by Maggie Ryan
During our last phone call, Cynthia had told me she was having a challenging time adjusting to ‘boring’ lawyer life after our adventure at the castle. It had been suggested she take a week off ‘to get her head back in the game.’ Seeing her looking so gorgeous and hearing her utter the word ‘spa,’ I knew that my husband had been both cunning and gracious. While Cy got the pampering she definitely deserved, our new ‘boss’ had a full week of freedom to complete his transitions without having to contend with Cy’s incessant questioning. However, seeing her look a bit lost, like she’d found herself set adrift to float on currents of which she had no control, I felt tears stinging the backs of my eyes.
I had needed my friend by my side at Ravensloft and now, I knew I’d need her even more with these transitions. But was it fair of me to involve her? To be the cause of her entire life changing without her even being given a choice or any input? No… it definitely wasn’t fair.
I sank down into the chair I’d taken before. “Cy, I’m so sorry I dragged you into this mess in the first place—I never should have answered your call at the castle. You’d still have your normal life if only I hadn’t picked up my phone. You would never have been put in any danger, never had to risk your life! God, how can you ever forgive me?”
Cy didn’t hesitate to toss my bag onto the floor to plop down in the chair beside me. “It’s so good to see you again. I’ve missed you. I’m sorry I stormed in here like this without even greeting you, first. I’ve just been… out of sorts… since we got back. Don’t you dare feel bad for a second for pulling me into this. That’s what best friends are for.” She grabbed my hands in hers, giving them a gentle squeeze. “Honestly, I think I’ve been having a tough time because I miss Ravensloft even though my memories seem—surreal. The castle, training, my crystals, the magic, the pack, just the whole adventure of it all. Although it seems unreal, looking back on it, it made the work we were doing here seem sort of silly. Don’t get me wrong. I love kicking ass in a courtroom, but… listening to some client whine about how innocent he is when my gut is telling me he’s guilty as sin… and then doing everything in my power to get him off whatever charge he’s facing… well, in the grand scheme of things, it does seem rather pointless.”
She was verbalizing the very thoughts that had run through my mind as I’d driven in to work just an hour earlier. “I couldn’t have said it any better myself,” I said, returning her squeeze. “I’ve felt the same way this morning.” Remembering what Draco had said about our new focus, I knew I wanted her beside me still, but this time, I’d make damn sure she had a choice. Sitting up straighter, I said, “You are more than my best friend. You are a member of our pack, and my family. And while I don’t know exactly what is going on or what will happen, I do know that there is danger involved and—”
“If you’re about to fire me, then we’re going to have a problem, my friend,” she interrupted, leaning forward and pinning me with those gorgeous blue eyes of hers. “Maybe I didn’t make myself clear. While I’ll never truly figure out how all this is even possible, I do know that I’ve never felt more alive—more needed—than I did at the castle. There is no way I’m going to let you kick me to the curb!”
My guilt finally released its hold. “Thank you, Cy. Your friendship means the world to me. I’m glad to hear you are staying on at Ambrosia, Ambrosia, Ambrosia as Deo so creatively named the new firm.” I had to grin as she rolled her eyes. “We might not be in a courtroom again, but I have a feeling there is going to be plenty of ass kicking to go around, just in a different way as we continue to fight and defeat evil.”
“I think I’m going to love my new job,” Cy said, a gleam returning to her eyes that told me she was telling the truth.
“Thank you, again for being by my side through all of this.” I willed myself not to cry, fighting back the unshed tears threatening to spill down my cheeks.
“You know I have your back. Always and forever.” Leaning forward, she drew me into a hug and whispered in my ear, “About that buffet… um, has Balthazar been here the whole time?”
I knew it! She was definitely more than just a little interested in the man. “I’m not sure,” I whispered back honestly.
“He has.” The male voice had both of us startling just a bit. How had we forgotten that we weren’t alone? We looked up to see Draco standing where we’d left him, his feet apart, his hands in his pockets, his eyes focused on us. Suddenly, I had a feeling that despite our whispering, he’d heard every single word we’d said.
Jumping to my feet, I said, “You never told me that not only do you shift into a wolf, but you also have the hearing of a bat!”
“From the very first time I heard your voice, I made it a point to hear everything that concerns you, Cassie,” he said. With a slow curl of his lips that instantly had my insides melting as I remembered how they felt nibbling on every inch of my flesh, I was just about to apologize for my snarkiness when his right eyebrow quirked and he added, “And I mean everything.” Forgot those nibbling lips, now I was remembering every cry I’d given… and believe me, between those of contrition drawn out when being punished and those of bliss pulled from my very soul when being pleasured, there had been a lot of cries. It took a movement to pull me from my memories. I glanced to my left to see that Cynthia had risen to stand beside me, once more proving she was forever on my side.
If I’d believed the sight of two lawyers joining forces would fluster Draco, I’d thought wrong. His smile never wavered as Cynthia’s brow scrunched up as if trying to work out a problem. “Back to my question. The week before last there was a lot of noise in the office and construction trucks pulling up to the parking deck all of the time. Was Baal a part of all that?” Cynthia asked.
“Perhaps,” he answered with a sly smile.
“And what of Andrew?” Cy asked.
“He has already accepted the position—weeks ago. Returning from the castle, Andrew showed interest to Baal in continuing to aid the Ambrosia family. He was immediately added to the payroll and has become Baal’s assistant.”
At that pronouncement, I had to give a little laugh, my eyes rolling. “Of course he has. That guy has been dreaming of this lifestyle since the day his mom signed him up for his first taekwondo lesson.”
Draco finally moved, his hands pulling from his pockets as he gestured toward the door. “Ladies, shall we see for ourselves what our Balthazar has been up to?” There was a definite tone of teasing in his voice despite the small bow he made in our direction.
As he led us down the hall, we were treated to a delighted squeal from Dolly as she gave us all a little wave.
Cynthia and I both wiggled our fingers in her direction though we immediately looked at each other. “I wonder how Debbi feels about being fired,” Cy said softly.
“I’m pretty sure she is thrilled,” I said, enough time having passed for me to process Debbi’s situation. I smiled at the disbelief I saw in Cy’s expression. “Of course, I could be wrong. I mean, perhaps she’d rather be slaving away at her computer instead of praying her soufflé doesn’t fall.”
“What on earth are you talking about?” Cy demanded.
I laughed and filled her in on how our former secretary was living in Paris and attending culinary school.
“Wow, that’s great,” Cy said, glancing back toward the reception area before turning to me with a smile. “They do say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. And now, well, add a degree from the best culinary institution in the world, I’m willing to bet our friend snags some Frenchman before we know it.”
“I don’t know,” I said, looking up at the man who had remained quiet as Cy and I discussed our friend. “I’d be willing to bet that Debbi will set her sights on a country to the south of France.”
Cynthia also looked at Draco and nodded. “Well, if she learns how to make baklava like Aunt Margaret’s, she’ll have to fight off all those sexy Greek demi-gods who want to kneel at her feet in no time.”
/> Draco didn’t speak, but as we stepped into the elevator, I did feel his fingers move from just pressing against my lower back to giving it a soft caress. That small, subtle slide of his touch and Cy’s remark reminded me that not only was this man my guardian, he was my mate as well. I looked up to see him looking down, his eyes going darker with an unspoken reminder that having a Greek kneel at my feet was nothing short of heaven. That look and touch felt reassuring on this strange day.
“Wouldn’t that be wonderful,” Cynthia asked.
I wondered if she was aware of the slight hint of wistfulness in her tone. As the elevator doors slid closed and Draco pushed a button marked ‘1,’ the red light illuminating, I said, “It would be beyond wonderful.”
Reaching the lowest floor, the doors opened, revealing Deo’s right-hand man. Though he stood with his back to us, I’d recognize Balthazar Ambrosia anywhere. He stood in his classic pose, hands on his slim hips, light brown hair hanging straight down to his shoulders. He turned and his gaze met mine, but the moment Cynthia stepped out of the elevator, it was like I had disappeared. I watched as his green eyes flashed with pleasure and his lips curled slowly to reveal white teeth in a smile that lit his entire face.
“I believe you remember Balthazar, Cynthia?” Draco asked Cy.
Cy’s already large blue eyes went absolutely doe-y as they roved over the work of art that was Balthazar Ambrosia and any doubt that I had before vanished. The only way this woman was going to enjoy a buffet was if the Greek demi-god was the only dish being served. She was a goner even if she didn’t know it yet.
Wide white smiles of mutual appreciation stretched across both of their faces.
“Hello, again,” Cynthia purred, holding her hand out demurely toward Baal.
“Cynthia. Such a pleasure to be reacquainted with your beauty.” Eyes locked on her, Baal took her hand in his, raising it to his lips and placing a gentle kiss there. “That dress is simply stunning on you.”
“This old thing?” Cy said, running her free hand down her hip, her flesh pale against the vivid red of the fabric. “It’s just something I threw on at the last minute.”
I’d never seen the dress before so had a hard time believing it was some ‘old thing’. But I did not have any problem at all picturing this man offering to tear it from her if that would make her happy. It took me a second to realize that Baal was chuckling.
“What?” I said, realizing I’d been off in fantasyland when he’d obviously said something to me.
“I was saying that I’m very glad to be working with you both again. Cassandra, your bampas—I mean, your mates,” Baal jokingly corrected himself before continuing, “have found you three young lawyers new, better careers.”
I barely managed not to roll my eyes at the Greek word meaning ‘Papa’. No one had delighted in Deo’s sudden taking me in hand more than Balthazar did. And now, being mated to Draco as well, I knew that if I showed irritation, the teasing would only grow worse. I was saved from having to come back with a snappy reply when I was suddenly embraced in a tight hug.
“Cass!” Andrew said, lifting me off my feet. “I’ve missed you.”
Despite my upset of that day, I couldn’t help but grin at his enthusiasm. “It’s good to see you, too, Andrew.” After he put me down, I held him at arm’s length and looked him over. A happy grin spread over Andrew’s boyish face. His brushed back sandy-blond hair gleamed under the fluorescent lights. His trim body was even more toned than I remembered. He had been working out, his shoulders larger than before, his biceps straining against his shirtsleeves. “Have you been down here since we got back?”
A sheepish look crossed his face. “Yeah. Baal brought me straight here from the castle and I haven’t really left. We have cots in the back and I’ve introduced Baal to Hibernia. Turns out he has acquired a taste for pub food. We’ve been working on the gym nonstop while you were on your… err… honeymoon.” Andrew nervously rubbed at the back of his reddening neck. “Congratulations, by the way, to both of you.”
“Thank you,” Draco said graciously.
Though we’d not attempted to keep the change in our dynamic a secret, the fact that Deo, Draco, and I had formed an unbreakable bond, a trinity pact, was obvious without having to say a word, I knew that Andrew hadn’t quite trusted Deo to be able to make me happy. Now I couldn’t help but hope it wouldn’t be too awkward for him to adjust to me having two rather bossy, alpha males giving me their attention. When I felt a shake of my arm, I realized I really needed to stop this drifting off and fantasizing. “Yes, thank you,” I said.
Andrew looked a bit perplexed, but released my arm. “I was telling you and Cynthia that this work is so much cooler than what we were doing before. Fighting evil, training to battle, getting to use enchanted weapons,” Andrew said, his blue eyes shining. “We’ve been working hard to get this place in tiptop shape. This gym blows away any place I’ve ever worked out. You’ve got to check out the equipment Deo bought us.”
“Yes, Andrew’s right,” Baal said. “Ladies, when you can throw daggers and wield crystals as well as you can, why waste your time in a mundane courtroom?” Gesturing wide at the space surrounding us, he crowed, “Look around you.”
The entire first floor had been transformed. It didn’t look like any gym I had ever seen. Not even in a movie. The floor was covered in thick pads. There were the usual benches and weights, a few punching bags, a couple of those fancy spin bikes, and a wall of treadmills. But other than those, it was clear that this wasn’t just a place to work on your pecs—this was a training ground for battle. Weapons covered the walls—ancient, powerful armaments, full of magic. Daggers, crystals, and other implements had been created by an enchantress hundreds of years ago for the sole reason to help fight against evil. Each one fashioned in defense against the darkness, the curse that threatened to destroy the entire Ambrosia dynasty.
Clear pouches of purple crystals hung from pegs. I remembered them well. They were the magic of choice for Cynthia. She was lightning fast and brave. Coming within inches of a demon, she had defeated him by stabbing him in the eye with one. I shuddered at the memory of my own hand to hand combat. As I watched, Cy approached the wall, a gleam in her eye that told of how much she’d enjoyed holding the glittering crystals in her hand. I saw another pair of eyes gleaming as Baal followed behind her… though I was willing to bet my life that the gleam in his was far more in appreciation for the sway of her hips so perfectly molded by the red fabric of her dress.
Turning away, I saw other threatening looking objects I had not seen before. A few feet from one wall stood a glass case. Moving toward it, I cocked my head to the side at the sight of something cradled on a bed of black velvet. Were those bones… human bones? Before I could question Draco on why there were bones in this gym, my eyes gazed upon the blades.
Hundreds of them hung from the wall, forming an extensive array of black leather. The iridescent handles of the daggers flashed at me, protruding from above their casings. My hand itched to hold one, to feel its weight, its power.
“Go ahead, Cassie.”
I turned to see Draco standing right behind me. He smiled, canting his head toward the wall. “Go ahead.”
I didn’t need him to repeat the invitation a third time. Stepping to the wall, I pulled a dagger from its sheath. The moment my fingers wrapped tightly around the shimmering handle of the dagger, everything seemed to calm, to balance inside me.
I saw a target hanging from the wall a few meters from where I stood. The red center surrounded by rings drew my attention. Without thought, my right arm and leg moved behind me as I pulled my dagger hand behind my head, my left arm coming out straight before me. Turning my body slightly toward the blade as Baal had taught me, I thrust my right arm forward, my left arm shooting in toward my chest.
I focused my eyes on my target, everything else disappearing. My fingers released the handle. Time slowed as I watched the dagger fly with a speed I had not before achieved. T
he dagger hit the center of the target, the blade shuddering slightly. I let out my breath, watching as the glittering handle disappeared.
A low whistle escaped from Draco. “Cassandra—you’ve never thrown with such accuracy, such tenacity. And after weeks without practice, I have to say, I’m impressed.”
“I’d be very disappointed in anything less.” I moved my gaze from my proud mate to my instructor as he, Cynthia, and Andrew moved to join Draco. “While it was a very good first throw, why not try something more difficult? Go again. This time, the crossfire.”
Baal’s famous crossfire move. The one that had always given me trouble. Never able to keep my feet from rising with the exertion of the throw, my torso not quite twisting the full rotation it took to fling the blade with full force, my arm never snapping forward fast enough to give the dagger the velocity required to have it fly as far as it needed to travel.
A ball of ice formed in my stomach at the memory of Baal shouting at me, “Again, again, again,” until there were tears of frustration in my eyes, the muscles around my waist burning, my bent knees feeling like jelly. Hours of practice and my blade had always fallen short. Landing on the ground with a pathetic thump, my target remaining pristine and blemish free.
Draco’s eyes rested on me, conveying his belief in my abilities and the butterflies I’d felt fluttering in my stomach settled. At his nod, I released the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
One by one, I kicked off my heels, watching them sail across the room before dropping onto the soft mat. Shrugging out of my coat, I tossed it to Draco. Without a word, I took another blade from the wall. Hefting it in my palm, I replayed in my mind the impossible move Baal had taught me in the courtyard of the castle basilica.
I prepared for the crossfire by inhaling deeply through my nose, holding the oxygen in my lungs for a count of ten and then releasing it slowly through my parted lips. With the third inhalation, I moved so that my back faced the target with my feet planted firmly and my knees slightly bent. My elbows were at ninety-degree angles, tucked tightly by my sides. Closing my eyes, I allowed myself a final, long exhale. Snapping my eyes open, I took another breath. Exhaling sharply, I willed my feet to meld into the soft pads covering the floor.
