Page 24 of Between Imminent Fates

Eve, having noticed her return, excitedly scampered over to where her twin was getting the attention. Jumping into her mother’s arms, the little toddler soaked up the affection. Nina peppered her little face with kisses, intent on ensuring neither felt neglected.

“Nina.”

Zeke’s gentle voice tugged her attention back to her mate. “I have to, Zeke. I can’t fail in this.”

“Then tell me what you’re looking for. Tell me so I can help!”

Anger simmered just below the surface of her mate’s ruggedly handsome features, as it had for weeks. He’d been purposefully kept in the dark, denied the benefit of knowing what she pursued.

“Zeke, please.” Begging now, Nina’s face crumpled. “I can’t. You know this.”

Squeezing her twins tightly against her chest, she gave each of them one more kiss before letting them play once more. Unable to stand the distance between her and Zeke, she rose to her feet and approached her scowling mate.

She couldn’t be sure he would even accept a hug from her right now. Regrettably, ever since Key had told them of the nearing battle, there’d been a distance that formed between them. Zeke had taken the news hard. When she refused to tell him what her own role was, it had infuriated him.

When she hesitated before him, Zeke’s scowl deepened. “Nina.”

The fury behind his gaze instantly dissipated to remorse. He folded her in his arms in the next moment, the comforting sense of home and mate washing over her.

Sighing, she rested her head against his chest, breathing in the subtle sandalwood scent that clung to his skin. Unadulterated love shined brilliantly through their mating bond, and she savored the purity of his affection for her.

“I love you, Zeke.”

Gentle, his fingers sifted through her hair, the kiss of sensation massaging across her scalp. “And I love you, Nina. Never forget that.”

And yet, his promise brought tears to Nina’s eyes. “I won’t.”

Chapter Nine

Jax

A week had passedsince Key had come into his life. During that time, she had been explaining the nuances of immortal society and what they had been doing to circumvent theCitizens’plans. They had spent their nights together, and the woman put up with his hundreds of questions with the patience of a saint. When he lacked the mental capacity to learn anything else, they watched Hallmark Christmas movies, out of season.

At theCitizens’facility, he continued to do paperwork and file forms. Originally, he’d thought about asking to be reassigned, but then realized he was in a prime position to help Key. Jax had begun to catalog everything that went on at his facility, building his case against them, while reporting back to Key so that she was able to fill in the gaps between her visions.

Several days ago, she’d revealed the nature of her supernatural gifts. Though the thought of prophetic visualizations was a concept that perplexed him, he believed her. After seeing what she could do, there was no denying it.

Eavesdropping had become his favorite pastime. Rayn and Barlowe weren’t shy about discussing their plans, and taking coffee breaks at just the right moment made them even easier to follow. Being assigned to administrative duty meant he was virtually invisible to his commanding officer. In the days since they’d met, Key had been carefully connecting the dots from what her visions showed her to what Barlow and Rayn spoke about. Every detail he could provide solidified plans that’d been in the works for centuries—and it made Jax feel as though he was a vital part of the effort.

Zeus was already up and out of his dog bed before Jax even heard her knock. Dodging a waging tail, he grinned at the woman on the other side of the door.

“Back for more already, are we?”

“Can’t help it,” Key replied. “You’ve wooed me with delicious nuggets of information and a fluffy puppy. If I have to play a damsel in distress for your attention, I’ll happily comply.”

Stepping back to let her in, he asked, “Is that who I’m looking at? A damsel in distress?”

“Depends.” Mischief sparkled in her features. “Are you finding yourself in dire circumstances that require you to return to your small hometown, where a beautiful but complicated shopkeeper helps you save your grandfather’s farm from foreclosure?”

“We’re definitely watching too many Hallmark movies,” he chuckled.

She shrugged. “They’re reliably predictable. I find that comforting.”

“I can imagine.”

Giving a final pat to Zeus, Key moved to the couch and collapsed in her favorite spot. She closed her eyes, humming happily, as Jax sat down beside her. The intoxicating scent of fresh mint whispered to him as they snuggled together, the woman’s aroma begging him to take her in his arms.

“How was work today?” she asked.

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