by Quinn Loftis
Peri shook her head. “I doubt you do anything happily.” She stared at him, but he didn’t move. His expression remained as blank as ever. “I cannot believe I’m doing this,” she said under her breath. “Fine, if that’s what it’s going to take, I will speak to Jezebel on your behalf. Now, c’mon on!” She grabbed Thad’s arm and dragged him into the shop.
***
Jezebel took a steadying breath before walking to the front of the shop. When she heard the bell over the door ring, she knew exactly who it was—someone she thought she’d never have to face again.
The wolves and fae had flashed away just a few minutes ago. Jezebel would like to say she hadn’t run straight to the bathroom afterward and emptied her stomach because she was so nervous about seeing Thad again. She would also like to say she hadn’t spent the remaining minutes afterward applying makeup and trying to tame her dark, unruly locks into something that looked semi-decent.
Maybe he’s forgotten about it. A girl can hope, can’t she?
Jezebel walked out from behind the counter and saw Thad and Peri standing there, facing her. Peri had a hold of Thad’s arm. She released it and stepped forward. Thad didn’t move. Nor did he look at her. The djinn was staring straight past her at the far wall as if the most interesting painting in the world was hung there, when in reality, all that was there was a sign that read All Sales Final.
Nope, he hasn’t forgotten.
“Okay,” said Peri, “best to just rip this bandage right off as quickly as possible. We all know you two had a relationship. We all know it ended badly.” Jezebel didn’t miss the pointed look the fae gave her. “But that has nothing to do with me or my healers. We are facing a very bad dude who wants nothing more than world domination. The only way that stops is if you two can put your past behind you. I think it would be best if we dealt with this right here in private. My place is crawling with people right now—wolves, fae, and healers alike. I don’t see any reason to air your dirty laundry in front of them.”
Jezebel didn’t say anything. She couldn’t make her mouth form words and she couldn’t take her eyes off the djinn, who still refused to look in her direction. He looked exactly as she remembered him. His hair was still that stunning, white blonde that contrasted with his dark eyebrows. He still had eyelashes much too long for a man to be deserving of and the dark eyes only made him even more striking. His nose was straight, his jaw strong and his lips thin. She had to tilt her head back a bit to look at him because of his height. All in all, he was a magnificent specimen of a male. Exactly as she’d imagined him so many times since that fateful day when she’d knowingly and very purposefully ruined whatever relationship might have been left.
“You may tell the witch that I stand ready to do what is required of me. I have promised you my help, and I have promised the wolf, Dalton, my aid in exchange for…” Now, Thad finally looked at Jezebel, but she couldn’t read his face. “Certain efforts on his behalf.”
Peri spun to the djinn. “What efforts?”
“That is between me and the wolf.”
Peri rolled her eyes. “I know exactly what you are talking about, Thad, and I really don’t think this is the time.”
“What is he talking about?” asked Jezebel.
Peri’s brow lowered. “It’d probably be best if I didn’t discuss it. Forget about it. Let’s just get on with this.”
Jezebel couldn’t help herself. “I want to know. This whole situation concerns my daughter, and I’m not doing anything until I find out what is going on.”
Thad stuck his chin in the air and looked away. Peri shrugged. “Well, you heard her. What do you have to say to that?”
Thad looked down at Peri. “I did not hear her. I have lost the ability to hear witches. It is a strange phenomenon. It happens sometimes.”
Peri growled. “This is ridiculous. She said she wants to know what’s going on with you before she agrees to work with you.”
“Tell the witch my affairs have long ceased being any concern of hers. Ask the witch if she is willing to play her part in helping the healers. Tell the witch the sooner this business is done, the sooner I can get on to … more important things. Things that have nothing to do with her or her daughter or any of the healers, for that matter. I came here because I was bored. I am quickly becoming annoyed.”
“Seriously, Jezebel,” said Peri. “Don’t worry about it. It’s just more of Thad’s nonsense. It has nothing to do with Anna. Let’s just get this business over with.”
Jezebel gaped. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She had no idea how this meeting was going to go, though she’d rehearsed it a million times in her head over the long years since the incident. None of those fantasies involved the presence of a high fae and Thadrick acting like a spoiled toddler. Though, now that she thought about it, they probably should have. The djinn was acting exactly the same as he always did. Like a complete ass.
She knew she’d have to be the bigger person. That had always been the case with Thad. That’s okay, she would do it for her daughter. “Thad, I’m sorry,” said Jezebel when she’d finally found her voice again. Thad didn’t acknowledge her.
Peri huffed. “Thad, she said she’s sorry.”
“Tell the witch she has nothing to be sorry for,” Thad replied.
“Really, Thadrick,” said Jezebel, “you’re just going to pretend nothing happened?”
Again, the djinn did not respond. Peri repeated, her voice rising, “She said, ‘You’re just going to pretend nothing happened?’”
“Tell the witch I don’t know what she’s talking about, and I have no desire to know. Tell her I simply want to complete my tasks and go on my way.”
“Stop calling me the witch,” Jezebel yelled. So much for being the bigger person. “You know my name.”
Thad didn’t acknowledge her. “Okay, that’s it,” snapped Peri. “I agreed to speak to her on your behalf, not listen on your behalf. That wasn’t part of the deal. Quit making me repeat what she says.”
Thadrick pursued his lips. “You have caught me on a technicality. What you say is true. Our bargain did not include relaying the witch’s words to me. Tell the witch of course I know her name. I know the name of all supernatural beings.”
Jezebel ground her teeth. “Then why don’t you use it?” she spat.
“Tell the witch it’s nothing personal. It’s simply a matter of convenience for me. Sometimes, it’s easier for me to do my job when I classify supernaturals according to their race or supernatural ability instead of actually naming them.”
An avalanche of emotions warred within Jezebel. She wanted to scream at Thadrick. She wanted to slap him across his face. She wanted to cry, but she wouldn’t give Thad the satisfaction. “Fine,” she said through gritted teeth. She turned to Peri. “You, tell the djinn that I will not discuss the spell book until he acknowledges my apology.”
“Jezebel.” Peri’s voice was pleading but the witch ignored it.
“Those are my terms,” she snapped. Jezebel stood as straight as possible and crossed her arms, thrusting her own chin the air.
Peri looked up at the sky. “I need a moment,” she said quietly and walked away from them to the back of the store. In a few moments, Jezebel heard the fae scream at the top of her lungs, “DAMMIT! DAMMIT! DAMMIT!” Perizada reappeared a few seconds later with a smile plastered on her face. “Okay,” she said sweetly. “Let’s continue. Jezebel, you appear to have some unfinished business with Thadrick, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
Peri turned to the djinn. “And, Thad, it sounds like you don’t want to revisit your collective pasts, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Very good,” said Peri, putting her hands together. “I think we can find some common ground here.”
“Thadrick, I understand what Jezebel did to you was—”
“The witch did nothing to me.”
“Thad, I’m not asking
you to forgive Jezebel.”
“Neither am I,” added Jezebel quickly. She knew he could never forgive her for what she’d done. She’d had her reasons. She’d been so very hurt, and she just wanted him to hurt as badly as she had. Two wrongs did not make a right. No matter what century it was. But she didn’t want him to hate her, either. And it wasn’t just because he was the most powerful thing walking on two legs. They had some good times together … before.
“Good, because that would never happen,” said Thad quickly.
Peri smiled. “Wait, I thought you said Jezebel did nothing to you. If that’s the case, then why would you never forgive her?”
“Do not try to trick me, Perizada of the fae. I’m older and wiser than you.”
“You’re definitely older,” said Peri. “We can talk about who’s wiser later. If you admit Jezebel did something terrible to you, then you’d have to admit her actions hurt you, wouldn’t you, Thad?”
Jezebel leaned forward, desperate for Thad’s response. The djinn said nothing for several moments.
“You are not incorrect, Perizada.”
Jezebel’s mouth fell open.
“And if you admit her actions hurt you, then you’d also have to admit that you cared about her, that your relationship wasn’t just a casual fling.”
Again, Thad hesitated. Jezebel was practically on her tiptoes. She couldn’t contain herself any longer. “Thad, I’m so sorry. Please…”
“Do not speak to me,” he roared. Jezebel flinched and shrank back.
Peri appeared unfazed. “Thadrick, that’s not polite.”
“Polite? Polite! You want to lecture me about what’s polite. She brought another man into MY bed! I am a djinn. My family is powerful, old, and respected. She made me into a laughingstock! I should have destroyed her the way she destroyed me. I should have done it then and I should do it now!”
Jezebel took a trembling step backward. Her heart raced.
“But you didn’t,” said Peri quietly. “Why?”
Again, Thad went silent. Seconds stretched into minutes. Try as she might, Jezebel couldn’t keep the tears from her eyes. It was all she could do to keep herself together. She was just about to tell Peri they should leave when Thad finally spoke.
“Because I cared about her.”
Peri held her fingers in the shape of a gun. “Bingo!” she said in a tone Jezebel thought was entirely too cheery for the situation. “And you still do.”
“Maybe I do.” He turned his eyes on Jezebel. “But that doesn’t matter, I will never forgive her.”
“Like I said before,” said Peri, “no one is asking you to. I just need you to work with her for a short time. Can you do that?”
“I can.”
“Is that okay with you?” Peri asked Jezebel.
The witch’s voice was anything but steady when she replied. “Yes,” she whispered, wiping the tears from her eyes. There was so much more she wanted to say. Seeing him now after so many years, she realized what a mistake she’d made. It wasn’t just that what she’d done was despicable. It was that she’d done it to someone she cared about. Though she knew it was impossible, she did want Thad to forgive her, despite what she’d told him. She wanted to go back and change what had happened, to open her mouth and communicate instead of simply reacting out of anger and hurt. “It’ll have to be. I’ll do it for Anna.”
Peri mimed brushing her hands together. “There now. Done and done. When I took this job, I had no idea I’d have to be a relationship counselor as well as an ambassador. But such is the cross I bear.”
“Don’t push it, fae,” said Thad.
“Now that that’s settled, I’ll take off my therapist hat and put on my hard hat. I’ve still got to clean up this mess those kids made here earlier,” she said, indicating the back of Jezebel’s shop. “A couple of quick spells and I’ll have it back as good as new … or, at least as good as it was before Dalton, the healers, and I destroyed it. Then, we’re out of here, people. While I’m at it, Jezebel, do you want me to change the wallpaper in here? It’s hideous.”
Chapter 13
“I was young during the Great Werewolf Wars. Though I begged them, my parents wouldn’t let me fight. They said I was too young and I wasn’t ready for the horrors of war. I’ve fought in many battles since that day, seen many tragedies, and now I know how right they were. Those horrors were but an appetizer compared to the buffet of terror I now face.” ~Crina
Peri’s sitting room was getting crowded. While he waited for his mate to return with Thadrick and Jezebel, Lucian surveyed the occupants, analyzing them each in turn, judging strengths, weaknesses, and how each might aid them in the quest to defeat Volcan. He noted who was doing well under the stress of their current situation and who needed encouragement. He constantly released a little of his Alpha power in waves, ensuring that everyone present knew who was boss and that he would suffer no divisiveness at this critical juncture of their mission. He also put a calming influence into the magic, hoping to keep everyone peaceful and focused.
Mostly, Lucian kept an eye on Anna and Jewel. He’d been terrified when the two healers had attacked Peri. He’d felt every physical blow his mate had taken, as well as felt her fear that she might not actually be able to defeat Jewel. Though his mate was the most powerful thing walking—or had been up until recently—he still worried about her when he wasn’t around to protect her. As with all dominant wolves, it was in his nature to protect his mate. Yet his mate rarely needed protecting and, even when she did, Peri still had trouble accepting it. Sometimes, it was maddening to Lucian.
After Jewel and Anna returned, he and the healers had explained to everyone else what had happened in the fight with Peri. Lucian had felt it important that he inform the others what Jewel and Anna had done, not so that anyone would mistrust the healers, but to ensure everyone knew how serious the situation actually was. After a period of stunned silence, the room erupted in questions, but he silenced them, insisting that they wait for Peri to return and explain everything.
Now, Dalton and Gustavo clung to their mates like white on rice. Whatever they were doing seemed to be working. The healers hadn’t tried to kill anyone since they’d been back at Peri’s house. Lucian hoped the two girls would continue to have the strength to keep Volcan at bay.
The three unmated wolves, Aimo, Antonio, and Bannan, Betas of the Italian and Spanish packs, and Third of the Irish pack, respectively, stood whispering together quietly. Adam could be seen stroking Crina’s hair. Sorin clung to Elle as if he could somehow shake off the memories of the In-Between just by holding her closely enough.
Peri finally arrived back with Thadrick and Jezebel in tow. Though he knew it was necessary, Lucian hated every second his mate wasn’t in his arms. He went to Peri and wrapped his arms around her. He knew she wouldn’t appreciate it, especially with so many people watching. There were few things she hated more than public displays of affection. The wolf didn’t care. It could feel Peri’s tension through the bond. He knew it seemed to Peri as if each step she took brought them closer and closer to ruin, and Lucian could sense her growing frustration. Lucian knew she was doing her best and that without them, the healers would probably already be dead or worse. But it didn’t matter to Peri, and she felt their situation spiraling out of control. So many times, they’d face down darkness in the past. She'd been able to trust her own strength. Lucian could tell she didn't know if her strength was enough.
“You and I need some alone time together,” he whispered to her through their bond.
“I know, but we have something more important to deal with right now.”
“What’s more important than our relationship?”
“That's not a fair question,” she replied.
“Probably not. Though you know the entire world could crumble around us and, as long as I had you, I would be okay.”
“Maybe so. And that’s terribly sweet, my love. But how about we put
off the world crumbling as a last resort if we can, okay?”
“If it helps me be alone with you sooner, I’ll tear the world apart myself.”
She didn’t respond, but Lucian felt her relax and soak up the feelings of peace and comfort he was sending her through their bond. The reprieve was only short-lived.
“Okay, everybody, listen up,” Peri said to the room. Lucian smirked. His mate had put on her camp counselor voice. It was the tone that said ‘I love each and every one of you, but I’m about to give you some bad news, and you’re going to have to eat it by the spoonful and like it. If you don’t, I’ll show you just how much I love you by knocking the crap out of you a couple of times.’
Her brow furrowed. “Where the hell are the other healers and their fur rugs?” Her head whipped around as if they might jump out at any moment and yell “Surprise!”
A few seconds later, the door to her home burst open, and six new bodies barreled in. Out of instinct, Lucian pushed his mate behind him, his teeth bared, as he prepared to attack. The scent of the males’ rage mixed with the females’ fear hit him hard, and his wolf snarled.
“I feel pixie magic,” Peri said through their bond. “Royal pixie magic, to be exact,” she added out loud.
“I smell a new bond,” Lucian said as his eyes landed on Heather’s neck and the bite that now marked the previously unblemished skin.
“What?” Peri barked. “Who?”
“Don’t react before hearing them out,” he warned. “We need to be united. Pointing fingers and assigning blame will simply divide us. That is the strategy behind any worthy opponent—create dissension in the opposing side.”
“You’re being the voice of reason again. It’s pissing me off.”
“I live to please you, beloved.”
“Can you ward this house?” Kale asked as he set Heather down on her feet but didn’t release her.
“It’s already warded,” Peri answered.
“Not just the ability to enter it. I’m talking about making it invisible to someone’s senses,” the Ireland beta clarified. “We’ve been toyed with, and I don’t want our enemy listening in.”
