Crais(89)

“Drunken stripping? What did I miss?” A fully clothed Colton was at my side.

He wore a black tightly fitted shirt and a simple pair of denim jeans. I’d have thought it was his hottest look if I hadn’t just seen him naked.

“Well, if it isn’t the hound-dog himself.” I gave him a leisurely once-over. “Did I ever tell you I’m allergic to dogs? I get all hot and bothered.”

Abigail snorted, her eyes bright with mirth. I waited for her comment.

“As long as he doesn’t give you a rash, Luce.”

I laughed, interrupting her.

She continued. “And it might also be time to neuter flea-bag, before he marks you as his territory.”

Abigail never disappoints.

Colton ran his hand through his incredible white-blond hair. “You both know I am a damn wolf, right? Not a dog: two different species.”

“Sure, sure,” I teased, “four legs, fur and a tail; what’s the difference?”

He snorted, shaking his head, but didn’t answer.

“Is Magenta a wolf also?” Abigail asked him.

He nodded. “Yep, we’re the famed Walker wolf twins.”

“Which makes me literally and figuratively a bitch. Keep that in mind next time you want to take me on.” Colton’s stunning but evil sister had wandered over to us.

I’d had to beat on Fury to get rid of her attitude, but something told me that wouldn’t work on the bad twin.

Speaking of, I watched as Dune sprinted into the clearing, his dark-gray eyes frantically searching the crowd. Relief crossed his features when he found Fury. As he moved to her side, she dived into his arms. Damn all of these happy couples.

“I will take Lucy.” Colton stepped over to me with his arms out. “You need to check the fallout from Que’s little stunt.”

“And we have to find that Seventine,” Abigail finished.

Brace handed me over to Colton, and right then I’d had enough.

“Put me down.” I smacked him on the arm. “I’m not a child. I can walk myself.”

He completely ignored me, taking off at a steady pace to follow Brace.

Nothing irritated me more than people not treating me like an adult. Damn my short legs. I’d turned eighteen a month earlier, but with all the drama we hadn’t made a big deal of it. I hadn’t felt like celebrating, what with that rat asshole Samuel’s deception. But I was still eighteen, and in my books that made me an adult.

Well, it hadn’t been totally forgotten. Even with her own problems Abigail had still surprised me with this delicious three-layer chocolate cake, a gold heart pendant necklace and a pair of stunning black ankle-length boots. They were the most amazing shoes I owned and I was waiting for the right moment to wear them.

I was never taken aback that my best friend was the chosen one to save all of the worlds. She was tough, smart and gorgeous, but the most important thing she had was a big heart. From the first moment I can remember I was drawn to her. We’re kindred spirits.

As we neared the bomb site, the destruction was more obvious: massive zillion-year-old trees just ripped right out of the ground, vegetation flattened, remains of animals scattered around.

I might have buried my head as we passed some of the debris; it was too destructive, plus I was going to take advantage of the muscled chest while I had it.

Finally we reached the epicenter. All that remained was a large crater. Everything else had been blasted away. There was no evidence that a person or Walker had stood in this spot.

“Will he regenerate after this much damage?” Abigail said as she snuggled into Brace.

He breathed deeply. “No, I don’t think so.”

Suddenly she gasped. “Are you now the Princeps of Abernath?”

Brace’s fallen-angel features tightened, making him look like one of those stone statues of the gods.

“Generally I would be the natural successor to Que, but it’s not that simple at the moment. Our clan is divided. It’s going to get messy.” He leaned down from his height of a million feet tall and kissed Abigail. “And right now I have other priorities.”

Sigh.

“Do you think the Seventine is floating around here still?” I asked, looking left and right.

“Our barriers wouldn’t hold it inside, so it depends on why it was riding shotgun in Que.” Brace stared down into the crater formally known as his father.

“Aribella!”

Everyone spun at the familiar bellow. Abigail’s striking father, Josian, dashed over to where we stood.

“What the hell happened? Where did that energy come from? I thought –” He broke off, his bronze eyes conveying his fear and panic.

She stepped forward and gave him a reassuring hug. “Que was hosting the third Seventine. The power was too much, though. The energy exploded from him.” She indicated to the crater. “That’s what’s left.”