"There's more in the car," Astrid says, tossing a mix of axes, a javelin, and something that looks like ninja stars onto the rug like it's no big deal.
"Ninja stars?" I raise a brow.
Astrid shrugs. "They're rune-enchanted. All this shit is. Blades, bolts, the works. Just in case."
"We've been building a magical weapons stash," Asher explains as he shuts the door behind them. "Contingency planning."
"Very tactical of you, Colonel," I say, and when I meet his eyes, the flicker there, quick and private, is enough to send heat straight down my spine.
We settle in with that uneasy, pre-battle tension humming through the air. Couch cushions shift. Floorboards creak. Everyone finds a place—some seated, some standing, all bracing for whatever I'm about to say.
Asher nods toward me. "Floor's yours. Tell them what you know about Darius and his people."
"I still can't get over the fact that you were engaged to him," Donna blurts, wide-eyed. "Like—fiancéfiancé? That's… that's insane. Sorry. Not sorry."
"We've talked about it," Asher says evenly before I have to open my mouth. "It's not the focus right now."
"Yeah.Talkedabout it," Astrid mutters around a swig of beer, side-eyeing me hard.
I ignore the prickle of heat crawling up my neck. I can already feel the silent speculation about who touched who, who claimed what, how far the bonds have stretched since Darius's visit, but I shove it aside. We have bigger things to face than the post-coupling politics of this odd little faction.
"Darius is over two thousand years old," I begin, steadying my breath. "He draws power from nature. Sun, moon, flora. He doesn't usually show off the full extent of his abilities, not directly. His people do most of the work. That's part of his strategy. Delegation, control from the shadows."
I glance at Asher, Kayden, Tomas and Donna in turn. "I didn't know he could burn you like that. Not at night. Not while you were wearing nightstones. That wasn't supposed to be possible."
"Overpowered nature-drunk asshole yadda-yadda," Kayden cuts in, rolling his eyes. "The real question is, how do we kill him?" His voice drops, and his eyes go obsidian-dark with menace. "Because if we can catch him and make it slow, I volunteer as executioner."
The words hit me like a cold blade. Sharp, instinctive rejection curls in my gut.
I want freedom from Darius, yes. But killing him? It doesn't feel right. Not just because of what we had, but something deeper and older. Like some thread between us would snap and drag something terrible down with it.
"I don't know," I admit quietly. "Not about Darius. He's... beyond anything I've seen. As for his team, at least some of them have weaknesses. Wildbane powder affects nymphs. Enough of it can render Darlene and others in the crew unconscious."
"And the guy who shot Jace?" Asher prompts.
"Johnny. He's a faun," I say. "Similar lineage, but I don't know if wildbane works on them. I've never seen him affected."
"If anyone here might have this knowledge," Tomas says, voice smooth, "it would be the lady druid." He nods politely toward Maeve.
Maeve's expression tightens, arms crossed over her chest. "Look, helping you with the crystal was one thing. This?" She shakes her head. "I'm not helping you kill a satyr. I'm a guardian, not a soldier. There are rules. Vows. Nature doesn't take sides—"
"Bullshit!" Kayden explodes, stepping forward. "Your 'guardian of nature' is running the green-thumb mafia, killing for profit, raking in billions while trying to force-marry someone who clearly wants nothing to do with him, and that's totally cool with your sacred balance?"
"Kayden," I snap, warning.
"What?" he fires back. "You want to play civil while the dawn's breaking and your psycho betrothed is gearing up to collect you like a lost pet? We don't have time for druid diplomacy, sunshine. We need to know if she's helping, or are we flying blind?"
Maeve exhales, slow and sharp. Frustration flickers in her gaze. "I'm bound by nature's laws, as is Darius. This situation is beyond precedent. Vampires siding with a nymph to fight a satyr. Everything about it is upside down."
"The supernatural world's always been a bit topsy-turvy," Donna says with a shrug. "But right now, we're just trying to protect one of our own."
I shoot her a grateful smile, and she tosses one back, bright and easy like it costs her nothing.
Maeve stays silent for a beat longer. Then reluctantly nods. "I won't help you kill him. But I'll reinforce the perimeter around this house. I can weave a barrier a satyr and those with him can't cross."
Relief blooms in my chest.
"Good," Asher says, his voice clipped but grateful. "That'll help."
