Page 58 of Dark Fate

Having Lucian here, solid and real, chips away at the anxiety that had been lodged deep within me.

Dani recounts recent days to Lucian—the allies she's rallied, the scuffles she's weathered, and the chess moves she's had to play in this twisted game of courts and power. Respect lights up Lucian's eyes while he listens, his gaze flickering over to Dani with a glint that’s damn near close to admiration, recognizing the steel in her.

"And where's Mouse?" I interject as Dani finishes, my concern for the small fae that helped us still lingering.

Lucian calls out, "Mouse, it's time to make an entrance. The coast is clear—no big, bad wolves are here."

Meadow lands with a gentle thud among the leaves. Her big, round eyes lock onto mine before swiveling to Dani.

"You're Dani," she says, her voice hushed, as if speaking of something sacred.

Dani responds with a smile as kind as summer. "And you're Meadow, I take it."

A step forward, wide-eyed, Meadow breathes out, "The Light, you’re the Light in my visions."

Dani's brows knit together in a visual question mark, a silent signal for me to jump in.

"Meadow here's got some tricks up her sleeve," I say, drawing Dani into the circle of my arm. "Those visions I mentioned to you? You're a star player in them, sweetheart."

Meadow bobs her head eagerly. "I saw storms and lightning, and you were right in the thick of it."

As I'm about to dive deeper, Dani’s attention snags on something else—Meadow's hold on the book, which looks like it's seen better days.

"What do you have there?" Dani asks, gesturing toward the worn tome.

Meadow looks down as if surprised by its presence. "Oh, this? It's... it was supposed to be the answer. I thought it would have the spell to break their collars." Her gaze lifts to mine, then drifts to my neck. "Your collar—it's gone!" Her voice rises with excitement.

My hand lifts on its own accord, fingertips brushing against the smooth skin where that damn collar used to weigh me down—cold, unyielding metal no more.

A grin breaks out across my face as I turn to Dani, who’s so much more than she knows—hell, my savior in every damn way. "Magic didn't stand a chance," I say, voice swelling with pride. "Dani busted me out with something packing way more punch."

Meadow shuffles closer, eyes full of something deep and bright, gazing at Dani like she's just been handed a legend in the flesh.

Lucian barges in, all tact forgotten as usual. "Hey, maybe we could press pause on the heavenly meet and greet for now?" he drawls, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "There's just the tiny, insignificant matter of this fashionable hellhound accessory situation." He gives the collar a disdainful yank. "That fantastic disappearing act you pulled with my brooding better half? Think you could work that magic trick again for the stubborn blonde in the back?"

Dani arches an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "Well, look who's getting his panties in a twist over a little accessory. Hate to break it to you, Luci, but this isn't a drive-thru service. Let's not put the cart before the horse," she interjects, her expression serious as she locks her eyes with Lucian. "First order of business, you've got to drink my blood."

Lucian's face lights up with a mischievous gleam. "Oh, shit yeah," he drawls, that trademark smart-ass tone that could turn anything into an innuendo kicking in. "If that's an open invitation to get up close and personal with a gorgeous creature like yourself—"

"Dial it back, Casanova,"Daniinterrupts sharply. "There's nothing remotely sexual about this unless you're into getting your ass kicked by light magic."

Lucian's eyes light up with a wicked glint as he interjects, "Listen, I've been stuck slurping on rodents and whatever other fairy-tale rejects I could get my fangs into for weeks now,"Lucianlaments, his tone dripping with that trademark sarcasm. "So if that's your subtle way of offering me a taste of the top-shelf stuff..." He pauses deliberately, eyes twinkling as he leans in with a roguish grin. "Well then, I'm definitely not going to turn down that kind of invitation, sweetheart."

I clench my jaw, involuntarily reacting to the thought ofLucian's fangs anywhere near her. Before I have a chance to let loose how pissed I am or explain anything,Daniwhirls on me with a challenging look in her eyes.

"Hold up, Mr. Overlord—put a sock in it," she snaps. "Or are you keen on your sibling sporting that chic throat bling permanently?"

Her words slam down like a final verdict; she isn't about to put up with any of my shit while she's set on savingLucian.

Lucian, the insufferable smartass that he is. "Oh, my fuck, that's fan-fucking-tastic!" He crows, clapping his hands together like an overexcited toddler. "Mr. Overlord? That's like, the most perfect nickname ever. Of all time."

He sidles up to Dani, slinging an arm around her shoulders and grinning like a lunatic. "Dani,baby, you are officially my new favorite person. Seriously, can I just, like, carry you around in my pocket? Pull you out whenever I need a sick burn to lob atRhy-Rhy?"

Ignoring Lucian's bullshit, "I'll be damned if I let that bastard sink his fangs into you,Angel," I growl through clenched teeth. "We'll figure out another way to give him your blood, but not straight—"

"Oh, absolutely not. Our fancy gear? Stashed away in good oldWhispervale. And look atLucian, turning more and more into a ghost right before our eyes—practically a stiff breeze away from being next week's gossip. Plus, sunbathing's not exactly in his repertoire unless we plan on toting around a king-sized parasol."

With a pissed-off growl, I snap my jaw shut tight and throw her a dark nod, keeping my damn objections to myself.

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