“I see.” She hadn’t realized multiple father…litters were possible with Therians. They looked so human. It was easy to forget how truly different they were. “Is Sam still alive?”
“No. Willona was starting to thaw toward him so I killed him.”
Holy shit. Had he just admitted to murder without flinching? She’d always sensed a darkness in Osric, but she hadn’t expected this. “And how did Willona react to Sam’s death?”
“She contacted the Abolitionists and arranged to be ‘rescued’.” He sneered as he went on. “As if she could be rescued from her own nature. I wouldn’t have bothered to track her, but she took the girls with her. That was inexcusable.”
She was dying to ask him about the Abolitionists. Did he know Nehema? But she didn’t want to lose her train of thought. “Only Ava is your blood kin. Why were you searching for Carissa?”
“Both girls possess Maggie’s blood so either can be defined with multiple animal natures.”
“Is that what Milliner was talking about when he said alpha males from all over the State had showed up at the cat sanctuary?” A million details were waiting to be filled in, but she hadn’t learned anything new and she wasn’t sure how long the drugs’ effect would last.
“Carissa has been defined. I don’t know if the attempt was successful, but Ava is my only hope now.”
“How did Willona die?”
“Car accident. I think it was arranged, but I haven’t been able to prove it.”
He had admitted to murder without batting an eye. Maybe her questions should be more direct. “Is it your intention to betray the backers?”
“I serve Zophiel. I cannot betray those who do not hold my allegiance.”
Well, this was interesting. She wondered if the backers would share his rationalization. “Who is Zophiel?”
“Spy of God. Angel of Devine Justice. Mistress of this unworthy slave.”
Mistress? Angels tended to be asexual or male, but this was clearly no ordinary angel. “Does Zophiel go by any other name?”
“That is not for you to know. Before you are worthy to bask in her light, you must be cleansed by fire.”
That didn’t sound like fun. “What does she look like? I don’t want to offend her if I happen upon her someday.”
“She has beauty beyond compare. Flowing blonde hair so light it is nearly silver and crystal-blue eyes that shimmer like stars. Her features are nothing short of perfection and her shape knows no equal. If you wandered into her presence, you would tremble at the sight.”
The drugs were supposed to make it all but impossible to lie, so Zophiel had to be imaginary. Didn’t she? “When did you last see your Mistress in person?”
“Unbeliever! May Zophiel have mercy on your soul.” He folded his knees beneath him and pressed his palms together as he rocked back and forth, chanting in a soft, singsong language.
Apparently Zophiel’s influence had overridden the drugs’ effect. Roberto had warned her that she would have approximately half an hour before Osric was overcome by the need for sleep. She’d learned more than she ever hoped, so she decided not to push her luck.
She moved in front of him and pressed his face into the valley between her breasts. “Let’s go to bed.” He remained stiff and unresponsive for a long time then one of his hands skimmed up the back of her leg and squeezed her bare behind.
Chapter Six
Something soft brushed against Ava’s cheek, drawing her back from the most decadent dream of her life. She’d been making love with Kyle, exploring his amazing body with her hands and her lips. And he’d returned every caress, mirrored every lick and nibble. The images were so appealing she didn’t want to open her eyes.
The featherlight caress danced along her jaw then teased her upper lip. A rich, sweat scent filled her nose and she sighed. Rose.
She opened her eyes and found Kyle sitting on the edge of the bed, brandishing a long-stemmed rose like a paint brush. “Good afternoon.” Startled by the implication, she looked at the blind-covered window and he chuckled. “We were beginning to wonder if you’d ever wake up.”
“What time is it?” She pulled the sheet up and tucked it under her arms. He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, which made her feel more naked somehow.
“A little after one.” He stroked her shoulder with the rose then ran the bloom down her arm and slipped the thorn-less stem into her hand. “I hope you’re hungry.” She closed her fingers around the stem and raised the flower to her nose, enjoying the fragrance as he set a large wooden tray across her lap. “I wasn’t sure what you liked so we made a bit of everything.”