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“I have my own ideas,” Dellan said in a firm tone. “And I need to pursue them.”

“Then I think we have a plan in place,” Horvan announced. “Each of us is going to attack this situation from a different angle, and when you add it all up, everyone benefits.”

“But….” Rael blew out a sharp breath. “I don’t know if I can work with former Gerans.”

Dellan sat up and joined hands with Rael and Horvan. “We have to keep one thing in mind. Not every Geran will be bad, like not every Fridan will be good. We have a few Gerans now that we can trust with our lives. We shouldn’t harden our hearts against them all just because their leaders are assholes.”

“I hate to admit it, but he’s right. Eve has proven herself invaluable, and so has Milo. Fine, he wasn’t convinced until he found his mate, but he did come around. And what about Valmer Cooper?” Horvan sighed again. “Sometimes all we need is to see the war through someone else’s eyes. Don’t be the one that closes them to everything.”

Rael said nothing for a moment. “You’re right. And I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

His eyes gleamed. “I think I’m going to need that fourth round.”

Horvan chuckled and pulled the blanket back, revealing his hard cock. “I think we can arrange that.” He blinked when neither of them made a move, but stared at it. “Hello? You waiting for a written invitation? Get those lips and tongues into gear.”

He sighed when both his mates leaned over and began worshipping his aching shaft. But even their sensual adoration didn’t take his mind instantly from their conversation.

We’re gonna make this work. We have to.

Shifter and human lives depended on them.

Chapter Twenty-One

JAKE PAUSEDat the scrolled iron gate that marked the entrance to the archive.

“Good to see some things don’t change.”

“I still can’t believe we’re here,” Brick murmured behind them.

“In Rome?” Seth asked.

“No—inthisfreakin’ place. Didn’t you see the movieAngels and Demons? They filmed in here. Tom Hanks washere, goddammit.”

Jake frowned. “The actor who was inBig?Splash?Dragnet?”

Brick snorted. “Those are some of his early stuff.”

Seth touched his arm. “But not for my dad. Where he’s been, there were no movie theaters, remember?”

He flushed. “Yeah. Sorry.”

Jake smiled. “It’s okay, Brick. I can see I have some catching up to do.”

“I have madesomechanges since your last visit.” Orsini opened the gate and led them to the door Jake remembered. Once inside, however, he realized the only air in the room came from vents. There were no windows.

“You weren’t kidding.” He walked over to the panels on which were painted the shifter family trees. “You’ve added some names too.” He scowled when he saw Theron’s. “Would it count as wishful thinking if I drew a big red cross through his name?” Then he saw the caskets at the end of the long room, and the sight provided him with a burst of energy—and excitement—despite the fact that he was tired.

Bone tired.

He’d resisted the urge to touch them during the flight to Rome. Instinct told him that once he gave in to that impulse, he’d have been unable to tear himself away.

And why didn’t Theron want anyone to learn their secrets?

Jake approached them, still not daring to touch the stone caskets.

Orsini stood beside him. “Before we examine their contents, I would like you to do something for me.” His eyes shone. “Remember your first visit here when you held that artifact and you told me it felt wrong? Youknew it wasn’t the age it purported to be. So before we examine whatever lies within them in any great detail, I want you to touch what we find—without the protection of gloves. Tell me what you feel.” He glanced at Seth. “Do you possess the same gift as your father?”