Page 46 of The Incubus and the Bodyguard

Bryony’s face clouded over. “You can’t reach her either?”

Vlad’s heart sank at her words. He could tell she wasn’t lying.

If anything, the High Priestess looked worried.

“That’s not like her.” Cortes furrowed his brow. “Did something happen in Europe?”

“Not that we know of.” Bryony hesitated. “Although, Abraham does have a theory.”

Abraham Whitworth, Bryony’s aide, elaborated on his speculation in the High Priestess’s office minutes later.

“They’re probably shacked up somewhere,” the sorcerer said with an utter lack of concern as he served them tea.

“Ah.” Cortes made a face.

Vlad scowled.

Abraham shrugged at his expression. “They’re a young couple in love. They’re visiting another country. It’s bound to happen.” He waved a hand. “One minute you’re admiring St. Peter’s Basilica, the next minute you’re getting hot and heavy in the gardens of the Colosseum.”

Bryony pursed her lips. “Mae did say Nikolai’s stamina was something else.”

Vlad pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered something rude under his breath.

“By the way, who’s your lady friend?” Abraham jerked his head at Delphine where she stood to attention next to the door.

“She’s my new bodyguard,” the incubus said reluctantly.

“What happened to Ilya and Milo?” Bryony asked.

Vlad sighed. “It’s a long story.” He made the introductions.

Bryony brightened. “You’re a friend of Serena’s?”

“Yes, I am,” Delphine replied carefully.

“Don’t just stand there.” The High Priestess waved her over. “Come, sit with us.”

The super soldier hesitated before crossing the room and taking the seat that would give her first sight of anyone approaching the office, a move no one commented on. A crunching sound had her looking around.

Tarang was munching happily on the platter of steak the coven chef had sent up for him.

“The tiger looks like he’s made himself right at home,” Delphine remarked.

Abraham grimaced. “At least Tarang has manners. If Brimstone and Hellreaver were here, I’d been scraping flecks of meat off the bookshelves for days.”

Tarang huffed smugly.

“Why are you looking for Mae?” Bryony asked Vlad curiously. “It sounds like it’s something serious.”

Vlad and Cortes exchanged a guarded glance before telling the witch and her aide about the incident at theOro Divinoand what Mrs. Son-Ha had revealed to them in Glendale that afternoon.

“Wait.” Bryony stared. “You’re under avoodoo curse?!”

“And you have less than forty-eight hours to break it?” Abraham said, pale-faced.

“Yeah.” Vlad ran a hand tiredly through his hair, the events of the day finally catching up to him. “Although I would rather not rely on Mae, I was hoping she might be able to undo it.”

A strained hush descended on the room.

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