Bloodlust - Helen Harper Page 0,91

hour.”

Corrigan folded his arms across his chest. “You can’t go.”

I gave him an irritated look. “I’ll be fine.”

“No, absolutely not.” He shook his head implacably.

“Mackenzie…”

I was excruciatingly aware of everyone following our little byplay. “You can’t tell me what to do.”

I understood his reasons for demanding my non-participation, which meant I was staying calm. That didn’t mean I accepted his point of view though. I was pregnant, not helpless.

“We’re not going to attack, or do anything that will give away our presence,” I said gently. “We’re just to do a bit of information gathering. Hence only four people will enter. We can keep a low profile if there are less of us.”

“Spying!” Alex interjected. “Cool! If I go along can I get a watch that shoots tranquiliser darts? Or maybe a fountain pen disguised as a gun?”

I raised my eyebrows at him. “You want to come along?”

He shrugged. “I’m not the best person in a fight, Mack Attack, I’ll be the first to admit that. But I’m great at keeping hidden and, besides, if Aubrey can step up to the plate then so can I.”

“I’m happy for Mage Florides to volunteer himself,” the Arch-Mage interjected.

Corrigan stood up. “I will be representing the Brethren.”

Of course. I gazed up at him with a mixture of gratitude and exasperation.

“I’m a werepanther. My fur is darker than anyone else’s so I’ll be better placed to conceal myself in shadows.” He jerked his head at me. “Your red hair makes you a target. You should stay behind. It’s just common sense.”

I growled at him. “I will wear a fucking hat.”

The Summer Queen rose also. She clearly wasn’t enjoying my banter with the Lord Alpha. “Lord Sol will attend in the name of the Fae.”

Corrigan scowled.

“Great.” I checked my watch. “Set up the portal. We’ll go in thirty minutes.”

I drained the rest of my milk. I needed to splash some water on my face to freshen up. Hopefully I could borrow some deodorant or perfume from someone too. The smell of bonfire still clung to my nostrils and I was fairly certain my clothes reeked of baked vamp.

*

Thirty minutes later, the four of us stood together, ready to broach the Otherworldly barrier to Endor’s realm. Alex was hopping from one foot to the other. I wondered whether he was regretting volunteering. He gave me a quick tense smile when he caught me looking at him, and continued jumping around. I hoped he wasn’t going to end up being a liability.

Solus hooked his arm through mine. “This is simply wonderful. The two of us together, in the dark.” He sent me an arch look and a saucy wink. “Why anything could happen.”

I could almost see the hackles rising on the back of Corrigan’s neck. I pointedly re-directed Solus.

“Have you managed to get a date yet with your Celtic student?”

He suddenly deflated. “No. She has thus far remained immune to my quite considerable charms.”

“Imagine that,” I murmured.

“It’s a war of attrition, dragonlette. She’ll agree eventually. It’s meant to be.”

The Fae was obviously aware of Corrigan watching us closely because he abruptly flipped back to flirting. He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “How do you feel about a threesome?”

I was saved from answering by the crackle in the air, signifying that the portal to Dorchadas was open. Instead of the usual pretty purple flickers in the air, however, these were darker. Nausea rose up through me. I touched my stomach almost unconsciously in some pathetic attempt to prepare myself. Prepare us, I amended silently.

Solus went through first, followed by Alex, with me, then Corrigan bringing up the rear. As soon as I was through, I retched. It was an effort not to groan aloud, but I managed, just, to keep quiet. When I straightened back up, Corrigan was watching me with disapproval.

Alex held something out in his palm.

“What’s that?” I kept my voice low and quiet, unsure whether there was anyone around who might hear us.

“Breath mint.” When I narrowed my eyes at him, he grinned slightly. “I was in Russia with you, remember?”

“You were in Russia? When?”

I rolled my eyes at Corrigan. He may have been speaking in a whisper, but his annoyance was still obvious. “For fuck’s sake. You’re going to need to stop doing the whole protective thing. Platonic relationship, remember? And even if it wasn’t, I think I’ve proven I can take care of myself.”

A muscle jerked in his cheek. I could see him battling with himself to avoid taking our little spat even further.

Wrong time,