Page 47 of Fanged Temptation

River arched one delicate eyebrow from her perch near the koi pond. “And you’re certain you can fool your parents?” she asked, her voice skeptical but not outright dismissive.

I steeled myself with a shaky breath. “My mother always believed if I was pushed hard enough, I’d eventually cave. My father’s the same way. Gregor… well, if there’s one thing I know about him, it’s that arrogance is his fatal flaw.” A faint tremor tightened my jaw. “He’ll come if he thinks I’ve given up running.”

For a few heartbeats, no one spoke.

Except for Leah. She leaned forward, lacing her fingers with mine. “Maxine,” she said softly, “you don’t have to do this. If there’s another way–”

I turned to face her, clasping her hand. “This is theonlyway. I can’t keep running. We have to force a confrontation—on our turf, on our terms. I have to do this.”

She held my gaze, and I could see the scales balancing out behind her eyes. She took a deep breath, unblinking, and offered a small, tight nod.

“Then I’m with you. To the very end.”

22

Leah

Listening to the eclectic group of women bickering amongst themselves, I was coming to realize that Maxine was, in fact, the sanest of the bunch. And that was saying something. The woman could shop until the word met its end and she prioritized the silliest of fancies.

But when I glanced around at the others; River in her extravagant robe, quietly berating anyone who got too close to her precious koi pond, Jordan and Sky squabbling over unnecessary code names, Addison, pacing back and forth while muttering to herself, and Hunter, arms folded, looking like she’d fight an army single-handed if it meant keeping Addison safe—I realized this was a unique brand of chaos.

I’d come to learn all of their names in the short time we’d spent squabbling in the living room. Dylan and Amara—the latter of whom I understood now to be deaf, were standing a little way off, removed from the chatter among the other women.

Dylan had her arm slung around the smaller woman’s waist, propping her up and staring daggers at anyone whose gazelingered on the two of them for too long. Me included. I dropped my eyes before Dylan could launch across the room and lop my head off, but I caught Amara’s small smile before I looked away.

I straightened up at Maxine’s side, trying to absorb the rapid-fire instructions that were suddenly being exchanged.

“Let’s get this straight.” River was speaking, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Maxine draws her family to New York, and in the meantime, we whisk Leah’s grandfather away from San Francisco on the pretense that his granddaughter is having some respiratory crisis?”

I nodded, chewing my lip. “I was asthmatic as a kid,” I explained, feeling a bit silly saying it out loud, “but I haven’t had an episode in years. Still, if you tell my grandfather it’s flaring up—something to do with the air pollution or something—he’ll come running.”

Jordan, leaning against a carved wooden pillar, gave me an approving nod.

Hunter, on the other hand, arms crossed tightly across her chest, didn’t look so convinced. “Why not just deal with the Belmontes in San Francisco? It’s their turf, sure—but we can handle it. Our coven is more than capable.”

From the other side of the room, River shot her a warning look. “If we pick a fight there, we’re basically declaring war. They’d rally other local covens, plus any allies of Maxine’s fiancé. That could paint a huge target on our backs. We can’t risk that.”

A disgruntled frown pulled at Hunter’s features. “Fine,” she grumbled, tapping a foot on the polished floor. “I just don’t like drawing enemies so close to home.”

Sky pitched in, redirecting the conversation. “Anyway, we bring the old man to New York and keep him tucked away. Meanwhile, Maxine plays the dutiful daughter who’s finally agreed to the marriage–”

“Ugh,” Maxine huffed, throwing Sky a look of mock disgust. “I feel gross just hearing you say it.”

Sky smirked, raising her palms. “Hey, I’m just clarifying. This was all your idea.”

River was still lounging around like a regal queen, waving a hand to catch our attention again. “Enough with the dramatics, all of you. We have a timeline to sort out.”

She turned to Dylan, who was still hovering near Amara. “You, Dylan, and you, Sky, plus me, we’ll head to San Francisco. We’ll handle the grandfather exodus.” River’s eyes flicked to me. “We’ll make it look urgent, medical. Definitely not a kidnapping.”

I flushed but nodded. “He’ll believe it,” I assured them, trying to keep my voice steady. “He’s always been concerned about my health.”

Jordan was nodding thoughtfully as some semblance of a plan began to take shape. “Then Hunter and I will hang back here to help Maxine.”

“I should be there,” Addison said firmly at one point, chin tilting up with quiet resolve. “I can help back you up.”

“No,” Hunter cut in, sharp tone leaving no room for argument. “Absolutely not.”

Addison’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me? Why not?”

---