Havermouth, Present TimeTalen started the Ute but did not immediately pull out from the curb. He adjusted the heating, turning the vents to blow over Aislen who was shivering and rubbing her hands together before cupping them in his. “From what I understand of Triquetras,” he said slowly, his thumb stroking over her skin in an absentminded caress. “They would not be unreasonable to want to withdraw to a place of safety at this point, little demon.“We do not know if this infection affects the supernatural, or, if it has not so far, whether it will mutate as such things tend to do and will eventually become dangerous for us all. We do not know what will happen if this infection spreads.” His eyes searched hers. “This could be very dangerous.”She blew out a breath. “Heath’s mayor. So am I, technically, but I’m not as attached to the role or town as he is. He might be part of the Triquetra, but he’s also not the sort of person who would take a position of authority and then ditch when

Havermouth, Present TimeThe group of black clad men were still standing outside of the coffee shop when Aislen opened the door and stepped out onto the sidewalk.“We are encouraging civilians to stay in their accommodations,” one of the men said when he spotted her. All that could be seen of his face was the strong line of his jaw, framed by the high collar of the black top he wore beneath the armored vest.“Why?” Aislen asked before she could stop herself. In for a penny, in for a pound, she decided. “Why are you encouraging people to stay home? There’s a missing little girl who needs to be found, damage to property, most people haven’t been able to open their businesses for days… People need to get groceries, medicine, hardware. You should be encouraging the shops to open, so that people can get what they need, and organizing search parties, not approaching coffee shop owners for free coffee and tea in exchange for a generator – which would be just a nice thing to do for them.”“Oh

Havermouth, Five Years BeforeThe car ride home was silent, each member of the Triquetra caught in their own thoughts and Aislen pressed tight against the door, looking out of the night-dark glass as the scenery whipped by. Rhett could see tears tracking down her cheeks, but she wept silently, trying to hide it, and he decided to leave her be. They didn’t need any more drama, he thought, and he was certain that his warning had made an impression.He sucked on his lip ring and watched Heath drive. Heath wouldn’t believe him, he thought, and what did he know, really? Nothing new. Just that Aislen had an uncanny insight into things that she really shouldn’t know and that never failed to get her into trouble. He had told her to never say such things again, and hopefully she would finally listen to him.They were so close, so very close to getting the drama behind them. They just needed to get through Sunday’s meeting, and it would be done. Aislen’s little moment with the James woman didn’

Havermouth, Five Years Before“F-k,” Rhett grumbled under his breath as they pulled up at the Havermouth Estate. Phillip’s Porsche was parked next to Charlie Gale’s Mustang and Jules’ Ute. “She f-king called them all in.”“Charlie didn’t know last night,” Heath commented thoughtfully as he rang the doorbell. “So maybe it was a last second decision.” Probably, he thought, because it would have looked odd for Phillip Salem to be present at the meeting without the other alphas.“We’re f-king nineteen,” Rhett complained as they waited. “We don’t need our daddies to speak for us anymore.”“I’m very sorry that you feel that way, Mr Salem,” Abigail drawled as she opened the door. Her expression was dangerous, and her wolf was in her eyes. Cameron felt his heart pick up a beat. “I asked your fathers to be present as a gesture of support for the three of you. I will send them home if you feel they’re unwelcome.""No, that’s fine,” Heath said placatingly. “Rhett didn’t mean anything by it, Abig

Havermouth, Present Time“Ah f-k,” Aislen smirked as she dragged her eyes over Tabitha Marie. “And suddenly so much becomes clear. Let me guess, one of my boys, or all of them, f-ked with you during your teen years and you’ve been leading the Vendetta Coven in their revenge efforts to deflate the Triquetra’s sausages permanently ever since? Liked their sausage a bit too much, and made you pout to give it up, did it, bitch-cat?”Tabitha’s hand flew and stopped with a smack of flesh against flesh as Talen caught it with inhuman speed before it neared Aislen’s face. He shook his head slowly, his eyes disapproving. “Violence is not acceptable,” he reprimanded to the gawking reporter. “And an undignified response to provocation.”“Did I find a sore point, Tabby-cat?” Aislen sneered. “Said something a bit too true for your liking?”“You have no f-king idea what you’re talking about,” Tabitha snapped back. “And who the f-k is this?” She tugged her wrist free of Talen’s grasp.“Aren’t you the