Page 273 of Bitten By the Fae

“Let’s go debrief the others,” my father said, interrupting my inner musings. “Then Dakota can tell us what Zen said in the clearing.”

Zen.My teeth clenched at the name. The infuriating female continued to intrude on my plans, her aptitude for fortune-telling an annoyance I wanted to end.

It was why we’d put Shade on a leash. He was her grandson, thereby tying them by blood. Which meant Aflora now had access to that entire line of power, consequently enabling me to play as well.

I hadn’t explored the bonds yet. But I intended to, just as soon as Aflora became a willing participant. Otherwise, I risked hurting her in the process. And I would only pursue that avenue if she left me no choice.

Until then, I’d seduce her my own way—with puzzles of magic.

She wouldn’t admit it, but the net she fought now intrigued her. I could feel that excitement thrumming inside her as she unwove another strand.

My little star loved a good challenge. And she’d just met her biggest one yet.Me.

“What the hell happened?”my twin demanded as I stepped through the threshold into our suite. “Where’s Aflora?” Tray added as he noted my solo entry.

“That’s a great fucking question,” I snapped.

Shade had vanished into smoke after dropping the bomb about Aflora’s Quandary Blood mate.

No elaboration or explanation. Justpoof!Gone.

Jackass,I snarled in my head, furious with the Death Blood. I intended to rearrange his face the next time I saw him. Or perhaps kill him. Becausewhat the fuck?!

I ripped my cloak from my neck and tossed it over the couch. “Where’s Zeph?” He should be awake by now. Hell, he shouldn’t have passed out to begin with.

I should have known Shade was up to something.

He’d disappeared with Aflora, and Zeph had collapsed a second later, distracting me from trying to follow Shade. Not that I could. His penchant for shadows was a magic very few of our kind could replicate, including those like me who were tied directly to the source.

“We put him in your bed,” Tray said, following me as I headed toward my bedroom. “Talk to me, Kols.”

I glanced over my shoulder to find Ella lingering silently behind him and shook my head. I’d already accidentally brought my brother into this. I wasn’t going to jeopardize her life, too.

“She already knows everything, Kols.” Tray folded his arms. “And I’ve spelled the suite to cancel out any potential listening devices. Start talking.”

“We should wake up Zeph first,” a dry voice said seconds before Shade appeared in the hallway.

“You.” I lunged at him, only to hit the wall as he shadowed behind me.

“Calm down,” he drawled, sounding bored.

“Calm down?” I repeated, spinning toward him. “Are you fucking kidding me? You drop a bomb on me about a Quandary Blood mate and disappear, and you expect me to be calm?” I wanted to kill him. Power singed my fingertips as I considered my options.

First, I needed him to stop fucking vanishing.

Then I could force answers out of him.

Because this whole game of piecemeal details? Yeah, we weren’t going to play that anymore.

Shade’s eyebrows lifted half a second before I unleashed a bolt of power directly into his sternum, disabling his ability to move, think, or breathe.

But that little tell of his eyebrow shift told me he’dseenit coming. Which further added to my theory about his fortune-telling abilities. Yet another item I wanted?—

A jolt radiated through my blood, sending me to my knees as Shade retaliated far faster than he should have been able to react.Fuck!

I yanked on the source, preparing another attack as he phased behind meagain.

He shouldn’t have been able to do that.