“Violet’s right. I’m going with him,” Simon announces. “Stella, stay with Violet.” He shifts into a giant wolf without another word.
“No matter how many times I’ve witnessed a shift, it never gets old.” Lucien moves closer to the wolf. “You are even more handsome now.” Even in animal form, Simon looks confused at his words.
Cyrus is in the foyer a heartbeat later. He’s wearing a pair of black pants and a black shirt. “Simon, I heard what you said. However, this is something I have to do alone.” The giant wolf shakes his head and snorts.
“He says you’ve saved his life more than once. He’s not letting you leave without him,” Stella translates Simon’s words.
Cyrus faces the wolf. “My friend, you owe me nothing, especially your life. I cannot guarantee your safety.”
“He says…” Stella starts.
“I don’t care what he says,” Cyrus interrupts. “You’re not going.” The growl that leaves Simon’smouth would be terrifying in any other situation. “Lucien?” Cyrus turns toward the warlock.
“Sleep,” Lucien answers, and Simon drops to the marble floor instantly. Soft snores leave his mouth, and drool runs from his tongue a heartbeat later.
“Thank you,” Cyrus says, turning toward the door. “Does he have a weakness?” he asks the immortal child.
“Yes,” Terrin whispers. “Me.”
“The child must be protected,” Lucien reminds him. “If something happens to him, the deal is off.”
“That wasn’t part of our agreement,” Cyrus retorts.
“Consider it a minor addendum.”
Cyrus moves toward me. “If I don’t return, leave. There is an account in your name. The information is upstairs. I’ve left you specific instructions on what to do and where to go.” He pulls me close. “Do you understand?”
I stare at the man who, only days ago, was my buyer, but now…now, I don’t know what he is. “Yes,” I answer, not sure what I’m agreeing to.
“You promised to protect them,” he reminds Lucien.
“You have my word,” the warlock answers.
“He’s getting closer,” Terrin’s tiny voice says. “I feel him.”
“Why don’t you go to your special place, Terrin?” Lucien says to the immortal child who disappears a heartbeat later. The smile that covers the warlock’s face is hiding something deeper. The energy feels off. I glance at my buyer, wondering if he senses the shift.
“I’ll be back,” Cyrus says before I have a chance to ask, disappearing into the night. I change focus, redirecting all my energy to follow Cyrus. Terrin can wait. I can’t determine which direction my buyer’s moving, but I feel him. That’s all that matters at the moment.
The giant wolf transforms into the naked version of Simon. He pulls his knees to his chest, seemingly confused by what’s happened. “You’re okay,” Stella comforts her brother.
“Where’s Cyrus?” he asks.
“He doesn’t want you to follow him,” Lucien answers.
Simon is on his feet a second later. “That’s bullshit. I’m going to help him. Which way did he go?”
“As much as I’m enjoying the view, I’m afraid you’re going to have to sleep a little longer this time.” Lucien waves his arms to the side, and both Stella and Simon collapse.
“Lucien, what are you doing?” I ask.
“It was time for them to rest, my dear,” Lucien declares. “As handsome as Simon is, I’d hate to hurt him.”
Every hair on my body stands at attention at the realization of his words. “You promised Cyrus, you’d protect us. You lied.”
The warlock cocks his head to the side. “Lie is a strong word. Fibbed, maybe. Ooh, how about told a story?” He uses hand quotes. “I always thought thatone was strange. Told a story? Should it start with once upon a time? I never understood…”
“That’s enough, warlock,” a woman says from the other room. Pocket doors on the side of the foyer slide open, revealing a woman I hoped to never see again.
