Page 85 of Blood on the Ice

Kaspar snorts. “No shit. We’ve been here a long time, just not at this location. I checked both the Society’s and the dark net sites. No drake mentioned.”

Saoirse bounces on her toes. “That means this isours, Ju-Ju. We get to pry out of these dumbasses why they’re here and how they hid this big asshole. I can’t wait.”

“How will you do that when he’s encased in stone?” Slade asks curiously. “The others you can wake up because I subdued them with my song.”

Tharin stomps over, his gigantic frame looking like he’s a character in a fantasy TV show despite his normal dress. “We have many resources at our disposal, young siren.”

“So are we done?” Morgana asks as she looks around. “I have no problem with leaving this mess to you for the moment. I’m tired and I will have a fucking nightmare in logistical issues with repairing the damage done tonight.”

Julia and Saoirse exchange a quick glance, then nod simultaneously. The gorgon is the one who speaks, though, and I’m inclined to believe she truly is the leader. “You may go. Seer has your names in her memory banks, so we’ll know who to look for if we have more questions.”

Thank fuck.

One by one, we turn to get in the SUV when Zasha’s voice rings out. “Just a quick Q from me, eh?Whydo you think you were attacked by a multi-species group with such firepower?”

I smile innocently, putting on my most regal face as I shrug. “Your guess is as good as mine, Petrov. But I am a Prince and people seek to unseat rulers all the time. For all I know, myfather did something disagreeable within the Veil I am not privy to.”

It’s likely, and my constant worry, but he doesn’t need to know.

That said, we pile into the car and I relax for the first time since we arrived at this field.

Now all we have to do is avoid another catastrophe like this and we’ll be fine.

the plan

The trip back to my house is quiet. We’re cramped and most of the guys are banged up. It took a few minutes of wheedling, but I finally consented to sitting on Lucas’s lap in the back while the damn dragon took the wheel with the Prince up front. Iggy and Slade are scrunched into the back with us, but they seem fine with it. I’m exhausted from blasting thedamn fire drake with everything I had to encase it in stone—usually, my targets aremuchsmaller than that. It ate up a great deal of magic I’ll have to regenerate, so I’m not sure I have it in me to argue this bullshit tonight.

Not to mention discuss the stupid Guardians and what we’re going to do about the rest of our fucked up shit.

Kaspar pulls into my driveway, and suddenly, the vibe in the air isveryheavy. I open our door, needing to get out of the stifling atmosphere before it makes me angry again. I’m owed an apology—a sincere one—and a promise that fucker won’t treat me like garbage again to soothe his own trauma. I survived one broken dragon taking his shit out on me and I’m not letting this one get the chance to do the same.

When the others stay in the car, I frown. I don’t know what they’re doing, but I need to lay the fuck down and eat something before I crash. Tonight’s activities were damn draining. They don’t move, and I shrug. If they want to have a dude meeting in the car, I’m not standing around like a fool while they chat. I wiggle my fingers at Lucas, then trudge up to the porch to let myself in. Physical keys are a pain in my ass and I make a mental note that I hope sticks in my brain to ask Iggy and Liam about transitioning us to something less object based.

Not everything has fucking pockets, and it’s hard enough to keep track of my damn phone.

Striding into the house, I flick on the lights only to shriek at the top of my lungs. The two guys sitting on my living room sofa smirk at me and I put my hand to my chest to quell the thumping of my heart. “Poseidon’s salty ass crack, Jackson. You scared the stone off me.”

It’s not hard to hear the thundering herd of men approaching at my strangled yell of fear, so I wait until they pour into the room in various stages of defense mode. Eli laughs from his spot next to our lawyer, and I have to stop myself from shouting again when Channing appears in the doorway to the kitchen with a tea tray.

“What the hell is going on in here?” Lucas growls. He looks tired, but he’s got big ass bear paws, so he was definitely mid-shift when he realized who our uninvited guests were. “Fuck, man, it’s not the night for surprises.”

Iggy lowers hands covered in glowing magic and Slade’s aura goes back to normal as they see their friend. Unfortunately for everyone, the last two to join the pissed off party are Liam and Kaspar, both of whom are much deeper into fight mode. Kaspar has scales and glowing eyes while the Prince is damn near shedding sparkles everywhere as his magic fills the room.

“Guys, guys, guys,” I say in a tired voice. “Calm down. It’s okay. We’re not in danger.”

Liam huffs, turning off the light show so easily even Jackson looks impressed. “By the stones on the henge, I almost cast first and asked questions afterward. Are you threeinsane?”

“I’m sorry. Jax got the message that shit went down here and we re-grouped to drop in immediately. Rick, Ken, and Foley are headed here as soon as they wrap up the leads they’re following right now.”

Slade rushes over to help Channing with the tray, despite being filthy and covered in the mess of our battle. I laugh softly, finding his innate chivalry adorable but crazy in our current state. Looking pointedly at Jackson, I clear my throat loudly.“Okay, people. With an invasion foretold, some of usmustget cleaned up. Entertain yourselves until we get back.”

Lucas beams as he takes my hand, especially when I don’t fight him. “That’s right, suckers. We fought a fucking dragon and we’re covered in sweat andwinner.”

Artemis, save me from competitive dudes.

“Yes, well, it’s a good thing we brought things this afternoon,” Iggy says as he runs his hands through his hurricane-blown hair. “And better that there are three showers.”

“I’m going to our place,” Kaspar says. As soon as he turns to leave, I make a face at his back because I’m completely over his bullshit. “And don’t think I didn’t feel that, Morgana.”

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