Page 66 of Third Offense

Mated pairings were notoriously possessive of each other, which was why I’d allowed Auric’s punch the other day. He hadn’t appreciated the introduction of another compatible male to his mate-circle and he’d reacted. Layla would react similarly if she caught Netiri touching Auric.

And Layla had the potential to do a lot of damage as the daughter of two ancient royal beings.

Auric’s expression suggested he was doubtful that I would help at all, but he nodded anyway.

“You can invite Novak, too,” I suggested.

“I won’t leave Layla unprotected,” he countered.

“Fair point,” I replied. “Then maybe Sorin or Zian?”

He shook his head. “They’re too… consumed by this… this…spell.” He blew out a breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m aware I sound crazy, but I swear something isn’t right.”

“We’ll figure it out.”

“Unless you’ve organized the whole thing,” he muttered.

“You’ve yet to say what I would gain from that.”

“Removing me and Novak from the picture?” he suggested. “Taking her for yourself?”

“Why would that even begin to appeal to me?” I demanded, a little irritated that he could jump to such an asinine conclusion. “You’re both ideal mates for Layla. You keep her safe. You make her happy.Howcould I possibly benefit by ruining that?”

He actually looked startled, as though my annoyance was an emotion he hadn’t expected from me.

Sure, I tended to present myself in a more professional manner, but for fuck’s sake, he just accused me of wanting to harm my intended mate. No male of sound mind would appreciate such an allegation.

His turquoise irises glittered as he took my measure. Then he nodded, as though he approved of something. “Tomorrow morning. Ten after nine.”

“Yes,” I agreed.

“Good.” He glanced around. “Now which way…?”

I smiled. “Why? Are you feeling a bit lost?”

“No.”

“You sure?” I taunted, tempted to leave him out here and teach him a lesson. That would probably harm our relationship more than help it at this point, but it was certainly an appealing idea.

Fortunately for him, I valued the future more than the present.

So I cocked my head and took him to the air stream that led back to the estate.

“If you want to avoid the sentries again, be sure to take a different path,” I shouted back to him. “The key is to alter your patterns. They never know what to expect.”

“You do this often?”

“Every chance I get,” I confided, grinning as I picked up speed. Auric kept pace with me, his positioning guarded as though he didn’t quite believe I’d lead him back to the palace grounds. But as the coast appeared, his shoulders relaxed a little. At least until a sentry appeared directly in front of us.

I sighed, stopping to greet Amadeal. His crystal-blue eyes narrowed, his light-blond hair reminding me a bit of Auric’s coloring. Only the sentry’s hair was much shorter, cropped to his ears. While Auric favored a longer, fuller mane.

“Amadeal,” I murmured. “Let us through.”

“You left the compound unprotected.Again.”

I grinned. “Are you upset that I outmaneuvered your squadron, or that I declined your offer to guard?”

“We can’t protect you if you use your energy shields against us,” he said, his tone rigid with superiority.