“Well done on the bracelets,” Callon told Otto. “You did good.”

  The lizard preened under Callon’s approval. Lola felt sorry for the little guy. If he’d been Azure’s servant, he’d probably been ridiculed and treated like crap.

  Lola exhaled slowly, then lifted onto her tiptoes to press a light kiss to her mate’s lips. His formidable powers of protection were useless against her heart. “Thank you,” she told him simply. “Glad to have you with me.”

  Callon’s eyes glowed with satisfaction. Hand in hand, the pair ventured out of the kitchen, following after Maddie and Otto, who’d apparently left while they’d had their moment.

  They found Maddie and Roan squared off in the foyer, tension crackling. Bane leaned against the ornate wall, observing in silence while Otto stood next to Maddie, glaring daggers at Roan. Lola bit back a groan. “Let the circus begin,” she muttered under her breath.

  “I don’t need you fighting my battles and getting your feathers ruffled like a damn mother hen,” Maddie said crossly, hands on her hips. “Despite the lack of claws and fur on my part, I’m not made of glass.”

  Roan glowered, impatience in every hard line of his imposing frame. “Your safety is my duty, Nushawani.”

  “I keep the Maddie safe,” Otto hissed. “And no Nushawani. Not for you.”

  Roan simply ignored the lizard, his eyes focused on Maddie. “The swamp is no place for⁠—”

  “A weak, helpless female?” Maddie cut him off incredulously. “Wow, and here I was thinking maybe you actually respected me as an equal. I must have lost my damn mind for a second there.”

  Bane’s lips twitched, though he diplomatically kept any comments to himself. Lola had to admire his restraint, since she was tempted to place bets on this clash of wills. Before the arguing could escalate further, Lola decided it was time to intervene. Clapping sharply, she fixed them both with a quelling stare. “All right, that’s enough growling from both of you.”

  She pinned Roan with her gaze. “Maddie might be human, but she’s smart and resourceful. With Callon, Bane, Otto, and you as backup, we’ll be fine.”

  Then she turned her stare on Maddie. “And you need to cut Roan some slack. The man is clearly worried about you. His intentions are good here.”

  Maddie deflated slightly, though her eyes still flashed defiantly. “I know that. But I won’t be coddled and dismissed.” Her chin lifted challengingly. “I can handle myself.”

  Roan’s stern expression softened marginally. He took a slow breath. “Perhaps you can at that, Nushawani.” He shot Otto a sharp look after saying the strange word, which Lola was totally going to get the details on. “But the bayou is perilous for those unfamiliar and, comparatively speaking, as a human, you lack the same advantages that a Damarian has. Allow me to … advise you, if nothing else.”

  It was as near to a compromise as Lola suspected they would get at the moment. She glanced between the two stubborn individuals, hoping the tentative peace would hold.

  Maddie frowned but gave Roan a jerky nod after a moment. “Fine. Advise away.” Her lips pursed. “But no getting grabby with your protection. Hands off.”

  Bane made a strangled sound that might have been a laugh before schooling his face. Roan leveled a quelling look at his friend before focusing on Maddie again, his jaw tight.

  “You have my word, unless circumstances warrant it,” he bit out.

  His eyes dared her to argue, but Maddie simply lifted her chin again defiantly. Lola hid a smile. Her friend was definitely meeting her match in the gruff KOC shaman. Perhaps opposites did attract.

  “Just out of curiosity” Lola kept her tone conversational—“what does Nushawani mean?”

  “No!” Otto practically growled like a dog.

  “It’s not yet time for that to be made known,” Roan answered.

  “Could you be any more cryptic?” Maddie asked dryly. “Would you like some Yoda with your scoop of backasswards speak?”

  Roan simply shook his head as his silver orbs bore into Maddie.

  Whatever awkwardness remained dispersed with the arrival of Lyra and Taras, with Raphael in tow. Callon went rigid beside Lola as the incubus strolled through the doors, flashing his dimples at the room.

  “Good morning, lovely ladies.” Raphael’s violet gaze lingered on Maddie and Lola in turn. “I see your prickly guardian beasts have returned. Fantastic. The more warriors, the better.”

  Roan’s lip curled back in the beginnings of a snarl, but Lyra spoke up before he could go alpha male on their guide. “Yes, we’ll be one big, happy tour group traipsing through the bayou.” She smiled brightly. “More formidable when confronting voodoo priestesses and fallen snake kings, right?”

  Raphael inclined his head, though his sharp eyes held a calculating gleam. “Indeed. We shall be quite the force to be reckoned with.”

  He turned his assessing look on the others. “Do you require time to prepare for our journey? Or shall we be off promptly?”

  Before anyone could answer, hurried steps drew their attention to Nico striding through the arched doorway. The wild-eyed shaman seemed in good spirits, with a broad smile stretched across his pierced face. Lola couldn’t help but wonder if it hurt to smile when you had a lip piercing. It seemed like it would hurt. She clamped her mouth closed, attempting to quell her inner curious cat.

  “Heard I was missing quite the party,” he called in greeting. His grin faded as he took in the occupants of the room, his gaze landing on Raphael.

  “Raphy, you old horn dog, what trouble have you started now?” Nico’s words held an unspoken warning as he moved to stand beside his demon friend.

  “No trouble from me. It seems our new friends have trust issues where my kind are concerned.” Raphael slanted a look at Roan and Callon. “Though given our history, I suppose the suspicion is justified.”

  Nico clapped a hand on Raphael’s shoulder companionably. “You always were one to play with fire, demon.” His gravelly voice softened a fraction. “But in this matter, your aid is appreciated.”

  Raphael’s smug expression faltered briefly at Nico’s defense. He inclined his head in acknowledgment. Lola’s curiosity deepened at this new layer revealed between the unlikely friends.

  Before she could ponder further, Taras spoke up. “If I might offer a solution to the Maddie problem?”

  “The Maddie problem?” Her friend said the words as if they were spoken around a particularly sour lemon. “When did I become a problem?”

  “He doesn’t mean it the way it sounded,” Lyra assured her. “But you are human, and that makes you more fragile. Nothing personal. It’s just biology.”

  Maddie looked at Lola, who simply shrugged. “It’s true, babe, no offense. I’ve got three-inch claws and a mouth full of sharp teeth now.”

  “But earlier you said—” Maddie started, but Lola interrupted.

  “I know what I said, but I’m not about to argue with the queen of the Kingdom of Claws, are you?” Lola gave Maddie a pointed look.

  “Point taken.” Maddie huffed.

  “What were you going to suggest?” There was a hint of warning in Roan’s voice.

  Taras looked at the shaman, and his eyes went from human to lion in a flash before returning to normal. “You’re dancing around the issue, and there’s no reason for it. Both of her friends are mated to Damarians. She’s not going anywhere. Just go ahead and yank out the lodged arrow.”

  “First, I’m a problem, and now I have an arrow stuck in me?” Maddie folded her arms in front of her and popped out her hip. “Forgive my tone, Taras, but what the hell are you talking about?”

  “I’ll tolerate your tone because I understand dealing with Roan can be taxing.”

  “Understatement,” Maddie muttered.

  “But he needs to be the one to explain things to you,” Taras said.

  “Do we have to do this now?” Raphael frowned. “I thought we were hunting down Azure and his witch.”

  “I bite him.” Otto grumbled as he fisted his small hands and bared his little sharp teeth.

  “Pipe down, Little Warrior.” Bane’s voice was calm and smooth.

  Lola turned her attention back to Roan, who was currently staring at Taras with his swirling, silver eyes that looked as if a hurricane was building inside. It felt like an hour passed before Roan finally responded.

  “I can see where you’re coming from.” Roan fixed his eyes on Taras. “And I can see how we could be better utilized.”

  “Better than going and hunting Azure?” Maddie quickly interjected. “How? What if you need Roan’s wizard powers?”

  “I’m not a wizard.” Roan pinched the bridge of his nose.

  “Says the supernatural being who can make people believe they’re hearing something that they’re not,” she challenged, bringing up how he’d made Lola’s parents think a wreck had been causing all the noise which was, in fact, a freaking lion.

  “Roan will explain everything to you.” Lyra gave a warm smile. “Just know that we trust him, and he will protect you with his life.”

  Maddie glanced at Lola. “This just got serious really fast.”

  Lola smiled at her friend. “I don’t think they do much around here that isn’t serious.”

  Maddie shrugged. “True.” She then looked at Roan. “So hit me with it. What’s this arrow you need to yank out.”

  Roan ran a hand over his face and then stood up straighter as he met Maddie’s gaze. “Nushawani means new shaman,” Roan said. “You have magic in you that calls to mine and the other shaman. It’s that call that lets us know who is supposed to join our ranks.”

  “He’s not lying,” Nico piped up. “It calls to me, too, but not in quite the same way, I don’t think.” He winked at her, and Roan’s eyes shifted to the Kingdom of Chaos Shaman.

  “Keep your winking to yourself.”

  “See?” Nico said with a grin. “Told ya.”

  Maddie stared silently at Roan and then looked at Lola, then Lyra, and then back to Roan. “I’m sorry. What did you just say?”

  Chapter Ten

  Where’s My Letter?

  “If this were a book, I would totally be cussing the author at the moment. I mean, could you please just finish one storyline already before throwing another curveball at us? No? Fine. Be a dick. Don’t come crying to me if people start sending you ugly messages because you toy with their emotions like a yo-yo on a string. And yes, I’m well aware that tension is what makes a good book. At the moment, I’m as tense as I can stand. Cut the damn string already.” ~Maddie

  “Nushawani means new shaman,” Roan repeated.

  Maddie waved a hand at him. “Not that part. The part where you said I have magic, and it calls to you.” She put her hands on her hips and glared at the perpetually, pissed-off shaman. “I find that highly unlikely considering you’re a butthead. And if I had magic in me, it definitely wouldn’t be calling your name.” She motioned to Nico, who had a stupid, big grin on his face. “Punky over there has a better chance of having the attention of my magic. No offense,” she quickly added to Nico.

  “None taken.” Nico nonchalantly slipped his hands into the pockets of his ripped jeans. “I’m just enjoying the show. And you’re doing one hell of a job on handing Roan his ass. Carry on.”

  Maddie rolled her eyes. Then she looked at Taras and Lyra. “Good grief, are all shaman like these two?” She motioned to Nico and Roan. “Because if they are, then I’m going to take a pass on this whole Nuwesh, Noshew— Crap, I can’t even say the word. How could I possibly be one? And if I am a wizard-shaman thing, where’s my letter?”

  “What?” Roan asked, his muscular arms folded across his chest.

  Don’t acknowledge his muscular arms, Maddie. Buuuut they’re really nice arms. Focus. She forced herself to pull her crap together.

  “My letter, telling me I’m a wizard and whatnot.” Maddie heard Lola groan, but she didn’t take her eyes off of Roan.

  “You’re not a wizard, and neither am I.” His voice was surprisingly calm, considering he looked like he wanted to throttle her.

  Maddie tapped her foot as she attempted to work through her feelings about this new bomb they’d just dropped in her lap. Her eyes shifted to Lyra, who gave her a very subtle nod. Then Maddie looked at Lola, imploring her with her eyes to fix this. But in her gut, she knew there was nothing her best friend could do. Finally, she looked back at Roan. “So you’re my only option?” Coughs that sounded suspiciously like laughter surrounded her. Maddie didn’t know what was funny. She was serious.

  Roan rocked back on his heels as he gazed at her with those swirling, silver eyes. “You will have the chance to meet the other shaman to see if there’s a stronger bond than the one between us.”

  “And what happens if there is?”

  “Then you and that shaman can train together.” His answer sounded a little too sparse, as if he were trying to avoid saying something.

  “So, I can choose who I want to train me to be a wizard?”

  “Yes,” Lyra answered, probably because Roan’s jaw was clenched so tightly that Maddie could see the movement of the bone underneath his skin. “There’s more you need to know,” the Prima continued. “You are a good excuse for Roan to visit other kingdoms.”

  Maddie perked up at that. “Oh, we’re going to be spies?”

  “No.” “Yes.” Roan and Lyra said at the same time.

  Maddie’s brow rose as she looked between the two. “Which is it? Wizard spies or not?”

  “I think the best thing is for you to go with Roan,” Lyra said in that gentle but firm voice that seemed to have anyone, and everyone, ready to do her bidding. “He can explain things more in depth.” She glanced at Roan, and Maddie did not miss the warning in Lyra’s eyes.

  “All right.” Taras’s booming voice filled the room. “We need to be on our way. Roan, please keep me updated on what you learn as you visit each kingdom.”

  Roan nodded, but his eyes weren’t on the Prime. They were firmly fixed on Maddie. She refused to squirm under his scrutiny. It wasn’t her fault that some magical bond drew them together.

  Chatter filled the room as the group followed Taras and Lyra out. Lola walked up to Maddie and gave her a tight hug, her mouth right beside her ear. “You be safe. And try being nice to Roan. You catch more flies with honey.”

  “That’s a dumb saying. Who wants more flies?” Maddie huffed but hugged Lola back. “You be careful, too.”

  As soon as the room was empty and it was just her and Roan, Maddie’s confidence wavered. But she tried not to show it. She stood up tall, pulled her shoulders back, and met his stare. “So now what?”

  “Now we go visit kingdoms, while also using the opportunity to get to know each other better.”

  “Why would we need to do that?” Maddie’s need to fidget grew stronger.

  “Because you’re my—” He paused as if he couldn’t quite find the word, then seemed to settle on, “Responsibility, since I discovered you first.”

  He didn’t sound particularly happy about that fact. More resigned than anything else, which just ticked Maddie off. It wasn’t her fault she was a nush-whatever. She hadn’t asked for Roan to show up in Lola’s bedroom and be the shaman to discover her.

  Maddie’s heart beat hard in her chest. “But you said there could be a stronger pull, whatever the crap that means, between me and another shaman. So, I should get to know other shaman, too, right?” She nodded her head as if that would somehow make him agree with her.

  Roan shrugged. “Eventually.”

  For some reason, his tone made her feel like eventually on his timeline was completely different from her own.

  Lola settled into a plush seat aboard the sleek private jet, her mind still reeling. In the span of one breakfast, everything had changed. Not only were Callon and the others now joining their quest, but the revelation about her best friend had left Lola floored. Maddie was a shaman.

  Gazing unseeing out the jet’s window as they taxied down the runway, memories cascaded through Lola’s mind. The look on Maddie’s face when Roan had dropped the two-ton revelation. The possessiveness on Roan’s face as he’d spoken. There was more going on than the shaman explained. Not that he’d had time. In a blur, Lyra and Taras had announced they were leaving, and Roan and Maddie would be going off on their own little mission. Now Lola was taxing down a runway in the pride’s plane. It all happened so fast.

  There was a complicated mix of relief and frustration that Maddie hadn’t come along to the bayou. Keeping her safe from the dangers ahead was Lola’s top priority. Damn, she really wanted to talk through this startling news about her friend’s new status. And other things. Because she was quite sure there was some sizzle between Maddie and Roan. Lola huffed a quiet laugh under her breath. Her friend was full of surprises.

  Across the aisle, Nico had his phone to his ear, his boots propped casually atop the polished mahogany table. Lola only caught snatches of his conversation over the jet’s noise.

  “…already happened, so quit grumbling… Yes, obviously I was there with Talbot for the claiming… You think I’d let our boy meet his mate without backup?” Nico’s gravelly laugh followed. “Lighten up, Link… I said you worry too much.”

  Lola’s brows rose with interest. She hadn’t gotten many details yet about this destined mate of Talbot’s that Nico had located. She nudged her mate.

  Callon looked down at her, his brow rose in question.

  She nodded her head toward Nico. “The woman at the Kingdom of Venom, Talbot’s mate, that you all found at the Kingdom of Silk. Did she want to go?”

  “Do you honestly think I would have allowed Nico to force her?”

  “Of course not.” She huffed. “You just didn’t say much about her.”

  “That’s because I don’t know much about her. I was ready to get home to you. Nico took the female to New Orleans. That’s all I know.”

  She watched the Chaos Shaman’s expressive face as he talked, fascinated by the genuine affection that came into his silver eyes when discussing Talbot. Who knew that under that erratic, wisecracking exterior lay such a tender heart? Though she supposed a kingdom of misfits would inspire protectiveness in their shaman guide.