“This was foolish,” the redhead cut him off.
Elijah seemed to realize there was another threat and moved Echo backward away from the lot of them.
The redhead, however, smirked at Niamh. “I thought the last time we met, sister, you realized how important it was not to have all four of us in the same place at the same time.”
The Irish fae cocked her head, studying the redhead. “Until I got a vision. As long as we’re not among any standing stones at the gate to Faerie, we’re good. In fact, I kind of needed you to fuck up like you just did. You might be stronger than us individually, Astra. But you’re no match against four fae, my mate, and Echo Payne. I’ve seen it.”
Astra.
She was the fae-borne William thought dead.
She looked from Echo to Elijah to Niamh to Kiyonari to Rose and then to Fionn.
As if Niamh anticipated her sister’s next move, she was suddenly a blur of movement. She now stood between Elijah, Echo, and Astra. Kiyonari was abruptly at her side. Then Fionn and Rose. A supernatural blockade between Astra and them. They were protecting them, Echo realized, shocked.
“Make a move,” Niamh purred in a dare. “I’m dying to avenge my brother.”
Astra narrowed her eyes. “Not today. Not ever. We’ll see each other soon, sister. And our brother, Elijah. I’ll see him soon too. You can’t protect the vampire forever.”
Then poof.
She vanished into thin air.
“What the actual hell?” Elijah bit out.
“I think it’s time we moved this inside.” Fionn gestured to the hotel and the group of humans who were staring wide-eyed at them all, camera phones clicking.
Niamh flicked a hand in their direction and there was sudden cries of astonishment and dismay. She turned to her companions with a smirk. “Broke all their devices. Nosy bastards.”
Rose snorted.
Echo wasn’t in the mood for amusement. She was too stunned. “I’d quite like to put on some pants and then figure outwhy I’m not a big pile of ash right now.” She looked at Elijah, confused … hopeful. Hopeful in a way that scared her to death.
“I can explain that one,” Niamh approached. “But let’s get inside first.”
22
Once they were safelyinside the hotel room, Niamh, Fionn, and Rose put up wards around it. Defensive ones as well as a sound barrier so no one could get into the room or hear what was going on. Something primal shifted through Elijah as they’d stepped inside; it smelled of sex, of him and Echo.
He’d been out grabbing something to eat, trying to figure out how to convince Echo to give this thing between them a chance, when he’d sensed her fear and confusion. It was the worst thing he’d ever experienced, made ever worse to see her standing outside half naked in the daylight. It had taken him a discombobulated second to realize she was still alive.
Now his eyes tracked her as she rounded the bed to pull on her jeans.
“What happened?” he bit out.
“That bitch appeared out of nowhere and dragged me outside. I couldn’t stop her.” Echo’s hands flexed in and out of fists, her fury evident. But also her vulnerability. “Why didn’t I burst into flames?”
“I think I can explain that. There’s alotto explain.” The tall, willowy, Irish-accented female who’d protected them lookedsuddenly drained. She was clearly fae, like Elijah. The male at her side smelled distinctly of werewolf. He slid an arm around her and pressed a tender kiss to her temple. At Elijah’s curious stare, she gave him a tight smile. “The redhead is a fae-borne called Astra. She orchestrated my brother’s death.”
Sympathy flooded him, knowing he’d be devastated if what he was led to the death of his parents. “I’m truly sorry.”
“I’m Niamh.”
“Farren?” His eyes flew to Echo, who nodded. He turned back to the fae female. “You told Echo the truth about William.”
“I did.”
“And who are you?” Elijah gestured to the large male and slender female at his side. They’d both moved like him. “Are you fae?”
