Page 16 of Hunted By Her Demon Wolves

Horatiu gave a curt nod. “I was.”

“Tor says you go by Horatiu now,” Boris continued.

Horatiu turned up his chin. “I do.”

“Tor has told us many stories,” Boris said, “each one more wild than the first.”

Horatiu flashed a menacing grin. “They’re all true, including the one about how your Ancients stole our souls.”

Boris dragged a hand through his graying hair. “Yes, we heard that story, too.”

Tor cleared his throat. “For that, we’re sorry.”

“Thank you.” Horatiu gave Tor a respectful nod. “That means a lot.”

“The goddess has confirmed to Eilea your story is true,” Boris said as his mate sat back down beside him.

Daeva let out an unladylike snort. “Of course it is. Why would we lie?”

Boris defensively held up his hands. “I didn’t say you did.”

Ugh. This meeting wasn’t going well. Phoenix already knew Boris wouldn’t give them what they came for. He’d probably already made up his mind before the meeting.

“Then you should know she’s not a goddess,” Daeva continued.

Phoenix side-eyed her sister. Daeva obviously realized this meeting was a lost cause, too, because she gave no fucks about placating the Amaroki.

Boris flashed a smug smile. “The Ancients will always be gods to us, no matter how they came into their powers.”

Eilea stood, clutching her baby in her arms. “The goddess gave me something to give to you.” She dug into her pocket and handed a small velvet pouch to Jovan.

Jovan walked down the podium and thrust the pouch into Daeva’s hand before walking back up without a word.

Daeva opened the pouch and dropped an object into her hand. “A wolf claw?” She held up the curved claw.

“A protector claw,” Eilea answered. “This could very well be Amarok’s claw.”

“What care we for artifacts from your gods?” Horatiu hissed.

Daeva gave Eilea a puzzled look. “Is this supposed to make up for stealing our magic?”

Eilea had a look as if she’d drank sour milk. She looked from her scowling mates back to Daeva. “She says it will protect you.”

“From what?” Daeva asked.

“I don’t know. I didn’t ask, but the goddess is a powerful sorceress.”

Daeva stuffed the claw back into the bag and gave it to Phoenix.You can have it. I don’t want it.

“So is Hecate.” She pulled back her shoulders, prepared to challenge any of their hosts. “She and her sister made the very first shifters, the ones whose souls your Ancients stole.”

“We’ve heard that story, too,” Boris said wryly.

“Then you know Hecate’s sister was taken from her almost three thousand years ago, and that her soul could very well have been resurrected as Eilea.”

“Yes, we know,” Boris grumbled. “What we don’t know is what you expect us to do about that now?”

Phoenix’s heart sank to her stomach. This visit was a waste of time. The Amaroki weren’t going to help them, and they never would. Now maybe her sister would take her to hell and they could plan this rescue without the Amaroki. She looked to Tor for any sort of support, but he was too busy glaring at Horatiu.

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