Page 143 of Centaur Bolt

He scanned me, but his ice-cold features gave nothing away. “The middle of the night is not a good time to be traveling,” was all he said.

“I’m going to Richin.”

One brow twitched upward, ever so slightly. “Especially there.”

“Not the market. The Centaur colony. I’ll be fine.”

He regarded me, and this time, I saw the skepticism—it angered me. Which wasn’t a good thing. The demon within me stirred.

Mention Emmanuel,suggested Iskar.

Grateful that he was at last on board, I did so. “I’m eager to be reunited with my father, Emmanuel, as well as my mother. They still think I’m in danger.”

Now his brow definitely lifted. “And it cannot wait for daylight at Richin?”

“They believe I am held captive. What do you think?”

His mouth straightened. Then, to my surprise, he handed me his spiral sword. “Take this with you.”

I knew he’d grow another with his next shift of form, but it was still a generous offer. I accepted it as he turned toward the gate and held up his hands.

Only the females of his kind could create gates, but the manipulation of them was a Liberi birthright. The light danced across it, and then he stepped back.

“Say hello to Emmanuel for me,” he said.

I nodded. Once again, I turned my back on Riley and the academy, and walked through.

50

Riley

Cara shooed everyone out of the suite while they removed Havoc’s collar, stating the energy flying around could be dangerous.

I went, but reluctantly. I’d been on the balcony for Marcus’s first removal, but that was Marcus. Havoc might be another thing altogether.

Cas and Eli stood just outside the door as I paced the hall. The walls trembled, and I thought I heard a rumbling groan.

Eventually, Cara opened the door, and we all filed back in. Havoc stood by the windows, and I approached him.

“Did it go okay?” I asked.

“Give me Fang,” he demanded.

I stiffened. “Are you going with them?”

“Yes,” he almost snarled the word.

“Then I’ll hold onto Fang until you come back.”

The way he glowered at me showed he knew what I was up to.

I had unexpected support in the form of Cara. “She will be safer here with Riley,” she said, bustling around in the kitchen. “Once the recon team reports back, we’ll be going, or not.”

Havoc growled, very low. “I’m not sticking around here.”

The Watcher raised a brow. “Yes, you are.”

“You think you can make me?” he snarled.

---