Page 109 of Liar Witch

“They took her scales.”

I nod. “I freed her.”

“And left her alone?”

I glower at him. “Of course not. Her mates were there.”

That silences him.

For the longest time, his mouth hangs open before he croaks. “Mates?”

“The salamanders. They helped me free her, and Cassie—”

He barks out a laugh, the sound so surprising that I freeze for a second. “Let me guess, she acted as if she’s known them for years?”

I nod. “She did the same thing to me when I arrived in Marisang. Just dragged me along as if we’d been friends all our lives.”

“It’s just one of her quirks. She spends so much time in visions that sometimes she forgets the initial stages of friendship and jumps straight in. I should have guessed she’d be the same with her mates.”

I nod. “You’re not upset?”

He shrugs. “Are they good men?”

The way all four salamanders had reacted when they’d first seen Cassie resurfaces in my mind.

“I think they’re already devoted to her.”

“She’s bringing four lizards home to our mother.” Klaus chuckles, head falling back and exposing the tempting shadow of his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “What I wouldn’t give to see our mother’s face when she has that conversation.” He lifts his head and grins down at me. “I can’t wait to hear how that one goes down.”

My eyes roll before I can help it. “I bet they don’t have to enter a death match against Adella.”

“No, but they will have to be silent unless spoken to first. My mother might not even permit them weapons if she finds out they did act against her—even if it was under Rinaldi’s influence.”

I shudder. “I’d rather go through three mate challenges than be weaponless around your mother.”

“I know.” Klaus kisses my hairline. “Thank you for saving my sister. I’m even more in your debt than I was before.”

I shake my head. “She’s technically my sister too, now. There’s no debt.”

I never want my mates to feel like they owe me anything. The circumstances of my claiming Klaus were hardly equal, but they were necessary. I know he’d do the same for me.

Ignira is going to haunt my thoughts for years. The lives I might have saved if I’d been faster, quieter, or better. Those sirens butchered by the guards who’d rather they were dead than free.

Seeing what the people running the facility did to those sirens… seeing how broken they were… I don’t feel much like someone who deserves to be thanked.

Casimir

The waiting is the worst part. Patience isn’t one of my strengths, and my beast has been going mad in my head since that volcano erupted.

Only Rysen’s steadfast calmness keeps us from jumping into the ocean.

The lucky bastard has a complete bond with Nilsa. If she were hurt or dead, he’d feel it.

We need that.

I glance across the hall at Nos. He’s slouched against the wall across from Rysen, hands in his pockets in a gesture of nonchalance, which is ruined by his rigid posture.

We can’t claim Nilsa. Not without our twin. Nos believes it would be wrong to seal the bond without her knowing everything. So we’ll wait.