something you needed from my mate?” I had to bite my tongue to prevent a wide grin from spreading over my face. She was so protective of us, and it just made her that much more attractive in my eyes.
Color deepened Val’s cheeks for a moment. “Well, I’ve heard basilisks are amazing fighters,” she whispered, leaning forward as if confiding a secret. “I haven’t really seen him out here training since he returned, and I hoped maybe I’d have a chance to try my talents against his.”
A nearly manic gleam had grown in the female’s eyes. Val took on anyone and everyone, and frequently won too. Her Valkyrie powers gave her strength and speed, as well as an affinity for weapons and battle strategy. It was quite amazing to watch, but it meant she attempted to get herself into fights every few minutes unless Leo was around to restrain her. The first time Damien had put her on her ass, she’d laughed until she cried and then demanded he show her how to do the takedown he’d performed, much to his amusement.
Nix softened slightly, turning her hand to grasp mine. While there had been whispers about our group since we had arrived, and even more about Gaspard, when Joshua and Tao had shown up, the murmurs had turned into a muted roar. Despite the mind readers who had helped vet them, there was still an innate distrust due to their statuses and their breeds. I would have assumed that Tao would have been quickly assimilated, but he was unerringly loyal to Joshua and would put up with no negative talk about the other man. It had easily won him a space amongst our little family.
“I’m sure he’d be happy to spar with you in the future, Val,” I told her softly. “Just let him acclimate slightly.”
“Yes, yes.” She waved her hand. “I get it.” She winked at Nix, wearing a knowing smile on her face. “Lots of happy homecomings are necessary, I’m sure.”
“For a treacherous snake,” a voice muttered behind us. We whirled as a unit, a snarl falling from Nix as she glared at Rune. The surly man had his arms crossed over his chest as he arched a brow.
“Leave my mate alone,” Nix warned, her voice silky and low though no less dangerous for the sweet tone. “He has sacrificed more than you could ever know to help the rebellion.”
Rune jutted his chin into the air. “And he’ll have to sacrifice more.”
Nix went to step forward, and Theo and I gripped her tightly. “Rune,” I greeted, keeping my voice cool and holding a polite smile on my face. While politics were more Damien’s game than mine, I was far from inept at the back and forth of a weighted conversation. “We haven’t seen much of Amber lately. How’ve you been?” I commended myself for keeping my tone even and vaguely warm when all I wanted to do was tear the man’s throat out. My Kitsune yipped his agreement, his tails thrashing madly. He couldn’t stand the troll.
Rune didn’t bother sparing me a look, his eyes still focused on Nix. “This isn’t the Council,” he told her firmly.
Nix huffed. “Shock and awe, it’s not Council territory? And here I thought it was,” she retorted sarcastically. “Wasn’t there some little… oh yes, rebellion going on?” Theo made a shushing noise, stroking her back softly. I could tell Nix’s temper was flaring, and my own wasn’t too far behind. How Ryder worked with this asshole was beyond me. Somehow, the two of them had struck up a truce, keeping the clinic free of politics and slurs.
Rune grimaced. “There are rules here. Laws. You all have been weaving your way around them for long enough. It’s going to start catching up with you.”
“Rune?” The cheery voice had me swallowing back a groan. Perfect. “Well now, who let you out of your cage? I didn’t know it was a feeding day.”
“Ciarán,” I greeted, not even bothering to turn around. “I wasn’t aware you were out in the practice arena today.” Not that it was a surprise, the man appeared and disappeared at will, no matter what situation he ended up in.
Ciarán let out a dramatic gasp. “Your eyes were not glued to my brilliant form, soaking in every aspect of my talent, and seeking new and amazing skills?” He let horror fill his tone. “I’m shocked. Ashamed. I must strive harder to match the perfection of your unicorn.”
“He’s a ceraptor,” I replied automatically,