Page 53 of Ember's Claim

“Are you The Doctor?” the nightmare asks.

“No, that is not one of my monikers.” My hands fly up, and I debate sliding my thumb over the sigil on my palm. It wipes me from someone’s memory as soon as I leave their sight. The otherhand holds the rune for invisibility. Using them in tandem has gotten me out of more than a few tight spots over the years.

It takes someoneexceptionallypowerful to override my magic, and these two are nowhere close to the level of ancient they would need to be for me to worry about that.

“Calm down, Gemma.” Veryn huffs, his eyes glowing yellowy-green to signal his dragon’s displeasure. “He’s one of Ember’s mates. Even if he was who you’re searching for, you wouldn’t be able to turn him over to the council.”

The nightmare hums. “Damn.”

At the same time, Cohen says, “Wait, what?”

“Isn’t it a pleasant surprise?” I ask, unable to hold back the feral grin that crosses my face. “The universe has finally decided to grace me with a gift.”

“I’m incredibly confused,” Rogue mutters. That one seems to have an unpleasant disposition, and I frown back at her in return. “Did Ember really kill the alpha?”

“She did,” Veryn answers as I nod.

“This is all our fault,” the fae female says, shaking her head. “If we hadn’t been called away on that bullshit wild goose chase with Delta…”

“No one can stop Ember from doing what Ember wants,” the nightmare says, finally stepping away and removing the knife from my throat.

“We need a moment with Veryn,” Rogue says, nodding at the nightmare.

They proceed over to talk to the dragon as Cohen comes closer to me with wide eyes.

“She’s also Anders’s mate,” he murmurs in barely more than a whisper.

“And the dragon’s.” I nod my agreement. “There could be others. You remember the omegas of old. They easily collected five to seven. Sometimes more.”

“But she’s an alpha.” His eyes blink repeatedly behind his glasses.

“Times are changing. None of us know what to expect.” I clap him on the shoulder. “An alpha-omega-hybrid with the ability to defend herself, instead of having to rely on her mates for protection? It’s an ingenious evolutionary development.”

“Do you think there will be a surge of them?” Cohen asks, squinting. “If not, she’s going to be in even more danger than simply being a female alpha in control of a pack.”

“Let’s hope they become quite prolific,” I murmur as my mind races. “I’m still confused about why the North American Paranormal Council is so desperate to get their hands on Calyx.”

Cohen sighs. “I haven’t the first clue, but it’s complicated, and it sounds like you have more than enough to focus on here with your mate.” He shoves his glasses up. “Once I can slip away, I’ll check in on him and see if there’s been any progress on sussing out where his phylactery could be hidden.”

I nod. “I’m available if you need me, but I would prefer to stay close to Ember. She and the dragon are both young. Neither seems to know much about shifter culture, which is the downside of being raised in a sanctuary city.”

“You finally finding a mate, and her being an alpha wolf…” He chuckles. “You know how stubborn alphas can be.”

“Indeed,” I agree. “But, truthfully, I find her unabashed attitude wildly enticing.”

The female fae stomps over, giving Cohen a look I can’t decipher.

“I need you to answer a few—” She reaches out, grabbing his forearm.

The glossy, vacant look in her eyes is one I recognize.

Ahh, so Rogue is a soothsayer.

They’re the Seelie version of an oracle.

“Not a shifter at all,” she whispers, releasing Cohen and stumbling back. He reaches for her arms, steadying her. “Oh, shit.” The vacant gaze returns as her head tilts and her mouth falls open.

I step to the side, taking note of the strange look on Cohen’s face.

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