This woman looked nothing like her mother. No dark eyes, no rainbow hair, no regal bearing - scratch that last part. This woman oozed regal. But she worked in a hotel. Albeit a fancy one, but still. The manager narrowed her eyes at me before turning to her younger, smaller employee. Her gaze softened. "Go get some air, Bethany. I'll take care of this."Bethany opened her mouth. The manager shook her head, her long brown hair sliding over her shoulders in a wave of slight curls. "You're not to blame. You won't be punished in any way. Go on, now."Bethany's eyelids fluttered closed as a single tear escaped her control. Shit, shit, shit. I hadn't wanted to damage the young woman. Just get her to give us a couple of rooms. "Then you should have been more careful with a Valkyrie's magic," the manager said as she glared at Scarlet. Scarlet stood beside me, her shoulders straight, her head held high. The manager watched her like a predator watches its prey. I stepped
I dug my nails into Asher's arms, my entire body vibrating with rage and fear. This woman claimed to be my mother. But according to Alok, she was also the person who wanted me dead. Kiema burst up, fists clenched, her face spelling out Nix's murder. "You're the one who wanted Scarlet dead?!"Wind rose up in the room, whipping everything around in a small tornado. Kiema's silver eyes washed to complete liquid silver. "You made a mistake. Scarlet is one of mine. You'll go through me to hurt her.""And me," Saint said as he rose to his feet. His form wavered at the edges as Ten tried to break through."And me," Ransom and Kord both stood up. Their forms also on the verge of shifting. "And us," Lukas and Atlas said. Lukas stepped away from his partner, his hands loose and ready at his sides. Atlas' top lip pulled up in a snarl. "And us," Xander and Taryk said from behind me and Asher. I didn't turn, but I knew their magic flared and pushed at their control. Asher's arms r
I held my finger to my lips, telling everyone to remain silent. I went to the phone, read the instructions. Pressing 0 for the front desk, I waited until the line was answered. "Yes, I'd like to speak to the manager on duty, please.""She's out from the desk. Could I tell her who is calling?" a young man asked. "I'll wait for her to return, thank you." The phone line was filled with more music. I chuckled, turned to the room. "They even have music when you're waiting on the phone.""Earthers must hate silence," Lukas said. "Bunch of weirdos.""Too bloody right, mate," Asher said as he winked at Lukas. Lukas chuckled. "Yes, this is Ms. Dominia. How can I help you?" Nix said over the line. "It's Kiema. I just wanted to make sure you were at the front desk. Remember, no peeking or eavesdropping. I'll call as soon as we have an answer for you.""I understand. In the meantime, I'll have the kitchen send up some food. Do you have any allergies I should be aware of w
Scarlet couldn't catch a fucking break. The yearning I saw on her face...it reminded me of my own right after I'd lost my parents. That whole-body desire to be with someone again. To be known by that other person and to know that other person to the soles of your feet. "Gentlemen," I said as I stood. I put my own hands in the air. Everyone else joined me in submission. "What are a Prime Direct, seven shifters, a Valkyrie, and a null doing on Earth? Why weren't we alerted to your visit?" the bigger of the two men said as he stepped back from Taryk. Giving himself room to maneuver, I imagine. Ransom stepped forward. "How do you know what we are?"The bigger man who had given himself more space was bald, had tattoos running up his neck and under his shirt. His face was symmetrical and he had tri-color irises that melded into deep blue eyes. "Because it's our job to know. Why weren't we alerted to your visit?"Kiema stepped forward this time. Her mates snarled low.The
"I just promised not to leave our floor until tomorrow at noon?" Ransom said, although it sounded more like a question than a statement of fact. Nix's face dropped as she blew out a breath. "Never make a solemn vow with the Fae unless you have every single possible outcome accounted for. They are sticklers for the letter of a promise and will try to find a way to make whatever vow it is work in their favor." She shuddered. "Never do that again."Ransom nodded as he gave her a weird look. I didn't understand her reaction either, but we had bigger things to discuss than her emphatic demand. I turned to Scarlet, raised my eyebrows. She gave me a nod as she settled in Taryk's lap this time. Since Nix was still watching Ransom, I quickly pointed to my chest, tipped my head to the side. Scarlet nodded again, mouthed, please.I gave her a smile and a wink. Nodded. "Nix. We have other things to talk about. Please have a seat over here." I patted the open section of the
"So let's talk about this Reckoning, shall we?" Atlas said as we moved into the other room. "I'm still looking for that food," Kiema said as she rubbed a hand over her belly. "But sure, let's talk about how we're all going to ascend into the new gods and goddesses. That won't bring about indigestion at all."Atlas chuckled as he took a seat next to Lukas on the smaller couch. "I'll keep an ear out for the food delivery. Does that work for you, Kiema?"She nodded as she settled down on the couch next to me. Saint was on her other side as Ransom plopped into a chair sitting at a right angle. "Okay, so the Reckoning," I began, rubbing my hands up and down my legs. I tried to remember Asher's words on being cool. That man should teach classes on charm. I wonder if I could get him to do that? Our walk through the Gateway had been more than enlightening. In a number of ways. You're a nerdy guy, Kord. Own it. But keep it chill, let others come to you for knowledge. Don't jack the
"She's not allowed to suggest games anymore," I whispered to the room in general. Even that small sound felt like someone threw bloody cymbals down a wooden staircase in my head. "I don't know what you're whispering about, Lukas. I feel fine. Actually, I feel like I have more energy than ever before," Kiema said as she jumped up onto the couch with a single leap. "I'm going to kill her," someone said from the other side of the couch. I couldn't be sure who it was, but I was game to help smother her if it would mean she was quieter."Oh, don't be such a Grumpy Gaston, Saint. The day is beautiful. We get to go shopping."Atlas popped up from behind the couch I was laying on. "Shopping?" he said, not even a trace of hangover pulling at his eyes. I wanted to punch him too.He looked over at me, a smoky, sexy smile on his face. "I'll get you some water." Within moments, a glass full of water was pushed into my hands. Saint, Ransom, and Kord all managed to lift their heads
"Where is everyone else, Graysten?" I asked. We'd been standing at the central fountain for at least half an hour. The captain of the elite guard chuckled. "I imagine some of my men convinced some of your men to do some shopping for themselves as well."I turned back to him. "Wardens like Earth luxuries?"One of the female Wardens who'd accompanied us laughed, the sound bright and happy. "Undoubtedly. Some of the fabrics and materials they use on Earth are not available in Faery. And we might be war hardened warriors, but we still like to feel like gods and goddesses.""Was there any shopping you wanted to do, Juniper?" I asked the tall Warden. She shook her head. "No. I was able to stock up on my last trip to Earth."I turned to the shorter Warden. I almost snorted. Short. She was still taller than me by at least a handful of inches. "Dahlia?"The quiet Warden shook her head, her gaze still focused outward, looking for bad guys or someone who didn't belong. She was the