Page 69 of A War of Ruin and Reckoning

Thorne nipped her neck, making her giggle, and then he stared at Nova with unassuming eyes. “Welcome.”

Excitement enlivened Clarke’s face. She tried to launch off the sofa, but Rush yanked her back by the skirt, grumbling, “Don’t frighten her away, princess.”

“Sorry,” she said, a bashful blush coloring her freckled cheeks. “I’m just sooo excited to meet you finally. And to ask a few things, but… okay, okay, I’ll chill.” She placated Rush with a pat on the thigh. “I’m Clarke, and this bossy-boots is Rush. He’s also Thorne’s father.”

Nova frowned as her gaze darted between the two wolf shifters. She opened her mouth but then closed it. Leaf sensed her confusion and leaned in to remind her, “We don’t age after hitting maturity. Neither will you now.”

“Oh, that’s right. Of course, how silly.”

Forrest cleared his throat, waiting for them to look at him, and waved, “I’m Forrest, and this is Melody.”

“¡Ay me asustaste!” Nova jolted and touched her heart as Melody waved. “Forgive me, but I thought he said Melody. As in Melody—”

“Yes, ma’am, that’s me,” Melody said, smiling. “Same boat as you, I’m afraid. Frozen and now here in the flesh. Although, I guess not exactly like these ladies and you. I was in Crystal City for a few years before this handsome elf barbarian snack swept me off my feet.” She pouted and kissed Forrest daintily on the lips.

His cheeks turned beet red, and he laughed nervously, darting his gaze around as he mumbled to Melody, “I thought you weren’t going to call me that in public?”

“This ain’t public, sugar.” She smirked.

“Great,” Leaf grumbled. “Now introductions are over, we can—”

“Uh,Hoja de los Guardianes, introductions are not over. I have more to say, if you don’t mind.”

Leaf’s eyes widened. Everyone watched him like a hawk, but there was nowhere to hide. He smiled and replied, “The floor’s yours.”

“Well, as I live and breathe,” Melody gushed, her grin broadening on Nova. “You certainly are this male’s perfect match. Ain’t she, darlin’?”

Forrest grunted in agreement but refrained from comment. As did the rest of the males. Nova blushed and picked at the tie on her dress. Her nerves still vibrated enough for Leaf to feel them.

“I’m Nova Morales,” she said, a slight tremble in her voice. “I don’t think Leaf has explained who my twin brother is to you, but I firmly believe in laying your cards on the table as early as possible.”

Leaf slid his hand beneath Nova’s hair to cup her nape, letting her know he stood by her, no matter what she chose to say next. She sent him a grateful sideways glance and returned to the others in the room. “My twin’s name is Niles Morales, but you probably know him as Nero.”

“What!” Forrest bolted to his feet, his eyes ablaze with fury. Melody tugged him down, but concern never left her eyes. Leaf moved his hand to Nova’s shoulder and pulled her beneath his arm.

“You said what?” Laurel spluttered.

A deep, animalistic snarl rumbled in Rush’s chest, followed by Thorne’s, like a pack of wolves sighting their next meal. From the pale look on Clarke’s face, she’d not seen this development in her psychic visions. Leaf sensed Nova’s panic rising. He’d overestimated their tolerance, but as his own violence rose in retaliation, so did the presence of the Well rolling like a wave in his mind. He relaxed his fist and exhaled. There was another way to go about this than with tempers.

“I’m Jackson Crimson,” he announced.

All eyes snapped to him.

“What?” Clarke screeched.

“What!”someone bellowed from upstairs, likely Indigo or one of the vampires who should be sleeping but was instead listening in. Thudding footsteps down the stairs grew louder, and River burst into the room. Disheveled blue-black hair, ruffled wings, and a tattooed shirtless torso. He wore his Guardian breeches, so had probably been avoiding the meeting rather than sleeping. Trust the crow to insert himself at the first sign of gossip.

“Let’s sit down,” Leaf grumbled, planting himself in the only free armchair and pulling Nova onto his lap.

River pointed at his face, stalking into the room. “Wait just a Well-damned minute. Did I hear what I thought I heard?”

“I think you did!”came a muffled shout upstairs—definitely Indigo.

“Let’s not get too excited,” Leaf said. “I don’t remember a thing.”

River folded his arms and stroked his jaw, eying Leaf with suspicion. “This makes so much sense.” He spotted Nova, and suddenly his entire demeanor changed. He flashed a flirtatious grin and reached out to her. “Hi. I’m River.”

She took his hand and shook it. “Hello. I’m Nova.”

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