Just a minute.Dakota removed the block in his mind and was immediately flooded with myriad of thoughts from others. He sorted through them, discarding thought after thought until he found the High Priestess’ thread. Focusing on that, Dakota started to giggle.
What’s so funny?asked Slate, using their mind link again.
Uhmm, the High Priestess is plotting how to have you claim her.
“What?” Slate said loudly, in disbelief.
Hush, babe, her plan is to seduce you and then bite you during sex.
You got to be fuckin’ kidding me! Doesn’t she know I’m gay and mated to you?
Apparently not. Oh, she also plans to sell David and his mother to you…a package deal, I guess.
What a fucking bitch! Well, at least we know Mrs. Rossi is alive.
That’s good. Listen, babe, I wouldn’t tell her I’m your mate, at least not right away.
Why not? Because if she thinks there’s a chance, I bet she’ll spend a lot of time flirting and trying to arouse you so you make the first move. And if she does that, it’ll give Zane more time to do his thing.
Good thinking, but I don’t like the idea of her disrespecting who you are to me.
Babe, I KNOW what I mean to you so don’t worry. I just think it will help Zane. Oh, she’s sending someone to meet us.
The driver stopped in front of the convent, where a young woman stood waiting. Slate opened the door and slid out, extending his hand to Dakota to help him out and, as his mate stood, he murmured, “Showtime!” A soft snort was all Slate heard from his mate.
“Hello, Mr. Valentin, will you and your assistant follow me, please.”
My assistant?asked Steel, using their mind link.
Yes, yes, yes. Right now I’m your assistant. Just go with it, babe.
“Certainly,”Slate said, indicating Dakota should precede him, before falling in behind his mate. Surreptitiously, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, hit ‘send,’ then slid it back in.
~/~/~/~/~
After he’d taken his guests on a tour of his villa, Giovanni gave his servants the night off before leaving for a dinner date. Told to make themselves at home, Logan and Kieran headed for the gorgeous library filled with fine, old, Italian books on architecture. As they were browsing through them, Logan heard his phone ding. Checking it,he said, “Slate and Dakota are in the convent. Are Ian and Colton ready to go?”
“They’re waiting outside for us. Gimme your phone…then let’s move.”
Handing his phone to Kieran, Logan followed his mate out into the fragrant night air to the rear of the villa where Ian and Colton sat among flowering trees, deep in discussion. “Guys, let’s go,” Logan called out, striding over to a patch of lawn, large enough for him to shift. After saying the words, his body morphed into a black dragon and, after Kieran, Ian and Colton had climbed aboard, it lifted into the night sky, heading for the Church of the Four Gods, close to the convent.
~/~/~/~/~
The woman who met Slate and Dakota led them down a long hallway before stopping at an ornate, mahogany door. Knocking twice, she waited until a muffled ‘come in’ was heard. Then, opening the door and moving aside, she waved them through. Taking a quick peek around the vestibule, Dakota smirked as the High Priestess, sweeping past him as if he didn’t exist, extended her hand to Slate.Oh, my god, babe, this is so funny.
Not funny!
“Mr. Valentin, it issucha pleasure to meet you,” Brenda purred, taking Slate’s hand. “Thank you for taking time out of, what I’m sure is, yourverybusy schedule to help sort out this mess. Imustapologize for the trouble our High Priest has caused, but he’s young and still growing into his role. You must leadsuchan exciting life; I wouldloveto hear all about it.”
Slate’s hand was still firmly clasped by Brenda and as far as he could determine, it was going to stay there unless he was able to pull it free. “Uh, it was no problem at all.”
Babe, help me.
Taking pity on his mate, Dakota stepped forward, shoving his hand into Brenda’s. “Hi, I’m Dakota. A pleasure to meet you. Do you mind if we sit down. Mr. Valentin has had a very long day.”
Quickly withdrawing her hand, Brenda said, “Of course, follow me.”
Dakota followed her into a large, airy, sitting room and sat down on the love seat, knowing Slate would sit next to him, effectively cutting off any moves by Brenda.
