Jewel sighed as the fight seemed to leave her. “Did you know that scientists have actually done studies on jealousy, and they’ve come to determine that the term ‘green with envy’ is not an accurate description of jealousy because they are not one in the same. Jealousy is precipitated by a perceived threat from an outsider to a person’s relationship, whereas envy is actually a negative reaction that follows when someone else has something they want. So not the same thingatall.”
“And what would you say Dalton is feeling? Jealousy or envy?” Peri asked as she fought asmile.
“Well since I don’t belong to Z, it can’t be envy, and I do belong to him, which means he saw Z as a threat and reacted withjealousy.”
“Ding, ding, ding, you win. Your prize is that”—Peri pointed to Dalton—“enraged wolf. Go take a quick shower and then calm him down. Dalton I’m leaving you just as you are until your mate returns. I do not trust your wolf in this state. And you.” She pointed at Z. “No touching of the females in any way for any reason at any time. Or, next time, I might just let the wolf go and see how fast youcanrun.”
“What if they’re falling off a cliff and I’m the closest one to them and my not touching them would result in their death?” Zasked.
Peri groaned. “Bloody hell, he’s Adam’s long-lost warlock brother.” Her mate chuckled, which earned him a glare. “Then walk away and hope their mate is around to save them. It’s no longeryourjob.”
“Volcan might disagree,” retorted thewarlock.
“Hopefully, we’ll deal with that soon,”saidPeri.
A few minutes later, Anna and Gustavo walked in, hand in hand, which made Peri smile. At least one pair was gettingalong.
Sly was next to enter and, though he did it with more grace than Dalton, Gustavo growled at the male when he walked too closetoAnna.
Sly put his hands in the air. “No threat here, Alpha. I’m alreadymated.”
“I can see which of you is the smart one,” said Peri, glaringatZ.
Jezebel joined them and laid out two large plates stacked with donuts. She smiled sheepishly at Peri. “I didn’t have anything in the house for so many, so I stepped out tograbthem.”
“We are thankful for your hospitality,” Lucian said as he picked up a donut and handed it to his mate. This seemed to be a signal to the others that they could grab oneaswell.
When Jewel finally returned, everyone, except her mate, was munchinghappily.
Jewel stepped up to Dalton, and Peri dropped her magic and let the wolf free. She watched as he leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers. She whispered something to him, and he nodded his head. Then he kissed her on the top of her head. Peri didn’t miss the way he blew his breath over her, covering her in his scent. Tricky wolf, shethought.
Once everyone was finally seated, Peri spoke. “I would like to commend you, Jewel and Anna, for how well you’ve done on your own for the past several months.” They started to speak, but she held up her hand. “I realize I don’t yet know all the details, but that is neither here nor there. What I see before me is two young healers, still in one piece, still desiring to fight against the evil that has entangled them in its web. That said, you are going to have to give me some information. Have you successfully created any witches forVolcan?”
Jewel cleared her throat. “He dropped us in Los Angeles with Z and Sly as our guards … of sorts. He gave us no guidance as to how to make the witches, so we tried our best. But it didn’t work the same way it did when I changed Anna.” She paused and swallowed with visible difficulty. “Instead of changing them, wekilledthem.”
Peri listened, her own rage growing, as Jewel described all they’d been through. As she explained about the night before, when she’d gone out on her own, Annabrokedown.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” she asked Jewel. The other healer wasn’t angry, but she so desperately wanted to help herfriend.
“I couldn’t,” Jewel whispered. “I couldn’t let you bear the burden of what happen if I didn’t succeed, and I didn’t. Six women, Anna, six lives, gone. We shouldn’t both have tofacethat.”
Dalton wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer to him, allowing his touch tocomforther.
“What’s done is done,” Peri said, her tone challenging anyone to argue. None did. “My concern is not those women. It’s the two of you. You two are in my care. Get over it you walking, growling fur balls. I know they’re your mates, but they’re my healers. I know it sucks. These women are dead, casualties of war and all that. We can’t bring them back. So we deal with it and go on.” Peri stood and walked over to the redheaded healer and knelt in front of her. “I do want you to know that you have my deepest, deepest sympathy for Gem. You will need to mourn for her properly, but until then, you lean on him.” She pointed to Dalton. “That’s why the Great Luna gave him such big shoulders.Utilizethem.”
Jewel smiled as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Thankyou,Peri.”
Peri patted her knee and then stood up. She began to pace as she spoke. “Z, get the book. Jezebel, get ready to spill your guts. Everyone else, prepare yourselves. It’s about to getinteresting.”
“Hasn’t it already been interesting?” Anna asked. “I mean, in a sick, horrible car-crash kindofway.”
Peri nodded at her. “You’re right. It has. But now I’m here, and I make thingsmoreinteresting.”
Jewel and Anna both smiled and glanced at each other. “Yes, Peri, yes you do,”Annasaid.
“Here’s the book,” Z said as he held it out to Peri. She shook her head. “That belongs to the witches. I will not touch it if I don’t have to. Give it toJezebel.”
Jezebel took the book and stared down at it. The look on her face was part awe, part longing, and part horror all wrapped upinone.
