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“Shh, let’s just watch for a bit,” he replied.

I sighed and got myself comfortable. I didn’t know how good their sense of smell was, but at least we were upwind.

They, on the other hand, smelled strange. A mix of herbs and spices I’d never come across before. Or was that coming from their kitchens?

My mouth watered and my stomach rumbled uncomfortably, the animal we’d eaten as wolves now digested. It would be so nice to have a dinner that wasn’t raw.

A few hours of observing didn’t really teach us much. I had seen some of the fruits and vegetables they ate and grew though, and that would at least be helpful for foraging.

Or stealing.

The sun began to set, and I was starting to get impatient. We’d wasted half of a day watching these people, and for what? We’d come here to save Marlowe. How exactly was this going to help us?

I opened my mouth to let Cam know this was pointless when Kian tensed. “Look…”

If he hadn’t pointed it out, I wouldn’t have even noticed. Another shadow flitted between trees, bushes, and buildings, finally stopping to rest along the wall behind a home. The darkness cleared and a black-haired teenager appeared out of the cloud. He looked around nervously, and then tapped on the window.

A girl around the same age opened it and then smiled when she saw who was outside. “Paxe! What are you doing back here?”

He reached up and helped her out. “I couldn’t wait any longer, I had to see you again.”

With her feet on the ground, he backed her up against the building, kissing down her neck while she giggled.

Ah, young…

He clamped down, his fangs piercing her skin.

Love.

She moaned, and soon things took a turn for the X-rated.

We all turned away. “Should we give them some privacy?” Nolan asked.

Kian seemed the most embarrassed. “I want to say yes, but we need to follow him as soon as he leaves.”

We looked everywhere but at the young couple enjoying their little tryst. Thank the moon for the excitement of youth, however, because it didn’t take very long.

“When will you take me with you?” the girl asked, retying the laces to her top.

The boy kissed her. “Soon. Once I turn nineteen I can start my servaglio.”

“And I’ll be your Lunessa?”

He helped her back through her window, leaning in for one more kiss. “Yes, Vermilia, moon of my heart.”

She watched him longingly as he disappeared into a cloud of shadow, heading back through the woods.

“Let’s move.”

53

MARLOWE

Ifelt the blood drain from my face. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I heard you correctly. Did you say Ezra killed our parents?”

We were close to the entrance now, so close Alaroth and my brother might hear us if we continued our conversation.

Bohun leaned down and gave me a quick hug, whispering in my ear. “It was His Majesty’s orders, but Ezra completed them with no hesitation.”