A Crown Of Smoke And Ash - Sloane Murphy Page 0,97

tightly. “Don’t get into too much trouble this time, please.”

“I’ll try my best,” I tell him, and he kisses me as if we don’t have an audience. Heat fills me and I sink into his kiss as it devours me.

“See you soon, Princess,” he rumbles lowly before he releases me.

“See you soon, stay safe.”

I move to Creek who kisses and hugs me too, softer, filled with love. “I’m going to finish tracking down the missing Hunters so that once you’re back, we can get moving.”

“Thank you, Creek. You’re the best.” I kiss him again softly before pulling back, and Levi finds me, his face thunderous.

“I do not like that you are leaving again, especially now we know the danger is greater.”

“I know, but I promised I’d stay as safe as I can. I’ve got this, and if I don’t, Kain will be there,” I tell him, placing my hands on his chest. I lift up and kiss his chin, and he tilts his head down and kisses me, his wings wrap around us, shielding us from everyone.

“If I thought you wouldn’t hate me for running away and hiding us somewhere, I’d have us off the ground in an instant,” he murmurs.

“I have no doubt you would. I know you worry, but I’m going to be fine, I swear. If anything happens, and we need an out, Fallon already said she’ll pull a portal to get us home,” I tell him, and he relaxes a little, but not much.

“I love you, Remy. Please come back to me, in one piece, and quickly.”

“I love you too. Keep yourself safe. No unnecessary risks for you either.” I poke him in the chest, and he rumbles a small laugh.

“Yes, ma’am.” He kisses me again before tucking his wings away again. I find Kain again, and take his hand as we approach Fallon and Colt who stand off to the side.

“See you soon, little bit.”

“Take care of yourself, Colt. You’re walking a dangerous path, straddling both sides.”

“I’ll be fine, Remy. Plus, you can’t stay on top of the Hunter movements if I don’t.”

“I’ve got him,” Fallon says. “Now then, let me into that pretty mind of yours.” She winks at Kain who sighs, but nods. He closes his eyes and Fallon takes his other hand. I feel him stiffen, and I know she’s inside his mind. She pulls back after less than a minute ,and he relaxes a little again.

“Holy crap, girl I am so freaking jealous,” she sighs, but chants quietly, and the portal begins to build. “Just step through, you’ll feel like you’re falling for a minute or so, and then you’ll be there. You might fall on your ass, most people do first time.”

“Awesome.” I roll my eyes and Kain laughs.

“Still better than flying?”

“Still better than flying.” I nod, and I hug Fallon quickly.

“Look after yourself.”

“You too, and remember, I’m at the end of the phone if you need another one of these to get home. No matter the time okay?”

“Thank you,” I tell her, and Kain tugs on my hand.

“Here we go,” he says and I hold my breath, stepping through the portal with him.

She wasn’t lying. I fell on my ass.

Kain however, seemed to just step through, full of the grace he always has, and helped pick me and my ass back up off the floor. Luckily, the only audience we had was Luc, who thoroughly laughed his ass off.

That was five minutes ago, and pretty much all I’ve done since then is stand and stare at the huge black stoned castle before me. It’s like every single movie depiction of a bad guy vampire lair. The tall spires pointing up into the sky, huge stained-glass windows. The very thing towers above us, imposing and scary as shit.

I’m just glad I’m a guest here. I completely understand why the Hunters have never tried to storm this place because it’s a straight up fortress. I follow the guys down the path to the huge archway in the middle of the wall that surrounds this place, the wall itself is a thing of beauty, and I can see sentries dotted about the wall, watching me closely, despite who I’m here with. Distrust was to be expected.

We reach the arch, where four men and a woman wait for us. The way they carry themselves, the armor they wear, even stylish as it is, lets me know that these are the Generals. The five representatives of the Dracul families that are left, Luc being