Page 44 of Rites of Passage

Oh.Mae blinked.She must be Barbara Nolan, the head of the Chicago coven.

Brimstone cocked his head.She’s powerful.

Mae had to agree. The witch’s magic core was a brilliant scarlet despite her age.

Barbara stopped next to Bryony. She studied Mae for a moment before dipping her head curtly. “My queen.”

Suit Guy’s face glazed over.

“Er,” Mae started awkwardly, “about that—”

Barbara waved a dismissive hand. “I know. Violet and Miles told me you don’t like to be addressed by that honorific.” Her face softened for an instant. “Allow this frail old woman to call you by the title you deserve, just this once. After all, youareAzazel’s daughter.”

Mae’s shoulders loosened slightly. She nodded, a faint smile on her lips.

I like her, Brimstone said.

“There’s nothing frail about you, Barb,” a woman who shared Miles’s features muttered. “Also, remember what the doctors said about your blood pressure.”

Barbara sniffed. “There’s nothing wrong with my blood pressure that a little brandy won’t cure.” Her eyes shrank to slits as she studied the High Council members. She waved her cane at them, her tone turning shrill. “So, is anyone going to tell me what all this fuss is about?”

Karin tilted her chin defiantly. “This is none of your business, Barbara.”

Barbara straightened to her full height. “Since it appears our High Council is determined to behave like fools, I ammakingit my business, Karin. As a former head of said Council.” She arched an eyebrow. “As you’re well aware, that gives me certain…privileges.”

Surprise jolted Mae.Wait. She used to govern the High Council?!

“It appears that man—” Ephra stopped and ground her teeth. “Mr. Vissarion here has claimed the Royal Suite reserved for us.”

Barbara observed Vlad critically. “Is that the truth?”

“He kinda owns the place,” Bryony explained.

“Oh.” Barbara’s eyes took on a shrewd gleam. She inclined her head regally. “In that case, thank you for welcoming us under your roof, Mr. Vissarion.”

Vlad bowed his head briefly. “My pleasure, Ms. Nolan.”

Barbara stared at him for a moment before cutting her eyes to Mae. “He’s sharp. Watch he doesn’t run circles around you.” She pointed her cane at Nikolai’s chest. “As for you, you need to be more ballsy. Acting like a wallflower won’t serve you well when your opponent is a fierce beast.”

Nikolai startled. A smug smile curved Vlad’s lips.

Ephra opened her mouth to protest.

“We shall provide you with the next best alternative accommodation,” Suit Guy told the witch and her companions hurriedly, sweat now beading his brow. He glanced questioningly at Vlad. “And free drinks for the entire duration of your stay with us?”

The incubus shrugged. “Fine by me.” This time, his smile didn’t reach his eyes. “After all, theyarepaying guests.”

CHAPTER21

“Wasanyone else shitting bricks back there?” Abraham muttered.

His owl Shiloh let out a soft, anxious hoot where she perched on his shoulder.

Nikolai glanced at the rearview mirror.

The aide still looked drained where he sat next to Mae and Miles in the back of the SUV. Since the opening reception for the Annual Grand Meeting wasn’t due to start for another few hours, they’d decided to stick to their plans and takeIce Fortressand Agnes’s blood to the private research facility Bryony had made arrangements with to analyze the samples.

“I’ve never seen Vlad that mad before,” Violet observed from the front passenger seat.

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