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“And,” Illiu to send our small kitten into Michaela’s territory, what better time than when Her Beauteousness is absent?”

“It’s possible that Michaela parted ith the Cadre,” Dmitri pointed out

Illium shook his head “No, I can’t see it Michaela would never per of power to occur without her”

Looking back over her shoulder, Honor met Dmitri’s eyes No words passed between them, but the leader of the Seven put his hand on his wife’s shoulder “If you leave now”—his gaze catching both Holly and Venom—“you can probably beat Michaela back to her territory”

Adrenaline punched through Venom’s blood, but the leader of the Seven wasn’t finished “You’ve both got reckless streaks,” he said bluntly “But this is an archangel we’re talking about—you could be the two most powerful vampires in the universe and you couldn’t take her down Don’t be stupid” An order “And don’t try to deal with so that you simply can’t”

“Reckless doesn’t mean suicidal,” Venom said to the other man “As you’d know”

Dh the streets of Manhattan “Stay under the radar We don’t want to incite a political incident” A pause before he added, “If she comes to harm, Venom, I’ll take it out on you”

Beside Venom, Holly scowled, but Venom nodded

• • •

Holly couldn’t believe it She hadn’t iined the entire conversation with Dh-speed jet that was about to land in Michaela’s territory The pilots had gone in the direction she pointed, and not eased up on their speed until Holly told them they were nearly at the point to which she felt drawn

Not Budapest after all, but the e prior to it Where Michaela had a hidden and far hold than her stately showpiece of a palace on the Danube

The knowledge was an eager, dark whisper in her head

Glancing at Veno not to listen to the words spoken by thatstrip so close to Michaela’s stronghold?”

“We didn’t” Veno on a path that leads to an international airport Officially, they’re here to pick up an artist from Raphael’s territory, a woman as permitted to come to Michaela’s territory to study under a master”

“Then how are we—” Holly stared at the backpacklike thing he held up with a wicked grin “Is that a parachute?”

“I hope so, kitty Or we’ll have a long fall”

“Not funny” She went and stared so “No, seriously?”

“Naasir gave rin, his eyes brilliant and unshielded He was dressed in ca with combat boots; it was the

It was ridiculous how good he looked Wild

Then he put on the parachute backpack and did up the straps across his chest

“Where’s an to tap her boot-clad foot “If you’re planning to leave me here, I’ll deck you”

“Do you kno to jump out of a plane?”

“Wellno” She scowled at him when he pulled out another harness

“Co its way further and further under her skin “Let’s get you ready”

Ten erous invitation, Holly found herself juhtless dark of the uninhabited land belohile harnessed to an insane vahed when they tumbled out into the cold air “Oh my God!” She’d alondered what it would be like to fly