In sharp contrast to the power threaded through every word that passes her lush lips, Mirth’s laugh is charming and sweet.
Birds sing, flowers bloom, and the heavens bathe us in joy.
I have no idea if my reaction is from our shared bond. Or from her complete support despite the initial appearance that I might have been involved with the Möbius Group. Or from her earlier claiming of me. Even though we barely know each other.
So I ignore it, straightening to my full height, then shifting Tommy in my arms enough that I can tuck Kitty against my leg with my other hand.
Mirth tilts her head. “But I don’t think you deserve to die laughing, Lord Merton. I also don’t think you deserve something as easy as Coda destroying your financials with a click of a couple of buttons.”
Lord Merton’s face reddens. He huffs again, angrily, through his nose.
His bond mates glance at each other again, openly rattled now. It’s possible they’re contemplating abandoning the head of their bond group. If they were soul bound, their loyalty would be unquestionable — even when faced with the level of danger Mirth represents.
“No …” Mirth muses. “The great and powerful Lord Merton wouldn’t be here at the behest of anyone else. If you aren’t the head of this chapter, then you’re near to it. So I will ensure that you’re completely miserable and alive to be stripped of it all. It won’t take me more than a single phone call. But perhaps a lunch date would be more polite.” She flashes him a perfect-princess smile. “One must always be polite. Yes, Lord Merton? But I can make those arrangements after I get the children safely home.”
Apparently too angry to respond with words, Lord Merton raises his hands toward Mirth. He’s a mage, specializing in potent poisons. Undetectable poisons, according to rumors.
I move, pivoting to protect one child in my arms and the other beside me, even as I step in front of Mirth to take Merton’s hit.
Light suddenly blazes around the edges of the main doors, erupting as sharp, bright beams that shred the thick velvet curtains covering the walls to either side.
The previously sealed heavy wooden doors drop forward.
The nearest toffs, previously trying to get the doors open between debilitating bouts of laughter, scream. A few mages throw up whatever shields they can muster as they bodily fling themselves out of the way.
Then Lord fucking Hereford stalks into the theater as if he owns the place.
So, a completely normal attitude for the earl.
Elias is flanked by Sully and Bolan. The earl has a bloody slash across his forehead, the wolf shifter’s clothing is torn and bloody, and the fabricator mage looks as though he’s just wandered off the pages of a fashion magazine. As always.
The Merton trio pivots to take in the new threat.
“Close your eyes,” Mirth murmurs to me, closing her own eyes and reaching to cover Kitty’s.
I close my eyes as I press Tommy’s face to my chest.
A bright light flashes through the room.
Many bodies drop — hard — to the ground.
I open my eyes.
Every single rich fuck is down, including the three Mertons.
Eli tugs impatiently on his shirt cuffs, striding down the central aisle toward the stage and looking absolutely livid. Sully and Bolan follow. The rock star grins, half-crazed. The blue-haired mage appears completely disinterested.
“I thought the Mertons’ shield mage was supposed to be one of the most powerful in the realm?” I murmur to Mirth.
She flashes me a grin. “It’s a light trick. Harnessed by essence, yes, but it’s still pure light. Focused properly, Elias can knock just about anyone out, for a couple of minutes at least. It doesn’t need to get through a shield, just screw with a target’s eyesight. Well, more specifically the brain, through the eyes.”
Eli reaches the miasma of Mirth’s power, which is still undulating over the edge of the stage. He hesitates. Just for a moment.
“That was perfect timing, my lord,” Mirth says in that measured tone. Her gaze is on Eli, but she doesn’t withdraw her power to allow him passage. The challenge is clear. “I was close to completely melting at least a dozen brains.”
Eli steps into Mirth’s unleashed energy, fists clenched at his sides. It’s the most emotional display I’ve ever seen from him — and I once completely pummeled him in the ring — as heclimbs onto the stage. His light-blue gaze, pinned to Mirth, is still completely livid.
For a moment, I’m concerned that the earl has snapped under the stress of the situation. I worry I’m going to have to step between him and Mirth. Betraying his trust and potentially undermining his place in the bond group.
