rest. And be careful.”

“You better hit the platters of food before the wolves do,” Luc whispers in my ear. He grins.

I shake my head and head for the spread. He may be right about that.

By eight forty-five p.m., we are all ready to head out. I’ve showered and changed into a pair of green cargos, a black tank, and a black, long-sleeved tee over the tank. Plus my Vans. Every holster I own sits against my body, filled with silver blades.

I’m ready.

We all exit the Dupré House at the same time. We all head in different directions. Wolves. Vamps. Immortals. Humans with Tendencies.

As I step out into the chilly October air, a new scent invades my senses. It surrounds me, invades me, and I draw it in and taste it on my tongue.

It’s a fight. A big fight.

And it’s close.…