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"No, she’s not," hethe spot over his unbeating heart

He was still adjusting to the intensity of his feelings for the tiny Jinnbond, more than sexual attraction

It was an all-consu love for the one wo a hand, Jaelyn pointed down the tunnel "The Sylvermyst is near"

With an effort, Tane turned his focus froh the frozen darkness, ignoring the e who had his back turned toward him He could deal with the more obvious threats For thewas trying to creep up on the up the faint hint of herbs

"Good" The kind of smile that made wise men run in terror curled Jaelyn’s lips "No one kills him, but ed "So long as he stays out of e, Tane began to step toward Laylah, his sword held at the ready as Sergei belatedly sensed their presence and turned with a s to the two naked babies that were squire’s hands

"What the hell?" he breathed

Jaelyn made a sound of astonishment "Does your mate have a whole collection of babies?"

Stark fear was etched on Sergei’s narrow face as he pressed his back to the side of the tunnel, dangling each of the children by one of their chubby arms

"Stay back or I’ll kill therowled "They’re worth too e rasped "Right nowoff this mountain in one piece"

Laylahhis arm "Tane, please"

He turned to study her pale face, not htened her expression She was so exhausted she could barely stand and yet her only concern was for the children that whirip

Tenderness clutched his heart as he reached to brush a finger down her cheek

"You’ve been busy, lanced toward Marika’s corpse that had turned to ash

"I’"

"A fine job, but it’s not fair for you to do all the work I should at least take out the trash" He deliberately glanced toward the ht explain how you started with one child and now have two"

"When Sergei removed the spell it revealed there were twins," she said, clearly as baffled as he was

"You never sensed the other child?"

"No"

He shook his head, a chill settling in the pit of his sto?"

"The alpha and the oa," a dark, musical voice said from the dark "The Ge deep in his throat, Tane turned to watch Ariyal stumble into view

Shit The Sylverrinder Compliments of Marika, no doubt But Tane wasn’t deceived The fey had alreadyto get a second chance

"Wait, Tane," Laylah pleaded

"Yeah, wait," Jaelyn snarled, shoving past them to stand directly in front of her personal nemesis "I told you he’s ed to be goading despite his led throat and the deep slashes that marred one side of his face

"You haven’t earned the right to claiive you a taste e’re alone"

"You …"

Laylah waslife and li the female vampire’s upper arm

"Jaelyn, I need answers first"

Jaelyn whipped her head to stab Laylah with a furious glare, her eyes glowing and her fangs fully extended

"Fro he says"

Ariyal blew a kiss in her direction "You know me so well, pet"

"Don’t call rit his teeth The danger was so thick in the air he was chocking on it

And not just between Ariyal and Jaelyn Sergei’s panicked fear bled through the tunnel, warning he was on the edge of doing soentle care, Tane tugged hisline In the sae

His little Jinnass, but it would always be his duty to protect her

"Laylah, what is it?"

She chewed her bottom lip, her brows furrowed "Cassie called Maluhia the alpha and the oa" She turned her head back to Ariyal "What does that mean?"