The woman grinned. “Easy there, Beloved of Death. Just admiring, not coveting.”
“Good.” Val harrumphed.
Khent chuckled and pulled her close to kiss the top of her head. “You areadorablewhen you’re contemplating murder.”
“Are we sure this is going to work?” Val asked, sad about losing Talon and Grizz and so many others, but more than content to have Khent by her side.
Rolf nodded. “We are. Plus, we have more important things to worry about. We have to find that last Bloode Stone.”
“Yeah. That’s why I was sent to help. My boss thinks he might have a lead on your prize.”
“Who’s your boss?” Val asked as they walked away from Irkalla, through a portal that suddenly appeared and led into Hecate’s speakeasy.
“Loki. He’s a real ballbuster, and I’m kind of on his shit list.” The woman sounded glum.
“Yeah? Me too.” Rolf grinned.
“Not making me feel better,” she growled.
“Are you sure you’re not part wolf? You sound like it, and you have wolf eyes.”
Her eyes glowed. “My eyes come from the lightning that sparks when I kill vampires.” She flashed straight white teeth at Rolf.
Who flashed fangs back at her, looking demonic.
Instead of being afraid, she laughed. “Ha. Is that supposed to scare me, fanger? Whatever.” She whistled, and the giant battle cat that sometimes wandered the house found her. “Frey-Frey, we need to get back for a bit. Yo, Rolf of the Night Bloode, next time we fight, I won’t take it easy on you.” She tapped her battle ax. “Poor Blood-drinker didn’t get enough to eat today.”
She turned and walked away, disappearing into a hallway before vanishing into darkness.
“Technically, it’s not enough todrinksince blood is a liquid,” Rolf muttered. “And what the hell did that mean? Take it easy onme?I could have killed her a dozen times but didn’t. What a little witch.”
Val noticed “witch” sounded like a term of endearment. Rolf had spent a lot of time watching the woman leave.
She and Khent shared a look.
Before anyone could speak, Hecate and Mormo appeared with questions.
Khent let Rolf answer most of them. But when Rolf mentioned his dragon form, even Mormo was taken aback.
“I’ll answer more questions tomorrow,” Khent said to forestall the interrogation they could feel coming. “The sun is rising, and my mate and I need rest.”
Hecate watched them closely, especially Val, then nodded. “You’re sure Ilu is gone?”
Val didn’t want to lie. “I don’t feel any different. Actually, I feel a lot lighter now. Even though Talon is gone, Vladimir’s finally dead.”
Hecate nodded, her eyes kind. “Take my hand.”
Val did and spiraled through darkness to a spot of land that gave off the same sense of peace Ilu had once shown her. There, sitting together on a blanket by a lake where eagles flew and fish jumped in the water, sat Talon and Ava, kissing and laughing.
Talon glanced over at Val. His face lit up. He mouthed,I love you.Then faded.
“Thank you.” Val sniffed.
“No, thank you.” Hecate tapped Khent on the shoulder. “And don’t think we won’t have many discussions about your powers, Mr. Wings of Eternal Night.”
He nodded, though it seemed to Val he hid a flinch. “Of course.”
He hurried Val upstairs, not returning the greetings of two of his kin before shutting them inside his bedroom. Where he stripped Val naked and made thorough love to her until both their hearts were racing.
