Page 61 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

Because this incursion was more painful, she blacked out. But when the healer’s palms left her temples, she snapped out of the coma with a start. Other than a slight headache, she felt fine.

“What?” asked Dom when she mumbled.

Maddy grinned. “Just reciting the Dewey Decimal Classification System.”

“The what?” he asked.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s only important that I can.”

Rath’s shoulders slumped, and he twisted his neck from side to side. “Only time will tell if you suffer from memory loss and if your ...” he looked as though he searched for the right words “desire to please has abated. For now, rest.”

She curled onto her side, adjusting her arm until it was a pillow under her head. Maddy watched Dom tuck Alarik under one arm and Rath under the other. With his cargo safe, he soared into the sky. Petting Freki, she fell asleep, feeling as if a weight had been lifted from her mind.

Then an arm slid under her legs and curled around her back. Her black-winged hero carried her to bed, throwing a cover over her and crawling in to snuggle against her. “You’re an addictive female, Maddy.”

She bit her lower lip to staunch tears, unsure if she was happy to be going home soon or sad to leave Dom. He was addictive, too.

Chapter Seventeen

Ely heard the goodnews about Madeline. She was cured and would be on her way to Earth soon. No danger to herself or other humans. But other aspects of his hunt were frustrating. Harmony was busy. Very busy. Unable to schedule a meet now.

While he waited for her “to find the time,” he again took up the search for Praevus in Stupool’s hot spots. The rowdiest bar in the large city was crowded. To get through the door, he gripped two inmates by the necks, tossing them aside.

After plowing inside, Ely halted, his gaze circling the dark environment.Mayhem. Males were beating the shit out of one another. The reason? Who knew? Maybe the three female Scourges perched on a table, skimpy tops, pushed-up tits, short skirts, legs crossed. Creats, the money in OneWorld, changed hands among them. Likely, they were betting on which fighters got to fuck them first.

Ely spied the bartender, who leaned against the rack of bottles, his arms flung wide to protect the merch. The guy didn’t hear or see the assassin move up beside him. Ely snapped fingers in front of his face to get his attention.

The barkeep jumped. He eyed the ice-winged warrior from boot to white hair, his fangs giving him away as a Leech. “Yeah? Whatcha want, Feard?”

“Intel.” Ely stifled a yawn as he strong-armed an intrusive Scourge, shoving him across the bar top and into the fray.

“This is a bad time,” said the bartender. “And I’m not predicting much improvement in the near future.”

Same ol’ same ol’, Ely thought.I ask for intel from a Scourge. Scourge withholds. I explain why that won’t work. Scourge still acts as if he has the upper hand. I ratchet up the query with a little violence. Scourge gives in. Ho-hum.

“I can be bought. How many creats is it worth?” asked the barkeep as expected.

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