“I told Azure this woman was mine. A female that he’d decided would become ananimiby the power of his voodoo priestess and her dark magic. He told me I could have her when I found a replacement,” Raphael bit out through sharp teeth. “When I returned with the female that would take my mate’s place, I found the Kingdom of Venom mansion burned.”
“Oh no.” Katy shook her head as her stomach twisted, her hand coming up to cover her mouth.
Talbot’s face contorted in pain as he continued to hold Raphael’s wrist, making Katy wonder if he actuallyfeltwhat the demon had.
“My mate was one of the women who died in the fire. If he’d given her to me when I’d asked, she wouldn’t have been there. At first, I blamed Gage”—he turned and looked at Katy’s mate—“but Nico reminded me of who was truly to blame.”
Lola spoke up. “Why didn’t you go after him on your own?”
Raphael cut his eyes to Nico before answering. “Because I am not an ancient royal shifter. Azure may be a complete jackass, but he’s a powerful jackass. And I am not a fool.”
Katy almost pointed out that working for Azure would totally refute that statement, but the pain he must have felt when herealized his mate was dead was still heavy on his shoulders, so she kept her sharp tongue in place.
“He tells the truth.” Talbot released the demon’s wrist.
Zeena inclined her head to the Venom King. “I accept your findings. And Raphael”—she looked at the demon—“I am very sorry for your loss.”
Katy saw the pain in Raphael’s eyes, and she wondered if it was wrong to feel bad for a demon.
“Not to intrude on the moment,” a gruff-looking man said from beside the rickety boat, “but, daylight’s wasting, folks. We shoving off or what?”
That spurred everyone into motion. Their odd company filed onto the boat. Otto had settled himself regally at the bow, his head swiveling and his eyes taking in everything. As the dock fell away, Katy moved to stand beside Gage at the railing. Silently, they watched the bayou drift by, tangled trees leaning close as if to snatch unwary travelers. She shivered.
“This place feels alive,” Katy murmured uneasily.
Lola stood on her other side and shook her head. “I was getting the exact opposite feeling. The deeper we go, the more this place oozes death vibes.”
Chapter Seventeen
Don’t Do Anything Stupid And Don’t Die.
“We often think back and realize certain people came into our lives for certain specific reasons. Then one day, we look up and they’ve somehow drifted out of our lives, and we never see them again. What we don’t think about, though, is whether we drifted intotheirlives for a certain purpose. Were we needed for something? What effect were we supposed to have? Should we have helped more? Did we leave their lives better than when we found them?” ~Katy
“Alittle to the right, Jack.” Raphael narrowed his eyes and stared into the woods beyond.
“So Jack isn’t the guide?” Katy was tired again and leaned even more into Gage. He, not missing anything when it came to her, noticed immediately and scooped her up. He sat on one of the benches that lined the boat, holding her in hislap. Lola sat beside them, and Callon stood beside her, his hand wrapped around the back of her neck, under her hair.
“Nico said Raphael can track shadows.” Lola looked at Katy and frowned. “I don’t know what that means, but suffice it to say, he has some way of finding Azure. Now, you.” She pointed at Katy. “Why do you suddenly look like you haven’t slept in days? You looked as healthy as the rest of us a half hour ago.”
Lola’s question made Katy glance around at their companions crowded on the weathered deck.
Across from where she sat with Gage, the royal pair, Talbot and Rose, looked as if they could be holding court even amidst the ramshackle surroundings. Rose’s moonlit hair cascaded around her, luminous in the gathering dusk. Everything about the young woman was ethereal grace, from her delicate features to the fluid way she moved.
Beside her sat Talbot, elegant power personified. Though relaxed, his large frame radiated coiled strength. His movements were sinuous as a snake as he shifted closer to Rose, one muscular arm coming up to rest casually on the rail behind her. The gesture was subtle, but proprietary. Together, the two exuded an air of royalty, almost seeming to glow with their own inner light. Katy found herself captivated by the striking couple. But then Gage’s arm tightened around her waist, and she remembered her best friend had asked her a question.
“It’s Azure’s spell, or his voodoo chick,” she said quietly. “Tying my life to the captive women drains me. It’s getting worse.”
Lola’s eyes sparked with anger, her marbled skin taking on various shades of red. Callon shifted next to her, and Katy noticed the hand not on her neck clenched into a fist. No doubt a response to his mate’s distress.
Gage’s arms banded around Katy comfortingly. “Her strength wanes bit by bit each day those females are bound. Myblood gives her some strength back, but it’s not lasting as long as it did the first time. We need to end this.”
From his perch on the bow, Otto suddenly spoke up. “Otto will fix it.” He scampered over and pressed two small-clawed hands to Katy’s forehead, face scrunched in concentration. “I make it right, Mistress.”
“Thank you, my friend,” Katy said sincerely. Rousing herself, Katy sat up straighter. “I’ll be okay once the spell is broken. We all just need to stay focused on the task ahead.” She spared a grateful smile for her mate and loyal friend.
Lola’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. She was hurting for Katy. “I’m going to be fine,” Katy reassured her.
“Oh, I know you’re going to be fine,” Lola said sharply. “Because no other outcome is acceptable.”
