Page 4 of Lethal Souls

“The Blackwater tailors are good too,” I counter.

“Sure they are, but Vanora has better resources when it comes to the quality of the dresses,” Juniper says. “Their silk and tulle are the most sought after, and with all the people in Gold Class in their fancy clothes attending their fancy parties, the Vanora tailors are much more efficient. Trust me, if you want Willow to look like a goddess, we have to go there.”

“When is it anyway?” Killian grumbles, leaning against the wall with his arms folded.

“Six days from now,” Juniper answers.

“That’s very soon.” Willow shifts next to me.

“They do it on purpose.” Rowan picks up a paperweight and tosses it in the air, playing catch with it. “Keeps everyone focused on the preparations instead of their desire to kill each other.”

Frankly, it works.

“Come on, Willow! Let me show you a few designs in the books I have in my bedchamber and see what you like.” Juniper is already halfway out of the room with Willow’s wrist clasped in her hand.

“Jun, we were having tea!” I shout, but of course my cousin ignores me, rushing around a corner just as Willow passes me an innocent look.

See you in our room after? We can finish what we started.

Our room. I can’t stop myself from smiling. I’ll never get tired of hearing her call it that.

“Are you smiling?” Rowan asks, leaning forward to get a closer look at me.

“Fuck off,” I mutter, burying my smile in the teacup.

“He is! Look, Kill, this fucker is smiling. Love of Vakeeli, he looks weird when he does that, doesn’t he?”

Killian takes the seat across from me. “I think he’s pussy-whipped.”

I point a finger at him. “Shut up.”

“He is pussy-whipped,” Rowan chuckles.

“But seriously, Armistice Night is a big deal, Caz. Sure, we can gather a fleet, but we won’t be able to take our eyes off her or each other for a second,” Killian forewarns.

“I’m aware. Look, we attend Armistice to let Willow and Juniper have a good time. Women love events like this, so we’ll just have to suck it up and go. We let Willow experience the dance, have a drink or two, and then we return to Blackwater. You have to remember, Kill, that Armistice Night is also a way to assert power. If I don’t show up, the other territories will assume I’m vulnerable and, like you said, Devlin is purposely dodging our contacts. He’ll most likely be there too, but for now, keep an eye on him and the Rippies. Make sure they’re not up to something. I don’t want any funny shit happening before or while we’re there.”

“I’m on it.” Killian rises, lumbering out of the room with his transmitter in hand.

When he’s gone, Rowan clears his throat and says, “I know we’re to keep an eye on each other, but that doesn’t mean we can’t fuck a lady or two while we’re there, does it?”

“Vakeeli’s sake, Rowan.” I stand and polish off my tea. “I don’t care what you do. I just hope none of them decide to chop your bloody dick off when they realize there isn’t a woman there you haven’t slept with. Who knows what kind of disease you’re carrying.”

“Hey, my dick is clean!” he shouts as I leave the room. “Don’t you put that on me. It’s not my fault they love me.”

I can’t help laughing on my way up the stairs.

THREE

WILLOW

The week leading up to Armistice Night is a whirlwind.

I’ve never felt busier, and the busyness reminds me of when I’d worked for Lou Ann with all the planning, chatting, setting up, and driving just to get things done.

Thinking of Lou Ann sort of breaks my heart, but only because it leads me to thinking about Faye too. I didn’t care so much about quitting my job or leaving the apartment, and it seemed Lou Ann was scouting for someone to fill my position anyway. But leaving my best friend was a different story.

I’d decided after Warren and his mate Danica went to Kessel that I would stay in Vakeeli. I’d returned to Earth once after they’d departed so I could formally quit my job and let Faye know I’d be leaving.

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