Page 47 of Rites of Passage

“I got him into D&D,” Mila volunteered.

“You did? Is he any good at it?”

“He sucks so bad Caspian almost cracks a rib laughing every time we play.”

Miles chuckled. Violet grinned.

Mae cleared her throat discreetly. The two women looked over to where the rest of them stood waiting. A strange expression flitted in their eyes.

Nikolai couldn’t shake the feeling that they knew exactly who he and Mae were.

“I’m sorry, we got a bit carried away.” Madeleine came forward and shook their hands. “I’m Madeleine Godard-Black. I’m a molecular geneticist and genomic expert temporarily assigned to this facility.”

“And I’m Mila Jackson,” murmured the woman with the silver eyes. “I’m a synthetic biologist. I got called in when we heard what you were bringing us.”

Mae’s eyes widened. “I’ve heard your names before.” She stared at Madeleine. “I’m pretty sure I read your papers when I was in medical school.” Admiration brightened her face as she turned to Mila. “And aren’t you the youngest recipient of the Harrison Prize?”

Mila shrugged awkwardly. “My dad beat me to it by six years.”

Mae sucked in air. “Wait! You’re Professor Zachary Jackson’s daughter?!” She glanced distractedly at Brimstone. “Oh.” She blinked. “Brim says you smell like Jared.”

Nikolai stiffened.So, theyareImmortals.

Abraham’s expression grew cautious. Though Violet and Miles had alluded to the Immortal races as their future allies and Jared had similarly assured them they meant the covens no harm, they were still an unknown entity.

Mae didn’t appear anywhere as heedful as he and Abraham were being. In fact, she looked like she trusted the Immortals implicitly. Nikolai’s belly tightened.

Is it because she’s Azazel’s daughter, just like they are from the bloodline of an archangel?

Mae listened to something Brimstone said to her. She smiled and nudged the fox. “Go on then.”

Madeleine and Mila drew a sharp breath as the familiar made himself visible to them. Alastair and Abraham’s owl familiar Shiloh followed suit. So did the familiars of the witches and sorcerers accompanying them.

“It’s a good thing they won’t be spotted on the cameras,” Madeleine said dully.

“Yeah. The guys in charge would have a fit if they saw them.” Mila observed Brimstone shrewdly. “I bet you and the rabbit get on like a house on fire.”

Nikolai frowned. “The rabbit?”

Mae’s expression cleared. “You mean the one that belongs to the guy who made Jared’s sword?”

Mila grimaced. “Belongs is the wrong word. You can’t own a hellhound.”

Brimstone’s eyes flashed crimson. He said something to Mae, his tail swinging animatedly. Her eyes rounded.

“Wait. That rabbit isCerberus?!”

CHAPTER22

Mae staredat the dress on the bed.

“Wow. That thing should come with some kind of warning label,” Ryu remarked. “Like, for people with a heart condition and stuff.”

The outfit Vlad had gifted Mae for the reception was a sleeveless, floor-length, black, satin number with a built-in, intricate, gold corset belt, with gold clasps accentuating the slim straps. It had side-splits that extended to the mid-thigh and a deep V front and back that left little to the imagination. He’d complemented it with gold stilettos, a black and gold choker, matching loop earrings, bangles, and a gold and crystal chignon hair piece.

“I don’t know whether to kill him or recommend him to a fashion house,” Mae muttered.

Ryu grinned. “You’re gonna look insanely hot. It’s a good thing Noah and I are taking mom and grandma out for dinner tonight.”

---