جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 50

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

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

Xavier'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 I studied the chessboard in the dim, grey afternoon light. Xavier wasn’t going to let me easily win this time. I glanced up at him, and he curled a dark brow in challenge. Shaking my head, I laughed, immediately regretting the jolting movement to my back and ribs.Two days had passed since ECLIPSE and 5TH CIRCLE had stormed the mansion. My numerous wounds were healing with the assistance of the FAE doctors. They’d done a good job patching me up. The rest of the process was for my body to complete. I ached all over—my palm, back, and a few cracked ribs I hadn’t noticed until later.Of course, that bastard FORREST, whose body had mysteriously disappeared along with my locket, couldn’t have used a normal dagger. No, it had to be a magically infused weapon, and healing from its cuts would take a while. My palm was the worst of the injuries he’d inflicted, besides my back. I traced my index finger over the long, tender scar. Another one to add to my collection of injuries infl

Elara'S POV After casting a quick ward around the farmhouse, I raced to my bedroom to change and pack up what few supplies I needed. The hunters would know about this location, and it was probably being watched, so I needed to get in and out quickly.It felt liberating to be clothed in jeans, T-shirt, and boots. For the first time in weeks, I was myself again. No more frilly dresses—ever.I collected a few additional supplies and shrugged into a raincoat. All set, I turned to the open door just as a pang through my chest told me the ward had been breached.They were here.I gripped my wand, prepared to teleport, and visualized my destination.“Elara!” ORION’S voice called from the lower level.My heart stopped. Was it really him or was this a trick? Only one way to find out.I crept out of the bedroom to the staircase. Floorboards creaked under my weight. I peeked down to the main floor, and ORION’S smiling face came into view. My stomach flip-flopped between anxiety and hope. Was it