Page 87 of For Love and Blood and Fury

At the inflection of hurt in Librada’s voice, Elena took a deep breath and reset herself. Thinking of what Marisol had said, she dropped the defensive edge. “We are all working toward the same goal. There is no sense in wasting time fighting allies. And I hope that I never have to remind you?—”

“I should not have gone for Zuri,” she said with her eyes cast down into her lap. “Since you went missing, the tension has been high, but that was an unacceptable reaction. She is yours and it was not my place?—”

“I trust it was a one-time lapse in judgment given the circumstances,” Elena said because love was making her too fucking soft again. “Let us forget it happened.”

When Librada met her eyes, they were glistening and brimming with surprise that Elena would let the incident pass.

“It troubles me that Narine was not in attendance last night,” Elena admitted.

“You question her loyalty?”

Elena turned the question in her mind. “I question the optics of someone as close to me as a daughter not rushing to my side. The message that sends could be one of weakness.”

“No one could ever consider you weak?—”

“And yet someone believed they could overthrow me,” she snapped, anger returning.

“I can go up to St. Augustine,” Librada offered. “Have a word with her. Make it clear that she failed to meet your expectations.”

Elena considered it, but decided that the best option was to go herself. “I need her support. Plus, she might have heard some murmurings about who is behind the unsanctioned male nest. She’s closer to that wasteland than we are.”

Librada agreed. “Of the Aglion… Might I inquire of the monks? They might have something in their old tomes.”

Elena’s disapproval manifested as a rumble in her throat. Lib’s former cult was a deluded bunch obsessed with myth and figures long dead—if they ever existed.

“Didn’t Zuri see Lilith?”

Elena narrowed her eyes. “Zuri saw thoughts in Marisol’s mind. That doesn’t exactly amount to a historical record. I can imagine anything. It doesn’t make it true.”

“But how would Marisol have that trapped in her subconscious if it wasn’t?—”

“No,” she replied without room for debate. “It’s better that we keep her ability a secret until we have a better understanding of it. The last thing I need is a band of zealots trying to carry her off to their damp hovels.”

“The Order does not dwell in caves.” Librada cracked a rare and microscopic smile. “Their Venetian monastery is breathtaking.”

“Well, save your oxygen and let’s focus on rooting out the rot in our midst.”

Librada nodded before returning to their business. They talked for hours before there was a knock at the office door—an exceedingly brief one that was followed by Zuri barreling into the room. Marisol trailed a moment behind.

Leaning back in her chair, Elena prepared for her day to take a turn.

“We’re going to The Roads,” Zuri declared. “We’ll be back in a few hours.”

“Absolutely not.” Elena stood. “I’m not letting you?—”

“Letting?” Zuri raised a brow like she was yanking a dagger from its sheath.

“I’m going to St. Augustine, I’ll return this evening. At least wait?—”

“You think I’m going to walk into a witch’s market withanyvampire, but you especially?” Zuri chuckled. “Umm, abso-fucking-lutely not.”

“Why do you need to go? Whatever you need, I’m sure I can source for you.” Elena walked around the desk and toward Zuri.

“There is not a single ward here?—”

“You are well protected,” Librada interrupted.

“Let’s not go down that pot-hole-packed road again, huh, Lib?” Zuri shot her a glance before returning her attention to Elena. “If you want me to stay here, I need to make it suitable.” Her agreement to move into Elena’s space—even if temporarily—filled Elena with a warmth that wrapped around her belly and flooded her chest. “And you never know what tea might spill in a place like that.” Her gaze darted between them before rolling her eyes. “Tea means gossip, and I might pick something up while I’m there.”

---