Page 48 of Last Gift: Supernatural Battle

Wild growled right back.

Why didn’t they see who could piss the farthest and sort this out once and for all?

Until that time, I didn’t dare move from between Kyros and Wild. And I’d remain close enough to Wild to intervene in anything between him and Sascha too.

Andie strode forward, and Sascha didn’t hover quite as much as Kyros had over Basilia and me.

“I’m Andie,” she said, an easy smile on her face.

The woman was about as opposite as could be from her sister. “Andie, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m High Esteemed Tempest. Welcome to the Buried Knolls coven.”

It seemed pointless not to acknowledge the male magus growling up a storm beside me. “This is one of my esteemed advisors, Wild.”

I looked at him for the first time. I didn’t strictly need to because I was receiving all his emotions and intent loud and clear through our bond.

Wild was one misplaced look from losing his shit. The guy was shaking. I slipped my hand up the sleeve of his tunic and felt him return somewhat to himself. He was on edge with the mating ritual. The demon in him must perceive the others as massive threats—which they were.

Wild exhaled, and his shaking receded.

I glanced at our guests and wasn’t sure what to make of the curious glint in Kyros’s gaze. “You’ll see my other advisors behind me. A few will join us in this morning’s meeting.”

Andie, still naked, glanced toward the meadow. “Your people seem… surprised.”

“They’ve never seen another supernatural before,” I replied. “Other than those who attacked us a week ago.”

That brought the attention of all Vissimo and Luthers to me. “To that end,” I said, “let’s head somewhere more private so I can tell you all. Huxley, Wild, Winona.”

Huxley and Winona stepped forward of the others and walked behind me and Wild as we entered the Caves.

I paused before entering. “Varden?”

“Yes, High Esteemed.”

“Please ensure no magus touches the helicopter. Our magus can interfere with the humans’, uh, magic.”

“Humans have magic?” Barrow blurted, unable to help himself despite the present company.

I felt the eyes of our guests on me. “Of a sort. Not from the Mother. A small lightning magic of their own design.”

That was as good as I could do in a few sentences on the subject.

Basilia’s lips curved.

Varden half bowed. “It will be done.”

I entered, noting that Wild walked behind me, while Sascha walked behind Huxley and Winona and in front of his mate. Kyros brought up the rear behind Basilia. I’d admitted to being underprepared, but the clashing male egos were not something I’d remotely expected.

Wild would be furious with himself later.

I led them to the advisory chamber and took my authority. Wild usually sat opposite me, and Winona went so far as to flicker an eyelid when he took the seat on my right, shifting it closer. His behavior hadn’t been missed, and I could only hope she didn’t see more before the end of this visit. We’d have a tough enough time explaining this much.

“Hold on,” Basilia announced. “You guys need clothes.”

Andie and Sascha glanced down.

“Forgot about that.” Andie looked to me. “You don’t seem to mind.”

“It’s the way we are born. It’s the way we die,” I answered. “Who are we to judge what the Mother has gifted us?”

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