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“We’re already risking our lives by simply sitting here. Cerberus could strike at any moment, so the best plan is to be prepared. Dane’s right. We need to consider his weaknesses and our personal strengths.”

She understood Adriel was scared and did not want to jeopardize their safety, but their lives were already at stake. Juniper was not going to sit idly by while some deranged vampire fuck tormented her like this.

“Do I have a voice here?” Adriel asked, with notable irritation.

“Of course.”

“Then why can’t anyone hear me?”

“We hear you, Ade?—”

“But you’re not listening. I know him better than anyone. He has no weaknesses, and he won’t stop until he has me. Then he’ll hurt me. The fastest way to do that is by going after you two or my son.”

“Adriel,” Dane said calmly, “If that were true, you never would have escaped him the first time.”

“It is true. He’s done it before. He went back and slaughtered my siblings to punish me. We cannot underestimate his cruelty. And I onlymanaged to get away the first time because I had the help of the elders. They’re not helping anymore because they know there is no escaping an immortal’s destined fate.”

“Maybe they’re just gone because they’re a bunch of selfish assholes,” Juniper mumbled. “And fuck them anyway. He’s not your destiny.”

Adriel sighed. “Your disdain for the elders can’t alter my fate?—”

“Because you won’t let it! If you want a better life, Adriel, you have to fight for it. You can’t just passively wish things will change.”

“Okay, okay.” Dane stepped between them. “Let’s all take a breath. We’re on the same side.”

Adriel scowled, and she wouldn’t meet her eyes. Juniper understood confrontation wasn’t her forte, but doing nothing wasn’t an option. She continued to brainstorm possible soft spots in Cerberus’s defenses. Even Achilles had a heel that left him unprotected.

“What about his DNA?” she asked. “There was something different about his fangs.”

“I saw that, too.” Dane nodded. “They weren’t like ours. They reminded me of a python.”

Adriel frowned. “We all have different teeth. Dane’s fangs are shorter than mine. And June’s are thinner when they extend. What does it matter?”

“Ours are different because we’re half-breeds.”

Juniper frowned. “We’re certain he’s a purebred, right?”

“Only purebred immortals can be called.”

She hated every reminder that this psycho was Adriel’s mate and somehow part of her soul.

“We could test his blood,” Dane suggested. “That’s how the bishop found out what was in my DNA.”

“What are we supposed to do, roll up with a Red Cross bus in the middle of a fucking war? Come on, Dane. You saw what he’s like. We can’t get near him.”

“Gandalf could do it,” Dane mumbled as he paced to the bookcase. Cocking his head, he examined the numerous spines.

“Are you looking for something?”

He grunted and moved to the small desk tucked in the corner, where he rifled through old bills and papers stashed in the drawers.

Juniper frowned and looked at Adriel. “I know you’re scared, but I believe in us. We can do this.”

Dane moved to the window.

Juniper ignored him and focused on convincing Adriel. “I’m working on some new spells with fire.” The curtains opened, bathing the study in a distractingly bright light. “Dane, what are you doing?”

Rather than answer, he just stared out the window.