Page 15 of The Party

Astarte stepped out of it with Armaros.

“Oh. Sorry, I didn’t see you there,” the Goddess said apologetically. She took her foot off Vozgan’s face. A frown wrinkled her brow. “What are you doing on the ground?”

Armaros assessed the situation at a glance.

“Looks like this harebrained idiot challenged the chicken again,” he grunted.

Gertrude was parading around the back yard under Arakiel and Chazaquiel’s watchful stares, the occasional satisfied “Bwak!” leaving her as she puffed out her chest.

Astarte sighed as the helldragon climbed unsteadily to his feet. “Your father warned you that you were no match for her.” She looked around and clocked Mae and Nikolai on the porch. Her face relaxed. “I see you made it okay.” She gazed curiously past them. “Where’s the star of the party?”

“Napping.” Tomas put Smokey on the ground and rose. “Meeting all her cousins exhausted her. I’ll go see where they’re at.”

Alastair returned to Nikolai with a sheepish caw.

“Traitor,” the sorcerer muttered.

The crow bumped his cheek affectionately with his head.

Oliver popped his head out of the back door. His face brightened at the sight of Astarte.

“Godmother!”

Astarte smiled. “Hello, my little lamb.”

Mae and Nikolai went to get their stuff from the SUV.

Callie showed them to their room.

“We’re so glad you came,” the Chimera said. “Everyone is so excited to get to know you.”

“You mean the kids and the Immortals are excited to see Hellreaver,” Mae said drily.

They could hear high-pitched squeals and laughter issuing from one of the downstairs rooms where Hellreaver was entertaining their hosts.

Callie looked appropriately abashed. “I mean, it’s not everyday you get to talk with a demonic weapon.”

Lucas and Anna Soul met them on the stairs.

“Hey.” Lucas put down the box of party decorations in his arms and shook Nikolai and Mae’s hands while Anna welcomed them with a kiss on their cheeks. “We’re glad you accepted the invitation.”

Mae read the silent message in the Immortal’s quiet eyes.

According to Violet, Lucas and Anna Soul were unique among the Immortals in that they possessed the full legacy of the Archangel who had gifted their race with his powers.

Mae knew then that this trip wasn’t just about the party or the festivities.

Just as she’d suspected, this was a meeting of allies on equal grounds. One that would provide the first opportunity to form the crucial bonds that would carry them through the war they would all face one day.

Nikolai’s cautious expression indicated he’d also detected the hidden meaning behind Lucas’s words.

“We’re glad to be here,” Mae said steadily.

They bumped into Serena Blake and Drake Hunter when they were leaving their room a short while later.

The super soldier acknowledged them with an amused smile.

“I hear Larry and Gerry gave you guys quite a scare.”

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