Laughing at Danger Read Free

Lyros.”
    The seers inclined their heads in dismissal, and Lyros took the hint. He left. He had packing to do.
     

Chapter Three
     
     
    Three days after she had arrived, Lima was no closer to finding a mate.
    Spike poured her another drink. “You don’t have to challenge them all, you know.”
    Lima wrinkled her nose and sipped the orange and grapefruit cocktail. “I sort of do. It is ingrained.”
    Spike chuckled. “I guess I got away easily with the instincts. Rolling into a ball and being unpleasant to chew is easier than constantly fighting for supremacy.”
    “Being in charge is necessary, but having a mate who can hold his own is essential. It is a bit of a corner to be backed into. Female-dominated shifter cultures are not that common.”
    Spike nodded. “Well, you are lucky that the population here is ever changing. How are you enjoying the hostel?”
    “It is quiet. It makes sure that I spend most of my time out and about, which is nice but annoying.”
    “Well, I enjoy the company.” Spike grinned.
    It was late afternoon, and the guests of the Crossroads were slowly making their way into the Crossed Star.
    Ivy came in and held up a deck of cards.
    Lima grinned. “I think my date is here.”
    “You are going to have to try the next batch of guests. Some arrived a few hours ago.”
    Lima nodded. “I know; I saw a blaze of fire coming down just after noon. It was impressive. Must have been one of the new fey.”
    Spike raised her brows. “You saw fire?”
    “Fire, light, something bright that got my attention.”
    “Ah. That was probably your mate arriving. Have a nice game.” Spike waved merrily.
    There was a change in Spike’s attitude. She had gone from commiseration to smug knowledge in the course of those few sentences. Lima’s beast wanted to get the information out of her, but Lima turned away and went to play Go Fish with Ivy.
    With her fruit juice in one hand, she walked to Ivy’s table, and the moment she was settled, she started shuffling the cards. Whatever Spike was smirking about could wait.
     
    Three hours later, Lima was starting to get hungry. She was about to conclude their last game when her hackles stood up. Someone powerful had just wandered into her territory.
    Ivy smiled. “It is just one of the fey. They affect some of the shifters quite strongly.”
    Lima frowned and shook her head. “No, this is different.”
    She slowly turned her head to look for the interloper, and she felt her cards waver in her grip. She had last seen the male who had just entered the Crossed Star while he was bloody and broken. He was definitely in much better form now.
    She settled the moment that she identified him. “Ah, I have seen him before. That was it.”
    Ivy smirked. “If you say so.”
    The fey’s dark hair cascaded down to his shoulders, his pointed ears peeked out from the dark locks and his gold and brown eyes were scanning the room. He appeared to be looking for someone.
    He looked like a tall, handsome human. It must have made his job easier when he met with governing bodies.
    Ivy’s table was situated in the shadows. They had enough light to play cards but not enough to illuminate their faces as he scanned the crowd.
    Ivy chuckled. “Did you get the gem to authorize the fey to flirt with you?”
    Lima shrugged. “No. I didn’t know it was an option.”
    Ivy scowled. “You are kidding.”
    “No. I came through a transport, and Teal got me squared away while Tony got ready for the next arrival.”
    “That is weird. I thought they were trying to get everyone to sign up for the program.”
    “They may have been, but I am a wee bit different than other alpha females.” Lima shrugged. “Perhaps they thought I wouldn’t have been interested.”
    “Would you have been?”
    Lima chuckled and turned back to the cards in her hand. “I guess we will never know.”
    She focused on the game, but her heart wasn’t in it. “I am going to call it a night, Ivy.”
    “Go for a