“Don’t look so forlorn, Lola.” Lyra motioned her forward. “I will pay for the damages.”

  Lola had no idea how the Prima would make that happen, but she had no doubt she would. Lyra wasn’t the type of person to say she’d do something and not follow through. So Lola put the matter of the damaged restroom out of her head and went back to formulating a plan to help stall their trip without tipping off Nico or Raphael that something was up.

  Suddenly, a stroke of genius hit her. Well, at least she thought it was genius. Lola leaned heavily on Callon as they walked toward where Captain Jack waited by the boat, letting out an exaggerated groan. Time for Emergency Plan C.

  As they drew closer to the ramshackle vessel, Lola turned pleading eyes on Lyra. “I am so sorry to be high maintenance, but I don’t think what you gave me is going to work for my particular body. I’m going to need to pick up some feminine products that I know will work before we shove off.”

  Understanding dawned on Lyra’s face as she glanced toward the boat uncertainly. “Ah, I see. Yes, well, everyone’s bodies are different when it comes to the … cycle.”

  Callon choked on a cough and leaned his head toward her. “What are you doing, Sazzi?” he whispered.

  “Improvising,” she whispered back.

  Lola nodded, injecting distress into her voice. “I use a very, very specific brand, and I have terrible cramps and bloating. Is there somewhere nearby we can pick some up quickly?”

  Lyra’s brow furrowed. “I’m not familiar with what brands are out there. Soon your cycle will change to be that of a Damarian female’s…”

  “Bloody hell,” Callon muttered, almost causing Lola to laugh. “Could we please not have this conversation around my mother?”

  She ignored her mate “Oh, they’re very particular!” Lola exclaimed loudly. The males in their party suddenly seemed extremely interested in their shoes or the cloudless sky. “Like this one with wings that conform perfectly to your shape,” she continued at the same volume. “The stores here may not have what I need. It might take a few stops to find the brand. They’re also safe for the environment once thrown out.”

  “Can’t you just burn them?” someone muttered. The voice sounded disgusted, which again almost made Lola laugh.

  Callon shifted uncomfortably but made no more comments. Jack, however, peered at Lola curiously. “Begging your pardon, Miss, but having ladies aboard during their bleeding brings terrible luck. The scent draws predators, you see.”

  “Okay, that’s quite enough⁠—”

  “Oh, no!” Lola interrupted Callon, seizing on the captain’s superstitious nature. Pressing the back of her wrist to her forehead, she slumped against Callon. “You know, I am feeling a little faint. These premenstrual cramps are just brutal.” She grimaced dramatically. “But I’ve not actually begun my cycle.”

  “Sazzi,” Callon warned, his tone growing even more desperate.

  “I won’t for another day, but I like to be prepared, especially if we’re going out into croc-infested waters where we might have a run-in with a witch. I mean, that would be a complete mess, in more ways than one, to be stuck without my products. You see?”

  Jack seemed unsure of what to say to her candidness.

  Nico, however, didn’t seem to be the least bit uncomfortable when he spoke. “I can procure any necessary items. I’m quite knowledgeable about such things, as I have many lady … friends.” His eyebrows jumped suggestively. “Do you prefer pads, tampons, or both? Cotton or synthetic? And what’s your flow? Do you need the overnight ones, even for during the day, or some of each?”

  Lola’s mouth almost dropped open at the shaman’s depth of knowledge concerning feminine hygiene products. “That’s just not right,” she muttered.

  “Make a list,” Nico continued. “And be specific. Me and Raphael will take care of it and meet you back here.” He shot Lola a conspiratorial grin. “No need to delay our important task any further than the hour or so that it takes to get what My Lady needs.” The words were used as a title, not an endearment, but Lola’s mate wasn’t having it.

  Callon’s head whipped toward the shaman, his eyes narrowing dangerously. A low growl rumbled in his throat. Lola quickly stepped between the two men before her mate decided Nico was encroaching on his territory.

  “Whoa there, big guy,” she murmured. Turning her back deliberately to Nico, she wrapped her arms around Callon’s waist and peered up at him beseechingly. “That’s a super thoughtful offer, but you know how picky I am about brands. Remember my motion sickness on the plane?” Had she had motion sickness? She couldn’t remember. Lola mentally face palmed herself. She hoped she wasn’t going to have to keep up some silly charade every time it actually was her time of the month. She forced an abashed smile. “I’m just high maintenance like that.”

  Pride mollified, Callon relaxed his threatening posture. His response was for Lola’s ears alone, and he leaned down to whisper. “No other male is permitted to see to your needs. I alone provide for my mate.”

  Lola hid her smirk against his chest. She made a note to tease him about the fact that he was even possessive of the right to buy her tampons. Crisis averted. Now she just had to seal the deal on postponing their departure.

  Right on cue, her stomach let out a loud gurgle. Lola pressed both hands to her middle and bent over with a pained hiss. “Uggh, cramp city. You all go ahead. I need to find a place to sit for a bit.”

  She made it two steps toward a rickety-looking bench before Callon intercepted her. “Allow me to assist you,” he rumbled, glaring at the others as if daring them to approach. Lola wasn’t sure if she should laugh or roll her eyes.

  Instead, she leaned heavily on his supportive frame, hamming up her “pain.” They were almost home free. But the demon’s voice gave her pause.

  “This sudden onset of feminine issues seems to be having the effect of delaying our departure,” he remarked. Raphael eyed Lola shrewdly as she limped down the dock, leaning on Callon. “If one was an untrusting sort, he might assume you meant to hinder our departure intentionally.”

  Lola grimaced. Damn demon. Thinking fast, she shot him a pleading look over one shoulder. “I just need twenty minutes for a hot pad and the Midol to kick in. We can at least wait that long, right?” Batting her eyelashes pitifully, she allowed Callon to help her sit down.

  Once seated, Callon crouched down in front of her and eyed her uncertainly. “Does my mate truly suffer this painful cycle each month?”

  Lola swallowed a wholly inappropriate laugh at his grave expression. She reached up to pat his cheek consolingly. “You’re a good egg, Lion Man. Now let’s give this delay our best shot. Go argue with your mom about who should get my products.”

  Giving him a quick peck on the nose, she shooed him away, collapsing back on the bench. She just needed to stall a little longer. Surely Katy and the cavalry couldn’t be much farther away. Wherever they were, Lola hoped her act bought them enough time. Settling in and trying to look as forlorn as possible to assuage Raphael’s growing suspicions, Lola sent up a prayer that this would all be over soon.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Unexpected Fake Aunt Flow.

  “Human females are strange.” ~ Gage

  Katy blinked against the bright sunlight as they exited the New Orleans airport. She fished out her phone and pressed on Lola’s contact info, ready to hit the call button.

  Gage shook his head when he noticed. “Best not to call. We don’t know who could be listening.” His arm settled around her shoulders as they headed for the taxi stand.

  Katy nodded. “I’ll just shoot her a text.” Her thumbs moved deftly over the screen.

  Katy: Eagle has landed. Bringing a special guest to the rendezvous point. You might want to warn your crew so no one attacks.

  As the cab navigated the busy streets, Katy’s phone buzzed with Lola’s reply.

  Lola: Roger that. Delayed departure due to unexpected fake Aunt Flow making a fake appearance. My mate and Nico have been sent on a mission to find clothes for Flow. The rest of us are dockside keeping your seats warm.

  Despite her fatigue, Katy had to smother a laugh. Trust Lola to come up with the most ridiculous excuse to stall the bayou trip. Though she was immensely relieved their friends had not set out before they arrived. They needed to be sure that Nico wasn’t in league with the Kingdom of Chaos.

  Gage instructed the driver to head for the downtown harbor area. His sharp gaze vigilantly scanned their surroundings for threats. In the seat beside Katy, Zeena sat tensely, face turned away from the windows. Being back in her domain must have been nerve-wracking, especially since she’d been in hiding from her mate.

  Katy reached over and patted Zeena’s knee. “It’s going to be okay. I feel it in my bones. That’s something my grandmother used to say. And she said, if it was ‘in her bones,’ that meant the matter was settled.”

  Zeena turned and looked at her. “Why are you so kind to me? I treated you with cruelty, allowed my mate to hold you captive, and yet you try to make me feel at ease when you should be angry at me.”

  Katy nodded and then shrugged. “Are any of us perfect? We all make mistakes. You think I’ve been kind to every customer that came in to No Name Pizza? Nope.” Katy shook her head. “There were days when I gave attitude to even the nicest patrons simply because I was having a bad day. So show me a person in this world who hasn’t made butthole decisions, and I’ll give them a medal. Otherwise, we’re all on a level playing field.”

  Zeena stared at her for at least thirty seconds and then blew out a breath. “All right.” She clasped her hands in her lap. “If you’re willing to give me a second chance, I’d be stupid to turn it away. So thank you.”

  “Absolutely.” Something flowed through her that made her feel warm, not temperature wise, but just cozy and accepting. She turned to look at Gage and saw pride shining in his eyes as he stared at her. Katy mouthed the words, “Thank you,” to him. He simply leaned over and pressed a kiss to her temple. She soaked in the affection like a dried sponge.

  The taxi ride passed in stiff silence until they reached a ramshackle pier, directions courtesy of a text from Callon. Katy peered anxiously at the figures clustered around the ancient boat. She recognized Bane’s form, but there was another male and female she didn’t know. Her eyes bounced all around, looking for Lola. Movement on her left drew her eyes, and she finally saw her best friend. Lola was lying on a bench that looked like it was about to collapse. They had made it in time. Even though she’d had confirmation from Lola, Katy still hadn’t been able to relax until she saw her friend with her own eyes.

  As soon as the taxi halted, Katy literally climbed across Gage’s lap and burst from the cab, nearly falling forward. Thankfully, her mate had a firm grasp on her waist and didn’t let her face-plant. When she was upright and stable, he released her, and she raced down the dock, heedless of Gage’s startled rumble behind her. She had eyes only for the small redheaded figure on the deathtrap bench, watching their approach.

  “Lola!” Katy shouted joyously, throwing her arms open.

  Her best friend let out a delighted squeal, sprang up from the bench she’d been sprawled on, and sprinted to meet her. They collided in a fierce hug that nearly sent them both toppling over. Katy clung tightly, laughter mixing with relieved tears. It felt like forever since she had seen Lola, though barely a week had passed. So much had changed, but the comfort of her friend’s embrace remained the same.

  When they finally detached, Lola’s excited babbling washed over Katy. “You’re here! I can’t believe my period trick actually worked. I mean, I was running out of ideas⁠—”

  “I find that hard to believe,” Katy challenged. “You are never one short on ideas.”

  They finally settled down, and Katy glanced around. “Where’s Maddie?”

  Lola scrunched up her face. “She may or may not be on a field trip with Roan.”

  Katy’s eyes widened. “Is he still alive?”

  “Don’t know.” Lola shrugged. “But since we haven’t heard from her, I’m going with yes. He probably confiscated her phone. He’s a little bit of a —”

  “Tyrant?” Katy cut in.

  Lola nodded. “I was going to say control freak, but we can go with tyrant.” Then her eyes widened.

  Katy started to ask what was wrong when she felt an arm come around her waist and pull her firmly against a hard chest.

  “Could you please refrain from jumping from a moving vehicle and running across open areas before I’ve deemed them safe?” Gage’s voice was gruff in her ear.

  “So it’s not just Callon?”

  Katy shook her head, still held by the steel band that was her mate’s arm. “If you’re talking about the need to stick you in a bubble and treat you like you’re a crystal glass, then no, it’s not just Callon.” Katy frowned. “Speaking of Callon… Where is the big lion?”

  Lola’s phone rang before she could answer. She grinned mischievously as she hit the answer key and then put it on speakerphone. “Hey.” She sounded breathless.

  “Why do you sound like you’ve been running?” Callon’s deep voice came through the speaker. “Where have you been running? Are you safe? Where are my parents?”

  “If you’d chill your ass out and give her a second to answer one of your questions, you might not destroy any more boxes of feminine products.” Nico’s voice came through the speaker as well.

  Katy’s brow rose as she looked at her best friend. “You really do have two guys buying you products for Aunt Flow?”

  Lola grinned. “I’m a genius, I know.”

  “You can’t put that box back on the shelf, you Neanderthal,” Nico said. “You bust it, you buy it. Don’t you know about shopping etiquette?”

  Katy smirked. “Shopping etiquette? I don’t even think I know shopping etiquette.”

  “Is that Katy?” Callon completely ignored his shopping partner. “Is Gage with her?”

  “No,” Katy answered. “I left him behind.”

  “Really?” Callon sounded confused.

  “No, again.” Katy snorted. “Do you really think he would let me leave him behind anywhere?”

  “Fair enough.” Callon sounded a little less alarmed than he had initially. There was a sound of something hitting the ground.

  “You can’t just throw those on the floor,” Nico snapped. “And we agreed to get her one of everything since they don’t have her usual brand.”

  Lola covered her mouth as she burst out laughing.

  Katy held up her hand and gave her a high five. “You’re my hero.”

  “She doesn’t need the damn pads,” Callon told the shaman.

  “So she’s a tampon-only kind of female?”

  “Visata save me.” They heard Callon mutter through the phone. “I really dislike discussing my mate's female business. Sazzi, don’t ever use this as your way of stalling again.”

  “I make no promises,” Lola quickly answered.

  “Stalling?” Nico sounded very confused.

  “I tried to tell you that something felt off.” Another male voice came through the phone.

  “That’s Raphael, the demon,” Lola explained.

  Katy’s brow rose. “You have two men and a demon buying you feminine products?” Katy realized what she’d just said and then grabbed Lola’s hand. “A demon?”

  Lola rocked back on her heels. “What can I say? I’m just that good.”

  Gage’s chuckle vibrated against Katy’s back. “I can’t believe Callon allowed two other males to join him on the shopping trip.”

  “I did this for you and your female,” Callon growled.

  “And we really appreciate it,” Katy quickly told him. “I’m still stuck on the demon.”

  “Most females are.” Raphael’s voice came through again.

  “He’s an incubus demon.” Lola’s eyebrows jumped up and down suggestively.

  “Ohhh.”

  “No,” Gage gritted out. “Not ohhh. There will be no ‘ohhhs’ when talking about the demon.”

  Katy snorted but decided to cut her mate some slack.

  “We’re headed back,” Callon said.

  “So we’re not buying any of this?” Nico sounded very put out.

  “You can buy it for your future mate and wow her with how proficient you are at feminine product knowledge,” Raphael offered.

  “He’s funny,” Katy said.

  Gage growled, and it was not a human sounding growl. “No. He’s not.”

  Katy patted his arm. “My bad. He’s totally not funny. Not even a little.”

  “Did you bring the former queen with you?”

  “I came, Lion Prince.” Zeena’s voice sounded as regal as she looked in her long, green, flowing dress. All she needed was a crown, and no one would doubt that she was royalty of some kind.

  “Female, stay out of trouble for ten minutes,” Callon said, and then the call ended.

  “Did he just tell me to behave?” Lola stared at the phone in her hand.

  “They can’t help it,” Zeena told her, slipping hands into some hidden pockets of her dress. “Damarian males are protective.”

  “To the point of ridiculousness,” another female joined the conversation.

  “Katy.” Lola held her hand out toward the woman. “This is Lyra, Prima of the Kingdom of Claws and Callon’s mother. And the handsome man next to her is her mate and the Prime.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you.” Katy bowed her head at the pair.

  “And of course, you know Bane,” Lola pointed to the panther who had his arms folded across his chest as he leaned against a light pole.

  “Good to see you again, Bane.”

  Bane simply inclined his head to her.

  Katy’s eyes narrowed suddenly as she realized someone very important was missing. “Where’s Otto?”

  Everyone turned to Lyra. She looked into a large purse hanging off her shoulder. After digging around for a minute, she looked back up and shook her head. “He’s not in here.”