I nodded. “The first time was when I met Banning.”
“You met Banning while defending his club?” Verin grinned and cocked his head in question.
“It was back when I was a fixer. Banning hired me through Cerberus,” I explained. “I came zipping up that driveway”—I pointed behind us at the winding road—“right in the nick of time. An army of Blooders was crossing the lawn as I arrived.”
“And you stopped them?”
“They were just Blooders.” I gave him a cocky grin.
Verin chuckled as we stepped into the foyer. My husbands and fiancé were waiting there for us. They looked upset until they saw us, then their worry turned to annoyance. I don't think Verin's laughter helped.
“We were about to go looking for you,” Declan grumbled.
“Verin wanted to see Kyanite,” I explained.
“So, you gave him a tour?” Darc asked in irritation. “Now? When a witch is after you?”
“He just went on the balcony and took a quick look,” I corrected. “We weren't gone that long.”
“All right, she's here now,” Gage said placatingly. “Let's just drop it.”
The other men grimaced but let it go.
“I had rooms prepared for all of you,” Banning announced. “Elaria, I'll show you to yours first. I'm sure you're tired.”
“Mine and Verin's, you mean,” I said firmly.
The men froze—all but Verin, of course, who lifted his chin as if preparing for a fight and gave me a smug yet irritated side-glance. The other men exchanged looks. Heavy looks.
“Very well,” Banning conceded and turned on his heel. “This way.”
No one spoke as we headed upstairs, passing Blooders who inclined their heads respectfully to their gheara—that's the Blooder word for leader. Banning took us to a bedroom just down the hall from his, opened the door, and waved us inside. Verin went first. I followed but lingered near the doorway.
“I had some of your things moved in here,” Banning said stiffly.
“Thank you, Banning,” I said softly. “Goodnight.”
They all said goodnight to me—very politely—and I closed the door with a sigh of relief. It felt like walking off a battlefield. I could almost feel the armor falling off. I looked around. The room was modestly sized but did have an attached bath. I headed there to wash up before bed. Along the way, I drew the curtains shut. Since Banning's Blooders were immune to the sun, they weren't black-out curtains but they were better than nothing.
Verin followed me into the bathroom to say, “I'll be right back.”
“I'll be right here,” I called over my shoulder as I turned on the shower.
Verin grunted in anticipation as he disappeared. A few minutes later, as I was rinsing my hair of conditioner, he joined me in the shower. I languished under the hot water and his strong hands, savoring the way our bodies slid against each other. Verin turned us, taking the brunt of the spray as he pressed my back against the tiled wall. He started to lift me, but I stopped him. He growled.
“I don't feel comfortable with them here,” I murmured.
Verin tensed. “Elaria—”
“I know,” I cut him off. “I should have stopped you sooner. I'm sorry. You just feel really good.”
“No, it's not that.” He frowned. “Do you intend for us to remain celibate while we stay here? It could be weeks.” His jaw clenched. “I can't go without you for weeks. Not again.”
I blinked. That hadn't occurred to me. “You're right. I can't go without you for weeks either.”
Verin sighed in relief and started kissing me again. But once more, I felt a shiver of wrongness and stopped him.
“Elaria,” Verin snarled.
