A Forever Series Box Set: A Paranormal Reverse Harem-(Book 1-5)

He blinks. “I didn’t know for sure when, or if, he would turn up. Lucretia was making quite a name for herself in the…circles that he travels in. I knew he would be intrigued by her. More so as they are siblings, and what she meant to me. It’s no excuse. I should have dragged you back to Italy.” He looks back at me woefully.

“I’d like to have seen you try,” I sniffle, trying to sound strong but failing miserably. “I was in no mood to go anywhere with you.”

“Mood or not, if I had tried you would have come,” he says confidently.

I sigh, annoyed that my happy mood from before has been turned to misery by that monster showing up and causing all this.

“Why didn’t you go for her?” Devon demands. “Why did you leave her there?”

“His Romani had her behind wards. I had no idea that she was there,” CK says sadly.

“I’m going to Castelul Negru,” I say, making a sudden decision. “I’m going to make nice and then I’m going to kill him. Come, don’t come, I’m not bothered, but this ends. I have already taken out two of my enemies this week, might as well make it a third.”

“Aefre, going to him is not the way. And going back there? I really don’t think that is the best idea you’ve ever had.”

“What, you want to go back to the place where he… kept you?” Cole asks incredulously.

“I’m going. End of story,” I say, resolute.

“Well, you aren’t going alone,” Devon says.

“If you insist on this then, of course we will come with you. I am not letting you go anywhere near him without me, but let me do this. Let me avenge you like I should have back then,” CK says quietly.

“No. Absolutely not. This is my fight. I told you before, I can fight my own battles and I will this time.”

He nods, knowing he won’t change my mind.

“What did you mean by ‘make nice’?” Cole asks.

“I’m going to offer him what he wants. A seat at the table.”

“No, it is out of the question,” CK barks at me.

“Don’t worry, he won’t get anywhere near it. He was right about one thing: he can bring a lot. He has powerful magick bearers loyal to him. I want them on our side.”

“How do you plan on going about getting them to turn?”

“I don’t know yet. But I will think of something,” I say thoughtfully, chewing my lip. “We will leave tomorrow.”

“I’ll ring Jim,” Devon says, pulling his phone out of his pocket with a sigh.

“No, we will Astral in. His castle and the surrounding forest are isolated and protected by a cover of secrecy. We can get in and out without anyone seeing us.”

“How do you know that?” Cole asks hesitantly.

“I just know,” I say, shortly. Sitting down at my desk, I say to Devon, “Can you call to get someone to…” I wave my hand vaguely at the gaping hole that used to be the window.

CK looks slightly chagrined. “Sorry,” he mumbles.

I smile inwardly at his contrite tone. “No worries. It’s time for a change. I know exactly what I want,” I say offhandedly. Changing the subject, I say to Devon, who has finished his conversation, “In light of recent events and you are, of course, the obvious choice, I offer you the post of... Ambassador for the Vampires of North America.” I come up with the name in a flash of inspiration.

He looks slightly flustered but then pleased as he says, “I accept, Your Majesty,” with a low bow and I chuckle.

Straightening, he says, “I’m not sure what the job description is but I will do you proud.”

“I know you will, my love. As for the job description, I have no idea myself. We will all be having ‘on the job’ training, it seems. But for your first assignment, I want a meeting with Dmitri Novikov. Today.”

“Who now?” he queries.