Page 41 of Devotion

“That’s the working theory,” Thorne agreed. “They want to take Sunday from you. From all of us.”

“Well, they can’t bloody well have her, Mr. Blackthorne,” Caleb said, striding into the kitchen now that it was fully dark outside.

“What do you think we’re going to do, padre? Hand herover? Of course they aren’t fucking taking her,” I said, my frustration with this day and everything that had happened making my voice harder than usual.

“I’ll take her to the cabin. Keep her safe until we neutralize the threat,” Thorne offered.

“But that could take months,” Sunday protested. “You’re assuming they’re going to play fair. If it really is the fae, there’s no way to know when or where they’ll attack next.”

“So far it’s been back-to-back, hasn’t it?” Caleb said. “They’re going to strike again, and soon. They are obviously trying to take out your mates one by one. Get you alone. Ruin everything good in your life.”

“Right, but they’ll just keep sending more. The way to deal with this is to go directly to the source. If the Shadow Court has some sort of vendetta against us, then we need to resolve it diplomatically.”

“And we can do that, Kærasta. The Society isn’t dead. I’ll speak to my father and call a meeting with the Shadow Queen and her mates to seal a truce. But until that can happen, you must remain protected at all costs.”

She huffed, clearly not liking the plan but unable to argue against the logic.

“Pack your things, dove. We’ll leave as soon as you’re ready. Kingston, can you collect the box Moira left for us?”

My eyes went wide. I almost forgot about that little silver box she’d given us as a housewarming present. It contained one of the strongest protection wards the Belladonna coven could craft. When activated, a nearly impenetrable shield would envelop the room and/or dwelling it was triggered in, and it would prevent magic users of any kind from entering the premises. It was the closest thing we had to a panic room. The only catch? Itonly lasted for two days at most, depending on the size of the space. That was why the cabin was our best choice.

Thorne dropped a kiss on Sunday’s forehead, but Caleb cleared his throat. All eyes swung to the priest. “I should take her. I’m a liability during the day, and we need all the force we can get if we’re to fight the fae.”

The only clue Thorne was frustrated with this plan was the slight tick in his jaw. But Caleb was right. We needed a vampire who could fight day or night. Sunday would be protected by the ward, and Caleb could handle any threat from sundown to sunup. This was the best choice. If nothing else, it would buy us enough time for Alek’s dad to go through the political channels.

“You’re right, Daddy G. Sunday should go with you. Thorne stays here.”

“And then?” Sunday asked.

“And then we pulverize the fae into pixie dust if they attack.”

Chapter

Fourteen

SUNDAY

“Do you know what this reminds me of?” I asked my surly husband as he put another log on the fire in this tiny cabin.

He looked over at me with a raised brow. “Misery by Stephen King?”

I grinned. “Oh, taking a break from the classics to read genre fiction, huh? Looks like Kingston has been influencing you.”

He grunted in response and returned his attention to the fire.

Grumpy daddy was grumpy.

“Oookay, then. I’m just trying to make the best of a bad situation. Excuse me for reminiscing about the place you asked me to marry you.”

“What a silly thing to be thinking about while your life is in danger.”

My jaw dropped, and I took a literal step back from him. Whoa. Rude.

I was about to lay into him when other memories of our time at the Irish house came back to me. Historically, Calebdid not handle my being in danger well. Maybe our current situation was triggering him.

We hadn’t been in a dire situation for over a year now. We’d all grown comfortable, let ourselves feel secure and happy. This had to be hard for him, just like it was for me.

I wrapped my arms around him from behind, planning to nestle my face between his shoulder blades where I always did, but he stiffened and shrugged out of my embrace. A pang of loss hit me square in the chest. He never turned away from me anymore. Never.

---