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Craggy Face cleared his throat again. “He’s correct. The Convocation sent them. You are their Representative now. It is your duty to care for their wellbeing.”

“Fuck. Me.”

The leader stepped forward and all the mirth fled from X’s face. He threw his knife and it landed between the leaders feet. “Let’s get one thing clear. Her dance card is full. If one of you even so much as wanks in the shower over her, I am going to cut off your cocks and reattach them to your forehead.”

A wildly inappropriate snort burst out of my mouth. X wasn’t joking though. “And once that’s done, I will chop you into a thousand pieces. Am I clear?”

The leader nodded, and then he grinned at X like he hadn’t just threatened to geld him or something. “I’ve missed you, you fucking psycho bastard. You too, Judge. It hasn’t been the same without the Judge, Jury and Executioner.”

Judge gave the dude a wry smile. “Good to see you too, Buddy.”

I blinked. Craggy Face’s name was Buddy? I must have asked the question out loud, because he was nodding. “Yes, Ma’am. At your service.”

What even was my life? “Grab a seat. I need to make a few phone calls.” One would be to Titus. He promised me that I would just be able to get on with my life, but how was I meant to do that when there were a dozen people standing like scared sheep in the middle of town?

I looked through the plate glass window at the group. Their body language was all fear, and I could almost scent it from here. They smelled like prey, even to me. I was screwed and not in the fun way. Yep, I was going to phone Titus and give him an earful. But first, I pulled out my phone and pressed the call button.

It rang six times before someone answered. “Hello?”

“Layla. It’s Raine Baxter from Dark River. I’m going to need a favor. I’m going to need Eden.”

It was good to have friends in weird places.