Page 87

A silver swirl of magic swooped into the cave. Soren rose, quick as a cat, and stepped in front of me.

“Ah shit,” I breathed.

Ari appeared inside the cave, mad as a wet hen. “Are you kidding me, Moira? I thought we were in this together!” Her silvery gaze flicked to Soren. “Are you delayed because this guy kept tripping in vaginas?”

“Good one,” Soren said deadpan.

I scrubbed my hands over my face. “I’m sorry. I’ve had a one-track mind lately.”

Ari frowned and stalked past Soren to plop down beside me. “I have a phone, you know.”

“I know.”

Ari looked at me. Her lips pursed. “You were going to go by yourself, weren’t you?”

“Yup,” Soren said proudly.

The fae rolled her eyes. “But you decided to take this guy instead of me?”

“In my defense⁠—”

Ari’s eyes snapped directly to Soren’s chest. She rose in one lithe moment, stalked over, and slapped her hand over his pec muscle.

Her gaze rose to Soren’s. Ari’s jaw dropped. I rarely saw the fae speechless, but she stared at Soren for a long moment before dropping her hand and taking a step back.

He slowly shook his head. Ari’s mouth tightened. “You idiot,” she whispered.

When Ari looked at me again, there was a weary resignation brimming in her eyes.

I looked between them. “What?”

Ari sighed and sat back down. “You need to hash it out with your wolf.”

“He’s not my wolf,” I growled.

“Whatever.” Ari waved her hand. “I got the details from Evie and took the liberty of popping onto the property.”

My attention snapped to her. “And?”

“And your mom is a real sick fuck.” Ari’s smile was tight. “Lots of animal sacrifices on the property, and there’s a dead zone about a quarter mile around the property. She’s sucked all the life out of the place.”

“Anyone else there?” Soren asked.

“Only one heartbeat.” Ari snorted. “Moira already took out one vampire, but it’s possible her mother found another.”

Vampires were scattered far and wide, and Liaza was the only one I knew she associated with. I doubted she’d found another so quickly.

“So she’s alone.”

Ari winced. “I didn’t say that.”

“More witches?” Soren groaned.

I laughed. It’d be a while before Soren tangled with witches again, especially if he knew what was good for him.

“No. There’s an odd anomaly around the house. The lack of life around the place is concerning. Last time you thought it was to keep Evie away, yes?”

I nodded.