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"Don’t forget he nearly killed you in Maxihold," Elyssa said "And he told Ivy to let you die before she saved you"

I shuddered at theheld helpless with no hope of surviving until my mom had miraculously showed up and saved me "He told Ivy not to save me, but he didn’t interfere with her either"

Unfortunately, I had a lot on the stove that wasinto Jeremiah’s psyche Part of me felt crushed, defeated We hadn’t even had an opportunity to capture Kassus But wondering about Jereht toOne in particular ht be the answer

"What are your orders?" Hutchins said, looking at Elyssa

She raised an eyebrow, looking"Reh the portal, but leave a scout The minute you see activity, I want to know about it If Kassus shows up, notify et in position I showed the Arcane in your squad how to use the oet back here in an instant, if need be"

He saluted "Yes, sir" Hutchins er, and shadowy foric

Elyssa took hty Co particular emphasis on the last word "Do you have any orders for h the portal Shelton and the others were crowded around the omniarch, eyes confused

"What the hell just happened?" he asked

I shookto eat"

Elyssa and I walked up the stairs I felt her expectant eyes onfor the talk I wouldn’t blame her if she was mad at me, but I felt justified in what I’d done I was disappointed in the outcome, but that had been out of our control If she’d taken the action she’d wanted to, it could have coriest at myself The minute Jeremiah had been alone, I should’ve ordered hiain, how the hell was I supposed to foresee the dragon warning him?

We reached the kitchen, empty of people since just about everyone else was still downstairs Elyssa opened her ripped her shoulder and pinned her against the ith one hand in a blur of speed

Her eyes flared with surprise

"You ree with my decisions, Elyssa, but they’re my decisions to make This was my operation, and I should have insisted the Te the proper chain of co if she’d respond, but her violet eyes stared atshe ht actually kick ree the Templars in my operations should be under my control, then on’t use them I feel I made the best decisions under the circuree, I’m sorry" I took in a deep breath "I love you, but I refuse to be treated like a non-coh I’ve earned your respect, and the respect of the others, just as you all have earnedfor her to punchh voice, "are so"--she narrowed her eyes--"sexy when you take control like that"

She pushedher lips hard to mine We rolled off the table and thudded on the floor, still kissing, as blood turned to fire inher head back and saw the fangs beneath red lips I nipped her neck Heard her rowl and a yip followed by a huet a rooaze Cutsauce stood near his feet, wagging his tail

"This is a kitchen, not a da the door shut behind hiathered our things and ran upstairs to finish e’d started

After eating and recovering soy from the day’s activities, I called Lornicus

"You never call, you never write," he said

"I’ve been busy"

"Indeed," the golem said "You successfully retrieved your mother, or so I’ve heard"

"Almost" I’d considered how ards to the possible discovery of the arch creators Unfortunately, I already knehat his price would be for my next request "I need Maulin Kassus’s blood"

"Ah, I can see how thatthe babies, and tossed in Jeree behavior as a bonus "You have spies everywhere Can you help et the blood?"

"Indeed I can," Lornicus said "I can have it for you tomorrow"

My mouth fell open "You can?"

"Yes But there is ht ere partners"

"We are, Mr Slade," Lornicus said "But, as with the cost of rescuing your "

"Skip to the point," I said, exhibiting the part of me I’d learned from Shelton "What do you want?" I already knew the answer, but with luck, he

"Very simple," he said "As I stated before, I would like one of the cupids"

My hand clenched around el That’s not a fair trade"