Nico held up his hands placatingly. “Whoa there, Mate. She’s still your same wildcat, just through a lusty glamour.”
Callon snarled. “Remove it. Now.”
Lola’s eyes widened at the demon. “Are you insane? I’m guessing no one told you that this new mate status comes with a berserker stage for the males. And just so I’m not mincing words, Callon will turn into a massive humanoid lion and eat you. In one chomp if you’re lucky.”
“She’s not exaggerating,” Bane said through gritted teeth, his eyes also on Lola. He looked as though he was in excruciating pain, a war going on within himself. Whatever Raphael had done, it was powerful. “Either get her out of here or undo the spell.”
Laughing nervously, Raphael waved a hand, and the suffocating desire cleared from the air. Lola exhaled in relief as Callon straightened, shaking off the forced enchantment. That was an experience she never wanted to repeat.
“Now that we’re all back to normal, shall we proceed with my plan?” Nico arched a brow at the still-bristling Callon.
“Are you serious right now? My own mate couldn’t even control his attraction to me, and you want to dothatin a public place? Do you two have a death wish?” Lola pointed a finger at Raphael and then Nico. “Because I’m your damn fairy godmother, and I’m happy to grant your wish with my handy-dandy weapon, A.K.A., Callon.”
“I bite you,” Otto hissed from inside the purse,almostmaking Lola laugh.
Raphael started to speak, but Nico held up his hand. “Do you want to get to Azure and those females?” His eyes bounced from her to Callon. The prince had a possessive hand on her hip and pulled her tightly to his side. “Well?”
“Of course,” Lola answered. “That’s a dumbass question.”
“Forgive my lack of tact,” Nico said dryly, “but excludinganypossible way for us to get to Azure would be a dumbass decision.”
Callon flashed his teeth, very sharp teeth, at the shaman. “Careful, Shaman. That’s my mate you’re speaking to.” His words were slightly garbled because his mouth was no longer fully human.
“Callon.” Lola patted his arm, attempting to get his attention off Nico. They seriously did not need him going all massive half-man half-lion on the shaman. Finally, Callon turned and looked down at her. As she held his gaze, his features returned to fully human. He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths.
“I appreciate it. I’m fine now. As much as I hate to admit it, and my instincts rebel against the thought, Nico is right.”
Lola and Nico spoke at the same time.
“He is?”
“I am?”
“I mean, of course I am,” Nico backtracked.
Lola rolled her eyes, then returned her attention to Callon. “Are you sure you can handle whatever the hell that was?” She made a circular motion with her hand to include all of their group. “In a public setting without killing anyone?”
It was at least a minute and a half before he gave her a terse nod.
“I’m not feeling reassured by your robotic head movement,” Lola muttered.
Nico grinned, looking slightly maniacal. “Excellent. Let’s go snag us a swamp guide.”
“I have a bad feeling about this,” Bane muttered.
“We can keep him under control,” Taras offered.
Bane shook his head at him, “No, Prime, we can’t. Not if he goes into berserker mode.”
“I’ll keep it together.” Callon looked at Bane. “You have permission to stop me by any means necessary if I lose it. Unless there is true harm threatened to Lola, then let me do what must be done.”
Bane’s brow furrowed.
“I’m serious, Bane.” Callon's jaw clenched and unclenched several times. “Whatever it takes.”
Finally, the panther nodded.
Lyra walked over to them and looked up at her son. “You will do what’s best for your mate.”
