in my memory. As if she’s familiar to me. Doesn’t mean I flat-out believe them.”
“We could do DNA testing.” Worked exactly the same for supernaturals as it did for humans.
He grunted and was silent for a long moment as they stared out at the water. Finally, he spoke. “The first time I saw someone tortured in Hell I cried out for my mother. I don’t even know if I have one. Or had one. But that memory sticks out more than anything else. I called for her over and over and she never came. No one did. I don’t…know why I’m telling you. Or why I’m even thinking of it now.” His words stunned her, his voice so remote it shredded her.
Victoria’s throat was tight as she set her coffee behind her on the bench table. Without asking if it was okay, she stood then sat in his lap, wrapping her arm around the back of his neck as she embraced him. She was pretty sure there weren’t any words she could say now to take away his pain but she could hold him. She just wished she had some magic healing power to take away all his emotional pain.
Thankfully he returned her embrace, burying his face in her hair and inhaling deeply. “Victoria.”
The way he said that one word, like a prayer, made her grip him tighter. No matter what happened with his family or anything else, she was glad he had no problem leaning on her. Because she would never let him down.
* * *
Conall eyed the newcomers carefully, not making any aggressive moves. He didn’t need his weapons. Not when he could breathe fire. But he knew who these shifters were and fire wasn’t going to stop them.
Finn Stavros, powerful shifter leader of the Stavros pack. Gabriel, his Guardian, and two warriors with him. The female warrior made him do a double-take as the strangest vibrating sensation welled in his chest, but he kept his focus on the Alpha. He wasn’t going to be attacked because of stupidity.
The Alpha’s icy blue stare cut through Conall for a moment before Stavros looked at Bo Broussard, the owner of the club. A half-demon Stavros allowed to operate in his territory. It was interesting how many supernatural beings lived in harmony in this location. The Alpha was also mated to a blood-born vampire. Which was very interesting. It gave him hope they’d be able to negotiate together without violence.
“May we use your club to discuss a few things in private?” Stavros asked Broussard. Even though the shifter phrased it as a question it was clear to everyone the Alpha wasn’t asking.
Broussard sighed as if this was an everyday hassle and nodded. “Yeah. Grab anything you want from the bar too,” he said as he waved a hand at the ceiling.
Conall raised his eyebrows as the hole in the ceiling mended itself and the dusty mess on the floor vanished. When he glanced at Stavros it was clear the Alpha had never seen the half-demon do something like that. After he gave the gaping hole in the front door the same treatment, Broussard headed for a red door. When he reached it, he turned and looked at them. “Unless this place is on fire, I would appreciate it if no one disturbs me.” Without another word, he disappeared through the door, closing it softly behind him.
The four others pinned Conall and Keelin—who was being unusually quiet—with their stares.
Stavros stepped forward and nodded at the wall of empty booths. “Talk with us?” Again, not exactly a question.
Conall nodded. “Of course.”
Conall and Keelin sat in the rounded booth while the Alpha sat across from them. The three others stood nearby, giving them space. Against his will, Conall found his gaze drawn to the female with the wild hair and beautiful light mocha skin once more.
Her amber eyes were bright, her wolf gleaming in them as if she considered him an enemy. It shouldn’t have bothered him, but for some reason it did. He would analyze it and that annoying vibrating inside him later.
Frowning, he looked at Stavros. “We apologize for entering your territory
“We could do DNA testing.” Worked exactly the same for supernaturals as it did for humans.
He grunted and was silent for a long moment as they stared out at the water. Finally, he spoke. “The first time I saw someone tortured in Hell I cried out for my mother. I don’t even know if I have one. Or had one. But that memory sticks out more than anything else. I called for her over and over and she never came. No one did. I don’t…know why I’m telling you. Or why I’m even thinking of it now.” His words stunned her, his voice so remote it shredded her.
Victoria’s throat was tight as she set her coffee behind her on the bench table. Without asking if it was okay, she stood then sat in his lap, wrapping her arm around the back of his neck as she embraced him. She was pretty sure there weren’t any words she could say now to take away his pain but she could hold him. She just wished she had some magic healing power to take away all his emotional pain.
Thankfully he returned her embrace, burying his face in her hair and inhaling deeply. “Victoria.”
The way he said that one word, like a prayer, made her grip him tighter. No matter what happened with his family or anything else, she was glad he had no problem leaning on her. Because she would never let him down.
* * *
Conall eyed the newcomers carefully, not making any aggressive moves. He didn’t need his weapons. Not when he could breathe fire. But he knew who these shifters were and fire wasn’t going to stop them.
Finn Stavros, powerful shifter leader of the Stavros pack. Gabriel, his Guardian, and two warriors with him. The female warrior made him do a double-take as the strangest vibrating sensation welled in his chest, but he kept his focus on the Alpha. He wasn’t going to be attacked because of stupidity.
The Alpha’s icy blue stare cut through Conall for a moment before Stavros looked at Bo Broussard, the owner of the club. A half-demon Stavros allowed to operate in his territory. It was interesting how many supernatural beings lived in harmony in this location. The Alpha was also mated to a blood-born vampire. Which was very interesting. It gave him hope they’d be able to negotiate together without violence.
“May we use your club to discuss a few things in private?” Stavros asked Broussard. Even though the shifter phrased it as a question it was clear to everyone the Alpha wasn’t asking.
Broussard sighed as if this was an everyday hassle and nodded. “Yeah. Grab anything you want from the bar too,” he said as he waved a hand at the ceiling.
Conall raised his eyebrows as the hole in the ceiling mended itself and the dusty mess on the floor vanished. When he glanced at Stavros it was clear the Alpha had never seen the half-demon do something like that. After he gave the gaping hole in the front door the same treatment, Broussard headed for a red door. When he reached it, he turned and looked at them. “Unless this place is on fire, I would appreciate it if no one disturbs me.” Without another word, he disappeared through the door, closing it softly behind him.
The four others pinned Conall and Keelin—who was being unusually quiet—with their stares.
Stavros stepped forward and nodded at the wall of empty booths. “Talk with us?” Again, not exactly a question.
Conall nodded. “Of course.”
Conall and Keelin sat in the rounded booth while the Alpha sat across from them. The three others stood nearby, giving them space. Against his will, Conall found his gaze drawn to the female with the wild hair and beautiful light mocha skin once more.
Her amber eyes were bright, her wolf gleaming in them as if she considered him an enemy. It shouldn’t have bothered him, but for some reason it did. He would analyze it and that annoying vibrating inside him later.
Frowning, he looked at Stavros. “We apologize for entering your territory
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