Lucian could practically feel the anticipation of the group, waiting to see how he would respond to her words. Would he shut them down, or would he embrace what they offered? There was only one answer. “Thank you. I need my pack.”
There was an audible sigh from several of the group, mostly females, Lucian noted. Yet many of the males relaxed their rigid stances as well. He looked over the group and noted that Costin and his mate were absent, which wasn’t alarming, considering she was with child. He was surprised to see the Springfield and Coldspring pack alphas. They both gave him silent nods when his eyes met theirs.
“We’re waiting on three more people,” Jacque told him. “Then we—”
“Are getting through this veil even if we have to die trying,” Myanin interrupted the alpha.
“I’d prefer the not-dying method,” Wadim said as he pulled his mate closer to his side. “I’ve got plans, not to mention, we still have a riddle to work out, which might actually help us with this.” He motioned to the veil.
The djinn didn’t look impressed. “Your plans can wait, and we can figure out the riddle once we get Perizada back by just asking her what it meant. So put away your pen and get out your sword.”
“Myanin,” Lilly said. “Maybe save the intensity for once we actually start working on the veil?”
“CT’s just getting pumped up, Ms. P,” Jen said, bouncing on the balls of her feet. She pulled a knife from either side of her cargo pants and spun them in her hands. “Some of us need to psych ourselves up.”
“I know we don’t know each other that well,” Dalton’s mate, Jewel said to Jen, “but I can just look at you and tell that youstaypsyched up. I don’t think any pumping is necessary.”
“Truth,” Jacque and Lilly said at the same time.
“Oh, the things I could do with that sentence.” Jen looked almost forlorn. She shook it off and said, “I don’t want others to feel bad about themselves if they don’t stay in kick-ass mode all the time.”
“Ahh,” Jewel said with a slow nod. “That’s … gracious of you.”
Jen smiled, her eyes lighting up mischievously. “It is. It really is. Jen’s my name, and giving is my game.”
Wadim coughed, and Lucian was sure it sounded like he said, “bullshit.” Zara slapped his arm, but she was trying not to smile.
“Wow.” Jeff, the Coldspring alpha, breathed out, shaking his head at Decebel’s mate.
“No, no.” Jen shook a knife at Jeff. “No more admiring how awesome I am. You’re officially on my mate’s kill list.”
Jeff’s eyes widened. “What?” He took a step back, his hands raising. “What did I do? And he has a kill list?”
Jen frowned. “Don’t you?” Then she looked around at the rest of the group. “I thought that was just a given forCanis lupusmales.”
Myanin raised her hand, looking sheepish. “Not justCanis lupus. I have one. But I’ve taken a few names off recently, those whose demise isn’t entirely necessary.”
“Understandable.” Jen nodded. “Considering the whole ‘killed an innocent person’ thing. Makes your kill list a little more subject to scrutiny.”
“Your list needs serious scrutiny as well.” Jacque narrowed her eyes at Jen. “And I thought we agreed you’d burn it.”
“That was before.” Jen tossed one knife and caught it effortlessly by the handle.
After several seconds, Heather cleared her throat and asked, “Before what? And dude, you can’t answer so obscurely and expect us to just let it slide by.”
“I agree with Helen.” Stella, the healer mated to Ciro, pointed at the blind healer. “That’s not how we roll. Spill it, Stabby.”
Jen’s lips turned up slowly. “Is that my road name?”
Lucian almost cracked a smile when every female in the group groaned. Peri would have gotten a kick out of the entire situation. He’d have to remember to share it with her once she was back at his side. “Do I want to know what she means by road name?” Lucian asked Jacque.
The alpha female shook her head. “It just encourages her.”
“Sure, it’s your road name,” Stella answered Jen. “Considering you’re tossing around blades like they’re hacky sacks that couldn’t impale you or someone standing close to you. Forget that. Finish your story. What happened that lets you get to keep your list?” she repeated Heather’s question.
“I agreed to burn my kill list before my hellion was taken by the Order, before my alphas were killed, before Peri fell apart, before Jacque nearly lost her heart, and before Kara got snatched. Now, the list will not be burned, and it has actually gotten longer.”
“No disrespect, Jacque, but I think she can totally have a kill list,” Heather said. “Lots of people need to die.”
