Blood and Blade (Goddess with a Blade #6) - Lauren Dane Page 0,28

glazed with pleasure.

They lay together, catching their breath, holding hands for long minutes after. Just being with one another.

When sunrise got closer, he finally got up to change back into a pair of soft lounge pants and a long sleeved shirt while she dressed in her own warm, comfortable travel clothes. The air smelled like sex and that pleased her immensely.

It still did as she left the room half an hour later to let him sleep the daylight away.

Out in the main cabin, she settled into her seat, reclined it back, tucked her blanket around her legs and answered a very testy text from Genevieve who was also on her way to London because, in her words, who else could be trusted to examine the magic of this Vampire and see if there’s a link to his master?

Rowan had just wanted to save her friend yet another flight off to somewhere else to help her out. Genevieve was still dealing with all the witch stuff that was connected to the case Rowan and Clive worked so Rowan figured they’d only call her if it was necessary.

Everyone acted as if she had no resources other than whoever it was giving her some sort of pissy lecture about how important their skill and gifts were to Rowan’s investigations. She’d done her job before Genevieve. Before Clive. Before David. She had sources all over the fucking planet! She managed just fucking fine, thank you very much, before all these bloody people came into her life and made themselves so important.

Once they’d finished their little text argument—including an apology from Rowan for not including Genevieve from the start—she turned to David and gave him a quick overview of the situation.

“She just wants to help,” David said. “And she’s worried about you. I certainly understand that perspective. I worry for you all the time. And she does it because she cares.”

“This is a risky job. She has a whole different job that does not include missions where people fucking try to kill her and everyone connected to her.”

He gave her that utterly British face they used when they were just so offended and/or disappointed in you. A call out as well as a way to not have to express things out loud.

One of David’s brows rose and he pursed his lips ever so slightly.

It made her laugh. “Clive adds a sniff to his version of that look,” she told him as she ate some fruit and cheese that’d materialized. “How loud it is depends on the offense. You’re going to need to find your own spin to truly master that expression. Maybe one of those little huffs you do when you’re done with whatever thing I’m doing repeatedly to your disappointment.”

He laughed. “I’ve had reservations about Genevieve, you know that. Perhaps some resentment as you may have noticed. It felt as if she wanted to replace me. But as you said to me, she’s your equal. Your friend.”

She began to speak but he held his hand up, asking her to let him continue so she did.

“I know we have other sources in London, but one thing I have not ever doubted is that Genevieve is the most knowledgeable and powerful magic user we know and have access to. She’s the best and we’re aiming at something that’s more powerful than Lyr so I’m quite pleased to let someone of her power help us. For all our sakes and safety. She might not be the target of assassination at the level you are—and who is—but I think she does know what it’s like to be so powerful that everyone connected to her is in danger.”

“Once I finished saying it I knew it was bullshit. She’s old. Old enough that she’s lost people she’s loved. Old enough that I figure she doesn’t let herself make friends too often because of that. It seemed from the moment I met her we were destined to be friends.” They were each unique, born of struggle and violence, hardened by strife. There was recognition at the foundation of their friendship.

“One last thing. You made a solid argument for why we should have included Genevieve on this trip so clearly my exceptional training has indeed turned you into a very good Hunter.”

He blushed and she tried—and failed—not to be charmed.

“I’ve mainly gotten over my original distrust of her. As long as she doesn’t come between us or between you and anyone else you care for, I think I’m more than okay with