DIVIDED

SILVERWOODCOVENBOOKSEVEN

HAZELHUNTER

ALLUREPRESS

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C H A P T E R 1

IERYRAINFROMaMolotovcocktaildrenchedSummerLautner,envelopingherinblistering
heatasshechokedonthickblacksmoke.Assoonastheblazingpetroltouchedherskin,however,

itactivatedaspellbrandedonherflesh.Asenchantedgreeniceencasedher,thelethalfluidinstantly
evaporated.ThroughthefreezingshroudSummercouldseemoreflamesturningthebinsofherbsaround
herintocharcoal.Whoeverhadsettheherbalist’sshoponfirehadmeanttoburnittotheground.

ShehadcometoMontrealtoescapethesorrowoflosingherunborndaughter,notdealwithmore

evil.Butdarknesshadfollowedherhere,andfoundher,andtheonlywayshemightholditoffwaswitha
legacyshehatedandcouldnolongercontrol.

Wasthistobeherfate,then?Tobeforeverontherunfromdeath,andenslavedbyapowerthatshe

hadn’tbeentrainedtouse?Herignorancehadalreadycausedhertomiscarry.Howmuchmorewouldit
takefromher?

Theenchantediceexpandedfromhertoformagigantic,protectivesphereagainstthesmokeand

flames.Throughtheshimmeringgreenshecouldseeadozenothershoppersontheflooraroundher.Ifshe
didn’tdosomething,theirbloodwouldbeonherhands,too.Shestruggledtoherfeet.

“Cometome,”Summermurmured.
Sheextendedherhandsandchanneledherpowertothefallenmortals.Onebyonetheyrose,and

shuffledlikesleepwalkerstowardtheicyemeraldbubble.Assoonastheytouchedit,theiceopenedto
allowthemin,andclosedbehindthem.Themiddle-agedwomanwhoownedtheshopcameoutofher
dazefirst,andherjawdroppedasshestaredatSummer.

“Howareyoudoingthis?”
“She’stheonethey’retryingtoburn,”aheavywomaninsisted.“Isawit.Thefirestartedrightafter

shecameinhere.”

ThevoiceofanoldcroneinSummer’sheadcackled.
Theycallthemselvespagan,andyetatthefirstsignoftrueWiccanpowertheyturnvicious.
Summerhadnochoicebuttolistentothevoice,whichbelongedtotheEmeraldTablet.Asthe

Guardianoftheoldestgrimoireintheworld,shecontainedallofitsknowledgeandpower,adutyfor
whichherbloodlinehadbeencreated.Sincemiscarryinghertinydaughter,however,Summerhadbeenat
oddswithherlegacy.TheTablethadrespondedbydenyingheraccesstoherpower—untilnow.

“TheGoddessprotectsusall,”Summerliedtotheshopkeeper,andturnedtotheheavywoman,whose

hatredshowedonherface.“Whywouldyouthinksomeonewastryingtoburnme?”

Shepointedattheice.“Becauseyou’reafuckingwitchwhocandothis.”
Ahuge,charredsectionoftheceilingcamecrashingdownnexttotheicybubble,makingeveryone

shriekandcower.

“Canyougetusoutofhere?”Thatdemandcamefromapalebrunetteholdingasquirming,tow-

headedpreschooler.“Please?”

Summerfocusedonmovingthebubbletothenearestexit,butitdidn’tbudge.
Youwillwait,Guardian,theoldcronesaidharshly.Waitforyoursentinelmates,andgivethanks

thatIchoosetosaveyou.

“Don’tholdyourbreath,”Summermuttered,andthensawhowtheotherswerelookingather.“It’sall

right.Helpisontheway.Wejusthavetowait.”

Theheavywomancameuptoher.“You’relying.”Shelookedattheothermortals.“Haven’tyouseen

itonTV?There’sanarsonistwho’sbeentorchingplacesalloverMontreal.Dozensofpeoplehavebeen
burnedalive.”Sheshookaham-sizedfistatSummer.“Youletusgo.”

“I’mnotkeepingyouhere,”Summersaid.Shesawhowthewoman’sfearandhatredwereinfecting

theothers.“WhywouldIsetfiretotheshop,andthensaveyou?”

“You’vetrappedusinthisthing,”thewomanshouted.
“Oh,myGod.Lookathereyes,”thebrunetteholdingthechildsaid,backingawayfromSummer.

“They’reglowinggreen.”

“See?She’sgotademonorsomethinginsideher,thefuckingwitch.”
TheheavywomantriedtopunchSummerintheface,andthenwentstillasthebubbleengulfedher

andbeganpushingheroutintothefire.

“No,”Summercriedout,reachingtodragthewomanbackinside.
Assoonasshedidtheshopkeepergotbetweenthem.
“Youshutupandcalmdown,youidiot,”shetoldthewoman,andthenturnedtoSummer.“It’sgetting

hardertobreathe.Ithinktheairisrunningout.Wehavetodosomething.”

Hissingcloudsofsteamsuddenlyrolledovertheice,turningitopaque.Everyonedroppeddown,

huddlingtogetherasthebubblebegantomelt.Summersawhugestoneseruptingfrombeneaththestore’s
tiledfloor,knockingasidetheburningrubbleandcreatingacrudepath.Thentwotallformsappearedon
theothersideoftheice,bothwithclothtiedovertheirnosesandmouths.

Thelargest,golden-hairedman’sgildedgreeneyesnarrowedashegesturedatthehugestones,which

hurledthemselvesatthelastoftheburningdebristosmashitaway.Hismagic,whichglitteredlikea
jeweledambermistintheair,tookonagreenishtintasitblendedwithSummer’spower.

“Michael,”shewhispered.Shealmoststartedweepingwithrelief.
MichaelCharbonpressedhisbighandontheothersideoftheiceashegazedather.Hismouth

moved,andwhileshecouldn’thearhimsheknewwhathesaid:Beauty.

Sparklingwaterinfusedwithheavenlybluelightrushedaroundthebaseofthebubble,thankstoTroy

Atwater,Summer’sothersentinelmate.Thetall,darkwarlockusedhiselementalwaterpowertodirect
dozensofspraysatthefire,dousingituntilitextinguished.Onlythendidhelookatherthroughtheice
andnod,hisexpressiongrim.

Summersweptherhandalongtheinnercurveofthebubble,usingherpowertocreateanopening.
“Throughhere,”shetoldthemortals.“Hurrynow.”
Hermatesguidedthepeopleoutthroughthesmoke,handingthemofftothefirefighterswhowere

nowenteringthesmolderingshop.Thelasttogowastheshopkeeper,whoturnedandtouchedSummer’s
arm.

“Thankyouforsavingus.”
Summergraspedherhand.“Ineedafavor.”
“Anything,”thewomansaid.“Justnameit.”
“Youdidn’tseemagicheretoday,”Summersaid.Sheglancedattheshopperswhowerebeingguided

out.“Noonedid.Itwasanewfiresuppressantsystem…ofsomesort…”

ThewomancoveredSummer’shandwithhers.“Anditwasdestroyedinthefire.”
Summernoddedastheyexchangedaconspiratorialsmile.“Good,”shesaid.

Thewomanmadeherwaytothefirefightersatthefrontofthestore.AsshepassedTroyandMichael,

theyturnedtolookatSummer,wholettheremainderofthebubbleevaporateasshesmiledatthem.

“Ithinkdinnerisgoingtobealittlelate,guys.”
Michaelgottoherfirst,andsweptheroffherfeetasheenvelopedherinatightembrace.Almost

immediatelyhesetherbackdownandbeganrunninghishandsoverthescorchedremainsofherclothes.

“Wefeltthefireburningyou.”
“I’mnothurt,”shesaid.“Thespellsonmyskinprotectedme.”ShelookedpasthimatTroy,who

stoodwatchingthem.Shesawthefuryglitteringinhiseyes,andreachedouttohim.“Didanyoneseewho
didthis?”

Heshookhishead,makingbluelightsdanceinhislongmaneofsleekblackhair.
“Webeatthefiredepartmentbyminutes,buttherewasnooneoutsideoranywhereinsight.”Hisstern

expressionsoftenedashetookherhand,andliftedittohislips.“I’mgladyou’reallright,love.”

Summertouchedhischeek.“Thankstomymates,Ialwayswillbe.”
“Wemustgo,”Michaelurged,noddingatthenewwaveoffirefighterscautiouslyenteringthe

buildingnow.

“Thisway,”Troysaid.
Heledthemtothebackdoorofthebuilding,whichheandMichaelhadtoforceopen.Ontheoutside

Summersawthatthedoorhadbeenjammedshutwithalengthofwoodproppedundertheknob.

“Hebarsalltheexitsfirst,”shemuttered,throwingthewoodawayindisgust.“Sonooneinsidehasa

chancetoescape.Thatsonofabitch.”

“Heisadeadman,”Michaelassuredher,hisvoiceflatwithbarely-containedrage.
“Idon’tthinkitwasaman,”Troysaid.“Isawavandrivingawayfromtheshopjustaswepulledup.

AllyMartelwasbehindthewheel.”

Summerstaredathim.AllybelongedtoArtemis,aWiccancoventowhichhermotherhadonce

belonged.She’dalreadyhadsomeunpleasantencounterswithLorenaPaquet,Artemis’sHighPriestess,
andAllywasLorena’sbodyguard.

“Whywouldshesetfiretoanherbalist’sshop?”
“Tomakeitlooklikethearsonistdidit,”Troysaid.“Soeveryonewouldthinkthathe’dkilledyou.”

C H A P T E R 2

NTHEHEARTofthecityLorenaPaquetlookeddownatthestreet,wheremortalspassedthe
elegantarchitectureofArtemisHousewithoutgivingitasecondglance.Occasionallyamortal

wouldcometooclose,andpauseforamomentbeforeshudderingandhurryingaway.Thatwasdueto
Lorena’sWiccanpower,whichshecouldexpandtosurroundherlikeanenormous,invisibleweb.

Tonightitsnaredapairofyoungtourists,bothalittledrunkandlaughingastheymadetheirwayback

totheirhotel.Thewomanfeltitfirst,andpulledherboyfriendtoahalt.ShelookedupatLorenawith
wideeyes,herhandreachinguptopressagainsttheracingthrobofherheart.Suchpertbreasts,too.

Theyoungmanfeltadifferentsensation,andpromptlybentovertobesickinthegutter.
Somedayyouwillleavehimtocomeandserveme,Lorenathoughtbeforeshedrewthecurtains,and

turnedbacktothevideoplayingonhertelevision.

Onthescreentwopowerfully-builtwarlockswerehavingsexwithalovely,curvywitch.The

recordinghadbeenmadefromadistancewithazoomlens,whichresultedinthepoorqualityofthe
images.YetevenwiththefuzzinessLorenacouldseehowskilledMichaelCharbonandTroyAtwater
wereatmakinglovetotheirmistress,GenevieveLautner,whocalledherselfSummernow.

“Beautifulandpowerfulenoughtokeeptwomenutterlyenthralled,”theHighPriestessmurmured.

“Justlikeyourslutofamother.”

Thedarkwarlockseemedparticularlyadeptwithhismouth,giventhewitch’sobviouspleasure,but

Lorena’sgazekeptstrayingtoMichael.Adilettantemightmistakehiscalmexpressionasanindicationof
detachment,butsherecognizeditascompleteabsorption.Hegavehisentireattentionnottotheactbutthe
woman,andassuringherpleasure.Eventhedeep,heavystrokesofhisthickpenisintoherwetpussy
weremadewiththeintenttomakehercome,nottobringonhisownclimax.Indeed,fromthesetofhis
jawandthebunchingofhismuscleshewasholdingbackindeferencetoher,whichcharmedLorena.

Theotheroddityaboutthemanwashisapparentlackofexpertise.Shesawnorealfinesseinhis

love-making.Heusedonlythesimplestcaressesandmostbasicmovementstofuck.Sincehehadspent
nearlyhisentirelifeasaTemplaritwasreasonabletoassumethathehadverylittlesexualexperience.
That,too,shefoundveryendearing.

Amansoinnocentcouldbeeasilytaughthowtoproperlyserveawoman.
Lorenareclinedinherfavoritearmchairandimaginedhowitwouldfeel,tohavethebigmanbetween

herthighs.Althoughsheusuallypreferredsexwithotherwomen,Michael’spassionandself-discipline
stirredsomethinglong-dormantinsideher.Justasshewasabouttoslipherhandbetweenherlegs,the
filmstoppedandrestarted,thistimeshowingthetwowarlocksinadifferentroomwithouttheirlover.
Theypickedupstaffsandbeganasparringpractice,whichquicklyturnedintosomethingmuchless
friendly.

Lorenahaltedtheimagesandmovedtositdownonthefloorinfrontofthetelevision.Onthescreen

MichaelhadjuststruckTroyfrombehind,andthefuryonhisfacemadehisemotionsplain.Ifshecould
havetouchedhiminthatmoment,andusedherpoweronhim,Lorenaknewshewouldhavebeen
overwhelmed.Hispowerfulragewouldhavefloodedherwithsomuchheatandvitalityshewouldhave
climaxedimmediately.

“Oh,Mr.Charbon,”shemurmured.Shereachedouttotouchthehardlineofhismouth,andimagined

howhotandwetitwouldfeelwhiletheformerTemplarsuckledherbreasts.“WhatamItodowithyou?”

AknockonthedoorofherchambermadeLorenaswitchoffthesetandrise,sendingoutafeelerof

magicuntilsheconfirmeditwasherbodyguard.

“Comein.”
AllyMartelhurriedinside,almostslammingthedoorbehindherinherhaste.Sweatcoveredher

muscularbody,andsomethinghaddarkenedtheshortspikesofherfairhair.Astinkrolledoffherthat
madetheHighPriestessgrimace.

“Yousmelllikeabonfire,”Lorenacomplained.“Whatisit?”
“SomeonetrappedGenevieve—Summer—Lautnerinapaganshopandsetfiretoit,”thebodyguard

said.“Hermencametosaveher,andthemortalswhoweretrappedinside,butitwasverybad.”

“Wasoursisterhurt?”Lorenaasked,concernednow.
“Idon’tknow,”Allyadmitted.“Ihadtomovemyvanbeforetheauthoritiescame,andwhenIreturned

thehumanshadbeensavedandSummerandthemenhadvanished.”

“Well,givemethevideo,”Lorenasaidandwatchedthebigwomanhangherhead.“Youdidn’tfilm

it?”

“Iforgotmycamera,”shewhimpered.Shekneltdowninfrontofher.“I’msorry.”
“Igaveyouinstructionstovideo-tapeeverythingshedoes,”Lorenasaid.ShetiltedAlly’schinupso

thatthebodyguardhadtolookather.“Iamverydisappointedinyou,cherie.”

Allygroveled,bendingdowntopressherwet,hotfaceagainstLorena’sankles.
“Don’tpunishme,mylady.IwasthinkingofyouwhenIleftthecovenhouse.HowmuchIwantto

pleaseyou.Thatlizardgirl,Raelyn,can’tpleasureyouthewayIcan.”

Retractingthewebofherpower,theHighPriestesswrappeditaroundherbodyguard,anduseditto

heightenheranger.

“Tellmetherest,”Lorenapromptedsoftly.
“Iamtiredofwaiting.”Thebodyguard’sexpressionturnedsullen.“Idoeverythingyouaskme,

everything,andnowyoutossmeasideforRaelyn.Iwouldwaituntilyoutiredofher,foryoualwaysdo,
butthenyouofferyourselftothatLautnerbitch.”

ThatAllyhadbeenspyingonherdidn’tsurpriseLorena.Herbodyguardhadalwaysbeenslyand

sneaky.WithaflickofherabilityshecouldalsoinstantlydispelAlly’sfuriousjealousy,forshehadbeen
manipulatingheremotionssincetheywereteens.ButLorenafoundnegativeemotionstobeparticularly
delicious,aswellasveryvaluabletoolswithwhichtocontrolherfemalelovers.

“Areyoufeelingfatanduglyagain,cherie?”AsshelookedintoAlly’seyes,shereachedforthe

foundationofdeep,abidingself-loathingthatdefinedherbodyguard’simageofherself.Focusingher
powerthere,sheadded,“YouknowIloveyouaboveallothers,andyetyousaythesecruelthingstome,
asifmyheartisnotenough.Ifyoutrulyfeelthisway,weshouldpartnow.Iknowofseveralcovenstothe
westwhereyouwouldbeverywelcome.”

TerrorfilledAlly’seyes.“No.Please,mylady.Ican’tlivewithoutyou.Pleasedon’tsendmeaway.”
“Thenyou’llhavetoproveyourloyaltytomeisabsolute.Wecandealwiththatlater.”Shestroked

herhandoverAlly’sdirtyhair.“Youarestillholdingbacksomethingfromme,yes?Whatisit,monpetite
chou?”

“Isawamanarriveattheshopjustbeforeitbegantoburn,”herbodyguardmuttered.“Hedrove

aroundtothebackinadarksedan.Veryexpensive.Itwasmarkedwithlacroixpatéeinred.Hemay

havebeenaTemplar,mylady,orperhapsamortalwhoworksforthem.”

Lorenafrowned.“Whywouldyouthinkthat?”
“Theblazebeganjustafterheparkedatthebackoftheshop,”Allysaid.“Hewastheonlypersonon

theoutside.Ithinkhestartedthefire.”

C H A P T E R 3

HENIGHTEMBRACEDBeaumontManorwithitscoldarms,buttheelegantoldhouseworethe
winter’sdarknesslikeanonyxcapetrimmedinsnowyfurs.Mysterieshaunteditslonghallsand

beautifulrooms,lingeringlikewordswaitingtobespoken.AlthoughithadbeenyearssinceChristien
Beaumonthaddied,themanorstillretainedanairofitsformerdarkmaster,asifittoowatchedpatiently
overhisprodigaldaughter.

TroycameoutofthemasterbedroomsuitetofindMichaelwaitingand,likehim,wearingallblack.

“TheadrenalinfinallyworeoffwhileSummerwasintheshower.ShefellasleepinmyarmsbeforeIgot
hertothebed.Sheshouldbeoutforacouplehours.”

AstheywalkeddownstairsMichaelasked,“Youtoldherwhatwemeantodo?”WhenTroynodded

hescowled.“Butnotallthetruth.”

“No,brother.IfIhad,shewouldn’tbesleeping.Don’tyouthinkshe’shadenoughstress?”Troy

collectedthegymbagfilledwithweaponsfromthehallclosetandshoulderedthestrap.“Icandothisby
myself,ifyou’dratherstayhereandwatchoverher.”

Thebigmanfollowedhimoutside.“Youarestillangrywithmeforcomparingyoutoyourfather.”
“No,I’mangrybecausesomeonetriedtokillourwoman.”Troytossedtheduffelinthebackseatand

slammedthedoor.“NowI’mgoingtoscoutthenestofTemplarswhoprobablydidit.Ifyouwanttohelp
me,getinthecar.Ifyouwanttotalkmoreaboutourfeelings,stayhere.”

MichaellookedathimforalongmomentbeforeheclimbedintotheSUV.
BasedonthenotesmadebySummer’sfather,Christien,theoldrailroadyardwasthemostlikely

locationofaTemplarbase.Troydrovetheminthatdirection,toMontreal’snorthside.Theretheroad
woundthroughwarrensofoldwarehouses,junkyardsandabandonedbuildings.Troynoticedthatthe
abundanceofstraycatsprowlingtheareadidn’tgoanywherenearthelongdriveleadinguptotherail
yard’sgates,whichwerebeingguardedbytwomenarmedwithsmall,lethal-lookingrifles.Highbrick
wallssurroundedtheremainderofthelargeproperty.

MichaelturnedhisfacetowardTroytoavoidbeingseenbytheguards,incaseitwassomeonehe

knew.

“Parkonthenextblock,”Michaelsaid.“We’llhavetogooverthewall.”
TroyparkedtheSUVbetweenaself-storagefacilityandaclosedpetrolstation,andtookoutthe

duffel.InsideMichaelhadstowedalengthofrope,apairofbinoculars,andaflashlight.

“Iliketobeprepared,”hesaidwhenTroyeyedhim.“Therewillbetwo-manpatrolteamswalking

theperimeter.AccordingtoChristien’sphotographs,thosetreesontheeastsidehangoverthewall.We
shouldusethemtodropdownononeoftheoldfueltanks.”

Troyclosedhiseyesbrieflyashesearchedtheimmediateareaforwatersources,andfoundonlyone

cisternandafewcitysupplylinesburiedintheground.

“Thereisn’talotofwatertouseifwe’rediscovered,andthere’sbarelyenoughsnowtomakeafew

balls.”

“Thenwepreparealittlemore.”
Michaeltookapairofninemilsfromunderthebackseat,checkedtheclips,andofferedonetohim.
Troytookitandchamberedaroundbeforetuckingitinsidehisjacket.
“Youdon’tmessaroundwhenyoushopforweapons.”
“TheTemplarshavesuppressorsontheirrifles,”Michaelsaid.“Itmeansthey’vebeenorderedto

shootonsight.”Thebigmannoddedtowardawillowwithlow-slungbranchescoveredbylong,
droopingcascadesoffrost-whitenedleaves.“Thatonelooksbest.”

Tokeepfromdisplacingtheiceandsnowswathingthetree,Troyenvelopedthembothwithhispower

beforetheybeganclimbing.Michael’sweightcausedtheoldtree’sboughstogroan,buttheyheldlong
enoughforthemtomoveoverthewallanddropdownatoptheclosestfueltank.

RustedmetalgratedunderTroy’sboots,andhecroucheddowntolookovertherailingbeforegiving

Michaelathumbs-up.Theywentoverthesideanddroppedtotheground.

Thesnowstillboredeep,parallelrutsfromthemanyrailwaytracksthathadoncebeenusedtosort

thetrainsastheycameintotheyard.Theyterminatedatadispatcher’sofficeatthebackoftheproperty.
Betweenthetanksandtheofficelaysometwentyotherbuildings,alongwithstorageshedsandamassive
enginerepairbay.Troyimaginedthegarrisonoccupiedthebay,whichwastheonlystructurelargeenough
tohousethatmanymen.

“Wherewouldtheystorethepriory’svaluables?”Troyasked.
“AnythingimportantwouldbekeptintheTempleMaster’squarters,”Michaelsaidandpointedtoa

large,well-maintainedofficewithahangingsignthatreadYardMaster.“Thatone.Ithasthemost
fortifications,andthebestviewoftheproperty.Youarenotgoinginthere.”

Troygesturedforsilenceasapatrolteamwalkedbytheirposition,andwaiteduntiltheywereoutof

earshot.

“TheTemplarswhomurderedSummer’smotherhadtobelongtothispriory,”Troysaid.“Theywould

haveturnedoverwhatevertheytookfromMarie’shousetotheirTempleMaster,correct?”

Michael’seyesnarrowed.“Sowedidnotcomeheremerelytoscouttheenemy.Whatdoyouconceal

frommenow,brother?”

“OneofChristien’sjournalsismissing,theverylastonehewrote.Wethinkhetookitwithhimto

Marie’sestatejustbeforetheTemplarsattackedandkilledthem.”Troytookoutablackskimaskand
pulleditoverhisheadbeforedonningblackgloves.“I’llgoandsearchtheTempleMaster’squarters.
Youstayhereandcoverme.”

Hedidn’tgiveMichaeltimetoreply.Insteadheslippedthroughtheshadowsasheapproachedthe

yardmaster’sofficefromtheside.Althoughallthewindowsweredark,hewouldhavetoworksilently
incasesomeonewasinside.

Waitinguntiljustaftertheperimeterpatrolpassedhim,Troysprintedacrossthefrostygrasstothe

sidedoor.Asexpecteditwaslocked.Fromhisbackpockethefetchedthesmallleatherfolioofpicks.He
selectedtwo,andwiththedeftmovementsofmanyyearsofpractice,heopenedtheknobalmostasthough
hehadakey.Hepocketedthetoolsandcreptinside.

Theinteriorwastoowarmandsmoky,andsmelledofburningspices.Troyrelaxedalittlewhenhe

spottedthesmallincensebraziersthathadbeenlefttosmolder,butkeptalertashemovedpastthem.The
TempleMasterapparentlyenjoyedgrandeuroverausterity.Finefurnishings,raretextilesandexquisite
paintingsadornedeachroom.Aquicksearchoftheopulentbedchamberandbathturnedupnothingbuta
collectionofhand-tailoredsuits,finelinenshirtsandenoughhairandskinproductstooutfitalarge
beautysalon.Thatwaswhenhenoticedthedarkenedroombeyond.

Pagan,theyarepreparingtochangetheguard,Michael’svoicesaidinsideTroy’smind.Youhave

threeminutes,nomore.Meetmeatthebackwallbehindthedispatcher’soffice.

Gotit.Troyhurriedintoaroomsetuplikeacommandcenter.Butastoragechestunderatallwindow

caughthiseye.Likeasteamertrunkmadeofhammeredsteel,itwasgirdledwiththreethickironbelts.An
ancient,massivepadlocksecuredalatchalongeachbelt.Iftherewereanyplacetostoresomething
precious,thathadtobeit.Hetookouthispicks,selectingalargerpair,andsettoworkonthefirst
padlock.Itopenedwithasatisfyingclunk.Thesecondandthirdquicklyfollowed.Troyraisedtheheavy
lid,onlytoberewardedwithanear-piercingsqueal.Thoughhe’dpaused,nowheopeneditalltheway.
Thetimeforsubtletywasgone.

Insidelayacacheofledgers,aceremonialdagger,ajewelencrustedcross,smallwoodboxes,letters

tiedwithribbons,andonefamiliar-lookingjournal.Hesnatcheditup,justassomethingcreakedinthe
hallway.Quicklyheshutthetrunkandreplacedthelocks,thoughhedidn’tsnapthemshut.Hejammedthe
journalinhisjacket.

Asthelightcameoninthebedchamber,heduckeddownintotheshadowofthetrunk.
“Massimo?”agravellyvoicecalled.“Areyouinhere?”
Troyheldhisbreathforwhatseemedlikeages.Finallythedoorclosedagain,andtheman’sfootsteps

movedaway.OnceTroywassuretheTemplarhadgone,heclosedeachofthepadlocks,retracedhis
steps,andwenttothesidedoor.Heopeneditafractionandpeeredthroughtheslimgapbeforehe
steppedoutside.

Pagan.
Michaelcamearoundthecorner,handsintheair,walkingbesideashorter,olderman.
Hehasaguninmyribs.
“Showmeyourface,”theTemplarorderedinalowvoice,“oryouraccomplicedies.”
Troyslowlyremovedtheskimask.“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,Mister.Icamehere

alone.”HescowledatMichaelashegatheredhiselementalpower,drawingacloudoffrostandiceto
hoverovertheirheads.“Oh,yeah,Irememberyou.Thisguyalmostcaughtmecomingoverthewall.”

Theoldman’supperlipcurled.“DoyouthinkmesuchafoolthatIwouldmistakeawarlockfora

Templar?”

“Iamnotaverygoodwarlockyet,”Michaelsaidandspreadhisfingers.Smallstonesbeganpopping

upfromthefrozengroundbehindhim.“Butwithmybrother’shelp,Ihopetoimprovemyskills.”

“NottonightI’mafraid,”Troysaid.HesawtheimageinMichael’smind,andenvelopedthestones

withhisfrostcloud.“Itlookslikeit’sgoingtohail.”

“Theskiesareperfectlyclear,”theoldmansnapped,justasaswathofice-coveredstonesfellon

him,knockinghimtotheground.

TroybenttoretrievetheguntheTemplarhaddropped,andhitthegroundasautomaticgunfire

pepperedthewallbehindhim.Withaburstofpowerhehurledthecloudintheshooter’sdirectionbefore
hescrambledtohisfeet.HeranwithMichaelforthebackwall,whereamoundofoldbricksglowed
amberasitrearrangeditselfintostairs.Morebulletssprayedaroundthem,andMichaelstumbledashe
tookoneinthebackofhisthigh.

“Notimetorest,Paladin,”Troysaid,andjerkedhimupright.
Heshovedhimupthebrickstepsjustasmoregunfirepeltedthewall.Astheyreachedthetop,pain

explodedacrossTroy’sskull,andagushofbloodstreakeddowntopoolinhisrighteye.

Michaeldraggedhimoverandfellwithhimtolandheavilyontheground.ForamomentTroythought

hewouldpassout,andthenthebigmanhoistedhimtohisfeet.

“IthinkIshoulddrive,”MichaelmutteredasheslungTroy’sarmaroundhisstrongneck,andmadea

limpingrunfortheSUV.

C H A P T E R 4

OCTOR.WAKEUP.”

SalomonTolbertopenedablearyeyetoseeJeffreyPeytonpeeringathisface,whichfelt

abnormallylargeandthrobbedasifhe’dtakenabeating.Whenhetriedtosituphiswearybodyachedin
thesamemanner.

“Whathappened?”
“YouwereattackedbyWiccanintruders.Theyusedsomesortofheathenspelltopummelyouwith

iceandrock.”

Thedoctortouchedhiswiryhairandcheckedhisscalp,tryingtounderstandandgethisbearings.
“Theguardsshotthemboth,”Peytoncontinued.“Butsomehowtheystillmanagedtoescape.”
HesoundedasifhesuspectedSalomonofhelpingthem,whichalmostmadehimchuckle.That

becameagroanashepushedhimselfupright.SomeonehadputhimononeofMassimoMalveaux’s
elegantchaiselounges,whichhehadliberallystainedwithbloodandfilthyslush.

“WhereistheTempleMaster?”Salomonasked.
“Iamhere,Doctor,”Massimosaidasheemergedfromtheshadows.“Pleasedescribethemenwho

attackedyou.”

Salomonsquintedathim.“Thereweretwo.Onewaslargeandfair-haired,andtheotherwasdark.

Bothweretallandexceedinglystrong.TheyspokeEnglish,butthefaironehadaslightaccent.French,I
believe.”

Massimoshovedaphotographathimthatshowedthreepeopleinacaratabordercheckpoint.
“Didtheylooklikethesetwomen?”Massimoasked.
Salomonheldthephotounderthelight.“Thesearethemen.”HeglancedupatPeyton,whowas

mutteringviciousobscenitiesunderhisbreath.“Whoarethey?”

“Go.Trackthem,”MassimotoldPeytonwhostalkedout.Hethenwentandusedadecantertofilltwo

glasses.“Whatwereyoudoingoutintheyard,Dr.Tolbert?”

“FrommywindowIsawthedarkonebreakingintoyourquarters,”Salomonsaid,andacceptedthe

glassofferedtohim.Thewhiskeyitcontainedsmelledtoostronglyofrye,buthetookaswallowto
cleansethetasteofbloodfromhismouth.“WasIwrongtocomeandconfronthim?”

“Yourinterferenceverylikelyallowedthemtoescape.”
Massimofinishedhisdrinkandwithoutwarninghurledtheglassacrosstheroom.
Salomonwatcheditshatteragainsttheoppositewallandunsteadilyrosetohisfeet.Hesethisown

glassdownonthelounge.

“Iapologizefortheimposition,”thedoctorsaidstiffly.“Iwillleaveyounow.”
Massimosteppedintohispath.“WhenPeytonfindsthemen,hewillbringthemhereforprocessing.I

assumeyouarefamiliarwithhowwecompeltheheathenstocooperateduringquestioning.Yourskills

“

wouldbequitewelcomeinourinterrogationchamber.”

Theofferwaseitheradanglingcarrot,oraverysubtletrap.Salomonwasinterestedinneither.
“Iamadoctor,TempleMaster,notatorturer.Pleaseexcuseme.”
OncehereturnedtohisroomSalomonbathedhisbatteredfaceandchangedoutofhismud-stained

clothes.Hedonnedasoftrobeandthenheshutoffhislamp.Buthedidnotgotobed.Insteadhewentto
hiswindowtowatchforPeyton’sreturn,andthoughtofthelovelyfaceoftheyoungwomansitting
betweenthetwomeninthephotograph.Shehadlookedpaleandsomewhatdrawn,buttherehadbeena
faintsmileonherlips,andalittlehopeinhereyes.

Salomonpressedhisbrowagainstthecoldwindowpane.
“Please,God,donotletthemfindher.”

C H A P T E R 5

LAMESFROZENINTOabstractpillarsofgarnet,rubyandtopazsurroundedSummer,who
movedthroughtheicyforestoffirewithoutdirection.Lonelinessgnawedather,somethingshe

hadn’tfeltsinceMichaelhadrescuedherfromCentralParkandbroughthertoTroy.Asshesteppedinto
aclearingsurroundinganancientpaganaltar,thecoldsankthroughhergreenrobeandchilledherskin,
makinghershiver.

Wherewereherlovers?Whydidshedreamofherselfaloneinthisplace?
Youhavemadeyourselfso,Guardian.
“Idon’twanttotalktoyou,”Summersaidandturnedawayfromthealtar,buttheclearingswirled

aroundhersothatshefaceditagain.

Iamyou,witch.Theoldgrimoiresittingatopthesacredstonesopenedandbeganturningitsown

pages.Youcannothidefromyourself.

SummerapproachedtheEmeraldTablet,andsawthepagesitturnedwereblank.
“Whatdoyouwantfromme?”
Whatdoyouwantfromme?TheTablet’soldcronevoicemocked.Achild?Youknowhowtomake

another.Peace?Youmustmakethatwithmefirst.Freedom?Iamyourprisonerassurelyasyouare
mine.

“Ineveraskedforthis,”Summershouted.
AndyouthinkIcanneverunderstandthat,Daughter?ThisishowIcameintobeing.Atinydotof

greenlightemergedfromthepagesandbecameasmall,ordinaryseed.WhenIfelltoearth,Iliftedmy
facetothesun,rain,andwind.Theseedsproutedaslender,shimmeringstalk.Igrewasallliving
thingsdo.Thetinysproutgrewlargerandformedatrunkandbranchesofasmalltree.Ishelteredevery
creaturewhocametome,eventhosewhowishedtoworshipme.

Summer’seyeswidenedasshewatchedagroupofprimitive-lookingmortalsencirclethenow-

massivetree.Theychantedandprayed,andadornedthebrancheswithtwigstarsandwreathsofflowers.
Generationaftergenerationdidthesame,untilthedayofaterriblestorm,whenlightningstruckthetree.It
lookedsorealSummerstaggeredback.

“Whyareyoushowingmethis?”
TheGoddesschosemetobecomewhatIam,thevoicewhispered.
Thepagansreturnedwithstoneaxes,andcutdownthetree.Astheotherschoppeditintofirewood,

theeldestmortalcuttwolong,flatplanksfromtheheartofthetrunk,andwrappedthemcarefullyina
tatteredcloth.

Summerfeltsomethingsmashintothebackofherleg,drivinghertoherknees.Acryescapedherasa

secondblowtoreacrossherscalp.

Thereisnomoretimeforustoquarrel,theTabletwhispered.Thetriadcannotbebroken.Youmust

savethemboth,Daughter,orweallshalldie.

Summerawokeinthedark,andflungherselfoutofbed.Shepressedahandtoherheadandthen

checkedthebackofherleg,butsawnoinjuries.Hershoulderssaggedwithreliefasshewentintothe
adjoiningbathtosplashherfacewithcoldwater.Whenshelookedatherreflection,shesawaglimmer
ofgreeninherdarkopalirises.

“Whatareyoudoingtome?”shemurmured,andwatchedthegreenslowlyfadeaway.
Thesoundofadoorhittingawallatthefrontofthehouseboomed,followedbytheindistinctsound

ofTroy’svoicemuttering.

SummerhurrieddownstairstofindMichaellimpinginside,herdarkloverhangingoverhisbroad

shoulder.Bloodsoakedhislefttrouserlegfromthightoankle.MorebloodmaskedTroy’sslackfeatures
withwet,scarletstreaks.

“Goddessprotectus,”shebreathedandrushedtothem.“Whathappened?”
“Weweretooslow,”Michaelsaid.
HeloweredTroyontotheruginthehallbeforecollapsingbesidehim.Michaelliftedahandtoher

beforehisarmfellandhisheadlolledtooneside.

“Michael?Troy?”
Handsshaking,shekneltbetweentheunconsciousmen.Shehadtostopthebleeding.Shechokedback

asobassheplacedherhandsontheirchests.ThemomentshetouchedthemthepoweroftheEmerald
Tabletenvelopedthethreeoftheminsoft,greenlight.Avividvisionofhersentinelmatesfleeingthe
trainyardflashedthroughherthoughts,andshejerkedinhorrorasTemplarsarmedwithriflesshot
MichaelinthelegandTroyinthehead.DespitetheknotinherchestSummerdrewinacalmingbreath,
andfocusedonherpower.

“Please,helpmesavethem.”
AheartbeatlaterthepoweroftheTabletfloodedthroughher,guidingherintoitsvastmemory

mansionofmagic.

SummerglanceddownatthebloodyholeinMichael’strousersandmovedherhanddownoverit.She

liftedherpalmassheusedherpowertodrawoutthedistortedsluglodgeddeepinsidehisthigh.Her
powertoldherthatTroyhadaskullfracture,andamajorarteryinMichael’sleghadbeendamaged.
Thoughshehadstoppedtheflowofblood,shedidn’tknowenoughmagictorepairtheirwounds.
Touchingthemwithherhandswasn’tenough.

Tohealtheirflesh,youmustbondthemtoyours,theoldcronemurmuredbehindhereyes.
HeatscrolledacrossSummer’sbreasts,andsheshruggedoutofherrobetoseethedesirespellMarie

hadoncebrandedonherreappearonherskin.IthadbeentailoredtoattractonlyMichaelandTroytoher,
andmakethemfeelintensedesireforher.Ithadalsodisappearedafterthefirsttimethethreeofthemhad
madelove.SummersuddenlyunderstoodwhytheTablethadbroughtbackthespellbrand.Ifshewasto
healtwounconsciousmenwithherflesh,theirshadtorespondtoher.

“Areyousurethiswillwork?”
AbriefvisionofhercombiningherpowerwithTroy’stopartiallyhealaterribleaxwoundin

Michael’ssidefilledhermind.

Sexbindsyouasatriad.Ifyouhadtakenthemboththatday,theTemplarwouldhavebeenentirely

healed.

“Nowyoutellme.”
Shetossedawaytherobe,removedherbraandpanties,andstretchedoutbetweenherlovers.When

shetouchedthemagain,bothmendevelopedheavy,thickbulgesintheirtrousers.

OnsomelevelSummersensedthatMichael’sbloodlosshadbeengreaterthanTroy’s,andhe’ddone

evenmoredamagedraggingTroyoutofdanger.Ifshedidn’thealhimfirsthewoulddie.Sheturnedto
him,stretchinghernakedbodyoverhisbigframeasshepressedherlipstohismouth.Michaelalmost

alwayskissedherbeforehetouchedher,andthegentleglideofhertongueagainsthismadehimstir.

“Iknowithurts,butthisistheonlyway,”shesaid.
Summerliftedhermouthfromhisandpressedherbreastsagainsthischest,lettinghimfeeltheweight

andheatofhercurves.Atthesametimesherubbedherthighgentlyagainsthis,andfelttheraggedbullet
woundbegintoclose.

MichaelmurmuredsomethinginFrench.
“Comebacktome,mylove,”shesaid,brushingherlipsagainsthisearbeforesheturnedtoward

Troy.

Michaelmovedwithher,pressingupagainstherbackashegroanedhername.
“Troy,”shesaid,stiflingasob.
Bloodstreakedacrossherdarkwarlock’sface,andSummercradledhisleancheekswithherhands.

Shepressedherbrowtohisbeforeshelayherpalmoverthedeepfurrowthebullethadleftinhisscalp.
Greenlightflaredbeneathherfingersandsankintohisdarkhair,permeatingthewoundandknittingthe
longcrackinthebone.

“Troy,I’mhere,andsoisMichael.We’rewaitingforyou.Comebacktous.”
Tearssilentlyrolleddownhercheeksandtouchedhisface,wheretheywereabsorbedintohisskin.

Tinybluesparksflaredoutthroughthegreencoronaofherpower.Thenaslow,curlingamberwaveof
magicrolledoverherbackandencircledherwaist.

Troy’svividblueeyesopened,fullofconfusionfirstandthenaninstinctive,masculineheat.
“Summer,”hegasped.Hislong-fingersstrokedupherarmandoverthepebblynippleofherbreast.

“Whatareyoudoing?”

“Somethingyou’lllikebetterthanbeingshot.”
Shesmiledassheunfastenedhistrousersanddrewouthisheavy,swollenlength,strokingitwitha

slowcaress.SheletgoofhimtoturntoMichael,andreleasedhiserectshaftfromhispants.Asshe
curledherfingersaroundhisgirth,shestraddledTroy’sthighs,andtiltedherhipssohecouldseehow
wethersexhadbecome.

“Beauty?”Michaelsaid,hisvoicehoarse.Hewatchedherbendingdowntokissthedropofcream

fromthesilkenplumofhiscockhead.“Whydoyou–”

“Shhh.It’sokay.”
SummerfeltTroy’serectionbrushbetweenherthighs,andshiftedtocaptureitagainstherfolds,

sinkingdownjustenoughtoenvelopehimtotheridgeofhisglans.Shethenduckeddowntodothesame
toMichael’speniswithhermouth.

OncethethreeofthemwerejoinedthelightofSummer’spowerintensified.Sheimpaledherselfon

Troy’sthickcock,pressingdownuntiltheirbodyhairtangled.AtthesametimesheenvelopedMichael’s
shaftwithhermouth,glidingdownhisdeliciousgirthuntilthetipofhernosebrushedhishardbelly.

Foramomentnoneofthemmoved,andthenMichaelpushedhisfingersthroughherhair,andTroy

grippedherhips.Summersurrenderedtotheirneeds,takinghergoldenlover’sdeepthrustsbetweenher
delicatelips,andherdarklover’shardstrokesintoherdrenchedfolds.

Themetallicodorofbloodandfearfadedaway,andSummerbreathedinthearousingscentsofher

mates.Michael’sbrightheatblendedwithTroy’sshadowycoolnesstofillherwiththeirpassion,and
coaxherowntowelluplikeafountainoflight.

“Beauty,thewoundinmylegishealed.”Michael’sfingertipsmassagedherscalpbeforehedrewout

ofhermouth.“Troy?”

“Myheadfeelsbacktonormal,whateverthatis,”Troysaid.Herdarkloverreluctantlywithdrew

fromhersoftness.“Thankyou,lady.”

Theywerethankingherforhealingthem.Thankingher,asifthatwereallthatmattered.
“Well,I’mnotdonewithyou.”SummerstraddledTroy,pushinghimflatasshemountedhim.“Any

objections?No?”Shesankdownoverhiserection,drivinghimdeepbeforesheglancedoveratMichael.
“Youtoo.Kneelbehindme.”

Michaeldroppeddown,smotheringagroanasshebumpedhiserectionwithherbarebuttocks.

Summerbracedherhandsonthedarkwarlock’sbroadshoulders,liftingherhipsforMichael.Whenhe
mutteredsomethingaboutpreparingher.

“You’restillwetfrommymouth,andIcan’twait.Comeintome.”
Hepressedbetweenhertautbuttocks,breechingthepuckerofherrosebud.Slowlyheworkedhis

shaftinsidethetightchannel.Thepressureandfullnessmadeherbiteherlowerlip,butoncehehadfilled
hershegaspedwithrelief.

Michaeldroppedakissonhershoulder,andstrokedherarms,whileTroykissedhermouthand

cradledherbreasts.Neitherofthemmoveduntilshegrippedthembothfromwithin,tighteningaround
theirhardshaftsuntilTroygroanedandMichaelburiedhisfaceinherhair.

“Youdon’tthankmeforthis,”shetoldthem,pushingherhardnipplesintoTroy’spalms,andrubbing

herbottomagainstMichael’sbelly.“Thisiswhoweare.Iloveyou.Nowlovemeback.”

Whatshesaidseemedtogetthroughtothem,forbothmendroppedtheirpolitecautionandbegan

drivingintoher,theirmusclestighteningandtheirthrustsbecomingsmoothandrhythmic.Summerlost
herselfinthethick,pumpingcadence,herpussygoinghotandliquidaroundTroy’spoundingcockwhile
Michaelstrokedhardandheavyintoherass.Thesoftcriesthatspilledfromherlipsmadethemgruntand
workdeeperintoher,untilthethreeofthemteeteredontheveryedgeofpleasure.

“Don’tholdback,”shesaid,undulatingbetweenthemastheyfilledheroverandover,theirhands

squeezingandcaressingastheymappedherdampbody.“Giveittome,yes,likethat.Youwanttocome
now,comewithme,please,allofustogether.”

Summerhurledherselfoverthefinalcliff,fallingintoacrashingtideofsensationsointenseshefelt

foramomentasifshemightdrown.Thenherloversbothcriedouthernameandstiffened,plunginginto
herastheircocksswelledandjerked.Herbodymilkedthewarm,silkycreamfromthemassherolledin
theundertowoftheirpleasure,andsailedwiththemthroughherown.

Michaeldrewoutofherandeasedheroverontohersidesotheycouldlaytogether.Troydidthe

same,gentlydisengagingfromherbodyastheycaughttheirbreathandshudderedthroughthelastwaves.
Herdarkloverwatchedherface,andforoncetheshadowsinhisheavenlyblueeyeshadvanished,
leavingonlythelove.Summerknewifsheturnedovershe’dseethesamelookinMichael’sgildedgreen
eyes.Thenshefeltsomethingstickyonherbreastandlookeddowntoseebloodfromtheirwoundsall
overher.

Isthiswhoweare?Shethoughtasshesatupandbrushedthetangleofhairbackfromherface.I

don’tknowanymore.

“Beauty?”Michaeltouchedherhip.
“You’reallright?Everythingishealed?”SummeraskedTroy.WhenhenoddedsheturnedtoMichael,

whosmiledanddidthesame.“That’sgood,becauseassoonasIwashoffallthisblood,I’mgoingtokill
bothofyou.”

Shegrabbedherrobeandstalkedupstairs.Neitherofhermatesintrudedonhershower,whichgiven

theraggedstateofhertemperSummerconsideredquitewise.Whenshefinallycameoutofthebathroom
shefoundMichaelsittingonthebedandTroystandingbythewindow.Thefactthattheyhadtheirbacks
toeachothermadeherheartclench,butshewouldnotbeswayedbywhateversquabbletheywere
having.

“Youcouldhavediedtonight,”shesaid,tryingtokeephervoiceeven.Shedidn’tdaregonearthem

justyet,soshewenttothearmoiretotakeoutacleanrobe.“Youprobablyshouldhave,consideringhow
muchbloodjustwentdownthedrain.Anotherminuteortwo,andIprobablywouldn’thavebeenableto
saveeitherofyou.”

“Mylove,”Troysaidsoftly,“weneverthought–”
“That’sright.Youdidn’tthink.”Sheturnedonthem.“TheEmeraldTabletgivesmegreatpower,butI

amnotahealer.Myownabilitybringsdeadplantsbacktolife,notdeadmen.ThereisonlysomuchIcan
do.”

Michaellookedmiserablenow.“Weunderstandthat,Beauty.”
“Really,”shesaidandfoldedherarms.“AlongwithgettingyourselvesshotbyTemplars,youalmost

killedmetonight.”Astheystaredathershemadeanimpatientsound.“Weareatriad,gentlemen.Three
madeone.Thatmeansabitmorethanthrillingménagesex.Ifoneofusdies,weallgo.”

“You’rewrong,”Troysaid.Buthisvoicesoftenedasheadded,“Evenifwe’rekilled,theTablet

wouldkeepyoualive.”

“Itwouldhavenochoice,”Michaelputin,hiseyesfillingwithsorrow.“ThereisnootherGuardian.”
Thathe’djustpolitelythrownhermiscarriageinherfaceinfuriatedher,althoughitwastrue.
“Howdoesthatmakeallthisokay?”Whenneitherofthemrepliedshemarchedtothedoorand

openedit.“Idon’twanteitherofyouinhere.Getout.”

“Summer,bereasonable,”Troysaidandrosetohisfeet.“MichaelandIhavealwaysknownthat

we’reexpendable.You’renot.”

“YouthinkthatI’dlivewithoutyou?ThatI’devenwanttotry?”Asheopenedhismouthshewhipped

upherhandtosilencehim.“Youknowwhat?Nevermind.I’llgofindanotherbedtosleepinthatdoesn’t
havetwojackassesinit.”

Shestalkedout,slammingthedoorbehindher.

C H A P T E R 6

ICHAELRETREATEDTOthelibrary,wherehekindledafireandsatbesideitandbrooded.
WithoutawordtohimTroyhadgoneintothebathtoshower.Summerhadlockedherselfinone

oftheguestbedrooms.Thepleasurethey’dsharedhadhealedhimphysically,buthefeltashamed.They
hadleftherherealoneandunawareofwhattheyhadplanned.They’driskedtheirlivesforTroy’sfool’s
errand.SomehowintryingtoloveandprotecttheirBeauty,heandTroyhadhurtherdeeply.AndMichael
hadnoideaofhowtohealherwounds.

IthadbeensomuchsimplerwhenMichaelhadbeenaTemplar.Hecouldhaveusedtheorder’s

extensivecomputernetworktoaccesstheMontrealPriory’smainframe,anddiscoveriftheywerehunting
Summer.TheTemplarsinAmericastillbelievedMichaelhadperishedwiththerestoftheNewYork
Priory.Hemighthaveinfiltratedthiscollectiveandlearnediftheywereresponsibleforthearsonattacks
onthecity’smortalpagans.Therehadtobeadozenormorewarrior-priestsinMontrealwhohadserved
withhimonCrusade.

Michaelstilled.
Adimmemorymadehimgobacktothebedroomandquietlyopenhisluggage.Hetookouthisold

mobileand,ashewentbacktothelibrary,hescrolledthroughhiscontactlist.He’dkeptthedevicefor
convenience,changingthenumberandprovidertopreventanyonefromhispastfromtrackinghim.Hehad
noterasedhiscontactlist,however,andnowhescrolledthroughthenamesuntilhereachedthe
internationalnumbers.

GastonMoulinhadcalledhimfromTorontoseveralyearsbeforeMichaelhadmetBeautyinCentral

Park.He’dtoldMichaelhewasjoiningapriorytotheeast,andthathewouldcallhimoncehewas
settled.ThathadbeenthelastcontactMichaelhadhadwithhim.Gastonhadbeenagoodsoldier,anda
betterfriend.HealsoowedMichaelhislife.OnimpulseMichaeldialedthenumber,whichrangseveral
timesbeforepickingup.

“Whatdoyouwant?”avoicegrumbledinoldFrench.
Michaelrespondedinthesamelanguage.“Manythings,oldfriend.Comfortableboots.Ahorsewitha

deepchestandstronglegs.AndneveragaintoseesandforaslongasIlive.”

“Charbon,youprissyweakling,”Gastonsaid,soundingenormouslypleasednow.“Howhaveyou

been?AreyoustillprotectingallthoseworthlessmortalsinAmerica,orhaveyoureturnedtothe
homeland,asyoualwayssworeyou’ddo?”

“Neither,oldfriend.Ihavelefttheordertopursuemyowncalling.I’vejustarrivedinMontreal,in

fact.”HepausedtoletGastondigestthatbeforehecontinued.“Tellme,didyoujointheprioryhere,or
doyouremainwithyourbrothersinToronto?”

TheoldTemplarmadeadisgustedsound.“Aye,IcametoMontrealtoserve,andfaithfully,too,until

ourTempleMasterwasrecalledtoleadacampaignagainsttheenemy,whokilledhim.Romethen

replacedhimwiththisfuckingmincingfopnamedMalveaux.HetookonelookatmeandclaimedIwas
toooldtoserveanymore.Me,Charbon.Animmortalwithmorecombatexperienceinmysmallesttoe
thanMalveauxhasinhiswholebody.DidInotkeepfightingaftertheSaracensalmostcleavedmyarmoff
attheHarim?DoyourecallhowmanyheathensIended,one-armedandwhollymad,onthatglorious
day?”

MichaelrememberedcarryingGaston’slimp,bloodiedbodyoutoftheSyrianswampwheremostof

theirfellowTemplarshadbeenmassacred.

“Toomanytobecounted,Brother.”
“Justso,”Gastonagreedandheavedasigh.“SonowIamretired,anduseless.Ihavealittleplace

outsidethecitywhereIgrowtoomanyflowersandburntoomanymeals.Butyoudidnotcometo
Montrealtoseeme,Ithink.Whatareyoudoinghere?”

NowMichaelwouldhavetoactoninstinct,whichtoldhimtotrusthisformerally.
“Isthislinesafe?”
Gastonchuckled.“AssafeasEnglishcapsinachapel—inourtime,ofcourse.Todaytheyprobably

handoutcondomsinchurch.”

MichaelconsideredallowinghisoldcomradetobelievehewasyetaTemplarwitchhunter.Butlying

hadnevercomeeasilytohim,andhecouldaskthefavorofGastonwithoutvolunteeringtoomanydetails.

“Iaminvestigatingasensitivematter,andImustaskyoutwoquestions.IsMalveauxhuntingawitch

namedGenevieveLautner?AreheorhismenresponsibleforthesearsonattacksonpagansinMontreal?”

Gastonremainedsilentforalongmoment.
“IhaveheardrumorsabouttheLautnerwoman,”hefinallysaid.“Malveauxhaseveryborderpatrol

stationonwatchforher,althoughwhy,Icannotsay.OfthefiresIknownothing,butitisnothismethodto
attackatrandom.Heplots,Brother,likeaschemingmothersettomarryherdaughterfaraboveher
station.”

“Canyoudiscoverwhathewantswiththewitch?”Michaelaskedcarefully.
Theothermanmadearudesound.“Istillhavemanyfriendsamongthegarrisonwhodespisethat

popinjay,andIoweyoumylife.IwillseewhatIcanlearn.Doyoupursuethiswitchaswell?”

“Sheisveryimportanttome,”hesaid.Suddenlyexhausted,Michaelrubbedhiseyes.“Gaston,it

wouldbebetterifyoudonotmentionmetoyouroldfriends.”

“Thenyoumusttellmewhywhennextwespeak,”Gastonsaid.“Onlybecarefulwhileyouarehere,

Brother.Malveauxprideshimselfonhisnexusofspies.Good-night.”

Michaelswitchedoffhisphone,andforthefirsttimefeltTroy’spresenceintheroom.
“Didyouwantsomething,otherthantoeavesdrop?”
“YoushouldhaveinvitedyouroldpalGastonoverfordinner,”Troysaidandmovedoutofthe

shadowstostandbythefire.“Thenyoucouldhaveintroducedus.HowdoyoutellanotherTemplarthat
you’rematedtoawitchandawarlock,bytheway?Wouldyouevenhavetimebeforeheattackedus?”

“First,”Michaelsaid,risingtohisfeet,“IamnotaTemplar.Second,GastonMoulinknowsnothing

aboutus,buthedoesowemealifedebt.Hewillgettheinformationweneedwithoutaskingquestions.”

“Andyoucallmereckless,”Troysaid,andtookasteptowardhim,hishandsbunchingintofists.“I

don’tcarewhoMoulinis.Youdon’tinvolvehiminourbusiness.Andyoudamnwelldon’tlethim
anywherenearSummer.”

“Indeed,”Michaelsaidthroughaclenchedjaw.Thetensionbetweenthemgrewthickanddark,likea

stormabouttobreak.“Iacceptyouasmybrother,butwhendidyoubecomemymaster,Troy?”

“I’lltakeherandgo,”thedarkwarlocksaidflatly.“Beforeyouevenrealizewe’regonewe’llbea

thousandmilesaway.I’llalsoseetoitthatyou’llneverlayeyesonheragain.”

Michaelsmiled.“YouforgetthatIwasawitchhunter.IhavetrackedthousandsofWiccansacrossthe

world.Thereisnoplaceyoucangowhereyouwouldbesafefromme.”

Troymethisgaze.“Thatvowwemade,nevertofighteachotheragain?Pushmeonemoretime,and

I’mbreakingit.”

HestrodeoutofthelibraryasMichaelstaredafterhim.
“Youalreadyhave.”

C H A P T E R 7

ADAMPEINEARRIVEDattheClubChaînesfetishclubinhertightestcrimsonsatinbodysuit,
matchinghoodedcloak,andsparklingrubymask.Shemadeherwaytothedisplayplayroomshe

hadreservedfortheevening.Thevoyeurshadalreadycrowdedaroundit.Bûcherhadnotyetarrived,she
sawassheenteredthebrilliantlylitsuite.Afreestandingdisciplinerackoccupiedthecenteroftheroom,
whichwascompletelysurroundedwithfloor-to-ceilingtwo-waymirrors.Peinesmiledtoherself,evenas
shegazedatherelegantreflection.Shetookhercapeoffanddrapeditoverthepleasuringlounge.

SincehersubmissivehadchosennottoarriveattheappointedhourPeinetooktheopportunityto

betterplanhishumiliation.Shewouldfloghimfirstwithaspikedimplement,untilhisbloodflowed,and
thenshewouldemploysomepowder-finesaltsonhislashwounds.Thepainandspectaclewouldrender
himashardasiron.Hewouldbeghertofuckhim,butthenhewouldbemadetowait.Onlywhenhe
groveledappropriatelywouldsheallowhimtopleasureherwithhismouth.Shehadnointentionof
permittinghimtoejaculateatalltonight.

Bûcherknewtherewouldbeharshconsequencesforhisunpunctuality.SometimesMadamPeine

suspectedthathedeliberatelydefiedherinordertoearnapunishment.Sincesheenjoyedhurtinghimas
muchashedelightedinsuffering,theybothobtainedsatisfaction—andthatwastheprimarypurposeof
theirliaison.

“Mistress.”
Alreadycowering,Bûchercameintotheroom,histallbodyhunchedoverbeneathablacktrenchcoat.

Amatchingzipperedhoodcoveredhisentirehead,andshowedhiseyes,nostrilsandmouththrough
narrowslits.

“Forgiveme,butIcouldnotleaveuntilwehadresolvedanurgentmatter.Thereweretwointruders–”
Peinetappedthefloggeragainstherthigh.
“DoyouthinkIcareaboutyourmatters,Bûcher?”Sheusedthetipofthefloggertoindicatethe

standingdisciplinerack.“Takeoffthatcoatandgetoverhere.”

Snivelingandshaking,theTemplarstrippedoutofthecoattodisplayhisbody,whichwasnaked

exceptforablackthong.Heglancedatherbeforeheremovedthetinygarment,hiserectpenisbobbingas
hewalkedovertotherack.Oncehestoodintheproperposition,Peinecuffedhishandstotheupperbar.
Heglancedatthemirrorsbutsheknewhewasn’tlookingathimself.Hisfearofbeingputondisplayfor
anyonetowatchmadethisanimportantaspectofhercontroloverhim.

TonightsheturnedtheracksothegatheringcrowdcouldseeBûcherfromtheside,whichwouldgive

themanexcellentviewofthefloggingandhisweepingcock.Ifheejaculatedwithoutherpermission—
whichinspiteofhertraininghestillsometimesdid—shewouldfloghimfromthefrontuntilhispenis
bled,too.

“Weagreedontheserules,didwenot?”Peineasked,keepinghervoicesweetasshetrailedthe

studdedstrapsofthefloggeracrosshisbroadshoulders.“Inwriting,signedbyusboth.Iamyour
mistress,andyouaremybitch.WhenIcallforyou,youcometotheclubthatverynight,atseven
o’clock.”Shedrewback,warmingupherarmwithsometestswingsthatglancedoffhisquivering
buttocks.“Itisseven-thirty-one,Bûcher.”

“Forgiveme,Mistress,”hesobbed.Thewordsbrokeintoahowlofpainasshefloggedhimacross

thesmallofhisback.“Please,please,don’thurtme.Loveme.”

“Loveyou?”shedemanded.Hisfearexcitedher,andshewhippedhimharder,inflictingawealthat

brokehisskinandtrickledathinlineofblooddownhisside.“Iamlovingyou,youpieceofshit.Thisis
theonlyloveyoucanunderstand.Theonlyloveyouwant.”

Heblubberedandbegged,saggingfromthecuffsinbetweenlashesandstiffeningandjerkingwhen

shelandedablow.

“Youarelikeher,denyingmewhatIwant,”Peinetoldhim.“Doesshethinksheissomuchbetter,

withherpreciousbloodlineandherinfinitepowers?Summerisachildwhoknowsnothing.Evenher
mothersaidIwouldhavemadeabetterGuardian.”

Asshespokeshelashedhimoverandover,lettingherangeroutwitheverystroke.Onlywhenbloody

wealscriss-crossedhimfromshoulderstothighsdidshestopandthrowthefloggeratthemirroredwall.
PeinecamearoundtoinspectBûcher’serection,whichhadgrownsoswollenhispenislookedlikea
purpleclub.

“Youfeelmylovenow,don’tyou,submissive?”
“Yes,Mistress,”Bûcherwhispered,hisvoicelikeathreadabouttosnap.
Sheuncuffedhim,supportinghisweightwithherarmsuntilhecouldstandonhisown.Hefollowed

herlikeachastisedchildtothepleasuringlounge,whereshereclined.Hekneltbetweenherknees,his
chintuckedinandhishandsrestingonhissweatythighs.

AtthispointPeineusuallyfeltarousedenoughtopermitBûchertoserviceherwithhismouth,buther

desirehaddwindledaway,leavingonlymoreanger.Shestareddownathimandsawwaterysnotdrip
fromhisnoseslit.Amanhadoncedonethattoher—savagedherandtoreoutherheartandreducedherto
ablubbering,bawlingweakling—andshehadneverbeenthesame.Thereasonshe’dbecomeMadam
Peinewastoovercomewhathe’ddonetoher.Thiswassupposedtobehervengeance.

“Getuphere.”
Sheheldoutherarms,andwhenBûcherloomedoverher,shepulledhimdownontoherlap.He

curledupagainstherstrongbody,hisownshuddering,andtuckedhismaskedfaceagainstherneck.

“WasItoohardonyou,littleman?”
“No,Mistress,”Bûchersaid.“Iadoreeverythingyoudotome.”Hiswordsburstdamplyagainsther

flesh.“Youaremyqueen,andIamyourslave.”Hehesitatedforamoment.“Thiswoman,Summer,who
deniedyou,whostolethesethingsfromyou.Sheshouldbemadetopayforwhatshehasdone,Mistress.”

“Oh,shewill,Bûcher,”shecrooned.Shestrokedherredvelvetgloveovertheblackrubberofhis

hood.“Verysoon.”

ThethoughtofSummer’sbeautifullipsservicingherstokedherdesire.ShepushedBûcheroffherlap

andreacheddowntounsnapthecrotchofherbodysuit.

“Nowcomehereandshowmehowgratefulyouare.”

C H A P T E R 8

ITTINGINHISoldJeep,TheowaitedforwhatthecitizensofMontrealcalledl’heurebleue.It
vaguelyannoyedhim,forthephrasewasappliedtoboththehalf-houraftersunsetandanotherbefore

sunrise.Neitherconstitutedanhourunlessyouaddedthemtogether.Hehadnoideawhythehourwas
consideredblue,either.Theskyherewentfromcharcoaltovioletinwinter,oftenlacedwithclouds
paintedpinkorgoldenbytheever-artisticsun.

Hesighed.Thiswaswhyhe’dnevertakenamate.Evenifshecouldacceptthathewouldneverbe

likeothermen,hewouldhavedrivenherinsanewithhismusings.

Someadultdwarfscouldpassaschildren,butnotTheo.Asidefromtheimpressivemusculatureofhis

stuntedframe,hisadultfeaturesandbaldscalpallbutshoutedhismaturity.Thentherewerehishandsand
feet,whichweretwicethesizeofmostothermen’s.No,mortalsnevermistookhimforaboy,butvery
oftenstaredaghastathisoddappearance.Thishadtheunhappyeffectofmakingactsofstealthrather
challengingforhim,sohekepttohiscarwithapairofbinocularsformostsurveillancemissions.

UnfortunatelyArtemisCovenhadaverywell-fortified,overly-wardedhouseinthecitythatproved

impossibletosurveyfromadistance.

“ThelengthsImustgoto,sothatImightmeddleintheaffairsofmyfriends.”
He’dcometoArtemisHousetosatisfyhisowncuriosityabouttheDianiccoven,andpokeaboutto

learnwhytheyweresointerestedinTroyAtwaterandhismates.Althoughhehadn’tmentoredTroyfor
centuries,Theofeltveryprotectiveofhisformerpupil.Theboywastheclosestthinghe’deverhavetoa
son.

TheoalsointenselydislikeddiscoveringtheHighPriestesshadsentherbodyguardtosecretlyfilm

TroyandhismateswhiletheywerestayingatChristienBeaumont’smanorhouseinWestmount.Since
Troy’smateSummerwasalsotheGuardianoftheEmeraldTablet,Theofeltjustifiedininvestigatingany
potentialthreatagainsther.Harmingthatlovelyladymightincurthewrathoftheoldestgrimoirein
existence,andnothinggoodcouldcomeofthat.

HelefttheJeepinthealleybehindArtemisHouse.Thewardsprotectingthepropertyprovedtobe

interesting.Oneofthewitcheshadcloakedtheentirebuildingwithaclassicdimmingspell,whichmade
itseemuninterestingtopassingmortals.Therewerealsoseveralintruder-triggeredcharmtrapsaround
thefirstfloorentriesandwindows,buttheywerealsokeyedtowardmortals.Nothingpresentedan
obstacletoaWiccan,whichTheoassumedallowedthecoven’switchestomoveinandoutoftheplace
withouthindrance.Perhapswhoeverwasinchargeassumedtheyweresafehere.

“Ah,dearladies,ifonlyyou’dmetafewoftheroguesI’vehunted.”
Hedecidedtoslipinthroughthesidedoormarkedfordeliveries,whichwasonlylockedwithabolt

mechanism.ThoughTheo’snaturaltalentwasmanipulatinggoldinanyform,he’dlongagoacquiredaset
ofskills,spells,andcharmsthatrivaledanyWiccaninhistory.He’dgrownupinasavagetime,butithad

taughthimhowtosurvive.Hisdiminutivestaturehadmandatedhismasteryofmagic.Inthesamewaythat
hisMagusCorpscomradeshonedtheirbodiesforwar,hehadunrelentinglyperfectedhissorcery.Though
he’dplayedthecourtlyjesterinhisyouth,he’dtakenonlythespanofasinglehumanlifetobecomea
fearedroyalwizard.

Hemutteredaquickreleasespellforthelock,whichobliginglyslidopen.
Theinteriorprovedtobeastorageroomforlinens,non-perishablefoodsandarackthatsporteda

prodigiousamountofdryingherbs.Hesampledabitofculinarylavenderashecarefullypeeredoutinto
theemptyhall.

FromhispocketTheotookasmallcrystalorbgiventohimfromagypsyfortune-tellerinRomania.

Hesmiledasherememberedhergoldeneyesandcurvedlips.She’dhadatouchofWiccanblood,just
enoughtomakeherselfanuisancewithhersoothsaying,buthe’ddirectedheronadifferentpath.She’d
livedouttherestofherlifeastheveryhappy,pamperedmistressofaPrussianDuke,whileTheohad
becomecaretakerofoneofthemosteffectivecrystaloraclesontheplanet.Theorbperformedonlyone
function,whichwastoshowthespellcasterwhatheorshemostneededtoknowatthatmoment.Onehad
onlytouttertheRomanianwordforhelp.

“Ajutor.”
Thesphereturnedcloudyandflashedasiffilledwithminiaturelightning.Butpresentlyitshowedhim

animageoftheoutsideofthebuilding,zoominginonaroomonanupperfloor.Throughawindowhe
sawablue-hairedmortalsearchingthroughalargestoragechest.Shestoppedsuddenlyandfrownedat
somethingwithinasifshedidn’trecognizeit.

“Nowwhoareyou?”Theomurmured.
Theyoungwomansatbackonherheelsandpressedherhandtohermouthasthecolordrainedoutof

herface.Aheartbeatlatershejerkedaroundandjumpedtoherfeet.

“Oh,dear,”hemutteredashewatchedatall,strikingwomanadvanceonthelittlemortal,whonow

appearedterrified.Fortheorbtoshowhimthismeantthatoneofthewomenhadtheknowledgehe
required.“Whyisitneversomethingsimple,likeadiary,oramemorystick?”

Makinghiswaytothewomenrequiredhimtocastacloakingwardoverhimself.Atleasthehadsome

ideaofwheretheywere,andtookthestairstothefloorwherehehadseentheyoungwomaninthevision.
Hedidn’thavetosearchanyoftherooms,forheheardherscreamingassoonashesteppedoutofthe
stairwell.

Theotrotteddowntotheendofthehall,wherehefeltapowercollidewithhiswards.Itenveloped

himandtriedtowormitswaythroughhisshields,buthismagicwasfarolder,andthepowersoon
withdrewbackintotheroom.

“Please,joinus,”asweetvoicesaid.
Whenheenteredhesawthestrikingwomanembracingtheblue-hairedmortal,wholookedso

frightenedhecouldseethewhitesallaroundherpalevioletirises.

“WelcometoArtemisHouse.IamLorenaPaquet,theHighPriestess.Andyouare…?”
Theomarveledathercomposure.
“FredRoberts,wanderingwarlock.”Hecouldalsoseethebruisesrapidlyformingaringaroundthe

mortal’sslenderthroat.“Whywereyouthrottlingthisyoungwoman,HighPriestess?”

“P-p-please,”themortalsaid.
Herteethchatteredsohardthatshecouldn’tgetoutanotherword.Herpupilshaddilatedsowidely

thathereyeslookedblack.

“Forgiveme,”theHighPriestesssaid.“Ishouldhaveintroducedmylittlefriendhere.ThisisRaelyn

Foss.Sheisarunaway,andI’mafraidIfoundherstealingagain.”Lorenaofferedhimabenevolentsmile.
“You’llunderstandifIdon’twishtodiscusshowIdisciplineouracolytes,Fred.Ifyou’llgodownstairs
I’lljoinyoushortly.”

Raelyn’seyesbulged,andsheshookherheadviolentlyuntilLorenaeyedher.Theyoungwoman

stoppedshakingherheadsofast,itwasasifshe’dbeenslapped.

“IthinkIwillstay,HighPriestess.”TheglitterofgoldaroundLorena’sneckofferedthespeediest

solution,aswellassomemuch-deservedpayback.“AndperhapsIwilldemonstratehowitfeelstobe
throttled,intheeventyouareunfamiliarwiththesensation.”

Theoturnedhishandandclenchedit.Mimickinghismovement,thethickchainnecklacetightened

aroundtheHighPriestess’sneck.Lorenachokedandclawedasthebloodandoxygentoherbrainwascut
off.Secondslatershefellunconscioustothefloor.Heinstantlyreleasedthenoosehe’dmadeofher
necklace.Killingherwouldhavebeenveryhardtoexplaintothecouncil.ButhequicklygrabbedRaelyn,
whoalsolookedreadytofaint.

“Doyouwishtoleavethisplace?”heaskedher.
Whenshemanagedanod,heswungherarmaroundhisneck.Hecloakedherwithhisbodywards,

andstrodeoutoftheroom.Raelynclungtohimwithtighthands,herbodystillrackedbyviolenttremors,
andoncehegotheroutofthebuildingandintohisJeepshestartedweeping.Hekeptonearmaroundher
ashedroveawayfromArtemisHouseandbacktotheformerprimeminister’shouseinWestmount.
Allowinghertoleanheavilyonhim,heguidedherintohisRV.

“ImakealovelyteathatIthinkwillhelp,”hesaid.
Heplacedherontheoverstuffedcouchandswaddledherwithhisfavoriteblanket.Inthatmomenthe

realizedhowfragileandbeautifulshewas.Italsodawnedonhimwhathehadjustdone:he’dtakenan
acolytefromherHighPriestessinthecoven’shouse.Hewassosurprised,henearlychuckled.Morethan
thatthough,hewassurprisedatbeingsurprised—andalsoalittledelighted.

“Justrest,”hetoldtheyoungwoman,“whileIputthekettleon.”
Hekepttalkingtoherashepreparedaquicktisanetohelpeaseheranxietyandsootheherbruised

throat.

“IlearnedhowtomakethisfromawitchwholivedaloneintheBlackForest.Shewouldhavejoined

acoven,butshehadaterribleproblemwithflatulence.Nothingcouldstopthatwomanfrombreaking
windeveryhalf-hourorso.Andthesmell?Itclungtoeverythingaroundher.Noneoftheanimalsinthe
foresteverbotheredher,andpeopleinthevillagewouldrunwhentheysawherapproaching.Martathe
Farter,theycalledher.”

Headdedagenerousamountofhoneytothecupandbroughtittoher.Butinsteadoftakingit,she

staredwide-eyedatnothingatall.

“Raelyn?”
Hewavedahandinfrontofherface,butshedidn’tblink.Swearingsoftly,hesetasidethecup.

Gently,heleanedhersidewaystolayonthecouch.

“Iwouldtakeyoutoahospital,buttheywouldnotknowwhatthisis.Lorenadidthistoyou,didshe

not?Somehowshemadeyouafraid.”

Suddenlyshefocusedonhim.
“Please,don’t.Please.IknowI’vebeenbad,butIwon’tdoitagain.IswearIwon’t.”Herhair

changedfrombluetoasoftbrown,andhervioleteyesturnedblack.“Icanbeagoodgirl,Ipromise.”

Thechangeinherspeechandthehigherpitchofhervoicemadehimclasphericyhandsbetweenhis.
“Raelyn,doyouknowwhereyouare?”
“I’minthedarkplacewheretheyputbadgirls.”Bigtearswelledupinhereyes.“Ididn’tmeanto

stealthefood.Iwasjusthungry.I’malwayssohungry.Pleasedon’tlockmeupaloneagain.”

“You’resafenow,”Theosaid.“Hush.”Hepassedhishandoverherface,andmurmuredthewordsto

asimplesleepingspell.“Noonewillhurtyouagain.”

Eyesshut,shecollapsedonherside.
Theoliftedherfeetuptothecouch,andmadesuretheblanketcoveredher.Hesatwithheruntilhe

wassureshewouldn’twake.Satisfied,hewentbacktotheadjoiningkitchen.Hetookahundred-year-old
singlemaltfromhiscabinetanddrankdirectlyfromthebottle.Theknotinhisgutloosenedafraction.He
replacedthebottleandwentoutsidetomakethecalltoTroy,whichwentdirectlytovoicemail.

“Idon’tknowwhereyouare,”Theosaid,“orwhatyou’reinvolvedin,butweneedtotalkabout

LorenaPaquet.”Helookedupatthecoldstars.“IwenttoArtemisHousetonight,andIwasobligedto
rescueamortalthattheHighPriestesswassomehowtormentingwithherpower.Thisyoungwomanisso
frightenedshebelievessheisstillbeingtortured.WhileIunderstandIhavenobusinessinterferingwith
covendiscipline,IwouldverymuchliketokillthisHighPriestess.Slowly.Creatively.”Hepausedand
tookadeepbreath.“Sodocallmewhenyouhaveachance,myboy,orImightjustgobackandendthis
cruelbitch.”

C H A P T E R 9

FTERYETANOTHERsleeplessnightkeepingwatchfromthewindow,Salomonspotted
Massimo’smortalsteward,BastienBerger,sullenlystalkingoutoftheyardmaster’sofficetoward

him.DoubtlessMassimowantedanotheraudiencewithhim,sohegatheredthepolicereportshehad
compiledonthearsonattacksinthecity.

Theyoung,curly-hairedboycameintohisroomwithoutknockingtoscowlathim.
“Doctor,theTempleMasterwouldhaveaword,ifyouplease.”
Bastien’spalefaceandsunkeneyesmadeSalomonseizeanotheropportunitytoreinforcehisfalse

persona.

“Areyounotsleepingwell,youngman?Ihavesomeherbalsupplementsyoumightfinduseful.”
“DoIlooklikeaWiccan?”Bastiensnapped.“Noonesleptlastnight,thankstoyourbungling.”
“Myapologies.”
SalomonfollowedhimdownstairsandbacktoMassimo’squarters,wheretheTempleMastergreeted

himwithastrongcupofcoffeeandaruefulsmile.

“YoulookhowIfeel,Doctor,”hesaid.Hesmoothedahandoverhisperfectly-groomedhairbefore

heglancedatBastien.“Ihopemystewardwokeyougently.”

“Heisalwaysaverycourteouslad,”Salomonsaid,keepinghisexpressionblandasheoffered

Massimothefileonthearsoncase.“I’velookedthroughallthepoliceandnewsreportsonthese
burnings,andI’vecometotwoconclusions.TheperpetratormustbeaTemplar,andIbelievehecouldbe
sufferingfromimmortalitysickness.”

Massimofrowned,butbeforehecouldcommentBastienutteredasharpsound.
“No,mylord,thatisnotpossible,”hesaid.HeturnedtoSalomon.“Youhavebeendeceivedinto

thinkingthisistheworkofamadTemplar.Yetweknowfromroutinemonthlychecksbyourown
physiciansthatallofthemeninthegarrisonarehealthy.Nonehaveevershownasinglesignofmental
illness.Theyhavenomotivetoattackmortals,either.Wearedevotedtoprotectingthehumansinthiscity,
Doctor.”

TheboymightaswellbeaposterchildfortheTemplars—orapompomgirl.
“Verywell,”Salomonsaid.“Thenwhodoyoubelieveistryingtoburnoutthepagans?”
“TheWiccans.Thinkaboutit,Uncle,”BastiensaidtoMassimo.“Theyaretoocowardlytoattackthe

priorythemselves.They’restagingthesefiresallaroundus,obviouslytomakeitappearthatweare
responsible.Ithinktheymayhavesentthosetwomenherelastnighttoplantevidencelinkingustothe
fires.”

NowSalomonunderstoodwhythestewardbehavedsorudely.CallingtheTempleMaster“Uncle”

indicatedhewasoneofMalveaux’smortaldescendants.ItalsoexplainedhisdevotiontoMassimo,for
theirsharedbloodlinemeanthemightsomedaybemadeimmortal.Hemustwanteternallifeverybadly,

too,forhewasrailingagainstWiccansasiftheyalreadywerehisswornenemies.

“Thatisaninterestingtheory,Bastien,”theTempleMastersaidbuteyedSalomon.“Whatisyour

opinion,Doctor?”

BeforeSalomoncouldreplyPeytoncameinandwenttothenearestcomputer.
“Mylord,Ihaveobtainedacopyofthesecurityvideoinsidethelaststoretobeburned.Youwill

wanttoseeitatonce.”

Theyallwentovertotheterminalandwatchedastheinvestigatoropenedandplayedablackand

whitevideo.Itshowedtheinterioroftheherbalistshop,whereanumberofcustomerswerebrowsingthe
shelvesandbins.Amiddle-agedfemalecametotalkwithayounger,shapelywoman,andwhentheyboth
turnedtolooktowardthefrontofthestore,SalomonsawthelovelyfaceofGenevieveLautner.

“That’sher,”Massimosaid,leaningovertopeercloserattheimage.HerecoiledasthefirstMolotov

cocktailburstinthroughthewindows.Whenanotherdousedherwithburningpetrol,heutteredafurious
sound.“Don’ttellmeshewaskilledinthis.”

“Quitethecontrary,mylord,”Peytonsaidsmugly.
Salomonfeltajoltofastonishmentashewatchedthebeautifulwitchstandupandshakeoffthe

flames.Shewenttothemortalsstilltrappedinthestore,liftedherhands,andenvelopedherselfandthem
withagiant,glitteringgreenbubble.

“Whatisthatthingaroundthem?”Salomonmurmured,squintingatthemonitor.“Itcannotbeplastic.

Glass?”

“Thecrimesceneinvestigatorsfoundpuddlesofgreenwateralloverthestore,”Peytontoldhim,and

beganpointingtospotsonthevideo.“Fromthefrostcrystalsyoucanclearlyseehere,andhere,Ibelieve
itisice.”

“Shecreatesanicebubble,inthemidstofaninferno,”Massimosaidandgrinnedbroadly.“How

inventive.”

“I’mprintingoutstillsfromthevideothatbestshowherfeatures,”Peytontoldhim.“I’lldistribute

themtomymen,andhavethemcanvastheareaaroundtheshop.”

“Theyshouldaskiftheysawhergettingintoacar,”Salomonsuggested,andthenaskedtheTemple

Master,“Whatareyougoingtodowiththiswitchwhenyoufindher?”

“Icanpromiseyouthismuch,Brother,”Massimosaidandsmiledatthemonitor.“Iwon’tbeburning

heralive.”

C H A P T E R 1 0

UMMERROSEEARLYandspentthemorningworkingoffherfrustrationsinthekitchen,whereshe
madecroissantsforMichaelandcinnamonrollsforTroybeforetakinghertoastandteaouttothe

sunloggia.Shehadn’texpectedtosleepwellwithouthermates,butthetirednessshefeltwasn’tdueonly
toherrestlessnightalone.Sincehermiscarriagehermenhadbeensecretivewithherandslowlygrowing
apartfromeachother.Lastnighttheyhadbothtreatedherlikeanadhesivebandageinsteadoftheirlover.
Evenaftershe’dremindedthemofwhytheycametogetherasthreemadeone,they’dstillheldthemselves
alooffromher.

Wasitherfault?Onsomeleveldidtheyblameherforlosingthebaby?
ItwouldexplainTroy’sendlessanger,andMichael’sdisconnection.Butasshethoughtaboutit,she

knewherloversdidn’tfeelthatway.They’dtakencareofherwithcompletedevotionafterthe
miscarriage.They’devencometoCanadawithherwhenshe’daskedthemtobringherhome.Losingthe
babycouldn’tbethereasontheirrelationshipwasfallingapart.

Aplumppurplegrapedroppedontohertoastfromabove,andSummerglanceduptoseeablue-black

birdwithgoldeneyespeeringdownather.Itsquawkedthreetimesbeforeitseizedanothergrapeand
flewoffintothetrees.

Summerpickedupthegrapeandrolleditbetweenherfingers.Allofthevineshadgrowngreenand

thickwithleaves,andnowsportedheavyclustersofripegrapes.Inthemortalworldthattookeight
months.Herpresencemadeithappeninasmanydays,inwinter,noless.Hergiftalwayssurprisedher,
butthistimeitbroughtabittersweetreminderwithit.Shecouldhaveanotherchild,butshecouldnever
findtwonewmates.

Nowshefeltalittleashamedofherself.Hermateshadbeensotenderandgentleandpatientwithher

whenshehadbeensuffering.Sheshouldhavedonethesameforthemlastnight.

ThenI’lllovethemthroughthis.I’lllovethemuntilweallheal.
SummercollectedherplateandmugandwentintofindMichaelandTroysittingatthekitchentable.

Theywerebothdrinkingcoffee,buthadn’ttouchedthepastriesshe’dbakedforthem.

“That’smypeaceofferingyou’renoteating,”shesaidassherefilledherteaandcametositwith

them.“Iknowthecroissantswon’tbeasbutteryastheyareinParis,andthebunsarealittleheavyonthe
icing,butIneverclaimedtobeapastrychef.”AsMichaelstartedtosaysomethingsheshookherhead.
“Let’snottalkabouttheridiculousargumentwehadlastnight,becauseitdoesn’tmatter.It’sdone.Tell
mewhatyoulearnedbeforeyougotshotbyTemplars.”

TroyconfirmedthatthetrainyardwasbeingusedtoconcealaTemplarstronghold,andthatthe

TempleMastermightbeinvolvedinthearsonattacksaroundthecity.Michaelthendescribedthedetails
hehadobserved,includinganestimateofthesizeofthegarrisonandarmory,bothofwhichwere
troubling.

“Iamstillcollectinginformationaboutthispriory,”thebigmansaid,givingTroyanarrowlook.“I

shouldhavesomeanswersinafewdays.”

“Okay,”shesaidandtookasipofhertea.“Idon’twanteitherofyoutogonearthattrainyardagain.

WearenotequippedtofightanentiregarrisonofTemplars,agreed?Andwecertainlydon’twantthem
trackingusbackhere.”

Bothmennodded.
“I’dalsolikealittlebreakfromthedrama,sotodayI’mgoingtofinishgoingthroughtherooms

upstairs.Ifyou’dliketohelp,pleasedo.”Sheputdownhermug.“IsthereanythingelseIneedtoknow
aboutlastnight,suchaswhythetwoofyouaresopissedoffateachother?”

MichaellookedatTroy,whoshrugged.“Wehavedisagreedonsomepersonalmatters.”
“Andwe’llagreetodisagreeandmoveon,”Troyadded.
Sotheywerebickeringoverher,SummerthoughtasshehandedTroyabun.Atleastthatmeantthey

weretalkingabouttheirrelationship.

“Iwanttostartbylookingthroughthetrunksintheattic,”shesaidassheofferedMichaelacroissant.

“Shouldwebringthemdown,orworkupthere?”

AfewhourslaterTroybroughtdownthelastofthetrunks,whichSummerwipedwithacloth.She

couldhearMichaelupstairs,puttingbackthetrunksthey’dalreadygonethrough.They’dsavedthisone
forlastbecauseoftheold-fashionedpadlock.

“Thismighthavesomethinginterestinginside,”shesaidasshetookoutthebunchofoldkeysthey’d

foundinChristien’sdesk.“Hedidn’tbotherlockinganyoftheothers.”

Troykneltdownbesideher.“Theocalledmelastnight.Hegotintosometrouble”
“There’sashocker,”shesaid.AsshetriedanotherkeySummerglancedathim.“Isheallright?”
“He’sfine,butImayhavetogoandhelphimwithsomethinglater.”Hesmiledastheoldlock

unlatchedwitharustypop.“Ifit’sfullofgoldcoins,wecangoshopping.”

“Ifitwas,youwouldn’thavebeenabletocarryitdownstairs,”shechidedassheliftedthedomedlid,

andtookinaquickbreath.“Oh,Troy.”

Carefullysheliftedoutabluesilksheathdress.Itwascoveredfromwaisttohemwithdiagonal

fringesofgreenandpurpleglassbeads.Drapingitoverherlap,sheretrievedamatchingblueclochehat
trimmedwiththesamebeadsandalargesilkflower.Beneaththatweremorevintagedressesthatshe
recognized.

“Theseweresomeofmymother’sthings.”
Summeradmiredalittleclamshellpursemadeofmother-of-pearlandjet.
“Shehadgreatstyle,”Troysaid.Hesmiledashepulledascarletberetoverhergolden-brown

waves.“Andyouwouldmakeagorgeouslittleflapper.”

Summerpressedoneofthefull-sleevedlaceblousestohernose.
“Icanstillsmellherperfume.”Shesighedasshecarefullyrefoldedtheblouse.“Theselooklikethe

stylessheworewhenIwasalittlegirl.Shenevercaredformodernfashions.”Shefrowned.“Thisislike
herentirewardrobe,actually.Whywouldmyfatherlockupherclothes?Sheshouldhavetakenthemwith
herwhenthey–Ow.”

Troyhelpedhertakeoffthehat,whichhadsuddenlyshrunkonherhead.Whenheturneditoverthe

redfabricsproutedthousandsofsharpnettles.

“Someoneenchantedthis,”hemuttered.AshemoveditawayfromSummer,thenettlesdisappeared.

“Givemethatlittlepurse.”

Shehandedittohim,andwatchedhimflicktheclasp.Thepurseopenedwide,butwhenhereached

inside,itsnappedonhisfingers.Troywincedasheshookitoff

“That’swhyChristienlockeditup.Theseclotheshavebeenbespelledtoattackwhoeverworethem.

Obviously,yourmother.”

“Seemsprettyvindictive,”Summersaid.Shereachedinsidethehighcollarofthelaceblouse,and

watchedittightenaroundherwristbeforeshetuggedherhandfree.“Doyouthinkithassomethingtodo
withthereasonsheleftthecoven,andMontreal?”

“Possibly,”Troysaid,andbeganplacingtheclothingthey’dremovedbackinthetrunk.“Thiskindof

magicisonthechildishside.It’salsofairlyuseless,too.”

“Maybeitwasn’tabouthurtinghersomuchasitwastoruintheclothes.Oncethespellwascast,

she’dneverbeabletowearthemagain,right?Orgivethemtoanyoneelse?”AsTroynodded,Summer
thoughtofLorenaPaquet’smother,andthedislikeshe’dshowntoherwhenthey’dmet.“Somaybeitwas
doneoutofjealousy.IfIcan’thaveyourclothes,noonecan.Ormaybeitwassomeotherkindof
message.”

“Thiskindofspellhasonlyonemessage,”Troysaid.“Itsays‘Ihateyou.’”

C H A P T E R 1 1

FTERAQUIETdinnerthatnightSummerwentupstairstoshoweranddecideifshewantedtolether
matesbackinherbed.Whileshehadresolvedtolovethemthroughthisroughpatch,shewasn’tsure

shecouldpretendeverythinghadgonebacktonormal.

Wasthereevenanormalforthethreeofthem?
Shewenttodressintheguestbedroom,andthensatinthecomfortableoldrockerbythewindowto

watchthestarscomeout.Sleepingalonelastnighthadleftherachingwithloneliness.Shedidn’twantto
doitagain.Bynowhermateswereprobablywonderingwhereshewasgoingtosleeptonight,too.Did
theymissher?Orwasitjustthesex?

“Iamdonewiththis,”ahard,gruffvoicesaidinFrench.“Donewithyouandyourscheming.”
“Youcan’tbe,”anequallyflintybutsmoothervoicecountered.“Weareinthistogether,forlife.”
WithasighofresignationSummerroseandwalkeddownthehalltothemasterbedroom.Hearing

TroyandMichaelarguetoreatherlikerapidstrikesfromaneedle-clawedcat.Shewasalsosickand
tiredoftheirfighting.Whensheenteredherparents’oldbedroom,however,Summerdidn’tseehermates.
InsteadherfathersstoodgesturingandarguinginFrench.

“Youandyourmagic,”Jean-PaulsaidasheturnedawayfromChristien.“Youwillkillusall

someday.”

“Iamtryingtoprotecther,andwhatareyoudoing?Nothing,asalways.”Herdarkfatherwalkedup

andshovedJean-Paulfrombehind.“Youareacoward.Doyouhearme?Aspineless–”

Christiennevergottofinish.Jean-Paulswungaroundandpunchedhimintheface.Thatmadeherdark

fatherstaggerbackward,glower,andthenflinghimselfatthebiggerman.

Summerhurriedovertothem,butwhenshetriedtograbChristien’sarm,herhandspassedright

throughhim.Thenaswathofgreenenergypushedthetwomenapartandpinnedthemtooppositewalls.
MariewalkedthroughSummertostandbetweenhermates.

“Iloveyou,”Mariesaid.“ButIwillhavenomoreofthis.”ShelookedatJean-Paul.“Youwilluse

yourmindinsteadofyourfiststosettlethings.Andyou.”SheturnedtoChristien.“Whatyoudois
pointless.Nothingcanbedonetoalterwhatisandalwayswillbe.Youwillendthisquestnow,orIwill
takeourdaughterandleaveyou.”Tearsstreakeddownhercheeks.“Bothofyou.”

Bothmenlosttheirsurlyexpressionsandhungtheirheads.OnlythendidMariereleasethem,and

holdherhandsouttothem.

Summerwatchedherfatherscometogethertoembraceherweepingmother.Astheywentoutsideto

thegarden,theirfiguresgrewthinandopaque.Shewenttotheopendoortowatchthem,andsuddenly
realizedwhathermotherwasdoing.Seeingthemfadingawaystruckherlikeabladeintheheart,butshe
listenedcarefullytowhathermothersaid.Onlywhenherparentsvanishedentirelydidshefeelthebig,
gentlehandsholdingher.

“Comebacktous,Beauty,”Michaelsaidasheheldher.
Summerheardherselfsobbingandfoughtbackthetears.
“I’mhere,”shesaid,hervoicetrembling.“I’msorry.Imusthavedozedoffandstartedsleep-

walking.”

Troystrokedherback.“Youwereinavisiontrance,love.We’vebeentryingtobringyououtofitfor

tenminutes.”

Michaelledherovertothebigbed,whereheandTroysatdownwithher.
“Whatbroughtthison?”Troyasked.“Anightmare?”
Sheshrugged.“Idon’tknow.Avision,maybe.Isawmyfathershavingafistfightinhere.”Sheuttered

ahumorlesschuckle.“TheysoundedsomuchlikeyouandTroythatatfirstIthoughtitwasyoutwo.”

“Well,we’vealwaysremindedyouofyourmother’smates,”Troysaid,histonealittlewry.“Andthe

otherdayyoucaughtusfighting.Thatmayhavetriggeredthememoryofwhatyousaw.”

“Iwasn’tintheroom,andsincenooneelsewasthereuntilmymothercameintobreakupthefightit

couldn’thavebeenanyoftheirmemories.”Summerhunchedhershoulders.“IthinktheGoddessshowed
methevisionasanomen.Thatwhateverputmyfathersatoddswitheachotherandmymothercouldbe
thesamethingthat’shappeningtous.”

TroyexchangedaninscrutablelookwithMichaelbeforehenodded.
“Allright,”Troysaid.“Howdoweavoidturningoneachother?”
“Wedowhattheydid,”Summersaid,andtooktheirhandsinhers.“Werenewourbond.”

C H A P T E R 1 2

HEFIRSTTIMESummerhadbondedwithherlovershadbeentoshedhermortalexistenceand
attainimmortality,asthathadbeennecessarytoformthesacredtriadofGuardianandsentinel

mates.Assheledthemoutsideintothemoonlitgardensherememberedthelovetheyhadsharedthat
night,alongwiththesexandthepower.

Theystillhadthesexandpower.Whattheyneededtorenewwasthelove.
Troywarmedthemoistureintheairtoamorecomfortabletemperature,whileMichaelbroughtthe

mattressfromtheirbedandplaceditonthegrass.Oncetheyhadstrippedoutoftheirclothesandstood
nakedinthesilverylight,Summersteppedbetweenhermenandplacedherhandsontheirchests.

“Mytwilightmagician,”shesaidtoTroy,spreadingherfingersoverhisheart,andturnedherheadto

lookatMichaelasshedidthesametohim.“Mysunrisewarrior.”

Summerlookedupatthenightsky,andthelatticeofdarkcloudsthroughwhichbitsofthemoon’s

shiningfacepeeked.

“LordandLady,sincethetimeofthefirstEmeraldTabletGuardian,yoursonsanddaughtershave

honoredyoubythetriadbond.Tonightinyourpresencewerenewourvowsasthreemadeone,andask
foryourblessing,thatwemaycontinuetoserveyouasyouwouldhaveus.”

Sheliftedherhand,spreadingherfingersandopeninghermindtohermates.Michaelpressedhis

handtoherpalm,andTroydidthesamefromtheotherside.Astheylacedtheirfingerstogetherasoft
greenglowrayedoutfromherhand,andspreadovertheirs.

“WeareGenevieveLautner,”Summermurmured,atthesametimeherloversspoketheirnames.Their

voicesblendedtogetherinharmonyastheysaidinunison,“Threemadeone.”

ArustlingsoundmadeSummerglancedowntoseevineswindingtheirwayaroundthemattress,

coveringitwithnewgreenleavesthatsproutedandopenedlikeverdantbutterflies.Dandelionssprangup
aroundtheirfeet,bloominginbrightprofusionbeforetheypaledintoperfectorbsofwhite,wisps.As
theywalkedtothebedofleavesthefluffoftheflowersburstintotheair,fillingthegardenwiththousands
offloatingseeds.Troycaughtoneandplaceditonherpalm.

“Makeawish,”hesaid.
“IalreadyhaveeverythingI’lleverwantorneed,”shetoldhim,releasingtheseed.“YouandMichael

areallmywishescometrue.”

“Notsomuchlately,”Michaeladmitted.“Willyouforgiveus,Beauty?”
“Ithinkyou’veforgottenhowmuchyoumeantome.”Sherestedhercheekagainsthisshoulder,

rememberingthenightwhenthey’dinitiatedher.“Whateverhappens,wealwayshaveeachother.Wecan
seeeachotherthroughanything,nomatterwhatitis.Nomatterhowmuchithurts.”

“Thatnightintheclearingunderthestars,”hergoldenloversaid,touchinghercheek.Hesmiledas

hiseyestookonafarawaylook.“Iremember.Webondedeachtoeach,andalltoall.”Hestrokedhis

thumbalongthecurveofherlowerlip.“Ihavemissedyou,Beauty.”

Summerrealizedshe’dopenedherthoughtstothemforthefirsttimesincetheaccident.
“Hasitbeenmyfault?”shesaid.“DidIcausethisriftbetweenyoubyshuttingyouout?Goddess,I

nevermeantto–”

“Weunderstood,love,”Troysaidquietly.“Theproblemwasnotwithyou.Itwasus.”Hebrushedhis

lipsacrossherfingertips.“Ihavemissedfeelinghowmuchyoulovebeingwithus.”WithMichael’shelp
heloweredherbackontothebedofleaves,andcoveredherleftbreastwithhishand.“Listeningtoyour
heartthrobfasterwhenwetouchyou,andknowinghowyouwantustotouchyou.”

Hergoldenloverburiedhisnoseinherhairandbreathedindeeply.“Thewayyousmellwhenwe’re

abouttomakelove.ItissosweetandhotIwanttopouryouovermelikesun-warmedhoney.”

“That’sexactlyhowyoufeelhere,”Troysaidasheslippedhisfingersbetweenherthighs,andbegan

strokingherfolds.“AllIhavetodoisthinkofthislovely,tightlittlepussyandmycockswells.SoItry
nottothink,andthenyousmileatme,anditgoesrightbackup.”

“Oh,”Summergasped.Shearchedherhipsasimagesofwhatherdarkloverwantedtodotoher

floodedintohermind.“Thatfeelssogood.”

“Paganalwaysthinksofyoursweetnesswhenheuseshishand,”Michaeltoldher,slowlymassaging

herbreastnow.“SometimesIrubmyselfatthesametime,sohecanfeelmythoughts.”

“Holdon,”shesaidandlookedfromMichaeltoTroy.“Pleasetellmewhyyoudidn’tcomeandget

metohelp.”

“We’dratherhaveyou,andbewithyou,”Troyassuredher.“Butthat’snotalwayspossible.Like

whenIspentthenightinPortland.”

WhenshelookedatMichael,heshrugged.
“Sometimesyouaretired,”thebigmansaid,“andneedtosleep.”
“Well,Idon’tnow.”
SummerreacheduptobringMichael’smouthdowntohers,andwithherotherhanddrewTroy’slips

toherpebblynipple.Herloverskissedhersoftly,MichaelwhisperingagainstherlipswhileTroystroked
herpeakwithhistongue.Summermoanedasshefeltherdarklover’slongfingersenteringhertightness.
Hecaressedherwetsoftnesswithin,andsheclenchedaroundhimwhenhebegantowithdraw.

“Please,”shebeggedthem.“Ineedyounow.Oh,please.”
Michaeldrewherbacktolieontopofhim.Troymountedherandreplacedhisfingerswiththethick

domeofhiscockhead,easingitintoher.Caughtbetweenthem,Summerwrithed,butafterafewstrokes
Troydrewoutofhercompletely,andMichaelturnedherovertofacehim.

“Comeontomycocknow,Beauty,”hesaid.
Hegrippedherhipsandpositionedthemoverhisrampant,iron-harderection.Withalowgroanof

needsheguidedhimtotheslickellipsebetweenherfoldsandpushedherselfdownonhimwithslow,
exquisitedeliberation.

Troybroughthismouthbetweenherbuttockstolaveherrosebudwithhiswicked,clevertongue,and

thenroseoverhertopenetrateherbottomwithaseriesofshort,firmstrokes.AshedidMichaelkepther
stuffedwithhisthrobbingshaft,andwatchedherfaceasTroypressedinthelastfewachinginches.

“Nowwe’llloveyou,”Troymurmuredagainstherear,slidingoutasMichaeldidandreturningwith

himonadeep,hardstroke.“Together,thewayyouwantit.”

Summerrockedbackandforthasthemenworkedinandoutofher.Theystretchedhertothelimitas

theyburiedtheirshaftsinheratthesametime.Beingtakensocompletelymadehergaspandshakeasshe
droveherselfdownonthem,wantingonlytofuckthemasbeautifullyastheydidher.

Moreflowersbloomedaroundthegarden,addingtheirperfumetothecarnalscentofsex.Summer

kissedMichael,knowingTroywouldfeelherlipsandtongueaswell.Herdarkloverclampedhishands
onherhipsasheploweddeeperandfasterintohertightchannel.Shecouldfeeltheirballscollidingas

Michaeldidthesame,andthejoltsofthatintimatecontactsizzledthroughher,addingtotheachingneeds
risinginherbelly.Herbreastsseemedtopulsewitheverysmoothpumpofherlover’scocks.Without
warning,Troystrokedhererect,swellingclit,andsheshatteredwithaburstofhot,heavypleasure.

“More,”herdarkloverurgedhoarselyashefuckedherthroughtheclimax.
“Weneedallofyou,”Michaeladded,forginginandoutofherwithroughstrokesmadeunevenbyhis

ownexcitement.

Summerheardthegutturalsoundthatcamefromherastheybroughthertoclimaxyetagain.Thenthe

twoorgasmscombinedandburnedthroughherwithsomuchintensedelightthatshescreamed.Thiswas
notpleasure.Itwasbeyondthat.Itwaseverynerveinherbodylightingupandshiningwithecstasy.

“Yes,Beauty,yes,”Michaelsaid,groaningandshudderingashebeganpumpingintoher.Hisseed

jettedwithsuchforceshefeltitlikeakissagainstthemouthofherwomb.

“Weloveyou,always,”Troysaid,groaningandplowingdeepbetweenherbuttocksbeforereleasing

hisownwarm,silkycreamintoherchannel.

SummercollapsedonMichael,herheartpoundingandherlimbsstillmovingwiththeforceofthe

aftershocks.Sheknewhowgoodithadbeenforthem,too.Theirpleasurefloodedhermindwithwholly
malesatisfaction.AfewmomentslaterTroyrolledover,draggingherwithhimsothatshelaywedged
betweenhermates.

“Thatwas…”Troy’svoiceendedwithasigh.
Michaelnodded,hiseyesclosed.“Good.Sogood.”
Themenfellasleepalmostattheexactsamemoment.
Soasnottodisturbthem,Summerslowlyclosedoffherthoughtsfromtheirs.Renewingtheirbond

hadworked.Shecouldnolongerfeelthatawfuldiscordbetweenhermen.Atthesametimesheknew
theywerebothkeepingthingsfromher,butmakinglovehaddriventhosethoughtsfromtheirminds.They
hadbeenentirelyfocusedonherandeachother,andthatwashalfthebattle.Therestwouldberevealed
induecourse,evenifshehadtopluckthethoughtsfromtheirmindsherself.

Orshecouldjustseducethemagain.
Summerallowedherselfadreamysmileasshedriftedoffintothedark.

C H A P T E R 1 3

HEMORNINGTHATfollowedthebondrenewalprovedtobethehappiestMichaelhadshared
withhismatessincecomingtoMontreal.Summerkissedthemawakejustafterdawn,andlured

themintothebathforathreesomeshowerthatturnedouttobeeye-opening,especiallywhensheslowly
soapedtheirrampantshaftsatthesametime.Theywentfromtheretothebed,wheretheytookturnsusing
theirmouthsonheruntilshewhimperedwithdelight.

Troy’sgoodhumorseemedtobefullyrestored.Hemadeaheartybreakfastforthethreeofthem,and

thensuggestedtheyattendanicefestivalinacitypark.Theretheywatchedmortalsusingchiselsand
chainsawstoturnhugefrozenblocksintosculptures,whilealocalbandplayedrocksongsinFrench.
WhenSummergrewtoochillytoremain,Michaelsuggestedacreperiewheretheyfeastedonthedelicate
treatsandwarmedthemselveswithextra-largemugsofhotchocolate.

Whenhisphonesilentlyvibratedinhispocket,Michaelexcusedhimself,andwenttothemen’sroom

beforeheansweredthecallfromGaston.

“I’mgladyoucalled,oldfriend.”
Hisoldallyutteredasoursound.“Holdfasttoyourpleasantmood,Charbon,forIhavenothinggood

totellyou.Canyoumeetmeinanhour?”

MichaellookedupasTroycamein.
“Givemetheaddress,”Michaelsaid.Oncehehadtheaddress,heendedthecallandpocketedhis

phone.“ThatwasGaston.Hehasinformationforme.”

“Whichhecanonlygiveyouinperson,”Troysaid.Thedarkwarlockshookhishead.“It’satrap.”
“Itisnot.Thisishowthesethingsaredoneoutsidetheorder.Nothingthatcanbetraced,recordedor

observed.”Hecheckedhiswatch.“IfIamtomakethemeeting,Idon’thavetimetoreturnwithyoutothe
manor.WhatdoItellher?”

“Anythingyoulike.She’sshutusoutagain,soshewon’tknowyou’relying.”
Troystalkedout.
MichaelreturnedtothetableandsatdownacrossfromSummer.Thelovinglookshegavehim

remindedhimofwhattheyhaddonelastnight,andcompelledhimtotellherthetruth.

“Anoldallyofminecalledme.Hehasinformationweneed,buttoobtainitImustgoandmeethim.

WhenwearefinishedIwilltakeacabbacktothemanor.”

Shelookedpuzzled.“Whycan’tTroyandIgowithyou?”
“GastondoesnotknowthatIamnowWiccan,”Michaelsaidandgrimaced.“Hehasretiredfromthe

order,butifIbroughtawitchandawarlockwithme…Hewouldnotgivemetheinformation.”

“Yeah,he’dbetoobusytryingtokillus,”Troysaidandsatbackinhischair.“Thisisabadidea,

Paladin.TheTemplarsknowwhatwelooklike.They’reprobablypassingoutsketchesalloverthecity.”

“I’mgladyoutoldmethetruth,”SummersaidandtouchedMichael’shand.“We’llbewaitingforyou

backatthemanor.Becareful.”

“What?”Troysaid,andstaredather.“That’sit?You’renotgoingtoquestionanything?”
“Oh,I’msorry,”shesaid,archingherbrows.“Didyouwanttoexplainallyoursecretphonecallsto

Theo?Orwhyyouhadoneofmyfather’sjournalsinyourjacketlastnight?”AsTroywincedshepatted
hishand.“It’sokay.I’massumingyouhavegoodreasonsforallthat,justlikeI’mconfidentthatMichael
won’tgethimselfkilledmeetingthisTemplar.It’scalledtrust,guys.Maybewecanstarthavingalittle
moreofthatineachothernow.”

Michaelsuppressedasmile.“Soweshall,myBeauty.”
AlthoughhefeltsureGastondidnotintendtolurehimintoatrap,Michaelarmedhimselfwithoneof

theninemilsfromthecar.HefeltalittlesurprisedwhenTroyofferedhimhisfavoritefightingblade,but
tuckeditinhisbootwithoutcomment.

“Watchyourback,”thedarkwarlocksaid.“Iwon’tbethereto.”
HeclaspedarmswithhimbeforeleaningintogiveSummerakiss.
“Seeyousoon,”hewhispered.
FromthecreperieMichaeltookthemetro’sorangelinetothemeetingplaceinVictoriaSquare.

Ridingthewhite-linedblueundergroundtrainsmadehimfeelalittlenostalgic.Thecityhadmodeled
theirsystemaftertheFrenchmetro,rightdowntotheold-fashionedletteringofthetunnelsigns.

Atall,stoopedmaninablackberetandlarge,wrap-aroundsunglassesstoodwaitingintheshadowof

thestatueofQueenVictoria,andfellintostepwithMichaelashepassedit.

“Youneedahaircut,Charbon.”
HeglancedatGastonMoulin,whosehairhadgrownsolongitdisappearedunderthefurcollarofhis

coat.

“Sodoyou,Isee.”
“Inolongerserveintheorder,”themansaid,keepinghiseyesahead.“Theirstandardshave

obviouslyfallen.”

Michaelstoppedatabenchinadesertedcornerofthesquare,andbothmensat.
“Sowhathaveyoulearned?”
“MassimoMalveauxwishestobecomeGrandMaster,whichisthesortoffoolthinghewouldaspire

to.”GastontookoutacigarettecaseandofferedittoMichaelbeforelightinguponeforhimself.“Itis
howhewishestoattaintherankthattroublesmedeeply.HeseekstheEmeraldTablet,foroncehe
controlsitspowerhecanruleanyonehelikes,evenus.ThisLautnerwomanissaidtobetheonlyperson
alivewhoknowswhereitis.Ifthatistrue,thenallhemustdoiscaptureandtortureheruntilshetellshim
whereitis.”

Michaelnoddedslowly,andpretendedtomullovertherevelationasheconsideredthesafestcourse

ofaction.

“RomesentabrothernamedSalomonTolberttoMontreal,”Gastoncontinued,snortingoutasmall

cloudofwhitesmoke.“Rumorhasitheisnothereonvacationasheclaims,butspiesonMassimoforthe
currentGrandMaster.ThemensayhealsoclaimsaTemplarwithimmortalitysicknessissettingthese
fires.”

MichaelthoughtofGodfrey,theinsaneTemplarwhohadtriedtorapeSummerandmurderTroy’s

brother.

“Ineedtospeaktothisdoctor.Canyouarrangeit,Gaston?”
“Possibly,butIdonotknowtheman,”Gastonsaid.“Hemaybealoyalist.”
Adarksedandrovepastthem,andthencametoasuddenstopandreversed.Thedriver’swindow

lowered,andayoungmortalmanwithcurlyhairstaredatthem.

“Ithinkitistimetoleavenow,”Michaelsaid.Hestoodandturnedhisbackonthevehicleasheheld

outhishand.“Thankyouforhelpingme,oldfriend.”

Gastonscowledashelookedpasthim.
“Thatyoungpuphasaguntrainedonyou,”hesaidandlookedupatMichael.“Nevertellmeyouare

atraitor,Charbon.”

“Worse,”Michaelsaid.“IamaWiccan.”HeshieldedtheoldTemplarwithhisbodyashetookout

thenine.“Youshouldrunnow.”

Michaelturnedandshottwoofthesedan’stires.Althoughthemortalyouthreturnedfire,hehad

terribleaim.OnlyonebulletgrazedMichael’sarmbeforehemadeittocoverbehindsomeparkedcars.
Hewoundinandoutofthem,duckingdownlow,asGastonretreatedbehindalargetree.Themortal
shooterinthecarhadtriedtokeeptrackofMichael,butashistargetsseparated,hefocusedontheone
whohadn’tmoved.

Michaelraisedhisgunandtookaimatthemortal.Hewasabouttopullthetriggerwhenanother

sedanscreechedtoastopbehindthefirst.TwoTemplarsjumpedoutandhustledGastonintothebackof
theirvehicle.Fromthewayhestruggledandtheobscenitiesheshouted,hewasnotgoingwiththem
willingly.

That,orthishadbeenthetrapTroyhadpredicteditwouldbe.

C H A P T E R 1 4

ROYSTOODINthedoorwayofthebathroomwatchingSummergentlyswabthebloodfrom
Michael’sgunshotwound.

“Assoonasyou’redonepatchinghimup,”Troysaid,“I’dliketokickhisstupidass.ButIthinkI’ll

betoobusysaying‘Itoldyouso.’”

“GastontoldmeMalveauxhasspieseverywhere,”thebigmantoldhim.“Theymusthavediscovered

hewasaskingtoomanyquestions,andputatrackeronhimtoseewhy.”

“Thatdoesn’tsoundgoodforyourfriend,”Summersaidassheinspectedtheshallowgraze.“Lucky

thistrackerwasalousyshot.Youwon’tevenneedstitches.”ShelookedoveratTroy.“Didn’tyousay
youweregoingtoseeTheoonceMichaelgotback?”

Hecouldseethewarninginhereyes,thatplay-nice-or-elseglitter.
“IthinkI’llheadovernow.”
“Watchyourback,”Michaelsaid,givinghimahardlook.
Troywalkedtheperimeterofthepropertybeforehelefttocheckthedefensivewardshe’dcastover

thehouse,yards,andgardens.Nothinghaddisturbedthem,buthereinforcedthespellsanyway.Thelast
thingheneededwastocomebackandfindBeaumontManorundersiegebyTemplars.

Fromthehouse,Troydrovetheshortdistancetotheresidenceofaformerprimeminister,andwalked

aroundtothelargeRVparkedbehindthemassivemansion.Theosatinalawnchairbesidethebig
vehicle,hiseyesclosedandhishugehandsholdingasunreflector.Besidehimwasasizablecooler
whichTroyknewhekeptstockedwithhisfavoritebeer.

“It’suseless,youknow,”Troytoldhim.“You’renevergoingtotan.You’vebeentryingforathousand

years,andallyou’veevergottenwassunstroke.”

Theancientwarlockopenedoneeye.
“Thatwasamigraine,broughtonbyacertainacolytewhoneverlearnedtoshowtheproperrespect

forhiselders.”

“Bysuggestingyouwearahatthenexttime?”Troysaid.Hewouldhavechuckled,buthecouldsee

newlinesofstrainaroundhismentor’seyesandmouth.“Howisshe?”

“Myyoungchargehasrecoveredalittle,”Theosaid,glancingattheRV,“butshebelievesshe’sonly

fourteenyearsold.It’ssomethingofanimprovementoverlastnight,whenshethoughtherselfanorphanof
six,whowasbeingstarvedandabusedbythemortalspaidtocareforher.Youmightalsopraytothe
GodsthattheyarenotstillbreathingwhenItrackthemdownandcallthemtoaccountforit.Fucking
mortals.”Hesetasidethereflector.“Bytomorroworthenextdaysheshouldcatchupwithhercurrent
age.”

Troyshookhishead.
“Itmightbeakindnessifsheneverrememberedwhatcausedthetrauma.”HetookChristien’sjournal

fromhisjacketandhandedittoTheo.“IretrievedthisfromtheTemplars.”

“Oh?”Theosaid.“Areyoustealingbiblesnow?”Butwhenheexaminedthejournal,henodded.“The

finalone?”

Troynodded.TheohadalreadyresearchedSummer’sfather’sotherlogs.
“I’velookedatit,”Troysaid,“butthespellsareallbutindecipherable.”
Theoresteditonhislap.
“Leaveitwithme.I’llhavealook.”
AsmallnoisecamefromtheRV.ItsoundedtoTroylikeawatertaprunning.Thenitstopped.
“I’mgoingtotakeRaelynawaywithme,”hismentorannounced.“Idon’twantheranywherenearthat

bitchofaHighPriestessoranyonefromthatcovenofsnakes.I’malsofallinginlovewithher,andifyou
laughatmeIwillkickyouinthatspotonyourkneethatmakesyoulimpforamonth.Haveabeer.”

“Thanks,”Troysaid,movingtowardthecooler.“IguessIwon’tremindyouthatshe’syoung,anda

runaway,andmortal.”Hetookabottleoutofthecooleranddrankhalfofitbeforehesighed.“Michael
andIgotshottheothernightbyTemplars.ThenMichaelwenttodaytomeetwithanoldally,andgotshot
bythemagain.Ithinkwe’llbemovingonourselvesshortly.”

AsthoughTroy’sthoughthadsummonedhim,Michaelcontactedhimthroughtheirmindlink.Troy

wentstillasworryandangerfloodedthroughtheconnection.

TheysentatextmessagetomyphonefromGaston’s.Malveauxintendstoexecutehimasatraitor

infrontofhisgarrisontonight.

Michaelsentanimageofhowheintendedtorescuehim.
Troynodded.I’mleavingnow.
Theoeyedhim.“Asecretcommunique,Itakeit.”
“Asecretfromyou?”Troysaid,andfinishedthelastofthebeer.“Ididn’tthinktherewassucha

thing.”HerelatedwhatMichaelhadtoldhim.

“It’satrap,ofcourse,”Theosaid.
Troystoodandplacedtheemptybottlewiththeothersnexttothecooler.“Ofcourseitis.Butwecan

getGastonwithoutthemevenrealizingwe’reinsidethepriory.”

Theolookedintrigued.
“Andhowwillyoudothat?”thedwarfasked.“Haveyouaninvisibilitycloak?Thrillmeandsayyes.

I’vewatchedalltheHarryPottermovies.”

“No,”Troysaid,withalittlegrin.“ButIhaveabrotherwhoknowshowtodigescapetunnelsvery

quickly.”

C H A P T E R 1 5

UMMER,I’MSOgladIcaughtyouathome,”Lorenasaidasshewalkedaroundherspellchamber
withthecordlessphone.“WeheardabouttheattackonpoorMichaelthisafternoon.Washebadly

hurt?”

“He’llsurvive,”Summersaid.“Whatdoyouwant,HighPriestess?”
LorenaclampeddownonanurgetodemandRaelyn’swhereabouts.“Idon’tthinkyouandyourmates

willbesafehereinMontrealanylonger,darling,soIthoughtImightoffermyassistance.”Thelastwords
cameoutratherhusky,thankstoherbruisedthroat.“Forgiveme,Iseemtobecomingdownwithabug.”

“We’refine,butthankyou,”Summersaid,soundingimpatientnow.“I’msorry,butIreallyhaveto

go.”

“Ifyoutrytoleavethecitybyconventionalavenues,theTemplarswillcaptureyou.Theyhavetwo-

manteamsoneveryroad,bridge,andtrainstationwatchingforyouandyourlovers.”Shesatdowninher
chaiseandmassagedtheweltthatstretchedallthewayaroundherneck.“Icanofferamuchsafer
alternative.”

“Allright,”Summersaid.“Whatisit?”
“Aprivateboat,”Lorenasaid.Sheselectedachocolatefromthedishbesidetheloungeandnibbled

onit.“Onceyou’reacrosstheriver,wewilltransportyoutothatfarmyouinherited.DouceLune,wasn’t
it?Youshouldbequitesafethere.”

Asighcameovertheline.“Whywouldyoudoallthatforus?”
“Ourmotherswereoncethebestoffriends,darling.It’stheleastIcandoforaWiccansister.”She

lookedoverasAllycameintotheroom.“Docallmewhenyou’rereadytoleave,andwe’llmakethe
arrangements.”

AssoonassheswitchedoffthephoneshehurleditatAlly.
“Whereisshe?”
“Idon’tknow.Ican’tfindher.”Herbodyguardcowered.“Thedwarfmusthavehiddenher,ortaken

heroutofthecity.”

“Whywouldadeformedwarlockstealamortalfledglingfromme?”Lorenademanded,suspicious

now.“Didyoubringhimhere,Ally?DidyouhelphimabductRaelyntogetherawayfromme?”

“No,Mistress,Iswear.”Sweatbeadedaboveherthinlips.“Iwouldneverdothat.”
Lorenaadvancedonher.
“ButyouhatedmebeingwithRaelyn.Itmadeyoujealoustothinkofmewithher.That’swhyyou

helpedhim,isn’tit?”

HerpowerwrappedaroundAlly,wholookeddownatherselfandwailed.
“Howawful,”Lorenasaid,invokingoneofherbodyguard’sworstfears—thatofbecomingfatagain.

“You’vegainedbackallthatweightyoulost.Nownoonewilleverloveyouagain.”

“

Shewouldhavecontinuedtorant,butherthroatfeltsorawnowshecouldbarelycroak.Shealsosaw

hermotherstandingjustbehindAlly.Drawingbackherpower,shereleasedherfromtheillusion.

“Goandfixmesomehealingtea.”
Theoldwomanhobbledinpastthebodyguard.
“Shemeansyou,chubby,”Fabiolasaidtoher.
Allystumbledbackward,runningherhandsoverherbodybeforeshehurriedaway.
“Youarebeingtooroughwiththemagain,”hermothersaid.Sheclosedthedoorandregardedher

withthinly-veiledimpatience.“ThatdwarfyouandFatsospeakofsocasuallyhappenstobe
Theophrastus.AgeneralintheMagusCorps,andoneofthemostpowerfulwarlocksintheworld.”

“Idon’tcareifhe’sthepope,”Lorenacountered.“HetookRaelyn.Iwantherback.”
“Hetookatroublemaker,andgoodriddancetoher,”Fabiolasaidandlimpedovertositdownonthe

nearestchair.“IalsoheardyouspeakingtoGenevieve.YoucannotallowhertoleaveMontreal.”

“Shewillstillbewithinreach,andIthinksomedistancemightimproveheropinionofme.Especially

ifIamresponsibleforwhiskinghertosafety.”Lorenaclearedherthroat.“Really,mother,haveyoulost
faithinmealready?”

“No,mydaughter,”Fabiolasaidandtappedherownthroat.“Butthen,Iamnottheonewithastrangle

markonmyneck.Whydoyouthinkhetookthatbratrunaway?”

“Idon’tknow.Idon’tcare.”Shegavehermotherathinsmile.“ButwhenIfindhim—andIwill—I’m

goingtoburnthebrainsoutofhismisshapenskull.”

C H A P T E R 1 6

UMMERHUNGUPthephoneandwenttocleanupthebathroomwhileshethoughtoverwhat
Lorenahadtoldher.MichaelhadconfirmedtheTemplarswerehuntingheragain,andiftheyhad

connectedTroyandMichaelwithher,thentheywereallinseriousdanger.OrwastheHighPriestess
lyingabouteverythingforsomenew,twistedpurposeofherown?

IfonlyshecouldconvinceTheotoinvestigatethecoven,andfindoutexactlywhatwasgoingon

insideArtemisHouse.HecouldusehisstandingwiththecounciltohavethecovendisbandedandLorena
punishedforwhatevercrimesshe’dcommitted.Attheveryleastsheshouldbeheldaccountablefor
mistreatingRaelyn.

Summercamedownstairsandherstomachrumbled,remindinghershehadn’thadanythingtoeatsince

returningfromthecity.AglanceattheclocktoldherthatMichaelandTroyhadbeengoneforalmosttwo
hours.EitherTheo’spatientwasverysick,ortheywereoffdoingthingstheydidn’tconfideinheragain.

Sheshookherhead.
Theywouldn’tdothat,notafterlastnight.Notafterrenewingtheirbond.Notafterthismorning,when

she’dbeensounderstanding,andhadn’taskedquestions.

SummerpickeduphermobileanddialedTroy,whichwenttovoicemail.WhenMichael’sdidthe

sameshebegantofeelalittlemoreworried.Justasshewasabouttocallforacabatextmessagecame
inonherphonefromTroy’smobile.

Smiling,sheopenedthetext.
Wehavecapturedyourmen.Cometothetrainyardbymidnight,orwewillexecutethemalong

withthetraitor.

Summerfeltsick.
“Youreallydon’tbelieveI’mgoingtofallforthat,doyou?”
Shejumpedasanothertextmessagecamein,thistimefromMichael’sphone.Herfingersshookasshe

openedit,butitdidn’tcontainatextmessage.InsteaditshowedTroyandMichaeltiedtostakesnexttoan
older,long-hairedman.Allthreemenwerecoveredinmudandlookedasifthey’dbeenbeaten
unconscious.Woodwaspiledaroundtheirfeet,alongwithcansofpetrol.

Theyweregoingoldschool,Summerthoughtdully.Burningthematthestake.
Herhandstoppedshakingasshedialedthenumbershedidn’twanttocall,andspoketothewoman

shealreadydespised.

“Lorena?It’sSummer.Ineedyourhelp.”

•••••

TheEndofDivided

•••••

Summer’sstorycontinuesin

Gone(SilverWoodCovenBookEight)

Forasneakpeek,turnthepage.

S N E A K P E E K

GONE

BookEightoftheSilverWoodCovenSeries

Excerpt

OnthewaybacktoWestmount,wherehehadstowedhisRVbehindaformerprimeminister’smansion
forsafekeeping,TheoconsideredwhattodoaboutRaelynFoss.He’dalwaysmadeitaruleneverto
triflewithmortals.Inexperiencedyoungwomenwerealsooutofthequestion.Unhappilyshewasboth.
She’dalsobeenbornwithachameleon-likeabilitytochangeherappearanceatwillbyalteringherhair
andeyecolor,andtransmutingherfacialfeatures.Althoughasamortalsheshouldnothavepossessed
suchapowerfulabilityuntilaftershewasinitiatedintoimmortality,hewasfairlysurewhyithad
manifestedsoearly.DuringtheboutofmemoryillnessinflictedonherbyLorenaPaquet,Raelynhad
relievedtheugliestofherchildhoodmemories,whichincludedbeingstarvedandabused.

Othersmightconsiderhimabuffoon,butTheohadnoillusionsaboutwhathecoulddotohelp

Raelyn.Guardingandfeedingherwhilesherecoveredfromherpsychicwoundswasnotenough.She
neededprofessionalcare.Becauseshewasstillmortalitmightbebestifhetookhertooneoftheir
hospitals.Andhewouldhavealready,ifnotforhisotherproblem.

Youhadtogoandfallinlovewithamentally-damaged,mortal.
TheoparkedtheJeepinthesidedriveatthemansion.Ashegotoutandwalkedtothebackofthe

property,herehearsedwhathewouldsaytoRaelyn.Shewasstrongandcourageous,anddeservedthe
verybestinlife.Hewouldmakesuresheactuallygotit,aswellasaproperhomewithalovingWiccan
family.ShewouldneveragainhavetoworryaboutLorenaPaquetoranyotherpredatorywitch–

Hestoppedinhistracksandstaredatthelarge,emptyspacewherehisRVhadbeenparked.
“Thereyouare,monami.”Theformerprimeministertrottedouttohimandpattedhisback.“Before

youryoungfriendleft,shesaidtothankyouforeverything.”

“Yes,hergratitudeisoverwhelming,”Theosaid,tryingnottoshowhisdisappointment.“NowImust

alsobeonmyway.”Theotookasmallgoldcoinfromhispocketandformeditintoalargemapleleaf
beforepresentingit.“Foryourcollection,oldboy.”

Afteradmiringandpocketingthepiece,theelderlymortalclaspedhishand.“You’rewelcomeback

anytime.Travelsafely.”

OnceheclimbedbackintheJeep,Theoquicklycastatrackingspell,whichproducedatinygolden

moththathoveredimpatientlyabovehisfrontbumper.Oncehestartedtheenginethemothfluttereddown
thedrivewayandwaitedthereforhimtocatchup.TheycontinuedthegameofchasefromWestmounttoa

roadleadingawayfromthecity,andthenacrossthewaterintoaruralregionwherethesuburbsturned
intolargetractsofpastureandfarmlands.

“Soyouareacountrygirl,”hesaid.
Themothledhimthroughasmallhamletofold,riverstonebuildingsandconvertedcottages.Like

mostsmalltownsthisonehadbeentakenoverbykitschyartistseagertocashinontheweekendtourist
trade.Sometimeshewonderedifcivilizationwouldcometoanendbystarvationbecauseallthefarmers
hadbeenboughtoutbyfancycupcakeshopsandscentedcandleboutiques.

Themothfinallystoppedattheopengatesofacampground,andflareditswingswithashimmerof

lightbeforedisappearing.OnceTheoparkedtheJeepinthevisitors’lothewalkeddowntherowofRVs.
Hefoundhisownwedgedbetweentwolarger,oldermodels.Anoldmortalwomansatinhisfavorite
lawnchairwithaflashlightandamapinherveryyoung-lookinghands.

“Evidentlyyou’verememberedhowtohot-wireanignitionswitch,”hesaid,leaningagainsttheRVas

shestumbledtoherfeet.“Butdidyoucheckthepetrolgauge?Andplease,”headdedwhensheopened
hermouth,“don’ttalktomeinafakeoldwoman’svoice.Iknowit’syou,Raelyn.”

Sheturnedherbackonhim,hunchinghershouldersandreleasingasharpbreathbeforeshefacedhim

again.Herwhitehairnowshimmeredaglitteringdarkauburn,likestrandsofgarnet.Herpaleeyeshad
darkenedtoadeepgreen.

“Icouldn’tstaythere.Youweregone,and,well,whatwasIsupposedtodo?”
“Waitformetoreturn.AskbeforeyoutakeeverythingIowninthisworld.”HeopenedtheRV’sdoor

andgesturedforhertogoinside,butshedidn’tmove.“WouldyouratherIuseanotherspell?Iknowone
thatwillhaveyouhoppingaboutlikearabbitwhileyoubegforrawrhubarb.Itincludeswhiskers,a
cottontail,andaverybadlisp.”

“Youaresomean.”
Shescowledathimasshemarcheduptheshortsetofsteps.
OnceinsideTheoputthekettleonandglancedaroundtheinterior.Raelynhadobviouslysearched

throughallthecabinetsandundertheseatcushions,butshehadn’tdisturbedhisblanket-coveredchestof
weapons—likelybecausethepadlockthatsecuredithadrazor-sharpteethandamindofitsown.

“Haveyoueaten?”
“Istoppedandgotaburger.”Shewatchedhimlikeanirateowl.Ifshe’dhadfeathersthey’dbe

standingonend.“Whatareyougoingtodotome?”

“IthoughtI’ddrownyouindecaf.”Hefixedtwocupsofinstantcoffeeandbroughtthemovertothe

smalldiningtable.“Goon.Idon’thaveallnight.Stickyourheadinthecupandbreatheindeeply.”

Herlipstwitched.“Beserious.”
“Iam,perfectly.Theproblemisthatyourheadistoobig.Orperhapsmycupsaretoosmall.”Hesat

downacrossfromherandtookasipofhiscoffeebeforehemethergaze.“Doyourememberwhat
happenedtoyouatthecovenhouse?”

Herexpressionimmediatelyshuttered.“Yeah.”
“Thatneverhappenstoyouagain,foraslongasIdrawbreath.”Realizinghesoundedlikealovesick

fool—nevermindthathewas—Theosatbackandgrinned.“HaveyouheardabouttheTemplarandthe
Wiccanwhowalkedintoabar?Thebartendersaid‘Isthissomekindofjoke?’”Alowgiggleescaped
her.“What’sanothernameforthirteenwitchesscrubbingapixie?Anelf-cleaningcoven.”

TheydranktheircoffeeandtoldeachotherterriblepaganjokesuntilRaelyn’seyelidsbegantodroop.

Theohelpedherupandguidedherbacktothebedroom.

“Don’tgo,”shesaidoncehe’dtuckedherin.Shesquirmedovertotheothersideofthemattress.“It’s

yourbed.”

“I’mlendingittoyouforthenight.”Theosmoothedthehairbackfromherbrow.“Closeyoureyes

now.”

“Imeanit.”Shesmotheredayawnandturnedonherside,tuckingherhandunderhercheek.“Ihate

thedark.”Herbodyrelaxedashereyelidsslowlydrooped,andshemurmured,“Don’tleave.”

Hisold,batteredheartgainedanewcrackasheliedtoher.“Never.”

•••••

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Gone(SilverWoodCovenBookEight)

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Document Outline

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16

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