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She was outside by the time he moved around the car to open her door—and he’dspeed of a cobra “Well done, kitty”

Giving him a patently false s up toward the wraparound verandah of Ash and Janvier’s hohts that sparkled in the quickly falling night The couple came out just then, smiles of welcome on their faces

When their chocolate-colored e as saucers, bounded out to sniff at Holly, she s, petted him with the ease of a wo’s eyes closed in ecstasy at her scratch behind its ears, but it only allowed itself aover to sniff at Venom

“Hello, Charlie,” Veno down on his haunches Janvier had sent him photos of the abandoned puppy he and Ashwini had adopted, a puppy who’d grown into a ra who never tired of play, but this was the first time they’d met

He held out his hand for Charlie to sniff

The dog took its ti lick, his tail wagging like a metronome

Laughing, Veno—to see Holly watching hiaze, however, she looked away and returned to her conversation with Ashwini, while Janvier ca and welcome Venom

Dinner was an unexpectedly relaxed affair—even Holly unwound and laughed with an open delight that ht up from within Not with Venom, of course, never with him However, she seemed at home with Janvier and his tall hunter mate Out alone on the porch with Janvier at one point while Ashas showing Holly solass of blood Janvier had handed him

He shuddered and, pulling the glass away froave an excellent appearance of being blood “What is this?”

“Flavored blood” Janvier grinned and took a sip of his own abo this batch What do you think?”

“Why does blood need to be flavored?” Good blood was a jolt to the systeh vaood blood—is beautifully pristine and perfectly balanced”

“It’s this new generation of va boundaries and turning the old into the new”

Snorting, Venoain “Reminds me of” He frowned and made himself take another sip “Actual red wine?” Ah his veins “Someone has a sense of humor”

“Elena and her business partner have hired a ‘renowned vae is, mon ami, a pretentious ass I wish to throw into the Hudson, but as my Ashblade loves the dark-chocolate-infused blood he is responsible for creating, I’m forced to leave him be”

“Not keeping your wife satisfied with your own blood, tut, tut”

“Talk to ht,” Janvier responded with the easy insult of a friend who’d known hi home a bottle of chocolate-infused blood for es” A very satisfied smile on Janvier’s face “I am a most content husband”

Venoht of Aneera in as o left his past behind in a knot of grief and sorrow

Janvier stirred “Dmitri told us about the bounty on Holly”

“I’ll keep her with et to her”

“You’re planning to look into who it ht be?” At his nod, Janvier said, “Use Holly She knows the shadowy corners of this city far better than you do”

Venom curled his lip “She is an infant” It was a reminder to himself as much as it was a statement

“She’s been working with me and Ashwini for sevenmusic of the unexpectedly serious words “Not the part that involves hunting certain immortals who fall outside the purview of the Guild—but in talking to those too scared or otherwise afraid of directly contacting the Tower” A pointed look at Venom, the eyes that hinted at Janvier’s ht “You’re too powerful She isn’t She’s one of them”