If Otto sensed the teasing note in her mate’s comment, he gave no sign. Settling back in his seat, Otto kept up a steady mutter about all the ways he could take down their foes. Soon, Lola was tuning out the vivid threats with practiced ease.
Callon’s golden eyes glowed as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Lola put her head against him, her tension easing. Across the cabin, Nico ended his call and tucked the phone away. He caught Lola watching him curiously.
“That was Link, Shaman for the Kingdom of Venom. He wanted to give me grief for sneaking off during such a pivotal time for their throne.” Nico’s lips twisted wryly. “Honestly, I think he’s a bit lonely now that Azure isn’t around to keep an eye on. But my place is here, helping with the hunt for the wayward king. I was used as a tool to help prepare Talbot’s mate to meet him, and now I’ve moved on.”
“It’s a good thing that he found her. It will make him stronger, right?”
Taras nodded slowly at Lola from across the aisle. “Let us hope so. The boy I knew was devoted to our ways.” His gaze turned distant. “With the right queen…”
Beside him, Lyra picked up his thread of thought. “If honorable minds prevail, this could unite Venom and the Council at a critical hour.” Her wise eyes lingered on each of them in turn. “But it’s yet to be seen what kind of influence Azure had on his great-nephew. Pray this change guides the kingdom from darkness into light.”
Sobered by the Prima’s insight, Lola faced forward again. So much uncertainty still loomed. Would confronting the voodoo priestess bring them closer to freeing Katy or only mire them in fresh danger? And could Venom’s new rulers resist the temptations of power that had corrupted Azure? The boards were set for an endgame, but which side would emerge victorious remained frighteningly unclear.
“You not worry,” he said sagely. “Just bite bad things when they come. Otto’s way is best.”
Lola huffed a laugh despite herself. “If only it were that simple.”
Though his methods were unorthodox, the lizard had a point. They gained nothing by worrying over something that hadn’t happened yet, and might not happen at all. All she could do was face whatever came with courage and trust in this new family she’d been given. And on that note, she pulled out her phone and sent her parents a quick text. Lying to them sucked, but she didn’t have any other choice. At least not yet.
Lola’s restless thoughts kept returning to Maddie and Roan’s declaration about her. There was a part of Lola that felt relieved because she didn’t want Maddie to be left out. But anotherpart of Lola worried for the safety of both her friends as they navigated this new reality.
She glanced over at Nico, who was gazing contemplatively out the window. “Hey, Nico, what will happen now that Maddie might become a shaman? Will she have to go train with the shaman Council?”
Nico turned his silver eyes on Lola. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had a new shaman.” He shrugged. “She may, or may not, develop small intuitive gifts that require no formal training. Or her powers could grow until she must learn our ways lest they control her. It’s hard to say. We’ve never had a human become a shaman, so we’re walking an unchartered path. New paths can be exciting,andthey can be dangerous. Where will the road ultimately lead? To promising beginnings or to ruin?” He held both hands palms up. “Who can say?”
Lola shivered at the ominous thought, but Nico smiled reassuringly. “Worry not. Your friend is in good hands with Roan to guide her.” His grin turned wicked. “And I doubt she will tread any path quietly. Fate favors the bold.”
Despite her lingering concern, Lola had to laugh. “Too right. Maddie doesn’t know the meaning of keeping a low profile. Neither of my friends do.” Her amusement faded. “I just hope she’s ready for everything to change.”
Callon squeezed her hand, his rumbling voice thoughtful. “Transformation often brings growing pains. But wisdom relies on navigating those trials.” His golden eyes held understanding. “Have faith in Maddie. And in Roan’s guidance, should she need it.”
Lola nodded slowly, taking comfort from her mate’s steady strength. She would trust that between Roan and the other Shaman Council members, Maddie would come to not only understand her new abilities, but to master them in time. Lolawould be there to support her best friend every step of the way, even if it were from afar.
Across the aisle, Taras cleared his throat. “We should discuss our strategy once we reach the bayou. Azure is crafty, and his pet witch is powerful.” His solemn gaze took them each in. “We must be prepared for any treachery.”
Sobering, Lola faced forward again. The snake king and his voodoo witch were evil and wouldn’t fight fair. She shared none of Nico and Raphael’s eagerness to cross them, only cold resolve. This evil had haunted Katy long enough.
Otto’s small hand patting her arm drew Lola’s spiraling worries back. “No scared,” he said sternly. “I bite them dead.” His unsettling teeth gleamed.
Lola snorted, lips twitching with reluctant amusement. “Still creepy, dude. But I appreciate the thought.”
The lizard’s bloodthirsty vow lightened the mood enough for them to begin strategizing in earnest for the confrontation ahead.
Maddie stood staring—no, she stoodglaringat Roan, who had the nerve to look relaxed. It had been an hour since he’d turned her life upside downagain.Now the others had left, and she was alone with him. He’d started to talk, but she’d quelled him with a look that she was sure would have made a lesser man grow pale. Her arms folded across her chest and her right foot tapped a restless rhythm against the carpeted floor.
“Okay, let’s try this again.” She took a deep breath and counted to ten. Something about Roan made her completely irrational. He drove her crazy, and yet, she couldn’t deny that she was attracted to him. Even despite his complete asshat-ness.“I’m supposed to be a shaman … like you. How is that possible? I’m not one of you people. I’m from here.” She pointed at the floor. “Earth. This world!” Her voice was rising, despite her best efforts to keep calm.
Roan smirked. “You people?”
“A Damarian,” Maddie rasped. “You know what I mean.”
He let out a sigh and walked over to one of the large couches in the living area. He sat down and leaned back, resting one ankle on his thigh and an arm across the back of the sofa. “How is it possible for a human female to call forth a Damarian’s beast?”
She clenched her jaw, remembering that killing Roan wasn’t an option. “I really hate it when people answer a question with a question.”
“I’m just trying to get you to think, Maddie,” he said, not unkindly. It still annoyed her.
No doubt seeing her simmering irritation, Roan held up his hands placatingly. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to be cryptic. This is uncharted territory.”
