Page 73 of Nora's Kraken

“You really should be careful to whom you extend an open invitation into your home,” Cas says.

“I called your office,” Blair adds, unapologetically. “They said you were out for the day, and since it’s been a decade since you took a personal day, I had an idea where I could find you.”

“And you took that as your cue to stop by uninvited?”

Another couple of shameless glances, and I sigh, knowing it’s a lost cause.

“Well,” Nora says. “I’m glad to see you, Blair. And you too, Travis.”

Travis smiles at Nora. “The banana bread was wonderful, by the way.”

Her grin lights up her entire face. And just like that, the rest of my irritation slides away. If she’s glad everyone’s stopped by for a visit, then I can stop being so surly that my peaceful day with my mate has been interrupted.

Blair clears his throat. “This isn’t just a social call. I wanted to speak to you both about some developments on Sorenson’s movements.”

All my instincts hone in at those words, and my hold on Nora tightens. Her smile fades, and Blair has the good grace to lose all his teasing humor as he takes a seat at the island and folds his hands in front of him.

At the other side of the room, Marta says something quietly to Travis, and he nods. She catches my eye and gives me a small, reassuring smile as the two of them slip out the side door of the kitchen.

Cas, the only one still in the dark, frowns. “Who is this Sorenson?”

I tense up at the question, and I’m about to ask him for some privacy, too, when Nora speaks up.

“It’s alright,” she says, giving my hand a squeeze. “You can tell him. All of this is on Daniel, and I’m not going to feel ashamed about it anymore.”

Squeezing her hand in return and leaning down to press a kiss against her temple, I gesture toward the island and the rest of us sit.

I give a rundown of the past few weeks, and Nora offers a brief explanation of her history with Sorenson. Not everything, of course, but enough to get the gist of what happened between them. Blair supplements what he’s learned about Sorenson’s involvement with the Paranormal Oversight Committee, and some updates about what he’s been doing in Vancouver.

According to Blair, the summits up in Canada have been unproductive, with the Canadian government having little to no interest in engaging with the group of American lawmakers on this set of issues.

When we’ve finished filling Cas in, he’s silent for a few long moments, staring at his entwined fingers with his red eyes narrowed in contemplation.

“Is this man coming back to Seattle?” he finally asks, voice low and serious.

“And if he is?” Blair asks.

Cas’s lip curls back, showing his fangs. “There are ways to put the fear of death into men like this.”

Blair just snorts. “Don’t know if the bastard’s heading back to the city, but he is still in the vicinity for now until he’s done with whatever he hopes to accomplish in Vancouver. A whole crock of shit, that is, what with—”

“Let’s save it for another time,” I cut in smoothly when I feel Nora go a little stiff on her stool beside me.

Between talk of Sorenson, and ominous threats from a vampire who I know is more than capable of carrying those threats out, it’s more than enough darkness for today.

Blair and Cas both agree to set the subject aside for now, given that as long as Sorenson stays up in Canada, there’s no immediate threat. Still, I’m worried for my mate, uncertain how she’s taken this latest update and the fact that he’s still walking around out there somewhere completely free of any consequences for his actions.

Nora, however, surprises me when she perks up and smiles broadly at our guests.

“Would you guys like to stay for dinner?”

“That depends,” Cas croons, still with his fangs exposed. “What would be on the menu?”

“For you?” I say. “I’m sure we could find you a squirrel to suck dry.”

Nora elbows me in the side, though is obviously smothering a giggle when I look back down at her.

“I could eat,” Blair says, shooting a conspiratorial look at the vampire.

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