"What is going on?" Thomas's fangs were out, a sure sign of heightened emotion.
We traded glances. Who wanted to break the news to the master of the city that his fancy-smancy wards had done shit to keep a shadow monster at bay? Not me, that was for sure.
"We were attacked," Kat said, standing up from where she'd been hiding and pulling her cocktail dress back into place. Her face was flushed and anger tightened her features.
No one said anything as Thomas went still and expressionless.
Kat showed a distinct lack of self-preservation as she pointed at me. "It was her fault. The thing was after her."
I glared, but couldn't exactly deny it. She was right. I was the target; even a blind man would have been able to see that.
Thomas's attention snapped to me.
"An attack? In the master's own home? My dear, Thomas, I did not expect to find your house in such disarray," a warm, feminine voice said as a woman glided into the gym.
Sofia Davinish was a breathtaking woman with perfectly coiffed hair and dancing eyes. Grace was embedded into every inch of her body, like a lady of nobility from some long-ago century.
Her gaze flicked to her two clan members, nodding a greeting at them. "My lovelies, how good of you to help the master fend off an interloper. I'm glad you were able to find some entertainment while I was in my meeting."
They dipped their chins in a bow, Sam's eyes sparkling with repressed humor. It seemed those two were used to their matriarch's theatrics and found them entertaining.
"Would someone care to explain?" Thomas's boomed, power sending little knife pricks along my skin.
"My dear, they are obviously exhausted and any attack on your house would be considered a sensitive nature. Perhaps it would be best to discuss this in private," Sofia suggested.
Thomas hesitated. His eyes snapped fire as his gaze swept over Liam, Connor, and me. "You three, in my office now."
Liam patted my back as Thomas stalked out. "I guess it doesn't matter anymore whether you won or lost our bet."
Nope. He was right. It didn't.
ELEVEN
"LET ME SEE if I understand this, you were attacked several nights ago but neither you nor my first born thought it important to tell me." Thomas reclined in his leather chair as he stared at Connor and me from across his desk.
Liam slouched with an insolent ease in a chair to my side. On the other side, Sofia sat primly, her dark eyes watching our dressing down with fascination.
Connor was stubbornly silent.
I shifted, having a feeling help wasn't going to come from that quarter. It looked like it was up to me to navigate the tricky undercurrents of the situations.
"I'd say that about sums it up." I lifted a hand, rubbing my neck.
There were other things I could add, but I didn't. Something told me that would be a mistake. I'd wait until Thomas was a little calmer. Maybe when his power didn't snap and bite the air, threatening to singe anyone who got too close.
Thomas's expression was unamused as he stared at me. He shifted his gaze to Liam. "I take it this is the reason you asked for a meeting."
Liam didn't stir from his relaxed position, blinking lazily at Thomas.
"It's not his fault," I said.
Thomas made an angry huff. "I know it's not. It's yours."
I grimaced. That was a little harsh, even if true.
"Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?" Thomas demanded.
"I wasn't really sure there was anything to tell until an hour ago."
