Page 49 of The Darkest Night

A sympathetic rumble left Brimstone.You are in heat.

“I amnot!” she scolded the fox.

“You’re not what?” Violet asked, puzzled.

“Nothing,” Mae muttered.

She gave the fox a warning look.

He grinned and wheezed, laughing.

You must gird your loins, witch. Now is not the time to indulge in pleasures of the flesh.

The doors swung on silent hinges before Mae could come up with a scathing riposte. They revealed a sumptuous room some forty feet long and wide.

Panoramic views of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park stretched out beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass wall at the far end. A conference table dominated the area to the right, the waxed wood gleaming under the row of crystal chandeliers suspended from the ornate ceiling. A formal dining space dressed with gleaming China and shiny cutlery occupied the section to the left, along with an extensive seating area dotted with brightly colored Chesterfield sofas and chairs. The dark paneling theme continued inside the room, the upper sections of the walls studded with portraits of solemn women.

“They’re the previous High Priestesses of the New York coven,” Violet told Mae in a low voice.

“Oh.”

Mae glimpsed an office through a doorway to the left and what looked like private stairs leading to a penthouse. Her gaze skimmed the curious mix of expensive, vintage and modern decor before landing on the woman standing at the head of the conference table, a retinue of three sorcerers and four witches at her side.

Bryony Cross looked to be in her early sixties and sported a regal air that matched her station. Her gray eyes glimmered shrewdly in her sharp face and her ash-white hair was piled in an elegant bun at the back of her head. A black cat with intelligent green eyes lay on the table in front of her.

The familiar rose when he spotted the creatures who’d entered the chamber. A curious meow left him. He stared at Brimstone.

“I think he will take offense if you do that for too long, Penley,” Bryony told her cat drily.

The familiar hesitated before leaping down from the table and padding over to Brimstone. He stopped in front of the fox, sat down on his haunches, and looked up at him. Mae bit her lip.

A low growl left Brimstone. He bared his fangs.

The room seemed to hold its breath.

Penley blinked, dropped to the floor, and presented his belly to the fox.

Brimstone huffed, pleased. He pressed a gentle paw on the cat’s stomach, acknowledging the deference to his status.

Violet blew out a sigh.

“You thought there was gonna be bloodshed too?” Mae said out the corner of her mouth.

Violet gave her a look. “You realize he’syourfamiliar, right?”

“He and Hellreaver are like kids on steroids,” Mae admitted glumly.

“That bad, huh? Well, you’re just gonna have to show them who’s boss.”

“At this stage, I’m not even sure whoisthe boss.”

Miles studied Bryony expectantly.

The High Priestess furrowed her brow. “What?”

Miles grinned. “Just wondering if you’re gonna roll over and present your belly to Mae too.”

Mae sucked in air. The atmosphere in the chamber turned glacial.

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