Page 121 of How to Entice a Fiend

“We’ll try our best,” Finn says. “You’re going to have to stay here, though. We can’t have Abel seeing that you’re alive or he’ll know something is up.”

Mads nods, and I’m surprised he’s willing to agree. The others shuffle out, leaving just the two of us.

“I’ll see you in a while.”

Mads looks worried. “Please be careful. If you’re getting overpowered, draw back. Please.”

“I will,” I assure him.

“I’m begging you.” He steps up to me and his hands slide into my hair. “Please.”

“I promise. I’m going to be very careful. I’m aware that Abel will likely target me, but if I can just keep him preoccupied, Marcus, Claude, or Alexei can drive him down.”

“Yeah,” Mads says quietly as his hands tighten in my hair. He sets his forehead against my own and closes his eyes. “I can’t lose someone again.”

“I’ll be careful. And you promise me you’ll stay here? You won’t get involved? You’ve already done so much and… I mean… let’s just say fighting with your fists isn’t your strong suit.”

Mads grins as he pulls back enough to look at me. “Trust me. No offense taken.” Then he leans in and kisses me. It’s quick, since I can tell he’s anxious about something he has on the table and he’s already left it for quite a while. But hopefully we’ll have plenty of time to kiss after this.

He squeezes my hand before drawing away. “I’ll see you shortly.”

“I’ll be back soon. After this is all over, I’ll help you find the vampires who killed your family.”

“Thank you.”

“Just… if something does happen to me, promise me you’ll find a safe place for Rylee?”

“I would take care of her myself. I promise you that she is the safest of us all.”

I nod, really hoping that’s true. “Thank you.” And with that, I rush out the door. I don’t get far before Finn, who’d been right outside the door, grabs my wrist.

“That favor you promised me?” he asks.

“Yeah.”

“I want to use it.”

“For?”

“Please keep Marcus safe so he can come home to me,” Finn whispers.

“You don’t need to use your favor on that,” I say. “I will do everything I can to make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”

Finn nods, but he still looks quite anxious.

Once we’re in the transport vehicle, it starts toward the council hall. Marcus goes over a few finer details, but my mind is running wild. What if I fuck up? What if we don’t do this right? What if… what if…

When did I begin panicking so much?

“Can I talk to Rylee?” I ask.

“Yeah, River has her. Let me call him,” DeGray says before pulling his phone out and calling River. “Hey. Can you put Rylee on? Thank you. Yep… I will be. I love you so much.”

He passes the phone to me as I realize that I’m surrounded by so many people who could lose so much if I fuck up. I feel uneasy as I reach out and take the phone, but I know I can’t show it to Rylee.

“Hello?” she answers.

“Are you dragging that poor cat around some more?” I ask.

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