Page 43 of Tangled Hearts

“No one should be able to walk through that ward without my knowledge,” Oria whispered.

I slowly stood up, stepping back, pushing Oria behind me as Gray tried looking out the window. Soren raced down the stairs. I wondered if he had left Max by himself.

“Just let me in.” Addie’s voice came from the other side of the door. “I know the Fae shifter is going to jump out the window as you ambush me.”

We all relaxed as Gray opened the door and Addie walked in like she owned the place.

“A call would have been nice,” Gray said with a scowl.

“I did, but the twins' phones were dead, and Ryder didn’t answer his.” She strolled into the living room as Max came down.

She stared at him for a moment tilting her head to the side like she was figuring something out.

“Addie.” He nodded at her.

“Maxton, I thought you died,” she said, as she walked to the sofa and sat down.

“Nope, just stuck in a cat's body for the last few centuries,” he said, sitting in one of the chairs.

“Makes sense. I always did dream of a grumpy cat and I’m assuming that was you with her.” She pointed to Oria. “Good to see you.”

“How the hell do you know him?” I snapped.

“He came to me looking for her,” she said, looking at Oria. “Paid me a lot of money for the locator spell and I helped him out.”

“Damn, Addie, you don’t look a day over thirty,” Soren chuckled. “But how old are you?”

“Older than all of you,” she said, dismissively.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, walking to the living room.

“I’m here to make you a deal,” she said, leaning back, getting comfortable.

“A deal? Why would we need to make a deal?” I felt immediately defensive.

Addie looked at Oria.

“Because if she gets caught, then we are all fucked,” she said calmly.

The room burst into chaos with everyone saying something, growls and tensions exploded.

“Care to elaborate, Addie?” I growled and everyone was silent.

“You know about the god war that might occur.” She looked at each of us as we all nodded. “If Laima gets her back, she is the catalyst that will start the war and she needs to be hidden.”

Oria shivered behind me, the smell of her fear permeated the air.

“And you're here to help us hide her?” Soren crossed his arms across his chest, narrowing his eyes at her. “What do you gain from that?”

“We all stay alive, but I need something in return,” she said, leaning forward.

“Of course you need something, you can’t just help her out of the own kindness of your heart or maybe?—”

“Soren,” Gray snapped.

Addie’s different colored eyes glared at Soren.

“I’m sorry, but I think it's suspicious that she comes here making demands.” Soren stepped forward. “If she is so important then you?—”

---