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“Yeah, Dalli, that’s what I’m counting on if it comes down to a battle.”

Benjamin Blane rolled his shoulders and shifted forward.“I’m going to make this situation easier for everyone.”

Catching and holding his breath, Trevor waited for the other turd to drop.

His father’s regretful gaze touched on him before locking on Agnes.“I’ll take Trevor’s place. I’ll be the assassin you require.”

“Sorry, but no,”she replied with an airy wave.“You can’t be trusted, Benjamin. Your boys will do.”

Her slip didn’t go unnoticed by either Simon or him. She wanted them both under her thumb.

“There are three Death Dealers in one room, Agnes,”Ben scoffed.“Do youreallybelieve we can’t take down you and your crew without breaking a sweat?”

Trevor wanted to scream at him to shut the fuck up, but his father was a pro at escaping sticky situations, so he remained quiet, hoping like hell Ben knew what he was doing.

“Take this one, for instance,”he said, gesturing behind him with a toss of his head.

Blood oozed from the man’s nose. The vessels in the guard’s eyes turned an unnerving shade of red before exploding and causing his eyes to weep blood. A moment later, he was in a heap on the floor.

“Fuck me!”Fintan shuffled closer to Trevor.“Sure, and did you know you could do that party trick, man?”

“No. But it’s useful.”

“Kill them all!”Agnes shouted as her shock wore off. She dove for an exit, only to run into an invisible wall known as the Guardian. A cry was wrung from her lips as Draven gripped her hair to halt her flight. The air around him shimmered, revealing him.

“Councilwoman Vector, why would you leave when things are about to get interestin’?”he asked.

Fintan disposed of his invisibility cloak.“Aye, and I’m not appreciatin’ that you gave up our advantage, Masters, I’m not,”he growled.

“Get over yourself, Sullivan.”Draven grinned cheerfully.“There’s fun to be had in seein’ the fear in your enemy's eyes when they realize they’re in deep shit.”

The cocking of a gun ended the banter.

CHAPTER23

“Guard, stand down.”Brooke Ellis stepped from the shadows.“Mr. Masters, let Councilwoman Vector go and do it now.”

Draven swore long and loud before a mulish expression settled on his rough-hewn face.

“Now, Mr. Masters,”she demanded.

“Can’t do that,cher.”

“I’ve orders to bring Councilwoman Vector and the Death Dealers to the committee. You’re not to stand in my way, Guardian.”

“And you intend to shoot me,mon cœur?”he asked in a soft, almost tender, voice. The excitement in his whisky-colored gaze was peculiar, considering the situation.

“Knock off the endearments, and I will if I must. Release Councilwoman Vector to my care, and no one has to get hurt.”

Draven’s smile bordered proud as if the Captain of the Red Guard had done an exceptional act by standing up to him. And perhaps she had. Who, in their right mind, would go against a man only a smidgeon lesspowerfulthan the Aether?

“WhereisDamian?”Soleil asked Trev, reading his mind.

“Waiting and watching the entire scene play out. Probably eating popcorn because this part just got juicy.”

“What am I missing?”

“I promise to fill you in later, Dalli.”