Page 125 of The Satyr's Guilt
“Can we believe him?”
“We brought in a gaffer who senses lies. Helistened in and saw no problem. Of course, we can’t be sure howmuch Denim’s ex really knows about the headquarters. Maybe shit haschanged since he was captured. Maybe he wasn’t on site often enoughto know the complete story. Maybe he only saw what they wanted himto see.”
“We go before first light. Put me in agroup. What’s the plan?” Rein’s growl pissed Kole off. “Don’t eventhink about my staying here behind a desk.”
“No way. I was thinking about using you asmy shield. You can take the bullets. Brae gets cranky when I’m shotup. You’ve never seen her mean side.”
“Smartass.”
“You wanna lead a team?”
“No. I don’t have time to prep with thegroup.”
“I figure Ram’s team deserves to free thevamps. Him, Thorn, Galena, and Denim will take this hall with thelabs. Our prisoner says the Aeternals are kept there in cages orlaid out on slabs for examination.”
Rein tapped the sketch. “He says mostlyscientists, their assistants, and a few guards hang out in thoserooms. I’m assigning Jezzi outside in front with our two newbies.Sig and Bade. Good training. They’ll keep unwelcome visitorsout.”
He dragged a finger along two otherhallways. “A lot of the action will be here and here. The leftcorridor is where the offices and gym are. Dax and team will takeit. I expect activity in this back hallway. Dining hall andquarters. I’ll lead the group into this area. You’re with me.”
“Sounds good.” Kole memorized the floorplan. “It’s the ifs and maybes I worry about, Rein.” He strode tohis desk chair. It squeaked when he parked his big body in it.
“Have you considered Skyler scrying? A fastlook-see.”
“Are you fucking out of your mind? She’spregnant. If I had my way, she wouldn’t even use a portal.Unfortunately, it seems what I think is irrelevant.”
Rein grabbed a chair and propped hisshitkickers on Kole’s desk. “If I didn’t live with an equallystubborn female, I might feel sorry for you. What’s the word fromthe warlock Sabine and Abello found at the Arisen Dawnwarehouse?”
“He’s a weak link. New to the organization.Still an outsider. Seems they wanted him to take a drug to make himmore gung-ho. He declined, saying he wanted out. Might be the sameshit Tyr and Dax have seen up close and live. Nasty stuff.”
Kole shuffled through papers on his desk,picking up a note. “Gold Dust. They found a coyote shifter strungout on the stuff, half-shifted, and ranting about worlddomination.”
****
Sabine side-by-sided it withNico on one of the new sofas in the gathering room at thestronghold, his boots and her sandals propped on what was nowcalled Margo’s huge-ass coffee table. She’d changed from herall-business Firebrand garb into a rare dress.
Nico licked his lips as if he was hungry formore than just dinner. “We have time to go back upstairs,sweetness.”
“No. We don’t. Margo said dinner promptly ateight o’clock. She and Skyler have gone to a lot of trouble. Yourcoven will be here. Jarek’s even bringing Lizette.”
“This whole coven thing is still new to me.Not feeling the love yet. I’d rather be upstairs with you.” Hepalmed her thigh, inching her dress up.
Sabine laughed. “After dinner. But we’llhave to be quick, cuddles. Rein says we’re outta here beforesunrise.” Her hand clasped his to stop the action.
“Quick’s my middle name.” Nico squirmed inhis seat, looking like he was struggling with a thought.
He’d been acting strange, more silent thanusual, since they’d made passionate love in one of the rooms in hisupstairs apartment. No. Two of the rooms.
“Spit it out.” Sabine expected him to saysomething like, “We should slow it down. Maybe see other people.”She held her breath, waiting for the emotional blow. When she couldwait no longer, she said, “We’re moving too fast, right?”
His dark brows pulled down tight. “What?Fast? No. We’ve been jerking each other around for months. I thinkyou should move into the stronghold. You know. Permanently.”
What a surprise. Shock more like it.
How to respond? Keep it light until I’msure.
“Really? Do they have an extra room here forme?”
He brushed a stray lock of hair off hisforehead. “No. With me. Unless of course you don’t want to.” Hisgaze shot to the floor.
