Page 47 of The Succubus's Song

“Oh, thank god. It looks like it delivered us to…”

“Who goes there?” A rich, authoritative voice cut Mara off as Calum himself came running into the study. He was wearing a finely embroidered tunic and brandishing his broadsword, indicating he’d left a state’s meeting to investigate the commotion in his study.

The fury on Calum’s face quickly melted away in recognition, and he sheathed his sword, smiling as he crossed the room towards them.

“Emmett! Mara! What are you doing here?” Calum exclaimed happily, getting to Mara first and wrapping her up in a hug.

“About that…” Mara started to speak, but Calum had already moved onto Emmett, clapping his hand on the wulver’s back.

“I’m terribly sorry,” Calum bowed slightly to Pippa, “I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting before.”

Oh my god, he’s back, Mara thought happily. It’s good to see him back in the swing of things.

She had grown used to seeing Calum as the professor—still their fearless leader—but he had grown even more serious over the last few years before the curse had broken. It was a welcome sight to see him smiling and acting like a prince.

“Oh my,” Pippa giggled, holding her hand out for Calum. “I’m Pippa. I’m—”

“Mara’s cousin!” Calum interrupted her with a warm smile, shaking her hand. “Yes, she’s told me about you when you were seeking to cross the veil. How has your time in the mortal world been?” Calum crossed his arms and quickly began questioning Pippa like he would any constituents.

Mara couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Emmett, who was looking disgruntled at Pippa’s enthusiasm at meeting Calum.

“Actually, we’re here on pretty important business, Calum…” Emmett cleared his throat loudly, and Calum turned around.

“Of course. I suppose it would be rather sudden for a social visit.”

“Calum? Love?” Fern McEwan’s voice filtered through the hallway. “What’s all that noise?” Fern rounded the corner and stepped into the study, her reaction at seeing them mirroring her mate’s.

Mara’s chest seized at the sight of her friend. She’d grown very fond of Fern ever since her arrival, and now she was on her doorstep with a horrid turn of events.

Hey, Fern? We just wanted to let you know that my psychotic family has captured your brother. Oh, and he’s my mate. Mara mentally smacked her forehead in exasperation.

“Mara!” Fern exclaimed happily, pulling Fern into a tight hug. They repeated a similar round of introductions, and then luckily, Emmett stepped in.

“Let’s go to your state room, Calum.” Emmett indicated towards the door. Calum and Fern’s moods soured instantly when they picked up on the undercurrent of anxiety running through the room.

“Lead the way.” Calum nodded briskly, and Emmett led them all down the hallway to one of the many meeting rooms in the castle.

They filed in around a round table, Fern and Calum eagerly looking between Emmett, Pippa, and Mara for answers. Mara took a deep breath, and before she could psych herself out of it, all the words came tumbling out at once.

“My family wants to hunt in Edinburgh and already killed one civilian, that we know of. They captured Finley as ransom and are demanding Calum give them permission to cross the veil.”

The room exploded. Fern let out a strangled cry of panic, and Calum leaped to her side, wrapping his arms around her while he started shouting questions rapid-fire at Emmett.

Emmett answered everything he could regarding the state of the university, and Fern cried harder and shouted half-hearted accusations at Pippa and Mara.

The chaos persisted as questions and shock circulated around the room. Mara sank deeper into her chair, closing her eyes as the hole in her chest started to ache again.

The ringing sound of metal cut through the shouting, and when Mara opened her eyes, Calum was holding his sword and Pippa was playing with her daggers.

“Oh, one more thing…” Mara’s voice was quiet by contrast and commanded everyone’s attention. “Finley is my mate.”

This time, she was met with silence. Mara couldn’t bring herself to look Fern and Calum in the eye. She cursed when tears started rolling down her face again, furious that the past twenty-four hours had turned her into such a crier.

She squeaked in surprise when Fern nearly tackled her to the ground in a bear hug.

“Oh, my sweet friend,” Fern sighed, squeezing her tightly. “I can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now.”

“W-what?” Mara looked at Fern in surprise. She had been half-expecting Fern to be mad at this development. “He’s your brother.”

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