“The library?” Sebastian queried. Guessing that’s where the Alpha would be. Rhyers nodded. The Fallen. Sebastian thought as he wandered downstairs. It was nigh time Bast went to work helping Deragan pour through the pages of the ancient records, Acharius, the Viking had been maintaining. She’s bound to be in one of her old haunts. Bast found several of the rolled lengths of parchment on the Fallen’s recent movements. He headed down the mountain toward Grier. Planning to run a line straight to the Dread Hideout. To Acharius. He can look for Radix’s newest lair while he’s at it. He’ll be delighted. Sebastian thought with wicked glee. Knowing how much Acharius hated pouring through the old documents. Despite that most would assume with his upbringing, Acharius would’ve had little culture, he’d experienced much in his countless years at sea. Visited numerous countries during his raids. It’d been he that mapped Ardae for them. Chronicling every location, they’d ever found the Falle

After a time, she knelt next to the dark feline she’d dubbed Onyx, to pet him. The cat leaned and arced, rumbling contentedly and savoring her touch. She turned her head and gave a slight smile as she enjoyed the feel of his fur between her fingers. At precisely that moment, Lucien entered the library and spotted Sebastian sitting intently in his library chair. He was leaned forward and eyes completely coated gold. Mouth white and jaw ticking. All signs that didn’t bode well. “What’s amiss?” Lucien approached warily. “That is a black look on your face. In-fact I don’t recall ever seeing it on you afore.” “The woman. She’s laughing with the cats.” “You’re woman?” Lucien’s brow furrowed. “I didn’t know that railing creature even cracked a smile.” He’d noticed since his return to WaterRose that Bast was often preoccupied with the valkyrie who seemed not all pleasant. Less so, when Bast was gone. “Cats?” Lucien shuddered. “Clawed beasts.” “She pets them.” “That is what most do…”

“They all have the same energy as you…” She murmured. Still blinking thoughtfully at him. What? He struggled to focus. The smell of wildflowers surrounded him. The smooth satin fabric over the sinewed line of her thighs, the peek at the hollow of her cleavage beneath the neckline of her dress, now available to his eyes as he stood over her, the flatness of her stomach revealed by the fitted lines of the garment. Stormy blue eyes assessing him. Her soft pink lips parted as she mulled it all over. Waiting for something. What the hell did she say? He replayed the conversation. “Not as powerful.” He said definitively. Her eyes fell as she murmured to herself contemplatively. “That’s why they watch me so resentfully.” “What?” What did I miss? “One of them looked…just like you. From upstairs, anyway.” She pointed, bouncing her finger as she continued to murmur to herself. “You’re…brother?” “Yes.” He corrected. “Though I’m far more fun.” His body responded to the heat of her, warm

If she leaves, I’m going to find her and drag her back. He promised himself. Knowing it was very likely. I’ll get her back. His beasts urged to take over. To pursue her. Knowing it was their mate that fled the gates. I’m too weak to stop her, just now. He forced himself to face that simple fact. He truly could get killed trying to keep her this time. I won’t heal if she cuts me open. But to his surprise, he heard the sound of her back hitting the wall just beyond his doorway as she collapsed against it. “But it’s kept me safe.” She murmured. Running forever. He instantly knew what she was responding to. It was the last thing he’d said and she’d left the room. He’d thought, to leave him forever. “I know.” He whispered back. “But it doesn’t now. It just keeps you from seeing what there could be.” She jumped, astounded that he could still hear her. She peered around the wall back into the room. Above him, his breath crystallized in floating puffs. Elsabet reared back from th

A strange surge lifted inside Deragan. Something he barely recognized after so long. Hope. “Sebastian never hurries.” Deragan concurred. His shout to the gate tower made the bridge begin descending over the moat. Not fast enough. “He’s not slowing down.” Lucien grimaced. The valkyrie’s cry rose again. Louder. She can feel his return. Deragan sensed. Lucien eyed the wall separating them warily. “That’s why I lock that thing in when I’m here…” And because she scares you. Deragan had no time to tease just now. “Bast wouldn’t appreciate that.” Deragan commented without looking away. “Yeah…But she terrifies me. I love a tough woman. But not one that can actually kill me…” He murmured. “And likely wants to.” Even Lucien silenced as Bast reached the bridge. Leaping to claw the peak of wooden planks, raking in front feet until piercing the wood. Tossing his body atop it, he t