Page 56 of Peacock Me Like a Hurricane

We both wish to find a suitable way to integrate them into the ways of our community. My solution will allow My Darkness to be less closeted and afford me a suitable balance to the demon she eschews. By treating Talia as a lady as I did those that we no longer associate with, I am certain that I will achieve the perfect pitch I had before.

I am far better at persuasion than when I last attempted this.

“My Darkness has been occupied outside of her home for more than a week. I believe there is something far more serious than mere physical intimacy going on. If we are toremain connected with our family, we need to encourage more integrated socializing.”

“Go for the low-hanging fruit and use it to get into the orchard. I like it.” She pauses her writing for a moment to consider my words and I smile.

My beloved has a keen mind, and her understanding of human behavior is adept. I knew she would see the wisdom in my plans.

“How do you go about drawing out the recluse?” Her fingers tap on the table as she frowns. “That woman buried herself deep after the rest of the Cabal fucked off. I’ve tried to engage, but mostly, she comes out to bark at people and that’s it. The appearance on the lawn was very unusual.”

“I ask permission.” I smile slyly, knowing she’ll grasp that playing into Taurus’ enormous ego will lead to a situation that benefits us all. “We shall both continue our efforts to draw our long-haired mate out of his hiding place while we entertain the mate of my target. Surely working both ends of the problem will lead to a meeting in the middle.”

“I don’t know how much the southern family will enjoy that. There’s a lot of bad blood there, honey—on both sides.”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “Beloved, you know that the attention span of that family is short lived. They are in our world, but not as we are, nor as my Darkness’ family is. Something will distract the lovely Miss Belle and she will disappear as she is wont to do. Their usefulness is in their willingness to escape the chain and be vicious when needed. It leaves one’s hands clean when needing to stoop to the lowest denominator.”

Her laugh is harsh, but she nods as her eyes light up. “She’ll be a good distraction if your plan goes astray.”

“Absolutely. Belle may not have the lasting attention to support an actual relationship, but she can always be recruitedto throw a wrench in the works. She thrives on conflict and aggression, real or perceived.”

“You broached courting Talia earlier and haven’t heard a peep since. What makes you think this time will be different?”

Adjusting my glasses, I smirk again. “This time, I intend on being charming, beloved. I’m told it is hard to say ‘no’ to.”

Our glasses clink and we share another laugh, settling in to discuss the details of our plan in full.

I believe this will solve all of our problems.

The Bird Asks The Cat Her Opinion

THE BIRD ASKS THE CAT HER OPINION

“Oi, Minx.”

I look up from the last bit of my planning for the ritual next week. “Hello, love. I thought you’d be in Abu Dhabi today.”

“I was. I came back and got called to a confab. You’ll never guess who.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I knew it was too quiet today. I slipped home, checked on Rafe, and then came back here to work. “Who?”

“Sodding Wilde and the gnome,” he says with a puzzled frown. “Very odd.”

Now I’m concerned. What in the fuck is going on? There haven’t been any big issues in the community since the bar opened, so everyone is behaving—mostly. Rafe stayed out of the studio for a whole five hours this morning. I felt like things were pretty good.

Why are the terror twins paging Taurus?

“What did they want?” I ask, hoping my voice is as steady as I think it is.

“He was all dressed up and stuff. Sari was there, too, but I think it was more to watch than anything.”

Uh-oh. This sounds like a coordinated attack.

They come up with some harebrained scheme and then work together on selling it to someone. I’ve not onlyseenthem do it before, but I’ve had them do it to me. It never ends well. “Wilde is always dressed up; that’s nothing new. One of my favorite sports used to be messing up his clothes or ponytail to throw him off guard.”

“I thought he only fucks people he loves?”

“That’s the Kool-Aid we’ve all been drinking for years, why?”

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