Xander is just waking up when I arrive. Like Locheran’s place, the UV-blocking shades are down, protecting the gargoyle from temporarily turning to stone.
The king looks behind me as I enter the living room where Evangeline sits with her mother.
“Where is your mate?” he asks, and I glance away.
Though I know he can hear my anxious heart and see my cheeks turn red.
“He’s asleep. I couldn’t wake him.”
“Farrah,” Evangeline warns.
“I know, but he’ll do everything in his power to stop me from going. You know how much he hated this backup plan.”
Xander frowns and turns to Evangeline. The two have a silent conversation, likely speaking through their own fated mate bond.
“He’s going to be furious,” Xander says with a sigh. “But you make a good point. We’ll back you up on this decision.”
He could still wake up within the next thirty minutes before I leave. I have no idea where I’m supposed to meetfor dinner yet. My brother just said to head to Brooklyn on the F or B train when I asked.
Once Vara and Rory arrive, Evangeline’s mother gets to work. It takes about fifteen minutes for her to implement shields to protect my thoughts. She also added one to mask my connection to Locheran.
Having a witch casting a spell on you is a wild experience. She held my hands and closed her eyes, then chanted words I didn’t understand. My skin prickled with energy, and I’m not sure if that was because of my monster hunter abilities or the actual spell being implemented. Either way, the magic rests heavily on my body.
I just hope my family doesn’t sense it. Mira assured me they wouldn’t.
Now that I’m—hopefully—protected, I head out with Vara and Rorik escorting me. The sphinx is masked as a gorgeous blonde woman, tall and curvy who could be mistaken for one of those supermodels that grace covers in sports magazines. Rorik doesn’t need to be masked, but he’s just as handsome.
Mira also provided them with shields that will hide their monster side from my family.
It’s a hot summer day, and the train is crowded. A lot of people are dressed for the beachwith oversized bags that I assume holds towels and sunscreen and whatever else they’ll need for a day in the sun.
We’re squeezed in, and Vara places her hand on my shoulder while Rorik’s rests on my lower back. Both protective as they scan the people around us.
Standing next to these two beautiful beings has me feeling self-conscious. I don’t doubt I’m pretty, but I’m not on Vara’s or Rorik’s level of beauty.
Rorik lets out a little laugh, and I turn my head to him. He’s tall. Slightly taller than Locheran, so I tilt up my chin.
“Sorry, I wasn’t trying to intrude. Your thoughts are extremely loud right now. I assume because you’re nervous.”
My face heats, trying to remember if I’d been thinking about anything private between me and Locheran.
Rory places his hand on my forearm.
“You weren’t, but I wanted to say that no one in this subway car is thinking anything unsavory towards you.”
“Whatarethey thinking?” I ask, my disbelief making my voice small.
“What humans always think about: How much they hate their jobs. What they’re having for dinner. Their pets. Sex. Sex with you. With me. With Vara. With all three of us.”
“Oh,” I whisper, attempting to push down my excitement.
Supernaturals being able tosmellthat excitement is both embarrassing and enticing.
But now’s not the time or place.
Before I can do, or say, something stupid in front of the two beautiful supes, my phone buzzes with a text.
Dean. He sent an address.
