Page 102 of Fangs and Fudge

“No, it won’t. He’s fucking thralled, Everly. We know what that means. That fucking cat will be able to find him for the rest of his life.”

“Which is why we need to find and kill his master,” Cross said. “He gave Miles this task because he thought Miles had a chance to steal the ring and bring it to him. This works in our favor.”

Vena pulled back and wiped at her face. “What are you saying?”

“That we allow Miles to lead us to his master.” He stuck his hand into the pocket of his tailored pants and withdrew a ring that looked almost exactly like the one Cross wore.

Shepard cursed under his breath.

Vena looked from the ring to Cross. Anger flickered in her eyes.

“You want to send Miles to that psychotic vampire with a decoy ring? Are you insane? You know what he did to Gunther.”

“It’s the fastest way to find the vampire responsible for your brother’s condition and end it. Once he’s gone, your brother will be free.”

Vena looked at me. The fact that she was looking to me for a second option instead of just agreeing without any consideration for caution had me hugging her.

“We’ve done crazier things solo,” I said. “This time, we won’t be alone. I trust Cross and Shepard to keep Miles safe.”

She looked at Cross. “Okay. What do you have in mind?”

Since Tank kept glancing at Shepard, I said, “I think Tank needs an explanation before we make any plans.”

“So do I,” Shepard said. “How could you possibly have a duplicate made that quickly? You saw the ring this morning.”

“As precious as that ring is to you, you are not its first owner. Nor will you be its last. I was there when it was created and understand its purpose. Perhaps better than you, which is why I had this made before I sailed to these shores.”

He tossed the ring to Shepard. “As for the plan, it’s quite simple. You will allow the fairy to steal that ring. The fairy will give the ring to Miles. And we’ll follow Miles to his master after he believes he snuck away from his watchdogs.”

Vena shook her head. “That’s it? Just follow him? There are so many ways that could go wrong.”

“His plan is as loosely plotted as yours usually are,” I reminded her. “Now you know how I feel every time you bring up a plan. It comes down to trust, Vena. I go along with you because I trust you without reservation. Has Cross earned that level of trust?”

She looked at Cross, steadily holding his gaze. “Have I told you how sorry I am that I ever took your ring?”

“I hold no grudge.”

“You might not, but the regret I feel is real. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t–”

Cross moved suddenly, grabbing her by the shoulders. Shepard tensed, and Tank growled softly, but neither moved to intercede.

“What you view as your biggest mistake I now view as one of the brightest moments in my very long life. I will do everything in my power to change the regret you feel into appreciation.”

Cross shocked the hell out of me by hugging Vena.

Her gaze shifted to me briefly before she gave him an awkward pat. Thankfully, Cross wasn’t the clingy type and released her quickly.

“As soon as we’re ready, I can wake Miles,” he said.

“Wait.” Vena dashed to her brother’s phone, unlocked it, and enabled his tracking.

“Shepard, you can track him this way now, too. Just in case. But you both have to promise to have eyes on him the whole time.”

“I will follow him on foot once we reach our destination,” Cross said. “But the wolves should stay back and use the tracking. If my kind smells them too soon, the master will run. Do you agree?”

I looked at Shepard. He nodded at the same time his phone dinged with a message. He glanced at it and began typing a reply. Vena peeked over at his phone and swiped the phone from his hands.

“Why did you tell MC to escort us home?” she demanded as she read the message. “I’m not going anywhere with MC. Ever.”

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