Page 43 of Bite Me

“Hey, hey, hey.” Dax raised his hands holding back the stares of the ladies. “Don’t look at me. I haven’t even hit my Prime yet.”

Fleur waggled her fingers at him. “You need a visit from the White Witch.”

The front door blew open and Ninsy, in a flowing gown and a sword at her waist, walked into the room, appearing out of thin air.

Dax squeaked like a baby mouse and bolted for the kitchen.

Steele and Jakob shimmered into their dragon forms blocking the room. Jada shot a look at Ky, but he shook his head.

Ninsy walked right up to the green dragons and patted them both on the noses. She spoke briefly to Jakob, but quietly enough that only the two of them could hear what she said. Then she squeezed between the two and plopped down into an empty seat on the couch. She picked up the cup of coffee that Jada hadn’t yet touched. “Got any donuts to go with this?”

Jada hugged her boss and badass fighter friend. “Ninsy, I thought you were dead. What happened to you?”

“Do you know this, umm, woman?” Fleur asked.

Ky stood and placed a hand on Ninsy’s shoulder. “She helped us battle the demon dragons yesterday. She is a friend.”

Ninsy lifted her cup in cheers to Ky. “Sorry about leaving you like that. I can’t let the Black Dragon know of my existence in this world. I knew the two of you would get out of there alive and I left you the weapon I developed to destroy demon dragons. I’m glad you figured it out and used it.”

“The rhubarb Danishes?”

Fleur held up one finger pausing the reunion. “You used rhubarb to destroy demon dragons? That’s what was all over Jada’s clothes. It’s so toxic, especially to lizards. Why didn’t I think of that? I’ve got some growing in the community garden now.”

She closed her eyes and held out both of her hands. Swirls of green ether flickered in her palms. “It’s ready for harvest now. Nice big leaves and roots. Will you share the rest of your recipe with us? And also, who are you?”

Ninsy smiled and nodded. “I’ve been sent by my mistress to help you in your upcoming battles with Kur-Jara.”

Jakob and Steele shifted back and rejoined their mates. They both eyed Ninsy warily. Jada couldn’t blame them, but maybe together they could devise a way to get them off her tail and leave them all alone.

“Ninsy, do you know why the demon dragons and Kur-Jara are attacking me?”

Fleur sat next to Ninsy. “Or why he kidnapped me?”

Ninsy nodded and took another sip of her coffee. “For the same reason he wants the soul shards.”

“They tried to take both mine and Steele’s shards before we gave them to our mates. Ky have they attempted to get yours?”

“No, but, they may have another. Jakob?” Ky was asking a question only the two Wyverns understood.

Jakob nodded. “Cage Gylden’s soul shard has been stolen.” He turned his gaze on Jada. “By a succubus.”

Aw, shit on a shingle.

Every eye in the place turned to Jada. All of them were asking if she’d done it. All except Ky’s.

Was it possible to fall in love with someone so different from herself in one day? She knew other shifters had fated mates, but they mostly mated their own kind, or sometimes humans.

Could it truly be possible that she was Ky’s true mate? Was that why she was feeling this way, all gooey inside like a custard filled éclair?

That was it. The mates.

“I think Kur-Jara wants more than the shards. Whatever he’s planning, he wants them and the mates. Together.”

Ciara grasped for Jakob’s hand. He gave it to her and pulled her to him. Steele did the same with Fleur.

Jada bit her lip. She didn’t know what made her think she could ever have that instant support from anyone in her life. Just because Ky had claimed her didn’t mean—

A hand slipped into hers and squeezed, interlacing their fingers. Her eyes must have been as big as the moon when she looked over at him.

---