Page 158 of Obsidian and Frost

“Because I need to. Simple as that.”

It was so very far from being simple.

However, I knew what I needed to do.

“As you wish. You believe you can do this, then I will follow your lead as already offered.”

“If this is some kind of manipulation, you should know better than to think the likes of me would ever—”

“I am well aware of your calculated thinking and your ability to see beyond the surface level of that which others convey to you. I am offering because our agendas directly align. I want Velra and Lazriel safe and unencumbered by this unsavory revelation as well.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Lazriel too?”

“Yes.”

“He fed on you.” The corner of his mouth turned up. “Ah, that’s the root of why you’re now concerned for his wellbeing.”

I shifted my weight, agitated that the action conveyed too much in itself.

“He is an intriguing specimen.”

“Wow,” he uttered, his eyebrow shooting up. “Very telling phrasing there, Cassius.”

I grunted and gestured at the establishment. “Let us commence before they are alerted to our presence.”

It wasn’t actually a possibility.

He was heavily cloaked, so much so that only a Celestial being could see through it.

And I was in what Ariana had come to termstealth mode.

Fortunately, he allowed me the dignity of that falsity, and gave a nod. “Let’s.”

The door blewopen under the force of Sylas’ magic.

Outwardly, nothing seemed amiss, as I was casting an illusion spell to safeguard us.

It would also serve to keep this situation from Velra—as it unfortunately needed to be for the time being—without muting the Soul Brand on my end again. I wouldn’t do that to her, not after she’d shown me just how much it had hurt her. And I also liked having it open to her again. It wasn’t just a physical relief from the toll holding that barrier in place had taken on me, it was… sentimental. I enjoyed her having that access and insight into me. More than I’d ever imagined that I would.

I swiftly evaluated the situation.

Twenty beings inside, including those tending bar and engaging in the discussion with the other members who were gathered around a set of worn wooden tables that had been pushed together so they could convene more closely.

I registered vampires, wolves, sorcerers, Dark Fae, even Light Fae beings all part of this risingPuritascontingent.

They were gesturing at magically-generated screens hovering above them that were depicting an image of Warlow Boyd with his throat slit, the Crossborn logo with a bloodied X through it, unidentified hybrids torn apart in a clear fantasy of theirs with a list of hybrid combinations beside the heap of bodies. And then there was an image of Lazriel marked as a chief target, their notes on it indicating they wished to make a public example out of executing him—a born hybrid and member of Crossborn.

Sylas caught my eye and I saw his utterly sickened expression mirroring my own.

He started forward, so much power rolling off him that it alerted the members to our presence.

He was moments away from striking when I shoved him back with my Celestial strength, sending him careening into a wall twenty feet away with enough power to significantly wind him and prevent him from being able to call his magic.

And then I turned on thePuritasheathens.

Yells of indignation, roars to leave this place, and various threats came my way.

They were just noise to me.