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Lainule aiting for us, looking fresh and vibrant, like she’d never been sick But when Wrath kissed her hand, a tear rolled down her cheek, dropping to his fingers He pressed it to his lips, gently sucking it up So was definitely afoot, and I intended to find out what, but right noas not the time Especially since she was surrounded by a dozen burly warriors

The men were hardened--even I could tell that--and while they were full Cambyra Fae, they looked as deadly, if not more so, than any Were or yummanii They were decked out in armor the color of the sun, and they carried dark blades--obsidian daggers liketoto reach out and touch one of them Wrath looked at me, then at the blades, and slowly shook his head

But Lainule ignored ht for you They will protect Lannan, and they will protect you They will offer up their lives if need be, and should any of Myst’s unholy Shadow Hunters arrive, they will battle to the death"

I focused aze away froers "We thank you In this battle no one can stand alone against Myst and the Indigo Court Have any of you encountered the Vampiric Fae before?"

Even as I said it, I wanted to sink into the ground I was an idiot--a total fucking jerk "I’ue "I did notI said would azes did not flicker, but a ripple ran through the group Lainule smiled at me softly when she saw my discomfort

"Yes, you remember now All of these men lost loved ones They watched Myst’s horde tear them to bits, eat their hearts out alive The floors of e They did not stop for children or women or the old and infirm All who could not run were devoured or enslaved Some--like Grieve--were turned to be their allies and servants A few--like Chatter--were saved by the grace of those who could keep their sanity after the change So, yes, Cicely, all of these ive their lives for revenge However, they’ve been ordered to act only when you and your friends give orders They will come to you later this day, at Lannan’s ht I will not be far froh the portal, Rhia turned to me

"What do we do if Myst doesn’t show?" She kept her voice low But I could tell everyone else had heard her

"She will be there--or her allies There will be blood tonight"

We headed back to Lannan’sthe way, I could only wonder aited in store for us this evening--and just how bad the carnage would be

The first thing that happened alked through the door to what had been Geoffrey’s ard but relieved He motioned for us to follow him into one of the side rooms, where we found a luxurious lunch set out

Lannan’s touch was obvious--exoticwith fresh bread hot from the oven and sliced fruit hipped crealanced at the wo as hostess She was obviously fro dark hair to her butt and was curvy, buxoe covered her neck--discreet but placed right where I knew his fangs had been She wore a low-cut vest held closed only by a thin leather lace, and a pair of skintight jeans Another bandage covered a spot right above her left breast

She seeave me a sly smile and winked at me "My Lord has bidyou want, you just have to ask" Her words gave May I help you? a whole different

I sed back a retort and si water? I don’t want any alcohol"

"As you so wish" She dug around in the minibar under the counter and came up with a bottle of Paviina--one of thewater As she poured it over ice and added a twist of liain "My na else, please ask I would welcolass of water to the table, where lunch was spread out buffet-style, I let out a long breath Lannan was deter nuina had set me off with a kiss once But even if I wanted to play in the women’s camp, I wouldn’t pick one of his bloodwhores to experiment with

At the table, I wearily fixed a plate for ed cheddar, a handful of cherry tomatoes, some fruit salad I added a chocolate cookie to thenext to a tall, y blonde The fah they were opposites, with Luna being short, dark, and curvy

"Cicely! Meet my sister, Zoey" She waved for Grieve and Chatter to join us "Zoey brought a bunch of references I’ve been going through thelad you’re here We lowing, and she looked so excited that it was al to and feared But it had let us down too many times

Grieve, on the other hand, jerked his head up, his eyes wide "Do you think it ork?"

Zoey shrugged "Hard to tell In a sense, what it looks like is a spell to separate the energy of the Indigo Court froed layers Myst’s bite, her forcing you to drink fronature froht be able to help you at least control the condition"

"You think there aze and held it

Luna nodded slowly "We do But, Grieve, I don’t think there’s ever going to be any way to fully revert you back Not to how you were before she got hold of you" She stopped eating her bread at that point, staring at the table as if she expected Grieve to throw a fit, but he just sat there, looking stunned

"If there’s any chance I can gain some control over this curse, I want to hear about it I never expected there to be a cure, so I’m not disappointed about that" He looked up, over at her sister "So, you have found records?"

She nodded "Yes And they have detailed rituals about ways to reverse certain aspects of the curse But they aren’t easy, and frankly, I think all of theaze "What’s your guessti?"

Zoey bit her lip "Forty percent…"

"Pro or con?"