Page 103 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

Accustomed to Oskar and Freki, Maddy ignored the yaps, howls, and snorts from the two creatures outside while she served mulled wine to the visitors.

With a drink in his fist, Dom relaxed, his boots kicked up on the new coffee table.

Maddy poked his ribs, giving him a squint-eyed glare.

“What?”

“Off the table. We just got it.”

“I can always zap us a replacement.”

“Dom. Off.”

He obliged her, the guests staring.

Remi angled against the fireplace mantle. “Big guy, never thought I’d see the day. You not only took your boots off the fucking table, but you barely grumbled. Maddy, you work wonders.”

Dom growled. “I’ve never been as grumpy as everyone says.”

The disbelieving smirks refuted his statement.

Ely turned the convo to business, but nobody had anything new to add about Praevus or Serita.

Madeline perched on the edge of the couch, combing fingers through her hair. It was getting too long. She preferred her raggedy, chin-length cut. They still didn’t have any answers. The assassins had met with the OC. They’d met with Harmony. They’d met with Lucian and Michael.

Almost swinging his feet back onto the coffee table, Dom stopped, arching his brows and grinning at Maddy. “What did you think of Lucian?” He fixed on his brother warriors.

Indigo moved to the edge of her seat, obviously also interested to hear about the famous Scourge.

Remi responded first. “I don’t trust him. Despite what he said, he’s building an army. For what? Who knows. His actions scream rebellion.”

Dom nodded. “And the OC and Michael seem hesitant to elaborate on his powers.”

Ely asked, “Why?”

“Cause they’re assholes,” said Ohngel.

“Hey,” popped off Indigo. “The OC and I are buds.”

Maddy rested an arm on her knee. “I’m a little confused about Luce...”

“Who isn’t,” interrupted Ely.

She continued, “Is he a Blood Leech, like me?”

“Hard to say,” said Dom.

“Does he do the Ordeals? Other Scourges do.”

They all shrugged.

Maddy chewed her lower lip before adding, “Why don’t you check him out with Harmony? He should be on her list. Right, Ely?”

“Uh. Didn’t think of it. I’ll get back to her. She might have more insight into Mr. Enigmatic.”

“Here’s a biggy,” said Dom. “The OC claims he can’t make Immortals into Scourges...”

Maddy’s mouth dropped open.No. She interrupted. “I’ve been so distracted by what was happening to me, Dom, that I forgot to mention this. The OC said he DIDN’T create Scourges, not that he COULDN’T. He said it exactly that way. You need to pin him down on his wording.”

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