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But Ivy was already shaking her head. “He’ll never agree to it. Heknowswe aren’t as good at tracking as he is.”

“What do you mean?” Loren whispered. “I thought you guys were all good at tracking.”

“We are, when the targets are close by,” Lace said. “That’s why Darkslayers have designated cities or zones. It’s not just a territory thing—tracking is a lot harder when a target is far away. And with Ker being as far as it is…” She trailed off, her mouth shifting into a frown.

Loren nibbled on her bottom lip, thinking. “I want you to try anyway.”

“He won’t listen,” Ivy said.

“Make him.Please.I don’t want him to hurt himself?—”

“Talking about me?” said a deep, attractive voice.

Loren whirled.

Darien stood in the doorway, his dark hair all messy, a handsome little smile on his sleepy face.

“No,” she blurted.

He leaned against the wall, sliding his hands into the pockets of his black sweatpants. That smile grew, his dimple almost—almost—making an appearance. It was still a real smile, though, even without that adorable dimple. And it was all for her. “You’re such a little liar.” That voice, so low and growly, sent a rush of heat to her face.

And lower, too. Even while in the process of waking up, her head groggy, her body was already begging to feel him inside her again. The fun she’d had with him yesterday was so good,she’d fallen asleep dreaming of how it had felt. She’d hoped he would come to bed when he got back last night and wake her by stripping off her clothes, as he so often did, but…

Well, she hadn’t been that lucky.

Lace cleared her throat. “I’ll put the coffee on.” She took her leave.

“I’ll, umm…” Tanner scratched the back of his neck. “I’ll give Lacey a hand.” And then he was gone too, and it was just Ivy and Loren left.

And the blue-eyed Darkslayer in the doorway, who was still staring at her.

“I guess making coffee is now a two-person job,” he said, those eyes dancing.

“I actually want to talk to Loren for a second, please, brother,” Ivy piped up. When he didn’t move, she added, “Alone.”

But he didn’t get the memo. His eyes were fastened on Loren, the intensity in his stare making her blush.

Ivy waved her hands in ashoomotion. “Go on. Go. Give us some privacy.”

He shrugged away from the wall and backed into the foyer.

“Farther!” Ivy called.

He took one step back—just one. “This is far enough.”

Loren had to press her lips together to stop a laugh from bubbling out. Darien must have noticed, because next thing she knew, he was cracking a grin so bright, it almost knocked her right off her feet.

“No, it’s not!” Ivy argued. “You can still hear us from there!”

“I’ll put a sound barrier up.”

“No!” Ivy’s response was practically a growl, and she looked like she was strongly debating ripping her hair out. “No more magic for you! I’ll do it.” She sighed. “Stubborn ass.”

He really was stubborn.Darien ‘Stubborn’ Cassel,was right. How were they supposed to convince him to take breaks from tracking when he refused to even dothis?

One firm blink turned Ivy’s eyes black. Loren felt her magic form a bubble around them, the black curve sparkling with faint colors in the morning light streaming in through the blinds.

Then she blinked the black away and took a moment to consider what she wanted to say.