Bane’s lips twitched, though he diplomatically kept any comments to himself. Lola had to admire his restraint, since she was tempted to place bets on this clash of wills. Before the arguing could escalate further, Lola decided it was time to intervene. Clapping sharply, she fixed them both with a quelling stare. “All right, that’s enough growling from both of you.”
She pinned Roan with her gaze. “Maddie might be human, but she’s smart and resourceful. With Callon, Bane, Otto, and you as backup, we’ll be fine.”
Then she turned her stare on Maddie. “And you need to cut Roan some slack. The man is clearly worried about you. His intentions are good here.”
Maddie deflated slightly, though her eyes still flashed defiantly. “I know that. But I won’t be coddled and dismissed.” Her chin lifted challengingly. “I can handle myself.”
Roan’s stern expression softened marginally. He took a slow breath. “Perhaps you can at that,Nushawani.” He shot Otto a sharp look after saying the strange word, which Lola was totally going to get the details on. “But the bayou is perilous for those unfamiliar and, comparatively speaking, as a human, you lack the same advantages that a Damarian has. Allow me to … advise you, if nothing else.”
It was as near to a compromise as Lola suspected they would get at the moment. She glanced between the two stubborn individuals, hoping the tentative peace would hold.
Maddie frowned but gave Roan a jerky nod after a moment. “Fine. Advise away.” Her lips pursed. “But no getting grabby with your protection. Hands off.”
Bane made a strangled sound that might have been a laugh before schooling his face. Roan leveled a quelling look at his friend before focusing on Maddie again, his jaw tight.
“You have my word, unless circumstances warrant it,” he bit out.
His eyes dared her to argue, but Maddie simply lifted her chin again defiantly. Lola hid a smile. Her friend was definitely meeting her match in the gruff KOC shaman. Perhaps opposites did attract.
“Just out of curiosity” Lola kept her tone conversational—“what doesNushawanimean?”
“No!” Otto practically growled like a dog.
“It’s not yet time for that to be made known,” Roan answered.
“Could you be any more cryptic?” Maddie asked dryly. “Would you like some Yoda with your scoop of backasswards speak?”
Roan simply shook his head as his silver orbs bore into Maddie.
Whatever awkwardness remained dispersed with the arrival of Lyra and Taras, with Raphael in tow. Callon went rigid beside Lola as the incubus strolled through the doors, flashing his dimples at the room.
“Good morning, lovely ladies.” Raphael’s violet gaze lingered on Maddie and Lola in turn. “I see your prickly guardian beasts have returned. Fantastic. The more warriors, the better.”
Roan’s lip curled back in the beginnings of a snarl, but Lyra spoke up before he could go alpha male on their guide. “Yes, we’ll be one big, happy tour group traipsing through the bayou.” She smiled brightly. “More formidable when confronting voodoo priestesses and fallen snake kings, right?”
Raphael inclined his head, though his sharp eyes held a calculating gleam. “Indeed. We shall be quite the force to be reckoned with.”
He turned his assessing look on the others. “Do you require time to prepare for our journey? Or shall we be off promptly?”
Before anyone could answer, hurried steps drew their attention to Nico striding through the arched doorway. The wild-eyed shaman seemed in good spirits, with a broad smile stretched across his pierced face. Lola couldn’t help but wonder if it hurt to smile when you had a lip piercing. It seemed like it would hurt. She clamped her mouth closed, attempting to quell her inner curious cat.
“Heard I was missing quite the party,” he called in greeting. His grin faded as he took in the occupants of the room, his gaze landing on Raphael.
“Raphy, you old horn dog, what trouble have you started now?” Nico’s words held an unspoken warning as he moved to stand beside his demon friend.
“No trouble from me. It seems our new friends have trust issues where my kind are concerned.” Raphael slanted a look at Roan and Callon. “Though given our history, I suppose the suspicion is justified.”
Nico clapped a hand on Raphael’s shoulder companionably. “You always were one to play with fire, demon.” His gravelly voice softened a fraction. “But in this matter, your aid is appreciated.”
Raphael’s smug expression faltered briefly at Nico’s defense. He inclined his head in acknowledgment. Lola’s curiosity deepened at this new layer revealed between the unlikely friends.
Before she could ponder further, Taras spoke up. “If I might offer a solution to the Maddie problem?”
“The Maddie problem?” Her friend said the words as if they were spoken around a particularly sour lemon. “When did I become a problem?”
“He doesn’t mean it the way it sounded,” Lyra assured her. “But you are human, and that makes you more fragile. Nothing personal. It’s just biology.”
Maddie looked at Lola, who simply shrugged. “It’s true, babe, no offense. I’ve got three-inch claws and a mouth full of sharp teeth now.”
