Ascended (War of the Covens 3)

The day they hunted Marita would be the day Jaeden took a turn tearing into her. The witch was going down! Because of her, they had traumatized kids on their hands. One of the MacLachlans had been killed alongside two of the Council’s family members fighting with them. Word had also reached them that Desi, one of the Travelers who Caia had befriended, was injured fighting on their side. Jae’s own brother had been wounded, but he’d changed and healed himself. It hadn’t stopped Lucia fluttering around him and Jaela like an overcaffeinated mother hen.

Jae glanced at Alexa who watched TV, brooding. She’d had quite an eye-opener today. Alexa had a tough fight with another lykan, and Jae could see her wince every time she shifted in her seat. Over all, though, to their surprise and smug delight, their side had managed to take down a number of the coven who’d fought against them. According to Phoebe, two of them had been Michael Brown, the head of the Third Unit (Vampyre division) and Lyla Thomson, the head of the Second Unit (Lykan division). Ironically, Michael had fought by Caia’s side just weeks before. They were powerful enemies to have, but thankfully the two of them, like good soldiers, stood down under the Council’s orders.

The atmosphere in the Center was horrible, full of anxiety and fear and hostility. But the Council were competent and altogether more powerful than Marita, now that she didn’t have any goons working for her. Well, except for the group of magiks who left the Center when she did. According to Alfred Doukas, she had perhaps ten magiks with her at the moment, but with the trace magik, it would be easy for her to find more followers. They had to move fast. At this very moment, they were trying to figure out her most likely hiding place and putting together a plan to capture her.

Jaeden rubbed at the tension headache in her temple. Ryder made a noise above her and then he was pulling her hand away from her head, replacing it with strong fingers that pressed soothingly against her forehead, making gentle circles. She sighed happily and relaxed into him.

“You’ll have me drooling in a minute,” she whispered so as not to disturb Magnus.

He leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear, sending a shiver of delight throughout her entire body. “I’d like to be doing more to you than that in a minute.”

She grinned. There were lykans in the room. Lykan hearing. Magnus snorted. Yup, he’d heard them.

“Ryder,” she admonished him lazily, but that didn’t stop her hand from inching over his thigh.

He jumped under her touch and then growled, “Right.” He grabbed her hand, pulling her up from her seat, his hazel gaze light with passion. Clearly he was intending to take her somewhere private to ravish her! Hell yeah! They had missed their wedding night, after all, and Ryder, the perpetual gentleman, hadn’t wanted to make love to her until she was his mate for real. She’d been waiting for this night forever.

The door behind them cracked open, stopping them in their tracks. Caia appeared, her arm wrapped around Lucien’s waist. In normal circumstances she was tiny next to the giant that was Lucien, but there was a strength to Caia that made you forget her stature. Now, however, after the beating she’d taken today, she looked fragile and so small. Jae felt a rush of protectiveness at the sight of her and tried to forget what it had been like to see Marita and the others torturing her.

“Hey, guys.” She smiled brightly, and Jaeden grinned, happy to see her friend’s eyes sparkling. Being with your mate tended to have that effect on you. It was kind of annoying, she grunted, determined to remember she was an independent woman.

“Lucien.” Rose half stood and Jaeden frowned at her.

Lucien nodded gently but didn’t leave Caia’s side as he said, “Thanks for all your help today, Rose.”

She smiled warmly at him, lighting up under his praise. “No problem. Of course. Anything to help.”

Jaeden snorted and then bit back a cry of pain when Ryder pinched her. Instead she threw Caia and Lucien a sly smile. “You were in there awhile.” She wriggled her eyebrows suggestively. Caia blushed, making Jaeden laugh. “Jeez, I was kidding … but if we’re to go by those red, red cheeks of yours, clearly I was on the mark.”

The grit of Cy’s teeth told her she was probably bugging her, but the look on Rose’s face was worth it. There was nothing wrong with hitting home to the delusional woman that Lucien was no longer on the market. And she knew Caia would never be underhanded or mean to Rose, so it was up to Jae to do that for her!

“Hey, I have a question, if you’re feeling better, Caia?” Alexa asked.