Page 30 of Last Gift: Supernatural Battle

Rhona blinked. “The first time I saw you, you were joining the coven, weren’t you?”

I hadn’t told her as much, but… “Yes.”

She snorted. “You fuckers work fast.”

“You know other fuckers like me?”

“Yeah. Basilia, and my sister, Andie. When you guys enter the scene, you’re sitting on the throne five minutes later.”

I lowered my shot glass. “You have a sister?” Who’s the Deception Valley leader. Who was a Luther, too, or so I’d assumed. Interesting.

“Didn’t know about her for most of my life, but yep.” She searched my face. “Only a year between us. Everyone thinks we’re twins.”

I smiled sadly. “I had a twin.”

Pain flickered in her eyes. “What happened?”

“She was killed by a demon five years ago.”

I didn’t know if Rhona could truly imagine the pain. I’d been raised with Syera from day one. We’d existed in the same womb. Invisible parts of us were shared as though we were one person at times.

“Is that what started this demon war for you?” she asked.

“No. I didn’t know which supernatural was responsible for my family’s murder for a long time.”

“But demons were involved, and they are now?”

“They are.” I slid over my letter. “This is for Princess Basilia and Pack Leader Andie.”

“Just call her Andie. She hates that proper shit.”

I liked her more already. “And Basilia?”

“Call her princess because that’s what she is. She owns it somehow. You never manage to forget her sharp teeth and claws despite it.”

Spoiled? Or with a thirst for power as well as blood? I wasn’t sure what to make of Rhona’s remark. “I’d like to meet with them both. Their mates are welcome also.”

“Good luck otherwise.”

I tapped the table, wondering how much to tell the human. “There was a demon attack on the coven not many days past. We have reason to believe the demon king’s efforts are not restricted to maguskind.”

Her eyes rounded. “There’s a demon king?”

“What did you expect?”

“I don’t know. Unthinking gremlins. Savage hellhounds.”

I hid my smile behind my glass as I finished the absinthe. “How long will it take to get this message to your sister?”

Rhona’s mouth pressed into a grim line. “I’ll leave immediately. I’ll go directly to her, and no one will rip this fucking letter from my hands.”

She was a human, and I didn’t doubt her intent. Just her ability to ensure it. I hovered a hand over the letter and coated the parchment and ink with apothecary and battle. “If that does happen, however, then the letter will appear blank to anyone other than the four leaders it’s addressed to.”

“But then I’d need to come back and sit in this fucking bar for another fucking month. Not happening,” she replied.

I studied her. “What mistake did you make?”

She didn’t want to answer, and if she hadn’t been alone for the last two months, Rhona likely wouldn’t have replied. “I put my faith in the wrong person, and then didn’t put my pride aside until too late.”

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