Page 25 of Toward Immortal Ruin

“Yikes.”

“Yikes is right,” Eden replied as the plane lifted off the runway. “The Brazen bull, also known as the Sicilian bull, is one of worst ones in my opinion.”

“Dare I ask?”

“It’s literally what you’re thinking. A life size bull, hollow on the inside. You can guess who was placed in that hollow.” She paused for effect. “A fire was lit underneath it, and the metal slowly roasted the victims. It’s about as morbid a death as I can imagine.”

A bit of turbulence didn’t distract him. “And these were all used in the medieval times?”

“There’s some contention about how widespread they were, but the usage of the Rack and Brazen Bull has been proven. Other ones, like the Iron Maiden and the Pear of Anguish are a little less likely. It’s a good thing, too. I can’t imagine the poor souls that would’ve been subjected to those.”

Nero had to agree. “I like having my own personal historian here to distract me.”

“I’ll happily terrify you whenever you’re in need.”

Moments later, the captain came on and announced that they’d reached their cruising altitude, and Nero sighed in relief.

“There, see?” That amazing green gaze searched his. “Nothing to worry about.”

She still didn’t let go of his hand. Nero swooned. Everything Key had foreseen was coming true, and this vision was no different. Slowly but surely, he was falling in love with this amazing woman. Her compassion and caring soul spoke loudly—even when she was talking about torture devices.

When he was certain she’d fallen asleep, an hour into the flight, he unblocked his connections to his clansmen. Before he’d left for Chicago, Key had given him the smartphone he had no idea how to use to help with his human cover. The foreseer hadtold everyone in the clan to contact him through it for the time being.

As the psychic floodgates opened once more, a collective sigh of relief from his people swamped him. Nero had been sovereign of the clan for centuries, and each of them were actively linked to him. Several offered him the telepathic equivalent of a smile, while others sent messages.

Key was the most assertive of all.Is she with you?

Yes, Key,he replied.She’s sleeping next to me, on Rona’s plane. I honestly can’t believe this is happening. That I’ve finally met her. She’s everything I’ve dreamed of and more.

Good!Her response was positively giddy.I’m assuming she’ll stay at your house?

She’s yet to decide.

Nero wouldn’t force it either way. Given the state of their clan following the Heat, every home was spoken for, but he had a townhouse reserved for diplomatic emergencies. Too many people came and visited his clan lands for him not to have something readily available.

Perfect. I can’t wait to meet her, Nero.

After he’d sorted through clan business under the guise of sleeping himself, Nero mustered the confidence for the one conversation that was of pivotal importance. Nothing would stop the wave of repercussions if this didn’t go the way it needed to.

Risking a glance toward his mate, he confirmed she was asleep. Though the conversation he was about to have was better done in person, he wouldn’t risk teleporting off the plane and leaving Eden alone.

Having asked the other Raeth sovereign only moments ago if she was available, he knew she’d be waiting for him. Her familiar psychic signature brushed against his own as he reached out to her telepathically.

Nina.

Is everything okay?

Nero was unexpectedly emotional as he said,I’ve met her. I’ve met my mate.

Confidants and platonic companions for centuries, Nero and Nina had cherished their friendship through thick and thin. When they met, both of them already knew who their mates were, and it made for a close relationship never complicated by misplaced desire.

Nina had been almost as eager to meet his mate as he was, having a first-hand understanding of what living without hope of being mated was like.

Oh, Nero,she gushed.I’m so happy to hear that. How is she? Where did you meet? Do I know her?

Grinning despite himself, he replied,She’s amazing. Her name is Eden Hawthorne, and she’s a Professor at the University of Chicago and an author. She writes about Gothic fiction and—get this—the lecture I attended of hers was about fictional vampires.

Ha! That’s fantastic. What are the odds?

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