Tyson opened his mouth. Closed it. Then opened it again. “What?”
The woman with the dagger growled. “We don’t have time to explain every detail. The bottom line is that werewolves can sense things. And when we put on these moonstones, it was like we were plugged into Shayla’s network.”
Tyson stood from his seat. “Are you saying you know what she’s planning?”
The woman shook her head. “No, it’s not like that. It’s not like I can read her mind. But I can feel them coming.”
“We both can,” Alec said.
“Coming where?” Tyson asked.
The woman made an impatient sound. “Cominghere!”
Tyson studied their faces carefully, searching for exaggeration. He’d always been skeptical of tall tales, but for whatever reason, he believed theirs. “You’re sure that Shayla is coming here?”
They both nodded. Tyson dragged a hand down the front of his jacket as if smoothing nonexistent wrinkles. “One question before we go find my uncle.” He pointed at them both. “Do either one of youfeelanything toward me? Anything you want to get off your chest?”
The woman narrowed her eyes. “I don’t want to talk to youor your uncle. I only want to speak with Claire. What I have to say is for her alone.”
“Okay,” he said quickly. “So you clearly hate me. That’s very helpful. And you?”
Alec dipped his head. “I really just want to get back to Claire, m’lord. That’s all.”
Tyson stared at them both for a long moment. They didn’t seem the least bit interested in him. Maybe his bloodstone was defective. Or maybe it was just him.
“Well, let’s find my uncle. Hopefully, he isn’t in too foul a mood after being force-fed. Although something tells me he will be.”
Tyson opened the door and found he wasn’t alone. Witches. Dozens of them. The corridor was packed so tightly he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. Every wand was raised.At him.
“Hello, handsome,” one said.
The spell left her wand without warning.
Tyson did not have time to draw steel, or step back, or do anything to protect the two people behind him. The force of the spell struck him square in the chest and drove him backward. His spine hit stone hard enough to steal the air from his lungs. The taste of blood filled his mouth.
Chapter 31
À Nu
CLAIRE
Gorrath was right about one thing. I’d known for a long time that he was an important part of my becoming. His magick and his horn had changed my life. However, he explained that his power had limits, and breaking the curse on my choker was one of them.
“I thought you said you couldn’t break—” I began to say, but the pain stole the rest of the sentence from my mouth. I lifted my fingers to my throat.
“Are you alright?” Bastien asked.
“Yes,” I lied, swallowing around the tightness of the choker.
Gorrath studied my neck, and I had the strangest sense that he could feel it too. “I can’t break death magick. Unfortunately, it’s not one of my many talents.” He fixed us both with a penetrating look. “Butwecan. The three of us.”
Chastity let out a bubbling laugh. “The power of three will set you free.” She licked her lips. “Please do let me know if you need a fourth.” The two of them, seated side by side, looked like they could be lovers.And maybe they were. Gorrath, withhis rose thorn tattoos peeking out from beneath his black jacket. And Chastity, with her snakeskin tattoos running up her arms. Both were dressed in black. Both exuding the kind of energy that made men and women melt.
Her eyes met mine, and they were laced with more than just curiosity. A flicker of interest stirred low in my belly. She was beautiful. With full breasts caged behind a black corset and a long neck. My attention drifted momentarily to Gorrath, who was leering at Bastien with the same intensity.
Even though the choker had relaxed, my throat still felt tight. He was the demon of sex and disease. I knew that the power of his horn fed my desires until they were difficult to ignore. While Gorrath and I didn’t share the same kind of bond that Bastien and I did, I didn’t need one to understand what he was proposing.
“Don’t you worry, Chas. There’s enough of ol’ Gorrath to go around.” He touched her cheek and gave her a fond look. It was hard to tell whether he was truly fond of her or just manipulative.
