Page 63 of Rites of Passage

Marlena’s gaze roamed his face.

“You are close to her,” she said quietly.

Nikolai flushed slightly. “We have a…connection, yes. I’m living at her place right now.”

Marlena blinked. “Oh.” She bit her lip. “So, you and the Witch Queen are—?”

“No,” he said hastily. “We’re just friends.”

Her expression turned enigmatic. She took a shallow breath, as if steeling herself. “I’m glad to hear that. I know what I’m about to tell you will come out of the blue. I want you to join the Council of the Moon.”

Nikolai’s heart stuttered. Marlena’s gaze pierced him with an intensity that spoke of a long-held conviction.

“Gabriela was the strongest white magic user born into our family.” Marlena’s voice hardened. “You carry her blood and her magic. Your rightful place is at our side, Nikolai.”

CHAPTER28

It feltlike barely an hour had passed before Mae’s alarm went off. She blinked blearily, rolled over, and came face to face with a frowning fox. She swore and bolted upright.

“Stop doing that!” Mae clutched her chest and scowled at Brimstone. “I almost had a heart attack!”

You were gonna hit the snooze button again, weren’t you?Brimstone said suspiciously.

“Why, what’s it to you?” Mae snapped.

It’s late. If you want breakfast before you attend that blasted meeting, you’d better rise and shine.

Mae’s eyes rounded at the sunlight streaming into the bedroom. She snatched her phone from the nightstand and gasped when she saw the time.

“Shit!” She jumped out of bed and hurried into the bathroom. “Why didn’t you wake me?!”

I tried,the fox said morosely. You hit me before you pressed the snooze button the first time, remember?

“I deeth?” Mae garbled around her toothbrush. She poked her head out. “I’m shorry.” She glanced at her sister’s empty bed. It looked slept in. She took the brush out of her mouth. “Where’s Ryu? I didn’t hear her come back last night.”

Brimstone sniffed.Your sister went to breakfast. Although I’m not sure she’ll be able to manage it.

Mae narrowed her eyes. “Why?”

You’ll see.

She showered hastily, slipped into jeans and a T-shirt, and opened the door. The smell of fresh coffee hit her. Mae followed it to the breakfast room, her grumbling stomach reminding her that it was running on empty.

Everyone was already there.

Yoo-Mi passed the butter to Vlad and gave Mae a jaundiced look when she took the seat opposite them. “Do you have a hangover too?”

“No,” Mae said defensively. “Why, who has a hangover?”

“Your sister does.” Yoo-Mi pointed at Exhibit A before handing plates of fresh steak to Brimstone and Hellreaver. “She insisted Noah take us to a bar after dinner last night.”

Ryu pressed her fingers to her temples and groaned. “You guys are too loud.”

“They did shots,” Ye-Seul added helpfully. “Absinthe.”

Mae grimaced. “How’s Noah?”

“He’s fine,” Bryony reported. “He went for a run. He’s always been able to hold his liquor.”

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