They reappeared in a forest, the only light coming from a lodge that looked like it had seen better days. The glowing sign hanging above the door read, All You Can Eat BuFae.
“Is this one of the brothels?” Lilly asked Peri.
The high fae nodded and then motioned behind Lilly. She turned and saw three familiar figures coming toward them.
Peri clucked her tongue at the three males. “Dalton, Gustavo, Sorin, you all look like hell.”
“Can you please go in there and drag our mates out?” Gustavo huffed. “They need sleep. Both are determined to solve the Jewel mystery tonight.”
Peri nodded. “I got this.” She reached out through the fae bond to Elle. “Can you and Anna please exit the hell hole? Your mates are five seconds from throwing a furball fit.”
“What, exactly, does a furball fit entail?” Elle tilted her head slightly and pursed her lips.
“Trees being uprooted, innocent bystanders being gutted. The usual.”
“Is there anyone that comes into these places that’s really innocent?”
Peri sighed. Why were all her comrades smartasses? “Just get your butts out here.”
A minute later, the door to the den of sin opened, and Elle and Anna came strolling out. Well, Elle was strolling. Anna was trudging. She looked like a strong wind could blow her over. Gustavo hurried over to her and scooped her up in his arms. The Alpha’s eyes glowed as he took a deep breath of his mate. She no doubt smelled like other males because there was no way Anna had walked through that shit hole and not bumped into people.
Sorin, knowing Elle wouldn’t appreciate being coddled, waited until she reached him and took her hand, pulling her against his side. Elle leaned into him, and Peri saw that she, too, appeared exhausted.
“You both look like death warmed over.” Lilly’s eyes bounced from one woman to the other.
“That’s weird,” Elle said, dryly. “I feel as refreshed and unsoiled as a fae warrior that’s been repeatedly exposed to disgusting acts of depravity while breathing in air filled with dark magic so thick it no doubt coats your lungs.”
Lilly scrunched up her nose. “Sounds lovely.”
“Wait to debrief us until we’re back at the mansion,” Peri told Elle. “There’s no sense in having to repeat it to everyone. You’d probably pass out in the middle of speaking.”
Elle nodded. “Fair.”
Peri looked at Dalton, who’d simply been standing there with his arms crossed, staring at the establishment. He appeared as if he was contemplating burning it to the ground. Peri didn’t blame him. The supernaturals that frequented these places weren’t exactly upstanding citizens.
Lucian placed a hand on her arm and murmured, “I got this.”
Peri inclined her head. Dalton was a wolf, and Lucian was dominant. If the Colorado pack beta refused to go home, her mate could get the male to obey without having to threaten him or toss him around like a rag doll until he realized he would not get his way.
“Dalton.” Lucian’s voice was low but laced with the dominant power that resided inside of him. “We all need to get some rest. Even you. You can’t help Jewel if you’re too tired to stand.”
Dalton took a deep breath, his wide chest expanding slowly. Then he turned to look at Lucian and simply nodded. Peri found it difficult to swallow as she saw the torment in the wolf’s eyes. He and Jewel had been through so much, just like the rest of them, and Dalton looked to be at the end of his rope.
“Can I ask a favor?” Peri asked as Dalton walked toward the group.
“Ask.” His voice was rough, and Peri noticed that his canine teeth weren’t in their human form. He was a wolf on the edge of control.
“Will you allow me to speak with Jewel before you go see her?” It was a big concession to make, considering he was her true mate and obviously needed the comfort only his mate could give.
He shrugged his large shoulders. “I wasn’t planning on sleeping in our room.”
Centuries of experience kept the shock off Peri’s face, but inside she was surprised. She’d been told that Dalton had left Jewel, but she’d assumed it was just to try to figure out what the hell she’d been up to. Not that he’dleft, left her.
“Peri.” Lilly shook her head. The Warlock Queen was telling her to let it go for now.
Lilly should have known better. Peri wasn’t about to walk into Jewel’s room not knowing exactly what happened. She held out her arms for the others to grab hold but didn’t bother tomention that she was taking them to her home to have a “Come-to-Great-Luna” meeting with the Colorado pack beta.
“Umm, Peri.” Lilly frowned. “This isn’t Colorado.”
