Crina spoke up. “Not to mention, they had been collecting dormant wolves. Pretty sure that doesn’t indicate any form of truce between us.”

  Synica’s mouth pinched, and she inclined her head. “I concede. Those are very good points.”

  “It was a deceptive form of peace,” Clarion, another djinn elder, offered. “And considering the things you’ve described, I don’t think we can trust the vampire king.”

  “We do need to consider that he is not the king that ruled during that time,” the high fae, Gwen, pointed out. “He could have different beliefs than his predecessor.”

  “Perhaps the successful strike on the Order has given him a chance to break away from Alston, and the death of Ludcarab made it an easier possibility,” Thad said.

  Fane was quiet. He appeared to be considering all that had been presented. Then he looked at Peri. “If nothing else, we will send some ambassadors. If what he says is untrue, then we will look for the opportunity to take him out.”

  Peri agreed. “We’re about to attack a high fae. And he is powerful, though it irks me to admit it. Who can we spare to act as ambassadors?”

  “I can lead a group.” Jacque raised her chin and looked at her mate. Peri almost smiled at the daring look she gave Fane. And she didn’t miss the amusement in the alpha’s eyes.

  “Who would you like to take with you?” Fane asked. Peri wasn’t surprised that he hadn’t shot her offer down. Fane was learning to see his mate as his equal and powerful in her own right. Though she had no doubt there was an internal struggle going on inside of him.

  “Jen, Zara, Crina…” Jacque glanced over at Sally who gave her a small shake of her head. Then she looked at Bethany.

  “I think I should stay here and take care of the kiddos. I’d say guard the home front, but let’s just be real. I’m about as useful as…” Bethany paused as if looking for an analogy.

  “Tits on a bull?” Jen offered up.

  “It’s teats,” Sally said.

  Jen shook her head. “I’m pretty sure it’s tits.”

  Jacque raised a brow. “Hmm, nope, it’s definitely not that.”

  “Not what?” Jen asked.

  “Tits,” Jacque answered and then groaned when Jen giggled. “You just wanted me to say it.”

  Peri couldn’t help her own chuckle. She’d missed the nonsensical bantering of the girls while she’d been out acting like a lunatic vigilante.

  “Teats,” Adam spoke up as he looked at his phone, “are, and I quote, ‘a nipple of the mammary gland of a female mammal, from which the milk is sucked by the young.’” He put the phone down and then smirked. “I can also read the definition of tits if I need to.”

  Crina groaned. “You just did that so you could say tits, nipple, and sucked all in the same sentence.”

  Jen held up her hand. “Air high five, brother from another mother … and era.”

  Adam lifted his arm and pretended to slap Jen’s hand then leaned over and smacked a kiss on his mate’s cheek. “And I just got you to say them.”

  “Tits,” Wadim said, for seemingly no reason whatsoever.

  “Bloody hell.” Decebel tilted his head back and looked up as if praying for the ceiling to open up and suck the fools from the room.

  “Wow.” Lorna’s eyes were wide as they bounced between the speakers. “It’s like watching a bunch of fifteen-year-old boys snicker about sex.”

  “This is actually quite tame,” Lilly said dryly.

  “She’s not wrong,” Sally added. “Jen’s favorite word is puss–”

  “Nope.” Costin cut her off with a gentle tug of her hair.

  She gave him a death glare and said, “I was going to say pussycat.”

  “That it is,” cried Jen. “Followed closely by pussywillow.”

  “What the heck is a pussywillow?” Lorna asked.

  “One definition at a time,” the pack historian said. “According to this random dictionary on the internet, tits is actually ‘a titmouse.’”

  “And a pussywillow,” added Adam, “is a small species of shrubby willow common throughout North America.”

  Fane cleared his throat, obviously trying to get the meeting back on track, though Peri could see a small smile on his lips. “If we are quite done with mammary glands and shrubbery, I believe we need to return to the matter at hand.” Fane ignored Jen’s whine of protest and glanced around the room.

  Thadrick took a step forward, gaining the attention of the room. “I, too, will join the female alpha’s group.”

  “And that means me as well,” Jezebel said.

  Jen pushed her mate’s hands away and climbed off the table. She reached to pull out her infamous knives, but Jacque gave her friend a subtle shake of her head. The blonde rolled her eyes and slipped her hands into the pockets of her black cargo pants instead.

  “That is acceptable,” Fane said. “Are there any objections to my mate’s orders?”

  Peri could see the relief in Costin and Drake’s eyes. Even Decebel seemed a little more relaxed than when he’d walked in.

  “Do you think you should join them?” Lucian asked through their bond.

  “No,” Peri answered, though it was hard for her to let her girls go without her. “Alston is too big of a threat. I need to be there. I need to see him die in order to make sure he truly has been removed and is unable to hurt anyone any longer. What do you think?”

  “I believe you have a valid point, and I think the females can handle themselves, not to mention Thad will be there.” She felt Lucian’s understanding as he poured love through the bond. She knew that if he disagreed, he would have spoken up. And they’d come so far in their relationship that she would actually listen to him. She would consider his advice because she realized, finally, that she could not continue to act on her own if she wanted them to have a chance at making this thing between them work. True mates or not, they still had to be willing to make compromises. And Peri hoped that she had finally pulled her head out of her ass, though it had cost many lives for her to come to that realization. She still lived with the guilt of her actions. No matter how many evil Order members she’d taken out, she’d also taken out innocents … and that was unacceptable.

  “All right,” Fane said. He took a step forward, moving into the circle instead of standing as a part of it. “The rest of us will take on the compound that Alston has built into the mountains. We are not sure of his numbers, or how powerful his allies are. We’re going into this relatively blind. We’ve interrogated the prisoners that we managed to capture, but they’re not speaking.”

  “Have we ever gone into battle any other way?” Adam cracked his knuckles and tilted his neck from side to side. He looked as eager as ever to engage the enemy. Still bloodthirsty as ever, Peri thought.

  “I can take a crack at the prisoners,” Peri offered.

  “We threatened to let our females have a go,” Decebel admitted.

  Jen leaned her head back and sighed. “And why wasn’t I informed of this?”

  Adam snapped his fingers. “Dang it, I knew there was something I was supposed to bribe Crina with last night.”

  Wadim frowned. “How on earth did you forget that considering you said it would get you out of the doghouse?”

  “I distracted her in other ways.” He purred and waggled his eyebrows.

  Zara nudged Wadim. “You didn’t mention any prisoners, history boy.”

  “Are you seriously complaining about not discussing prisoners last night after I schooled you on decades of knowledge in all things pleasurable?”

  Bethany raised her hand. “I just have to ask, are there any books that codify those decades of knowledge?”

  “Shoot me now.” Jacque huffed.

  At the same time Drake whispered, “Bethy, so help me.”

  Peri sighed and muttered to her mate, “How long do you think this topic will last.”

  “Are we taking bets?” Lucian’s voice was filled with humor.

  “I’ve been in your archives, Wadim,” Jen added. “I ain’t seen any such books. And I can sniff that stuff out like a bloodhound.”

  “She really can,” Sally agreed.

  “And I’m still waiting to know why I wasn’t informed of the new playthings.” Jen glared at her mate.

  Decebel inclined his head to her and lifted her chin. “Because you’re developing an unhealthy need to dissect people, and I’m trying not to enable you.”

  Jen narrowed her eyes at him, but then pursed her lips. “Fair point. Damn, I hate when you make rational points.”

  “I should also add that you’ve seemed especially unhinged lately,” Sally said. “So, turning you loose on those prisoners would likely constitute cruel and unusual punishment.”

  Jen’s head tilted comically as she looked at her healer BFF. “I’ve already got one rational explanation, preggo. I don’t need another.”

  Sally gave Jen a pointed look. “You need all the rational advice you can get, Jen. The next step is medication. Don’t think we won’t hold you down and cram pills down your throat.”

  Peri glanced around the room to see how the others were handling the group, which had the attention span of squirrels on hallucinogens. She noticed Synica, one of the djinn elders, looked quite enthralled in the conversation.

  “Do you all actually have to engage your enemies in battle,” Andora, the sprite queen, spoke up as she looked at Fane. “Or do you just talk until they surrender because they can no longer handle the vacuous natter?”

  “Adam”—Jen lifted her chin at him—“look those words up. I can’t tell if she’s insulting us.”

  “On it.”

  Fane gripped the back of his neck as he looked at the queen. “Believe it or not, I think it’s the comradery they have as a result of this vacuous natter that makes them fight so well. They know one another intimately and trust each other. And I think it releases some of the pre-battle anxiety.”

  Andora nodded. “It’s a new technique, but I guess it works.”

  Fane shrugged and then returned his attention to the group. “As I was saying, the prisoners aren’t speaking so they haven’t given us anything to go on. We’re flying blind.”

  Fane looked at Boain. “Will you be joining us?”

  Boain glanced at his mate. Their gaze held for several seconds before he looked back at Fane. “We will fight with you.”

  “Thank you.” Sincerity rang true in the alpha’s deep voice.

  “Is everyone else willing to go into battle? And do you understand the risks involved?” Fane’s eyes roamed over the room, landing on each supernatural present.

  Peri noted that Sally’s mother and father were not there. She wondered at that, but then considered that perhaps they were staying behind with Rachel and Gavril to help take care of and protect the children, the future of their pack. As for the rest, each of the djinn elders nodded, the high fae agreed, Lilly and Andora bowed their heads, and it went without saying that Fane’s pack members would go where Fane led.

  Peri frowned when she suddenly realized someone else was missing. “Where is Nissa?”

  “She came to me earlier to let me know she had urgent business to tend to,” Fane said. “She didn’t seem inclined to tell me what, and I didn’t ask considering I am not her alpha. She is a high fae after all and beholden to no one.”

  Peri frowned. It was not like Nissa to miss a battle where her power and experience would be such a great asset. She looked at Disir, but the high fae just shrugged.

  Peri used the connection she shared with her warriors. Though Nissa was her equal in many ways, the female often deferred to Peri as her superior. When she reached for Nissa’s mind, Peri found it locked down tight. What is she up to?

  “I would prefer that we only take the people in this room. I would like to minimize the danger to our people as much as possible.” Fane’s shoulders rolled forward slightly, and his eyes took on a haunted look. “We have suffered much loss over the past year. If anyone disagrees with that strategy, speak now.”

  Peri waited, holding her breath to see if anyone would be of a different opinion. But there was only silence.

  “Good.” Fane stood taller. “My wolves, will stay in our human skin, phase only if necessary. There will be no mercy. Those who serve Alston have forfeited their lives. You may kill at will, but they will be clean kills. There will be no torture or playing with your prey. Am I clear?”

  “Yes,” they answered as one. Even the leaders of the other supernaturals respectfully deferred to the alpha.

  Peri felt Lucian’s pride for his nephew. She swallowed down the ache she felt at the thought of Vasile missing this. Seeing his son come into his own as the leader of not only the wolves but of all supernaturals.

  “We go in fast,” Fane said. “Disir, Gwen, Dain, Peri, Adam, Cyn and Elle,” he said, addressing each of the fae. “I can show you”—he tapped his temple—“where we need to flash. It will be directly in front of the mouth of the mountain he’s built.”

  “Prepare yourself,” Adam said. “It looks like something Thia would build out of playdough—all janky and crap.”

  “She’s two, punk,” Jen said dryly, “Her artistic talent hasn’t developed yet. Wait until you and Crina have a crumb-catcher. Don’t think I won’t give you hell about her artwork when the time comes.”

  “Artistic talent,” Wadim scoffed. “The last time I saw her she was shoveling slime in her mouth.”

  Chuckles filled the room, but Jen just lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. “Okay, I didn’t say she was the smartest crayon in the box. But she’s my crayon, dammit, and she’s definitely the cutest.”

  “Once we hit the ground,” Fane continued without missing a beat. The dude was seriously good at ignoring the interruptions that just came with the territory of their group. “We engage immediately.” He looked at the djinn. “Can you bring the mountain down?”

  “We can,” Clarion said. “But only one of us will use our power. It will be difficult to keep from completely collapsing more than just that mountain. There’s a reason we don’t use our power in such a way.”

  “There are no other humans for miles and miles,” Boain offered. “If you bring down more than the mountain, there won’t be any other casualties.”

  “Perhaps not,” Clarion agreed. “But it will most likely draw the attention of the humans.”

  “An acceptable risk,” Fane said. “If it becomes more dangerous to leave it standing, then the compound comes down,” he stared at Clarion. “No matter what.”

  “Even if we have people inside?” Peri looked directly in the alpha’s eyes. She wanted to tell him to be careful of what he ordered. There was no coming back from innocent deaths on your hands.

  His jaw clenched. She could see the war raging inside him. The need to protect his pack and the need to protect the rest of the world from the evil they didn’t even know was in their midst. “If the danger is greater to leave the mountain standing, then it comes down. I realize it’s not what you all want to hear. But Alston needs to be stopped. The Order needs to be stopped, and sacrifices might be made in order for that to happen.” Then he looked at several of the fae in the room, Peri included. “Can you all use your magic to make our blades strike true?”

  “Of course,” Peri answered, hearing the implied ‘duh’ in her voice. She shouldn’t have been offended by the question, but then she couldn’t help but wonder if maybe Fane didn’t trust her to use her magic, considering what she’d used it for in the not to distant past. Then again, maybe she was just being paranoid.

  “Lilly.” Fane turned to the warlock queen. “Have you seen anything that could help us?”

  She shook her head, her lips pulled tight across her face. “I wish I could tell you yes. But my mind has been blank, and I’ve not felt anything ominous … or promising. At least not yet.” Frustration laced her voice, as it often did when she spoke of her unpredictable power.

  Peri figured that Fane didn’t bother to ask Andora about the seer sprites because he knew there were rules that the sprite queen would not break. No matter what.

  “We will meet outside this hall, weapons in hand, at dusk,” Fane said. “I wish I could tell you that we will all return unharmed, but I cannot promise that.”

  Jen groaned “Please tell me you are not ending this fellowship meeting on such an abysmal note.”

  Fane’s lips twitched. “How would you have me end it, Jen?”

  “I told you we should have just called it good when Peri gave her awesome speech,” Jen pointed out. “But as usual, no one listens to me.”

  “Oh, we listen,” Jacque said. “We’ve just learned to take most of what you say with a grain of salt. It’s safer that way.”

  Lorna cleared her throat, and all heads turned to look at her. At first, the she-wolf seemed to wilt under their eyes, but then she pulled her shoulders back and lifted her chin. “I’d like to say that I’ve never experienced such a loyal group, dedicated to such a noble cause.” She glanced around the room. “I will admit that I was very apprehensive about coming here. I’ve had few positive experiences with packs of my own kind, or other supernaturals, for that matter. If anyone has a chance at defeating what’s left of the Order, I would wager it is this group because you are clearly of one accord.

  “I can see that you care for one another and respect each other, even though you are not the same. Wolves, elves, fae, djinn, even warlocks, working together? It’s unprecedented. Perhaps you do not see it, but to those of us who have lived separate from the supernatural world, this cooperation is inspiring.” She took a deep breath and her lips turned up in a small smile. “I’m honored to be a part of it.”

  “Now that”—Jen pointed at Lorna—“is how you finish a battle strategy meeting.” She gave Boain’s mate a thumbs-up. “Welcome to the pack, Lorna. Expect to be invited to girls’ night, and be prepared to endure endless sexual innuendos, drink spiked hot chocolate, and stuff your face with Oreos.”

  “Spiked hot chocolate?” Decebel turned to look at his female.

  Peri shook her head. “Busted. And by your own admission, Jen. I’m disappointed.”

  “As if he didn’t know.” Jen shoved at Decebel’s chest. “He just wants to have an excuse to spank—”