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CHAPTER EIGHT

Two men in suits waited by the private entrance to the restaurant, even though it wasn’t yet officially open.

“I’m curious,” I said as Shepard parked. “How much does renting one of these rooms cost, especially when it’s not open?”

“Depends on what’s needed. If it’s full service for a small group, maybe ten grand.”

I cringed, remembering the dinner Cross and I had here, then accepted Shepard’s hand as he helped me from the car. His expression was neutral, but I wondered what emotions I’d smell on him if I had his nose. Nerves? Dread? Probably both.

Shepard held my hand as we walked toward the entrance together. One of the men opened the door for us as we approached. Inside, two more suited men waited near a private room to the left. One of them tapped softly on the door before opening it and letting us inside.

Shepard, ever protective, moved to enter the room first but stopped mid-step in the doorway. His body blocked my view, but not the sensual pull I felt. It wasn’t as strong as when Cross and I had been near that relic, but it was stronger than being next to a fae at Blur.

A hum of energy spread out from my necklace, protecting me enough to control my desires, but I still felt a teasing edge of it.

“You’re just in time for lunch,” I heard Effora say, explaining the pull I felt. “Do you like the presentation?”

“No,” Shepard said, sounding strangled.

Curious, I peeked around him, and the view had me cringing.

Effora was sitting on the table, leaned back on her hands, her heels braced along the edge. The clothing she wore—a whisper of an ouvert bra and a crotchless thong—was sheer, leaving nothing to the imagination. A loose silver chain connected her exposed nipple piercings to a large jeweled belly button ring. The stone in that thing was as big as Shepard’s thumbnail, reflecting a rainbow of colors.

An empty plate and bib rested on the table right in the V of her legs.

Unfortunately, I now understood the view my gynecologist had to witness, and I wasn’t a fan of it.

I glanced at Shepard and saw the extreme flush he wore as he stared at the ceiling. The man was completely adorable when embarrassed, and I was beginning to understand Vena’s obsession with shy men.

“Please put clothes on,” he said.

“I’m wearing clothes,” Effora said, “and I don’t remember inviting a third party.”

I shrugged at her, pushed Shepard into the room, and closed the door behind us.

“Where Shepard goes, I go.” I took his hand and led him to the head of the table, the farthest away from her display. He pulled out the chair. Before I could sit, he took the seat and pulled me onto his lap, using me like a shield.

When Effora saw her efforts were in vain, she discarded the plate and stood.

“Let’s get to the point of this, Effora,” Shepard said as he ran a hand up and down my back. “You said you have information on Orphia’s location. Where is she?”

Effora’s pale blue eyes narrowed briefly, and I felt another way of desire hit me. Then another and another. My necklace thrummed as it worked to suppress the effects of Effora’s allure, but she was queen for a reason.

Waves of need pulled at me. I angled myself into Shepard and tucked my face against his shoulder. Whether to hide from Effora or breathe him in, I couldn’t be sure. His hand settled on the back of my head, not trapping or dictating but cradling it. My breath caught, and I tipped my head to kiss his neck. He shivered beneath me.

“Effora, stop what you’re doing,” Shepard said.

“Why, when I can feel your delicious reaction to her? I think she needs more assistance. Once you’re finished with her, you can finish me while she recovers.”

Understanding what she was doing, I tried to resist the waves of sensual magic battering at me. Ducking my head against Shepard’s chest, I focused on my breathing and his pulse. It was racing, proving he was struggling too. His hands wandered slightly, and he kept pulling them back.

Was it because Shepard affected me or because of Effora’s magic? I reached up to touch my necklace, wondering why it wasn’t blocking more. Had Asherah oversold its strength to Cross? Humans had taken it from me once before. It wasn’t blocking fae allure, and it hadn’t blocked Vivian.

“Why isn’t my necklace working?” I murmured.

“Oh, it is working. It was simply made by a weaker fae than myself,” Effora said.

“How many fae are stronger than Asherah?” I asked, fighting the need to kiss Shepard as my necklace sent a cooling vibration against my skin.

“Fewer than fifty, perhaps. She is one of the most exceptionally gifted in making charms, though. Not as gifted as I am, of course.”

“Then you’re the traitor,” I said. “Why are you helping Orphia?”

The waves of need immediately stopped, and I lifted my head to look at her.

Her gaze narrowed on me. “That is a serious accusation. Explain yourself, and take care of what you say next, human.”

Shepard growled as he held me, and I subtly patted his chest.

“I’m wearing a protection necklace made by an exceptionally gifted fae, and yet it did nothing to stop Vivian from attacking me because of the necklace he wore. Meaning he had something more powerful—and by your own admission, you’re the most powerful fae in the area.”

“I am the most powerful of all the fae living in the human realm. And Asherah is one of the most powerful fae in the area.”

“Are you saying someone else made the necklace for Vivian?"

She lifted one shoulder and sat at the table, dragging a glass of red wine to her.

“I’m tired of your secrets, Effora,” Shepard said. “You wanted me to come here to discuss Orphia, but you won’t answer even the simplest questions. What are you hiding?”

“I’m not hiding anything.” She looked away, which was uncharacteristic of her. And the way she was clutching her wine glass was a little odd.

“I’ll let you feed off Shepard if you answer our questions,” I said.

Her head whipped around to look at me. The eager glint in her gaze intensified as Shepard held me tighter.

“But I want them all answered. No secrets. No holding back.”

Effora's gaze remained locked on Shepard, a slow smile curving her lips. She set her glass on the table and leaned back against the chair as if she had no care in the world that her breasts were on display.

“Do you agree with your future mate’s offer? Will you allow me to feed?”

“I will,” he said.

I’d been lying, which I was sure he knew, and hoped he was doing the same. Yet, as Effora continued to search his gaze, I began to get a little nervous that he was serious. After all, with so many people dying, what was a little sex to stop it?

“All right.” She elegantly crossed her ankles. “Ask your questions.”

“Tell us the truth about Adriel and Vivian. How do you know them? Are you helping them? What’s your relationship with Orphia? Where is she?”

“I have no direct association with Orphia. Her representative approached my mother centuries ago, offering his help in procuring the humans we desired. Back then, times were not as…free as they are now, and humans were more resistant to embracing the pleasure we could offer.” Her gaze grew wistful. “Their resistance made the pleasure that much sweeter.”

And suddenly, I understood her driving obsession with Shepard.

“Who was the representative?” I asked.

Her gaze shifted to meet mine briefly.

“You’ve already guessed, haven’t you? Adriel.

“Vampires are capricious by nature. Blood dominates their thoughts, and they will betray their own to get it. Adriel was different. Twisted, yes, but he had a measure of loyalty that overrode his bloodlust.

“His loyalty and his desire for his pet endeared him to my mother. She gifted him with his second form. After she left this world, Adriel continued to assist my people until a few weeks ago.

“I’ve known him most of my life. Played with him a few times. He was entertaining and had unique tastes. But of one thing, I am certain—he hated Orphia. He never spoke of it in detail, but I believe it was because she was the one who converted his pet. He hated the control she had over him.

“When he came to me after Orphia threatened us all at the meeting and asked for a protection necklace, I gave it since I knew he wanted it to protect his lover, not her.

“Other than the necklace, I have not helped Adriel or Vivian.”

“And Orphia?” I asked. “Have you helped her?”

“Absolutely not. That woman is a bane to the existence of all Otherworlders.”

“How?”

Her gaze flicked between me and Shepard.

“Speak your mind, Effora,” he said. “I haven’t hidden anything from Everly and see no reason to start.”

“I don’t know anything, but her obsession with obtaining the rings leads me to believe she means to open the portals to my realm. Since her people are why we closed them, her purpose cannot benefit us all.”

“In that, we agree,” Shepard said, “which is why we need to find her and stop her before she obtains your ring and Cross’. Where is she?”

“Judging from what Adriel said, Vivian is called away often but never for long, which means she’s in the States. Nearby. Within a night’s drive since Vivian had to see her in person and always managed to return to Adriel the same night.”

“She’s in the States and nearby?” I questioned. “That’s not a location. That’s an area.”

“I gave more information than just a location. On that, we can agree. I fulfilled my end of the bargain. You will fulfill yours, Shepard.”

“Gladly,” he said, turning slightly to wrap his arms around me and nuzzle my neck. The desire I had been holding back pushed through my defenses as I threaded my fingers through his hair.

“This was not the deal,” Effora protested. She stood and stepped toward us.

“The deal was that you could feed,” Shepard said, lifting his head. “I didn’t say you could have sex with me.”

“You tricked me!” Anger flashed in her eyes.

“Still want to feed, or shall we leave?” he asked, starting to stand with me.

“No. Sit. Just… I need this. At least, take off the necklace.”

“She will keep it on,” Shepard said. “It’s her protection.”

“I don’t need your fae allure to kiss Shepard. I would do it gladly.”

Effora huffed. “I’ll take what is offered. But I swear there will be consequences if you trick me again.”

Effora breathed deeply, and I felt the wave of desire hit me. I gasped and ran my hands up Shepard’s chest.

Beside us, Effora gently pulled on her nipple chain and moaned.

“Focus on me,” Shepard said softly before his lips met mine.

He kissed me hungrily, his mouth hard and demanding as his hand drifted from my waist to my hip. Gripping me, he pulled me closer, settling me over his blatantly urgent need. I whimpered into his mouth, moving against him as another wave of magic hit me. His hand moved upward, cupping my breast, kneading it until the nipple pebbled, then pinching it until I cried out in his mouth.

My release, with only that, shocked the hell out of me and left me breathless. While I panted for air, he trailed kisses down my neck. I held onto his head as he nuzzled me and kept my eyes closed. I didn’t want to know what Effora was doing. Based on the sounds, though, she was taking care of herself.

Once her low moan filled the room, Shepard cupped my face and kissed the tip of my nose.

“It’s time to go, sweetheart.”

I opened my eyes and gazed into his golden ones.

“Can you walk?” he asked.

When I nodded, he stood and set me on my feet. Once he knew I was steady, he kissed my cheek and led me out of the private room without either of us looking directly at Effora, who was once again on the table.

The guards outside the room were missing, and I wondered if they’d joined the ones outside to avoid Effora’s allure. Instead of heading in that direction, Shepard tugged me into another private room. He held me close and rested his head against my forehead.

“I need a moment before we leave,” he said.

I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him through his steady breaths. He suddenly stilled.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

He placed a finger to my lips and looked at the door. He hadn’t closed it tightly behind us. Through the small gap, I heard the indistinct murmur of Effora’s voice. Although I couldn’t make out the words, I could hear the tone. She was annoyed or angry. Because of Shepard and me or something else?

I waited in silence as Shepard listened to whatever she was saying. Several minutes after her voice faded, he slipped from my hug and took my hand.

“Let’s go.”

I didn’t ask him what he had heard in case other people were around. It wasn’t until we were in his SUV and on the road that I asked.

“Effora got a call from Vivian,” Shepard explained. “It sounded like he was asking for help to avenge Adriel’s death. In return, he’ll give her what she needs.”

“What does she need?”

“I don’t know, but we need to find out. She made it sound like she didn’t have any direct contact with Vivian, yet he called her private number.”

Shepard made a good point.

“How are you going to find out?” I asked.

“I’ll need to follow her.”

“Do you think she knew we were in the room? She was pretty annoyed she couldn’t have her way with you. Maybe she wanted you to overhear so you would follow her.”

“Doubtful. She sounded and smelled angry, not deceitful.”

“Then be careful. You'll have to watch your back from not only vampires but the fae as well. Would she betray you to aid Vivian, though? She really wants to have sex with you.”

“She is loyal to no one but herself.”

“That makes me even more worried for you.”

Shepard pressed the phone button on his steering wheel and called Cross.

“How did it go with Effora?” Cross asked when he answered.

“Bad as usual. But she confirmed what we’d already guessed—Orphia is nearby. She also had a conversation with Vivian that I wasn’t meant to hear. Can you tail her? I think she’s going to meet up with him soon. I need to know why and what he’s promising her in return for her help.”

“What about Everly?”

“I’ll take her home and stay with her. I’ll also send out a message with more information for you and Doc. Get the team leaders involved if you have to.”

“Understood.” Cross disconnected.

When we arrived at Cross’ place, a man from the construction crew stopped us to ask about the third floor. Shepard seemed to know what he was asking, so I left it to him and went to the second floor.

I realized I couldn’t keep thinking of this as Cross’ place. It was our place now. After sleeping with him, I was fully committed. But thinking of it as home didn’t sit right either. But why? We’d been through so much together. I didn’t doubt him or our relationship. Why was thinking of this place as home such a struggle then?

The answer was simple once I was honest with myself.

I was afraid that because I’d slept with Cross and was starting a business with him, Shepard would feel like he didn’t have a place in my life. Which was ridiculous if I thought about it. Shepard and Cross were working together. When I was worried about Shepard, Cross messaged him to hurry home. They were acting like a team.

The problem was me. I needed to figure out what I wanted our life together to look like and then have an actual conversation with them about it.

Making a face, I shook my head and went to relax on the couch. Shepard found me in the same spot a few minutes later.

He smiled as he sat next to me. “I have to hand it to Cross…he has great taste.”

“It’s a comfy couch, isn't it?”

“I meant you.”