Page 35 of Ascension of the Pack

‘What do you mean?’ I demanded.

There’s an ember of fire elemental magic within you,he explained.

‘I was extinguished,’ I said flatly.

Almost. But something remains, a memory of a flame. So it is with the orb – there is a whisper of all that was. We just need to work out how to fan it.

‘So there’s hope?’

There’s always hope,Nina chimed in.Perhaps between us, Terrance and I can work it out.Her tone was optimistic with a hint of slyness; she had missed Terrance and shewanted an opportunity for them to hang out. I wasn’t planning any more heists or excursions, so I saw no reason to keep them apart.

‘Sure. I’ll leave Terrance here with the orb – if that’s okay with him?’ I stifled a smile. I knew full well that it was.

Of course, Your Majesty.He sounded pleased.I’d love to stay with Nina – to help her awaken the orb,he added hastily.

Of course,Nina agreed quickly.We’ll work on it tirelessly, Lucy. You have our word on that.

Suppressing a smile, I nodded. ‘Wonderful. That’s agreed, then. I’ll leave Terrance here with you, Nina.’

I pulled off the crown and set it on top of the orb, just in case Terrance needed any sort of physical proximity to work with. I gave him an awkward pat and made my way out of the room.

I’ve missed you, Terry,Nina purred.

And I you, my sweet girl,he cooed.

Do you know, Terry, I’m not really a girl. Not anymore. I haven’t been so for a long time.As a vampyr, I can be any age you want me to be.Her tone was arch.

Neither of them had realised I could hear their conversation so I hustled to the front door as quickly as I could, lest I heard something I couldn’tunhear. My cheeks were already burning a little. I’d known they feltaffection for each other, but before I’d sensed Terrance’s emotions I’d assumed it was like that between siblings. Nina’s tone made it clear that she was not feeling sisterly towards Terrance.

Despite my haste, I still heard Terrance murmur,I want you to be whatever age you want to be.It is your mind and soul that I admire.

Admiration? Is that all you have for me, Terrance?Suddenly Nina sounded subdued.

You know it’s not!

Good.Nina perked right up.Because I have more than just admiration for you.

Do you, now?

I all but ran out of the house and slammed the door behind me. If this degenerated into dirty talk, I wanted to hear none of it. Without physical bodies how could they even…? My thoughts trailed off. There was more to love and companionship than sex, and clearly Nina and Terrance had whatever that ‘more’ was. Well, well. Who’d have thought it?

I was quietly happy for my house and my crown. Now I had to work out a way to let them be together, awaken the orb and restore a true connection to the Great Pack. Easy-peasy.

I was a woman with a to-do list and I could do anything if it was on that list. The world was my oyster, it just didn’t know it yet.

Chapter 22

When I walked into my office, Tristan was sitting at the security console while Ben was waiting for me in my guest chair. They were talking quietly. Tristan turned to me. ‘I’m sorry to hear about Xander,’ he said.

‘Me too.’ I swallowed audibly and my chest tightened uncomfortably.

He cleared his throat awkwardly. ‘So, you know how you summoned the Devon pack?’

‘Yes?’

‘They’ve arrived.’

I blinked. ‘All of them?’

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