Page 186 of Gates of Tartarus

“You feel... nice…” I say, face flushed. “Like a kitten bunting me. It’s really... it’s different. I like it.”

Awhooshof fire flares around me, the kitten-soft nudge roaring into a tiger inferno, and I wince slightly. “Sorry, sorry,” he mumbles. “We’re only at the beginning of things. I’ll get better at it, Kai. I promise.” Kissing me again, he commands, “Go to sleep.”

Jonah bounces up next. I can hear his footsteps almost skip over, and he kisses me as well, rubbing his nose sweetly against mine before pressing his forehead to mine and breathing in deeply. “Tanaka on cuddle-duty?” he asks, and I smile despite myself. “He calms you down the best, so it’s probably good if he just chills with you until you fall asleep.”

Deo’s arms flex around me in response, and I tease, “Am I getting heavy?”

“No way,” he says seriously. “But itistime for you to take your nap.”

I’d reply, but I’m already halfway to dreamland and chase sleep, warm in Deo’s arms.

Shield and Buckler

Saturday, 15 December – Maela

Feck! Feckity feck, feck, feck! Oh, who am I kidding? This is a situation that calls out for a full-throatedfuck!so I let rip, whirling around to toss some more makeup in my bag. Maddox Smith called yesterday with the bombshell that there will be separate VIP areas at the Livery Hall. All of our carefully laid preparations have been jeopardized. Separate VIP areas mean that reading the guests while innocently circulating will be much more difficult. Heck, there might be rooms where even Kailani and I can’t go. What if they’re where the top-ranking members of Kronos gather? Come to think of it: I doubt Magda will be mixing with the hoi polloi. And unknown rooms mean unknown security threats. Emlyn’s already on edge that Elizabeth found out about the safe house. His eyes have been a stormy, slate grey since Wednesday, and his speech is so curt he’s practically mute. After Maddox’s call, he and the other guys spent the afternoon scrutinizing plans of the venue for the umpteenth time, while I went to the spa, courtesy of Elizabeth. Normally, I love a good massage and facial, but… And now Kailani and I have to get ready with her at the bridal suite, all girly girls together. Ugh. I can just about pull off nonchalance on the telephone, but I’m no actress. There’s a reason I was Tree Number Two in my one and only grade-school play.

Flip. What have I done with my phone? I check my bag, the bedside table, the armchair, and then I remember I sent my parents a text last night, wishing them fun on their forthcoming trip to Napa, when the guys and I were watching a movie and bickering in the lounge. The plain, black masks the men have bought aren’t in keeping with the theme, not really, but will they listen?

I thump up the stairs, reflecting sourly on the fact thatnooneis wearing fancy dress but Kailani and myself. Near the top, hearing the low murmur of deep voices from Seef’s room, I decide I might as well have another rant about the men’s lack of sartorial prowess and all-round insipidness. It might settle my nerves. Something in the rich, dark tones, though, slows my charge, giving me the fog feet of a cat, and I glide silently the rest of the way, promising myself that I’ll tell them I’m there as soon as I get to the door.

Of course I’ll tell them. Immediately. Or after a few seconds anyways. Just long enough to make sure I’m not interrupting anything. I wouldn’t want to interrupt.

Peeping around the corner, I can just see the tuxedoed outline of Seef standing stone still in front of a long mirror, Maddox behind him, running a lint roller over his back. The men are going in early, to reconnoiter and try to scope out the VIP areas, if they can get past the security guards without arousing suspicion. Seef says something, too low-voiced for me to hear but which makes Maddox grin, and the sight of them, broad shoulders squared with military precision, does something strange to my knees.

Finally, Maddox steps back and looks at Seef critically. “Looking good, mybru.”

Seef just grunts in reply, then mumbles something about a monkey suit, causing Maddox to break into delicious, rolling laughter. “Nothing like that time in Switzerland, eh?”

“Fucking Switzerland,” Seef grumbles. “What’s your better half up to? Don’t mention Switzerland to him, or we’ll never make it tonight. Christ.”

“Still at the cottage with the others, getting ready. That or making cow eyes at Reed. I showered first – we don’t all have private bathrooms like you pampered civvies – so I thought I’d swing by and get a ride in with you.”

Well now. That’s interesting, I think,as Seef makes a rude gesture.And oh dear.I feel a slight swell of pity for…Walker? That’s it. He obviously hasn’t heard that Jonah’s already beaten him to it. Maybe this thing with Kailani really is new.

Maddox moves in front of Seef and glances to his side. “Prosthetic?” he asks quietly, and Seef shakes his head.

“Naw,bru. Not until tonight.” Maddox nods, movements confident as he turns to pick up a small tailor’s case beside him.

He’s turned away from me, so I can’t see his face through the crack in the door, when he asks Seef in a curious tone, “So. The little flame-haired woman…?”

Flame-hai– oh! Oh, well, that’s nice. Rather lovely, in fact. I beam approvingly at the Viking, though he can’t see me. Compliments should always be acknowledged.

Seef stiffens imperceptibly, shoulders tightening. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Maddox laughs, though it’s laced with sorrow. “Come on now. We’ve been friends for too long, Seef. You think I don’t see the way you look at her? She’s the first thing your eyes hit every time you walk into a room.”

My own eyes widen at that, and, rightly or wrongly, all thoughts of letting them know that I’m here have fled. I hold my breath, straining to hear more. Yes, Seef gave me a goodnight kiss when we made our peace, but there hasn’t been a flicker of anything since. We’ve just been good buddies. Mates. Comrades in arms. But now?

Seef’s voice is tight when he answers: “She’s on our team. I watch out for our team,Madds.”

Maddox groans for some reason. “Not you too, man.”

Seef, laughter now in his tone, replies, “Ah, ah, ah, my friend. I may have been ensnared by a ferocious little mouse, but there’s a black-tailed hawk that’s circling right above your head.”

“Always with the animals! It’s not as amusing as you think.” Silence, and then, “Are you going to do something about yours?”

“Who says I haven’t?”