“No, I just got back from...somewhere,” he says evasively.
“A lot,” I say ignoring his vagueness. “I think it’s safe now. We are doing a sweep to see if there are any left.”
“Hunters?” he asks with a sniff.
“Yes,” I say through narrowed eyes, watching as the bodies disappear.
Remiel returns before either of us can say another word. “I have done a spell, much quicker. There are no survivors.”
I nod. “Where are the dead ones?”
“Outside, piled up by the gate. I am certain that Constantine will want to set an example, once he returns to his home,” he says in a rare display of magnanimity that makes my stomach tingle deliciously.
“Perfect,” I say, taking his hand. “Take us back. Nico, are you coming?”
“I’ll stay, clearly I have a lot to do.” He gestures around and then stalks off without a good-bye.
Remiel Astrals us back to Cassis and as soon as we land, I rip the mask off my face.
“Thank the gods,” I say taking a deep breath of fresh air. It was muggy with Hunter sweat and it was driving me crazy.
“Well?” Devon asks, jumping up and hugging me, forcing me away from Remiel.
“All clear,” Remiel replies before I do.
“Also, Cade is at Hunter HQ and they don’t know the reversal to the power-stripping spell,” I add, disentangling myself from my charge.
“Don’t know?” Constantine scoffs. “Obviously, you didn’t try hard enough.”
“Actually, Aefre was perfect,” Remiel says with a loving smile at me. “Couldn’t have done it better myself.”
I smile back. “Thanks. And I believed him. He didn’t know.”
“You killed him?” Devon asks, not concerned but something akin.
“Yes.” I level my gaze at Marguerite, still squashed into the corner of the sofa. “I killed him.”
She nods and then averts her gaze. She will find little comfort in it, but at least she knows he is gone.
“So how the fuck do we get our powers back?” Constantine growls at me and I tut at him for using foul language while he is holding our daughter. I take her off him and breathe in her sweet baby smell, trying to calm my raging aggression.
“Let me think,” I mutter. “He said it was new, but there is no way this is Cleric’s magic. It’s too powerful, too bold, too...dark. It has to be Romani and if it is, then we know someone who can help us.”
“Who?” Vito asks.
“Tatiana,” I reply. “Lance’s former servant. She will help us if we go and ask her.”
“Are you sure that’s the right course?” Devon asks, his face now full of actual concern.
“We have no choice,” I say as I pass him Thia to his surprise. He takes her gingerly and then coos at her for a moment before CK gets jealous and gently takes her away from him.
“But Castle Black...”
“Lance is dead. I killed him,” I say, unable to resist sliding my gaze to Remiel, who just so happens to harbor Lance’s memories. I do hope that means that he doesn’t have his essence. It never really occurred to me before. Yuck. I must not be able to help the look of disgust on my face, because he gives me a look back that speaks volumes, and he isn’t happy.
“Let’s go,” I mutter and take his hand.
I do the honors this time, needing to feel like I am doing something and that I am in control of my powers. I have no idea where we will end up, but I’m not scared. Should it be in the Fae Kingdoms, I have the most powerful man next to my side that I could ask for and he would do anything to protect me. I feel a rush of love for him but push it down. That is not how this is supposed to go. I am supposed to be distancing myself from all of these beasts, not gushing over them for being overbearing, control freaks.