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“Okay.” I try to move, but he keeps me close.

“No, just stay with me a little longer.”

And I do, curling against him until sleep claims me too.

I wake up several hours later, sprawled on my belly.

Rolling over, I notice Amari is in his slumber—the deep sleep vampires need to replenish their bodies.

This is his most vulnerable state, different from the casual naps he’s taken with me.

He won’t wake until his body is fully restored, which is why most vampires hide during this period.

I take a moment to study him in this rare, unguarded state.

His face is completely relaxed, the perpetual vigilance smoothed away.

No furrowed brow, no calculating gaze—just Amari, stripped of his armor.

His chest barely moves with the phantom breathing he doesn’t technically need but has maintained from his human days.

Even in sleep, he’s beautiful. Not just handsome, but beautiful in that way that makes my heart skip, and my breath catch. I trace the line of his jaw with my gaze, remembering how it felt beneath my fingertips just hours ago.

I sit up and scoot out of bed, walking around to make sure he’s tucked in, though I know he doesn’t need it.

I kiss his forehead, but he doesn’t move or smile, just keeps sleeping.

It’s strange to see him so still, like a perfect statue.

I’ve become accustomed to his constant movement, the way his body shifts unconsciously toward mine whenever I’m near.

I walk into the bathroom to pee, then wash my hands and brush my teeth before heading downstairs.

The house is quiet—too quiet. I’ve grown used to the sounds of Wintermoon, the distant calls of strange creatures.

But in here, in our sanctuary, it’s just silence and the rhythm of my own heartbeat.

In the kitchen, I look for something to drink, pulling out some juice and smiling at the fresh gallon of blood inside the refrigerator.

Kade or Leah must have crept in to make sure Amari had plenty.

I pour myself a glass of juice and drink it by the sink when I notice Amari’s iMac on the counter. I remember him saying something about being in more than one place at once.

Finishing my juice, I walk over to the computer and sit down, moving the mouse. The screen lights up, but it’s locked. I smile when I see the background—a picture of me in the forest, giggling. I remember when he took that image a few days ago.

I try a few passwords: Medina, MedinaShadow—no luck. Just before I give up, I type in something he’s always saying to me: CravingCarla.

The screen unlocks.

I move the cursor to his email, and it opens up. There’s nothing but business stuff and emails from Bobby. I start looking for an older email from Alexis and find it, clicking to open.

“I take it this is your way of declining my date. All is fair in love and war, Amari. Best, Alexis.”

I scowl at the message, remembering Amari being honest with me about it. Then I notice the small camera icon in the upper corner. I’m not used to this operating system—we use Windows at the station.

Curiosity gets the better of me, and I click on it. The call starts ringing.

I stiffen. I could end it and turn off the computer, but I don’t. There’s a boldness creeping through me, an anger for what Alexis has done to my children and the people of Wintermoon.

The call connects, and the screen shifts to Alexis lying in bed, taking a sip of wine. Her breasts are barely covered by a silky robe, and she doesn’t notice me at first. She’s obviously putting on a display.

“At this hour,” she purrs, “I figured I’d make sure I’m properly dressed for what you’re really here for. Nothing’s open at this hour but pussy.”

“You’re not my type,” I say coolly.

That gets her attention. She looks at the screen, and after a moment of surprise, she starts laughing.

“Hmm, I had an inkling you two were a thing,” she says.

“We’re fated mates, bitch.” The words come out stronger than I expected.

Alexis laughs again, taking another sip of her wine. “The way he fucks could’ve fooled me.”

I glare at her but refuse to take the bait. “You’re going to pay for what you did.”

“All is fair in love and war,” she says with a shrug.

“And we are at war, in fact. Your leaders just don’t want to admit it.

It’s a quiet war.” She shifts on her bed.

“I wanted to make the spider more mechanical—it would have been easier to control. But my team was against it. This is where Ackley would have been useful. His studies and direct contact would have made it easier to convince them.”

“You stole my children from me.” My voice drops, dangerous.

Alexis takes a deeper look at the screen, and a wicked grin crosses her face. “Ah, you’re different. More sure of yourself. Interesting.” She leans closer to the camera. “Have you finally come to your senses? See that I have more to offer you?”

“I just wanted you to know,” I say, leaning forward, “I’m looking forward to seeing you in limbo. I’ve already put a bounty on your head for my children. A price bigger than catching Aya Bailey. I want your head delivered to me while I’m sitting on my throne.”

Alexis laughs at that. “Dumb bitch, you are a doorway to limbo. Don’t get beside yourself.”

I grin wickedly at her. “Oh, how little you know about the Blackwood witches. Which is good because it keeps us one step ahead of the game. I am the Queen of Limbo, Guardian of Realms, Mother of Spiders, and Queen of Medina Shadow Coven.”

Alexis stiffens, suddenly quiet. The wine glass in her hand tilts dangerously, a drop of red spilling onto her pristine white sheets.

I see it in her eyes—the first flicker of genuine fear, quickly masked but unmistakable.

For all her power in the human world, for all her corporate might and scientific knowledge, she knows nothing of the realms beyond.

Nothing of the powers that have awakened in me.

“And I don’t age, nor do I need dark magic for immortality,” I say, my confidence growing with every word.

A soft pink glow begins to gather at my fingertips, strands of magical web silk weaving between them—and I make no attempt to hide it.

Let her see. Let her realize exactly what she’s up against. “You will die eventually, and I’ll go as far as to speak with Satan himself to trap you in limbo. You messed with the wrong bitch.”

She swallows hard, then forces a laugh and sips her wine, but her hand trembles slightly. The calculated facade is cracking. “You have a good poker face. But you’re still giving away a little insecurity.”

“I have eternity for that to pass.” The words rise from a place buried deep within me, drawn from the ancient power that has slumbered in my blood for centuries.

I feel the shift as my eyes change, the pink silk of my magic weaving into view.

She sees it—I’m sure of it—because she flinches, just slightly, on the other side of the camera.

“What—” she begins, but cuts herself off.

Suddenly, Amari’s hand comes around me from behind, fingers dipping into my shirt and squeezing my breast. I moan and throw my head back.

“What are you doing, my queen?” he whispers in my ear. “Are you playing with our children’s food?”

I meet his eyes, and he leans in from behind me, pressing his lips to mine in a passionate kiss right in front of the screen. When he pulls away, he looks at the screen and flashes Alexis a smug smile.

“Medina Corp will be in touch soon, Alexis. This is after hours. I have some business to settle with my queen. Have a good night.”

I grin wickedly at her as Amari ends the video chat. He stands upright and looks down at me.

“Naughty girl,” he says, his voice low and dangerous.

I bite my lip, looking up at him seductively.

“Get upstairs,” he commands. “I want you on your knees with your ass in the air. I’m fucking you hard before you claim me.”

I stand up from the chair, my breasts brushing against him as I move past. Excitement and lust pool between my legs as I do as I’m commanded, biting my lip and running up the stairs.