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But I had a gathering to prepare myself for. I’d scheduled an impromptu meeting for later that morning in the penthouse versus holding it right away, seeing as how several members were out of town and needed time to get back—we weren’t scheduled to meet again until the thirty-first, when we’d have our own version of a Halloween celebration. And in the meantime, the rest of the coven had gone off to live their lives .

I left the comfort of his arms with a groan, then stretched languidly before getting out of bed. All drama and anxiety aside, I had never felt better. Maybe it was the three rounds of mind-numbing sex. The memory made me blush, even as I grinned wickedly.

He watched me as I slid into a robe and belted it tight. “Do you really have to do that?” he asked, when my eyes met his. There was no sarcasm in those familiar jade-green pools of light.

All I saw was desire strong enough to make my body cry out in response.

There would be more time for that later. “Put clothing on, you mean? No, I don’t have to, if you’re all right with me walking around naked in front of Holden…”

He growled. “Good point. Leave it on. Maybe wear a parka and snow pants on top.”

I had to giggle at his flare of jealousy. “Oh, please. Do you really think Holden gives a damn one way or another? Nightwardens aren’t supposed to think about things like that.” But Elias had, and still was with my sister if there was any justice in the world.

“It doesn’t matter what they’re supposed to think. Any man with blood in his veins and a pulse couldn’t help but fantasize about you.”

“I hope that doesn’t sour your opinion of him.”

“The fact that he wants to kill me is reason enough to sour me, thanks.” He slid into his jeans with a grimace in my direction.

“That’s his job. It’s how he’s wired. He’ll come around.” With that, I opened the bedroom door.

Holden rushed in, almost knocking me aside as he hurled himself at Gentry.

Before I could cry out in surprise, he had him by the throat and up against the wall.

“Holden! What are you doing?” I ran to him, pulled on his arm.

It was no use.

“What’s he doing here?” he snarled.

Gentry’s face was red, but he somehow maintained his composure even though Holden was slowly strangling him.

“Put him down.” I stared daggers at my Nightwarden. “Damn it, we’ve discussed this.”

Holden bared his fangs.

Gentry didn’t so much as blink.

The two of them glared at each other. “I could bleed you dry right now,” my vampire NIghtwarden whispered.

My skin crawled.

“I know you could,” Gentry gasped.

“What’s stopping me, then?” Holden whispered.

“She is. She’s your charge, and you have to do as she commands.”

“Bullshit!” A growl this time. “I’ll kill who I want to kill. She doesn’t know what’s right. She’s not thinking clearly. You have her twisted.”

“Put. Him. Down.” I pointed my palms in his direction but didn’t use my powers. Not just yet. “I’m giving you a chance to do it before I have to hurt you, Holden.”

“You would hurt me?” he muttered, still glaring at Gentry. Practically licking his chops at the thought of destroying him.

The amount of absolute loathing was staggering.

I didn’t know Holden was capable of that much emotion—or, frankly, that any Nightwarden was.