Page 54 of Dante's Circle Reborn

Broderick blinked. “One of our kind with a mermaid?” Broderick said, contemplating. “You know, that works.”

Misha looked over at him, his brows raised. “Really?”

“Well, it does. If you think about it. We’re both myths, ones that the humans think they know are true. And there’s that whole breathing thing.”

“Yes, the breathing thing would be interesting. However, I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do next.”

“So, wait. You’re going to use your mate to get us into the Conclave?”

He frowned. “I don’t like the worduse.”

“Well, what other way would you say it? Because we need to protect our people. And you said yourself that you would do anything for them.”

“And use my mate? Am I truly that bloodthirsty?” Misha looked over at his cousin, and Broderick just rolled his eyes at the joke.

“I believe you’ll do anything for our people, including using her.” Broderick was silent for a moment, so Misha looked over again.

“What’s with that tone?”

“Our people need peace. They need a home. They need the right to exist. Just don’t taint your soul in the process, dear cousin.”

Misha stared at his cousin and shook his head. “You say that as if I’ve ever had a soul.”

“You know you do,” Broderick said, shaking his head.

“Don’t give in to the lies about us and the darkness just because we’re on the brink of destruction.”

“I will do whatever I have to in order to protect your young. To protectallof our people. And if that includes finding a way to use my newfound mate, I will.”

“Would it be better to fight?” Broderick asked. “To fight the dark ones?”

“We’ve been fighting them for centuries. And we’re losing.” He shook his head. “No, it wouldn’t be better. We have to find another way. We’ll die if we don’t.”

“And how will your mate help?”

“She works for the Conclave,” Misha said simply.

“Really?”

“I believe she’s a council member, one of the mermaids. And she was sent to find out exactly what I am.”

Broderick’s eyebrows rose to his hairline. “Well, that’s going to make things very interesting for your courtship.”

Misha snorted. “There might not be a courtship.”

“Don’t ruin your fate.”

“If I don’t protect my people, I won’t have a fate. But I won’t be too much of a complete bastard.”

“So, you’re going to change your entire existence, then?” Broderick asked and then ducked Misha’s punch.

“You’re the bastard, dear cousin.”

“Yes, but I’m happily mated and have a child. You are about to fuck up your chance.”

“Well, I do have one chance at happiness and all that other crap that comes with mating. However, before I can ponder too hard on any of that, I need to make sure my world can actually survive. So, I’m going for a swim.”

Broderick’s eyes danced with laughter. “Really? A swim?”

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