Within a heartbeat, Drake was holding Bethany’s face, devouring her in a kiss that was desperate, passionate, and breathtakingly gentle all at the same time. Jacque felt tears well up in her eyes as she watched the way Drake handled Bethany. He touched her reverently, running his fingers across her cheeks, kissing each tear that was rolling down Bethany’s face. It was incredibly intimate, and the trio needed to leave. But none of them moved.
“Ooookay,” Jen said, drawing the word out. “I did not see that coming. Did y’all see that coming? I mean, on my list of possible occurrences, that just wasn’t one of them.” She paused and grinned. “I like it. I like it when they surprise me.” She folded up the knife and slipped it into her back pocket.
“A switchblade, Jen?” Jacque asked. “Really?”
“What?” Jen asked. “I can’t really threaten to cut someone if I’m not holding a blade. It’s much more effective if I’m pointing a sharp knife at them.”
“How about you just don’t threaten to cut people at all?” Sally asked.
Jen thought about it for a minute then shook her head. “Nah, then confrontations wouldn’t be nearly as exciting.”
“Let’s go.” Drake’s voice grabbed their attention.
He picked up the still-wrapped Bethany in his arms and started for the door.
“We promised Bethany we’d stay with her while y’all hashed this out,” Jen said, halting the large male in his tracks.
His eyes were glowing when he looked at the three of them. “We don’t need an audience for what’s about to happen. Bethany will call you when we’re ready to talk.”
Jacque pinched her lips together as she snorted.
Jen gave him a thumbs up with an approving smile. “Get’er done, fur ball.”
Sally groaned. “Seriously, Jen, it’s time to come up with some new material. Borrowing decades-old one-liners is unbecoming of a smart ass of your caliber.”
Jen narrowed her eyes on Sally. Then she gave a stiff nod. “By golly, Watson, I do believe you’re right.”
Jacque shook her head and pointed toward the door. “Bed tonight and tomorrow we can begin working on your new material.”
As they walked out of the library, Jen said, “Maybe we should go by Bethany’s suite just to make sure—”
“NO!” Sally and Jacque yelled at the same time.
Chapter Eleven
“So much has changed in such a short amount of time. Sometimes I wonder if, when the smoke settles and all is said and done, there will there be anyone left standing, or will we destroy each other and the world right along with us?” ~Lilly
“You sureyou’re up to doing this right now?” Cypher asked.
Lilly nodded. It was late and she was tired, but Vasile and Alina had a right to know what she’d already told the girls. They had a right to know because it meant potentially having the sprites stand alongside them against the battle with the Order that was coming.
After their meeting with Costin and Sally, Lilly had spent some time with Slate while waiting on Cypher to arrive. She’d told the warlock that morning she needed to talk to the Alpha pair. He’d responded, “You won’t be doing it alone, so you better wait until I get there.” She knew he just wanted to be there to support her. He didn’t want her to have handle it on her own, not because she couldn’t, but because she didn’t have to. She had him now. Just like he had her.
“I’m sorry to keep you both up,” Lilly said, looking at Vasile and Alina. They were quite a striking pair sitting together on the couch, both so poised and elegant, yet also strong.
“It’s not a bother,” Vasile said. “Sleep hasn’t been something that has been very plentiful for some time now. We’d still be awake even if you weren’t here.”
Lilly took a deep breath and then dove into her story. She told them the same thing she’d told Sally a week ago in Texas and Jacque only a couple of days ago.
By the time she was done, both Alina and Vasile had scooted to the edge of the couch and were leaning forward, their attention completely focused on her words.
“So that’s it,” Lilly said. “I solved the mystery of why I’m able to do what I do and found out Sally’s mother is a supernatural being as well. It took me a while to tell anyone because I was still trying to wrap my head around it myself.”
“It’s a lot to take in,” Alina agreed.
“Have you talked with them about what’s going on outside of their realm?” Vasile asked.
“Yes, that’s another reason I wanted to meet with you guys. The queen of the sprites would like to meet with you, as does Cindy Morgan. I figured you would be on board with that and took the liberty of contacting the high fae for assistance.” Just as she finished talking, there was a knock on Vasile’s office door.
