LOGINXavier'S POV I tucked my empty gun into my waistband. What had started out as a gunfight had quickly evolved into using steel and teeth. I drove my sword through another wolf shifter’s heart. Eclipse and the witches of 5th Circle swarmed us like ants. Clusters of bodies battled in the main hall. A full array of colorful spells zipped across the space, and metal clashed against metal. Snarls followed the sounds of tearing flesh. The floor became slick with blood.I sank my blade between a witch’s shoulder blades, then spun to dodge a spell with my vampire speed. Eclipse wanted a fight, and that was what they were getting. We weren’t going to roll over and die. Penumbra Syndicate would live past this night.Further down the hall, Lysander roared, shredding wolves in his unique half-form. Kaelen, I hadn’t seen in a while.Samuel and Ash fought back-to-back. The witch battling with his wand and a cutlass, the Fae with brutal, magical vines. Mama Holt roared in her bear form as she cut do
Elara'S POV Maeve disappeared around my side and spoke, “Here she is. As you wished.”“Well done.” His voice held a raspy quality. I thought I recognized it. “You may go. Kill yourself a Penumbra boss or two.”“Gladly.” Maeve entered my line of sight again as she moved toward the door. “And, Forrest,” she glanced at me, “make it hurt.”I could hear the smile in his voice when he said, “I intend to.”If I could move, I would have glared at her retreating back. The door clicked shut and silence settled over the room. For a minute, I thought he might have left through a hidden passage or another door.“So good to see you again, Elara.” His voice made me inwardly startle. Did it really sound familiar, or was I imagining that? Obviously, he knew me. “I don’t see any further need for such restraints.”A millisecond later, I fell to the carpeted floor with a thud. Groaning, I stayed down. My limbs tingled as feeling gradually returned to them.I slowly turned my head toward the man. His fea
Elara'S POV Maeve disappeared around my side and spoke, “Here she is. As you wished.”“Well done.” His voice held a raspy quality. I thought I recognized it. “You may go. Kill yourself a Penumbra boss or two.”“Gladly.” Maeve entered my line of sight again as she moved toward the door. “And, Forrest,” she glanced at me, “make it hurt.”I could hear the smile in his voice when he said, “I intend to.”If I could move, I would have glared at her retreating back. The door clicked shut and silence settled over the room. For a minute, I thought he might have left through a hidden passage or another door.“So good to see you again, Elara.” His voice made me inwardly startle. Did it really sound familiar, or was I imagining that? Obviously, he knew me. “I don’t see any further need for such restraints.”A millisecond later, I fell to the carpeted floor with a thud. Groaning, I stayed down. My limbs tingled as feeling gradually returned to them.I slowly turned my head toward the man. His fea
Elara'S POV Xavier was livid. His grip tightened on my upper arms and his neck had turned a deep crimson. I probably should have been afraid of him, but I couldn’t find that fear among all the hurt and anger. Telling me he owned me were not the words to make this situation better. Why didn’t he understand? As much as I hated to admit it, I was falling for him and Lysander both, but to them this was a game.They’d been playing me from the start. My heart felt like it had been torn from my chest and stomped on. I’d gotten way more attached to them than I’d realized. I’d fallen for their manipulations. How was I supposed to know which words were real, and which were said to coerce me?I’d had no idea the stake in their game was my heart. What were they going to do once they had me and the curse was broken? Toss me away? Laugh about how easy it was to get what they wanted? Such a naïve girl, and so easy to fool. Was that what they’d say to each other?All rich assholes were the same. I k
Xavier'S POV Jace had long since cleaned up after lunch, then returned to the office a few hours later with a tray holding our mail. In the center was a distinct gold-and-black jewelry box, though I knew there’d be no trinket within.He set the tray on my desk and exited without a word.I plucked the box from among the envelopes and turned it over several times. It was for Elara, and I shouldn’t open it.“Not that shit again,” Kaelen said, gesturing my way. “That girl is nothing but trouble. We should give her up.”So far, he hadn’t insisted on handing her over to 5th Circle. I thought he knew it would never happen, so arguing about it was pointless.“What does her stalker say this time?” he asked. “Are you actually curious?”He glowered. “No.”Well, I was, so I opened it to find the note rolled up and nestled inside. I’d never claimed to be a good man, and invasion of privacy was a lesser sin. Plus, anything to do with Elara was our concern. One day, we’d find out who stalked her an
Lysander'S POV I sat at my desk, scrolling through a series of text messages from my informants, and frowned. No news. Which was not good news in this case. Eclipse had gone silent. The wolves had retreated from our territory, and I had no idea why.But it stank.They were up to something.“Will you stop worrying?” Kaelen sounded annoyed.“No. I won’t.” I tried to stare down the Fae, but he continued to read his computer screen. “For all these years, they have continued to overstep and harass our enterprises. Why leave us alone now?”Kaelen shrugged. “Maybe they’re tired of getting their asses kicked.”I rolled my eyes, then shot a glance at Xavier.“You share my concern?”“Mm, indeed.” The vampire pursed his lips. “Though I’m more concerned by this business of Eclipse and 5th Circle suddenly acting as allies. Orion seems to be the link between the two, but I don’t yet see how or why.”“Something’s brewing, and I don’t like it.” I pocketed my phone, needing a break, and raked my fing







