Page 112

Epilogue

A dric shoved his hands into his pockets and stared out at the Inner Harbor. It was almost midnight, a few days before the winter solstice. The docked boats were tricked out with holiday lights.

His lips twisted. The humans loved their Christmas celebrations. Even most of the clan had put up a little tree and a few strands of lights. Adric hadn’t bothered, since he was living alone again. Marjani and Fane had moved into Evie and Jace’s den, taking Luc’s old room.

He rubbed a hand over his face. Gods, he’d hated to banish Luc. He wasn’t just a lieutenant, he was an old friend. But Adric couldn’t have a clan member under the control of a fae.

But Adric was left second-guessing himself. Could he have handled it differently? Sent more men to Iceland?

No regrets. When he made alpha, he’d told himself he’d do whatever it took to keep the clan together, and fuck regrets.

But holy mother, it had been some year. Two cousins dead. The night fae on the prowl in Baltimore again. And both Sindre and Lady Blaer in possession of the earth fada’s secret incantation.

At least his sister was on the mend, and back at his side as his second. She’d even helped Evie decorate Jace’s den for the holidays. Their mom had always made a big deal out of Christmas, too.

On top of that, the message that Marjani had carried from Ula to Dion had put the Rock Run alpha in Adric’s debt. So count that as another win.

He smiled just as a burst of icy raindrops hit his face.

He cursed and wiped it away. If there was anything his cat hated more than a cold night, it was a cold, rainy night.

He should return to the Full Moon Saloon, or better yet, go home. But he was too jumpy to sleep. He’d just end up pacing restlessly around his den.

Letting his head fall back, he stared up at the dark sky.

Gods, he needed to get laid. It had been months, and he was so horny it hurt.

There were plenty of women in the clan who’d be happy to welcome the alpha into their bed for a night, no strings attached.

And he could always find a human female in one of the bars behind him.

But his heart wasn’t in it.

Heels tapped on the cobblestone street behind him. His whole body went alert. He turned to look at the woman strolling toward him in a red leather jacket and tight jeans and knew this was why he’d been drawn to the waterfront.

You.

The last time he’d seen Rosana do Rio, it had been early summer, and she’d been naked. But not, unfortunately, because he’d finally talked her out of her clothes.

No, it had been because Adric was on Rock Run territory. Rosana had been with another sentry, cruising the Susquehanna as her river dolphin, and she’d shifted to woman to confront him.

The sight of her naked body was burned on his brain: her breasts high and slick from the swim, her legs long and sleek.

She knew as well as him that this thing between the two of them could never go anywhere, but when he’d taken her mouth in a deep, soul-stealing kiss, she’d let him—and then ordered him off her clan’s land.

So what was she doing in Baltimore? And alone, when usually her brother Dion guarded her like a wolf with one pup.

His breath snagged. He covered it with a scowl. “Aren’t you a little far from Rock Run?”

“I came to see you.” Her long black hair hung in damp corkscrews around her heart-shaped face, and her big blue eyes were deep pools in the dim light, like a siren who’d emerged from the harbor to lure him to his doom.

“Yeah?” His heart gave a hard thump. He scraped his gaze insolently down her body—and tried to ignore his rapidly hardening cock. “Finally decide you can’t live without me?”

“Screw you.” She spun on her heel.

“Oh, no.” He grabbed her arm. “You don’t get to run away. Not this time. You’re in my territory now.”

She halted, lungs jerking. Too hard. She was pissed off, yeah, but beneath the anger he scented desire.

And because he wanted her so bad, his fingers bit into her arm. “Talk, damn it.”

She whirled to face him. “Dion’s right. You’re an ass.”

His smile was sardonic. “I love him right back.”

Her hands balled, and he half expected her to take a swing at him. The gods knew, he deserved it.

But she blew out a breath and then with a visible effort, relaxed. “I’m here about Merry Jones.”

So she wasn’t here for him. Disappointment made his voice harsh. “She’s okay?”

“Yeah. Except for the night fae prince demanding to know why Rock Run didn’t inform him she’d died.”

“What did Dion say?”

“That what happens at our base is none of the prince’s fucking business. Of course, he put it more politely. The prince still hasn’t responded.”

Adric nodded. He might not like the other alpha, but the man was smart. “So what’s up?” he asked, releasing her.

Rosana immediately put a little space between them. He had to force himself not to grab her and keep her close. Inside, the cat was damn near drooling, it was so thrilled to be near her after six long months.

She shoved her wet black curls behind her ears. “You know me and Merry are friends, right? I mean, I’m eight years older than her, but she’s like the little sister I never had.”

He nodded. “Jace told me.”

“Well, Merry’s scared.” She lowered her voice to subvocal level.

“We all know that someday the prince will learn the truth and come for her. She’s terrified he’ll force her to go back with him to Virginia.

Dion and Cleia told her there’s no way they’ll let that happen, but she’s still worried. After all, she is his granddaughter.”

His eyes narrowed. What did Rosana know?

But she simply waited for his answer, an anxious crease between her brows.

“Tell her not to relax,” he said, affronted at a primal level that a cub should have any worry other than the usual ones of adolescence. “If that S.O.B. tries anything, he’s dead.”

She scrutinized him. “You mean that, don’t you? Even though she’s part night fae herself.”

He scowled, angry and a little hurt that she harbored even a tiny doubt. “She’s Jace’s niece, which makes her clan, even if she lives with your people for now. And her mom was a good friend. I’ll make sure Jace tells her.”

“That’s how Dion feels—that she’s clan. But Merry’s still worried. Look what happened to your clan when the night fae went after them.”

He stiffened. “That was different.”

“How?”

He hesitated, and then figured, why keep it a secret? “My uncle invited them in. The night fae didn’t cause the infighting—they just fed on it, did what they could to encourage it.”

“Oh. Is that why you—?” Her mouth snapped shut.

“Go ahead, ask.” His lips peeled in a toothy smile. “Is that why I killed him?”

She shook her head. “Sorry. Not my business.”

“That’s right. It’s not.” He blew out a breath. “Look, you said what you came to say. I appreciate it. I promise, Merry’s safe. If the night fae come for her, it won’t be because of anything my clan did. And if her grandfather dares to steal her, I’ll hunt him down myself.”

She nodded her thanks. “If it comes down to that, Rui would go into Hades itself for her.”

Which was only the truth. He studied her. “So why are you here?”

Even white teeth worried her lush lower lip. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I know you’re planning something against the night fae—and I want to help.”

He stilled. “And you know this—how?”

She moved a shoulder. “I get…hunches, that’s all. And besides, everyone knows there’s bad blood between you and the night fae. It doesn’t take a genius to guess you might be planning something.”

He prowled forward, erasing the space between them.

“Adric?” Her eyes widened, but she didn’t step back.

He inhaled slowly, filling his lungs with her scent—rain and fresh spring flowers. Without his volition, his hand shot out, closing around her fingers.

Her breath hitched. As he brought her hand toward his mouth, her eyes came up to meet his. Holding her gaze, he traced his lips down the soft underside of her wrist.

Heat arced between them. Electric. Fiery. Speeding up his heart, making his whole being contract with longing. It had always been like this, from the moment he’d first seen her six years ago at Dion and Cleia’s mate-bonding celebration.

She moistened plump red lips and he stifled a groan.

“One night,” he said, low and rough. “We’ll go somewhere out of town. No one has to know.”

Her jaw set. “Answer the question. Will you let me help?”

He leaned closer so their mouths were almost touching. “No. Fucking. Way.”

She growled and tried to wrench her hand from his. Then suddenly, she froze, her fingers gripping his as her eyes went black.

“No,” she rasped.

His scalp prickled. “Rosana?”

“The Darktime isn’t over,” she said in an eerie toneless voice. “The prince will destroy your clan from the inside out.”

A chill ran over his skin. She was a Seer.

He hadn’t known, and there wasn’t much he didn’t know about the do Rio family. They must keep her Gift a secret from everyone, even the rest of the clan.

“What do you See?” He gave her a little shake. “Tell me.”

She didn’t seem to hear him. There was a fraught silence, and then with a shudder, she came back to herself. She snatched her hand from his and pressed it to her chest, face closed. Tiny tremors shook her slim body.

“Goddess,” she whispered. “That’s insane. You can’t kill him. You’ll set off something you can’t stop.”

“Yeah?” He raised a brow.

Tell her she’s the one who’s insane. That you have no fucking idea what she’s talking about.

But he couldn’t bring himself to prevaricate—not to Rosana. The woman his cat had decided was his mate, even if the man refused to accept it.

She grabbed his arm. He tensed, but this time, nothing happened.

“Promise me you won’t do it.”

He showed her his teeth. “I don’t have to promise you anything, love. We’re nothing to each other, right? Because that’s the way we both want it.”

She flinched and let him go.

“Go home to your big brother. It’s not safe for you to be alone down here at night.” He leered at her, hating himself, but he had to get her out of here—and out of his life. “A big, bad cat might snatch you and carry you back to his lair.”

She shoved her hands into her pockets, her pretty mouth set. “You don’t scare me, Lord Adric.”

He just stared back at her until she turned and stalked back the way she came.

He gave it a minute and then followed her. She headed around the harbor and he waited for her to shift to her dolphin, but she leaned against a scrubby little street tree and stared out at the black water.

He waited downwind until with a muttered curse, she walked the few feet to where a sleek purple sportbike waited. Slinging a leg over the seat, she flung him an unreadable look over her shoulder and then zoomed off, leaving him standing there, scowling and clenching his fists…and hollow inside.