Page 71 of Seduced By Moonlight

“Clothes were provided to Matt, Lance, and Mika too, so they could shower.”

“Oh good. Thanks.” Kayden followed her out of the room and down several winding corridors of Ward’s castle.

They arrived at a large communal dining area, where several faces turned toward him. Some he recognized. Others were unfamiliar, yet they nodded to him.

Someone handed him a plate filled with simple yet hearty fare—bread, some slices of cheese and cured meats, and a steaming bowl of soup. He sat next to Mika, Lance across from him.

“Are you okay?”

“Do you feel all right?” Kayden snorted as his and Lance’s questions overlapped each other. “I’m fine. Just exhaustion and a concussion, which Celine healed.”

“I’m good too. I wrenched my shoulder. That was the worst of it, outside of some bruises, which all disappeared as soon as I shifted. Eating will help with the rest of it.”

“Thank God.” Kayden looked at Mika. “Are you okay too?”

“Just some bumps and bruises. You and Lance got the worst of it. Matt’s fine as well.”

“That was going to be my next question.” Kayden then spoke to the rest of his crew at the table with him, checking in with them.

Celine sat down across from Kayden. “I checked on everybody, like I said. Only your vehicle and Matt’s made it through, so you guys took the hardest hit.”

“Thank you,” Kayden said, taking a bite of the homemade bread.

As they ate, the conversation gradually dwindled until it faded away completely. Soothing silence, the kind that wrapped around you like a warm blanket, enveloped the room.

The soft clinking of utensils against plates or the muffled sound of laughter from a distant corner occasionally interrupted the quiet.

Kayden’s mind, however, refused to settle. He turned his attention to the surrounding faces, noticing the mix of concern and determination in their expressions.

“All right,” Lance said once everyone had slowed down eating. “We can’t just sit on it forever. We need to talk about what happened last night. Kayden?”

A collective heaviness settled over the group, and nods of agreement came slowly.

“As you guys know, for safety reasons, Ward and I canceled the contract last night because he was having trouble with a coven of witches,” Kayden said. “That should’ve been the end of it, but unfortunately, it wasn’t.”

Kayden recounted Lance’s encounter with the high priestess and how the three of them unexpectedly encountered her again afterward.

“Somehow, she figured out we—meaning my crew and I—were involved with the gargoyles. I don’t think she was specifically targeting us last night as we left. At least, not from what I’ve been told,” Kayden said.

Celine nodded. “I didn’t have enough time to really talk to Ward or any of the other gargoyles because daylight was approaching, but from my understanding, they would’ve attacked anybody who went through the wards. It just happened to be you guys.”

“Why?” Lance asked.

“Because the wards thin out to allow vehicles through. Attacking at that point is actually rather smart because the ward is weakened and—”

“No, I mean, why are these witches attacking you guys?” Lance asked.

“That’s something you need to ask Ward,” Celine said. “It’s not my place to say.”

“Well, it’s certainly someone’s place to say since we got caught up in the aftermath,” Lance snapped.

“While I agree with you, we won’t be taking our frustrations out on Celine, Lance,” Kayden said. “She’s done nothing but be helpful to all of us. She’s not responsible for this, and Ward, honestly, isn’t either. That high priestess is.”

“Shit.” Lance scrubbed his hands over his face. Then he dropped them and looked at Celine. “I apologize, Celine. That was out of line. I’m just… rattled.”

“Apology accepted. Believe it or not, I actually understand your feelings. Since we’re discussing this, I’ll point out that you all should remain here until nightfall too.”

Lance groaned.

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