Breathing harshly, Fane watched dispassionately as the vampire slowly dissolved to ash. It was done.
Dillon’s heavy wolf body leaned into Fane’s leg in silent approval. They had dispensed justice tonight, no more or less than that.
Fane turned and strode from the room without a backward glance. There could be no celebrating such dark deeds, only moving relentlessly forward. Claude had pointed out something they’d failed to see. Lizzy and Finn’s destiny were tied to Cain’s. He had no idea how to prevent them from dying if they killed Cain. Fane growled and threw a punch through a nearby wall, leaving a massive hole.
He needed Jacquelyn. Fane needed her reassuring presence and calm. One minute, he was walking through the empty apartment building, and the next, Tenia had grabbed his arm and flashed him. When his feet hit the floor again, he saw he was in the bedroom he shared with his mate in the sprite realm.
Tenia flashed away. And just as she left, Jacquelyn took her spot, dropped off by Cyn. Somehow, both fae knew that the alpha pair needed a minute without the rest of the pack. And for that, Fane was grateful.
Jacquelyn’s concerned emerald eyes met his across the room. In three quick strides, he had her wrapped in his arms, the tension easing from his frame.
“Thank the Great Luna,” he murmured into her vibrant hair. “I need you.”
Her arms tightened around him. “I felt it. I asked Cyn to bring me straight here. What’s happened, wolf man?”
Fane allowed himself a moment more to simply breathe her in before stepping back. Closing his eyes, he focused wholly on her scent—the sweet aroma of fresh snow that was uniquely Jacquelyn. It enveloped his senses, instantly comforting and familiar. He nuzzled against her vibrant red hair, picking up traces of her shampoo mingled with her natural fragrance. Drawing back slightly, he brushed his nose along the slender column of her neck, indulging in the silken warmth of her skin. There he found her scent pure and undiluted, speaking to his soul of mate, home, and love. It eased the lingering turmoil inside him, soothing his wolf in a way nothing else could.
With great reluctance, Fane finally leaned back, opening his eyes to meet her understanding gaze. Her scent still filled his nose, inundating his senses, bonding them together more profoundly than words ever could. For a perfect moment, she was his entire world. Three deep breaths later and he was ready to discuss the shitstorm that was stirring.
“We found Claude. He’s been dealt with.” His jaw clenched, remembering the vamp’s taunts. “But his last words disturb me greatly.”
Taking Jacquelyn’s hand, he led her to the plush couch and sank down, pulling her close again. Her nearness soothed his lingering turmoil.
Still, unease gnawed at him as he relayed all that had transpired: Claude’s ambush and capture, his telling words about Cain. Things were more dire than Fane had first realized.
Jacquelyn listened intently, brow furrowing. “So Claude confirmed Cain has some hold over the lives of Finn and Lizzy. But are they aware of it? Because if they’re not, they need to know, like yesterday.”
Fane nodded grimly. “I agree. I’ll reach out to Finn through the bond he opened. Unfortunately, Cain has the upper hand. One misstep could cost countless innocent lives.” He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “I don’t know how to free them without risking their safety, short of capturing Cain and locking him up for eternity.”
Gently, Jacquelyn turned his face toward hers. Resolve brightened her eyes. “We’ll figure it out. Together. Maybe there’s a way to break a sire bond.”
Her assurance eased some of the tension in Fane’s chest. With his mate by his side, she made him feel like he could handle anything. Even this vampire king.
“Your turn,” he prompted with a half-smile. “Tell me what I missed on the hunt for the sprite with the Nushtonia.”
Now it was Jacquelyn who grimaced. “We found her all right. But the sprite has gotten more dangerous.”
She recounted the full chaotic scene of the fight with the demons and the sprite’s apparent escape. Fane listened intently, alarm and pride warring within him.
“You battled hellspawn?” He cupped her face between his palms, searching for any injury.
Jacquelyn laughed. “We’re all fine. Those demons were ugly, but not particularly smart. Their attack mode was straightforward and predictable.” Her expression sobered. “But if the sprite is messing with that dark magic now, she needs to be stopped sooner rather than later.”
Fane agreed grimly. The Nushtonia posed a catastrophic threat, especially with the unstable sprite wielding it.
“Do you think the sprite female has allied with someone?” he mused aloud. “I can’t imagine that she’d be able to access such power as opening a portal without help.”
“I think we have to assume she has.” Jacquelyn’s mouth tightened. “We’ll just have to find her allies, too. Cut off all her options until she is alone and vulnerable.”
“My fierce Luna is ready to take on the world.” Fane’s heart filled with adoration for her.
“I know, right?” She chuckled. “Only a few years ago I was a teenage peeping-Tom, staring at you through the blinds with binoculars, for goodness’ sake.” She covered her face with her hand. “Let’s leave that part of our story out when we tell Slate how we met.”
He twined a lock of her fiery hair between his fingers. “Have I told you lately how remarkable you are, Luna? I cannot imagine doing this life without you.”
Jacquelyn’s lips tipped up. “I could stand to hear it more often.” She brushed her thumb over the worry line between his brows. “But for now, your wolf needs to rest. Let go of the burden for a while.”
Fane started to protest, but she pressed a finger to his lips. “Just be here with me for a few minutes. Then we can check on Sally and Kara.”
