Page 92 of Under Crimson Blades

“Orren wasn’t so subtle about the fact that they’d just secured a deal with the military, though what he meant by that I can’t imagine.”

“What were his words?” Nina questioned.

“He said, ‘we’ve got the military on our side, now, so those crazies don’t stand a chance.’” Shoulders squeezing together as though she’d gotten the chills, Ava said, “I got the impression that it was more resources than people, though.”

“At least that’s some good news.” Nero locked eyes with Drake. “If we had more people against us, the word will be out on our existence. Not everyone can keep a secret.”

“The problem is, I don’t think they’ll keep our secret for long.” Though her voice was low, everyone heard Ava. “They’re abducting wolves again. One can only wonder what they’re doing to them.”

Growl rumbling from his chest, Aidan’s primal warning sent a shudder down Remmus’ spine. When he spoke, everyone listened. “If they’re taking wolves, they’re turning them rabid. It’ll only be a matter of time before they deploy them.”

“Then we simply need to find them before they do damage.” Gideon replied. “Has your vaccine been tested on a wolf who has already turned rabid?”

Aidan’s shook his head. “We haven’t, but we haven’t had anyone turn rabid in months. I was hoping we’d never have to find out.”

“Have any wolves been reported missing?”

The question, surprisingly, came from Lucius. The vampire elder sat alongside Isaiah and Rukia and was a member of their clan. He’d mated with Isaiah’s adopted daughter, Circe, who had a knack for finding things and people.

“None,” came Aidan’s gruff reply, “but the ones they’ve targeted in the past were lone wolves—the ones who never checked in with pack.”

Lucius nodded solemnly, then looked to his sovereign in soundless conversation before speaking once more. “Circe has offered to assist if you discover who they’ve taken.”

The topic of conversation shifted, revolving around the upcoming changes within the Raeth society and how it’d affect relations between the immortal nations.

Losing himself once more to the little rumbles of pleasure that sounded from Ava’s chest as he massaged her hands, Remmus mentally checked out.

By the time they’d wrapped up, night had fallen. While Ava caught up with Nova, Remmus followed his stomach to Nina’s exceptionally well-stocked kitchen. He never missed a meal if it could be helped, but the driving factor was habit rather than true hunger.

He traipsed through hallway after hallway, knowing the layout of the gigantic mansion like the back of his hand. Crossing the kitchen threshold, however, he paused.

Celeste was eating whipped cream out of the cannister.

A blush burned over her cheeks as she daintily put the cannister where it belonged. “You saw nothing, Remmus.”

Crossing his arms, he lazily rested against the doorframe before adopting a face-eating grin. “I saw nothing … but fodder for blackmail.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Oh, I would.” Taunting now, he closed the distance between them a quirked an eyebrow. “One never knows when a good tidbit of knowledge comes in handy.”

Narrowing her eyes in mocking anger, Celeste folded her arms across her chest. Once their quippy interaction came to an end, it left them wallowing in stilted silence.

Though it’d been some time since the Heat, their interactions had remained stiff. In the span of five months, they’d gone from close friends to estranged acquaintances who refused to talk about the elephant in the room.

The last time they’d met, Ava had nearly torn Celeste’s throat out.

“I’m so happy for you, Remmus.”

He locked on her features, attempting to decipher her words. She scoffed and let her fist sail into his shoulder.

“For your mating, you oaf.”

“Ava’s amazing, Celeste. She’s more than I ever dreamed I’d have. At times, I still have a hard time believing I’m a mated man.”

“Cue tearful cries from all the single ladies. Even Queen B shed a tear now that you’re off the market.”

“I’d like for you to meet her, Celeste,” he said. “Get to know her. When you do, you’ll see how amazing she is.”

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