Page 43 of Rites of Passage

And she’s Karin Everheart, the High Priestess of the San Francisco coven.

Mae studied the woman with a neutral expression.Bryony had warned her about the witch.

It didn’t take a genius to realize there was little love lost between the New York coven High Priestess and the three High Council members facing them. Still, she hadn’t expected them to be so openly hostile to Bryony outside of a private meeting.

Brimstone bared his teeth.They’re being rude!

The witches and the sorcerer eyed the fox guardedly, their familiars shrinking at their sides.

Suit Guy’s gaze darted between them. “I do apologize if there’s been a misunderstanding. Rest assured I will do my utmost to make your stay here—”

“There is no misunderstanding.” Ephra indicated Vlad with an accusing finger. “This man stole our suite!”

Mae winced.

“Oh wow,” Nikolai muttered.

Abraham’s eyes looked like they were about to roll up into his head. Even Bryony started to look worried.

Tarang snarled, jaws snapping perilously close to Ephra’s finger. The witch jerked back. Suit Guy stared at the space occupied by the tiger, confused.

As a non magic user, it looked empty to him.

Karin observed Vlad with arrogant insolence.

“Who is this?” she asked Bryony.

Mae, Nikolai, and Vlad’s bodyguards took a careful step back. The others looked at them and hastily followed suit.

“Hoo boy,” Ye-Seul chortled under her breath. “This is gonna be fun!”

Yoo-Mi hushed the older woman. A nervous look darted across the faces of the High Council witches and sorcerer for the first time.

Crimson magic erupted around Vlad. It swept through the lobby in a violent pulse that rattled the windows and shook the chandeliers faintly. Suit Guy looked at the stained glass and trembling crystals, the color draining from his face.

Mae’s stomach sank. Shit. He’sreallypissed.

The incubus’s lips parted on a feral smile. “My name is Vlad Vissarion. I am certain Bryony mentioned me when she reported the…events that took place in New York a few weeks ago. Since your memories appear to be as short as my patience, allow me to formally introduce myself. I am the heir to theBlack Devils.” Gerard and Ephra paled. Karin went still. “We own thirty percent of the shares in The Azure. Which technically makes me one of the owners of this place.” His pupils flashed crimson. “I am also the future consort of the Witch Queen. The woman at my side.” His voice dropped to a growl. “The one you should be bowing your heads to!”

A muscle twitched in Nikolai’s jawline.

Mae narrowed her eyes at Vlad.The bastard! He just had to sneak the consort thing in there, didn’t he?!

He’s clever, Brimstone observed in a disgruntled tone.

“Wait!” Yoo-Mi whispered to Ryu. “Did he justproposeto Mae?!”

Ryu peeked at Nikolai.

“I don’t think it’s that simple,” she murmured. “I’m more shocked by the fact that he co-owns this place.”

Mae had to agree.Why didn’t he just tell me that?

The answer came to her immediately. In all the time she’d known Vlad, he’d never flaunted his wealth and influence out loud. He preferred to use his actions instead.

A stringent voice rose behind them, cutting through the palpable tension. “What is this unsightly commotion?”

Mae twisted around. An elderly woman with silver hair and bright gray eyes was storming across the lobby, a cane in hand and an aging terrier hobbling at her side. Violet, Miles, and a bevy of sorcerers and witches followed in her wake, their expressions ranging from the mildly harried to the resigned.

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