The Devil’s Kiss Read Free

Just another memory I’ve chosen to block out, which since joining this world, were increasing dramatically. It didn’t thrill me to hear about wolf attacks. But knowing that the wolf attacked a human, some of my worry settled immediately.
     
    This wasn’t someone else out for revenge or anyone with a Nexi target in mind. Living in my happy bubble of protection was exactly where I wanted to stay.
     
    Valor continued, “The Alpha has confirmed that this is the first of any problems within his territories in some time. He knew nothing of the wolf in question and gathered his wolves to discuss the matter. We are not anticipating any further trouble in this regard.”
     
    “Well, that’s good,” I noted. “I’ll help one wolf, but if this turns into a ‘Nexi therapy session’, I’m not volunteering.”
     
    Laughter rippled through the Council’s Hall. This Gothic Cathedral always did have such an echo to the room. The emptiness of it—four throne chairs sitting in the middle of this huge architectural masterpiece—didn’t exactly make it homey.
     
    “How long do you expect this to take?” Talon, the Master of Guardians, asked Valor.
     
    He didn’t look pleased to be losing Kyden and I. He may be the top Guardian in the Otherworld, but he’s also Kyden’s father. Sure, he’s a sexy devil with a glorious muscular body and jaw-dropping face, brown hair and the same eyes Kyden had but when I looked at him, I saw a dad—plain and simple.
     
    “I am unsure how long this will take,” Valor replied. “I can only hope that it works at all. The young wolf is terrified—lost.”
     
    Brax stood, approached Valor, and rested a hand on his shoulder. “You have done much for us, Valor. We will help you in any way we can.”
     
    “What’s going on?” Haven’s voice said from behind me.
     
    I spun around as Haven and Finn entered the hall. She’s cute with big blue eyes, bouncy brown curls, and Finn belonged on the beach with a surfboard in hand. They looked good together. I loved them both beyond words.
     
    “Why are you feeling so heartbroken?” Haven asked, examining me with suspicious eyes.
     
    I laughed. “That is somewhat annoying you know.”
     
    Our soul-sister bond had become a royal pain in my backside. Not that I didn’t love sharing such a deep bond with her that made emotions between us impossible to hide. It’s just, I couldn’t feel anything without having Haven knocking on my door to investigate.
     
    “It is not,” she rebuked, looking royally pissed. “It’s special.”
     
    I took her hand, squeezing it and focused on warm and happy feelings to share with her. “Sorry. You’re right. It is very special.” I recovered that moment quickly, and moved on, eager for her to forget it. “Anyways, Valor has a young wolf that needs some help, so he came to see if I’d mind helping out.”
     
    She perked up. Her big blue eyes opened and even sparkled slightly. “Another vacation?”
     
    Talon cut in. “You will not be going.” His voice rang out deep and authoritative “We cannot lose all of you.”
     
    Haven pouted and stomped her feet, putting her hands on her hips. Even her bottom lip came out a little. That was Haven—a ten year old in a twenty-four year old body—cute in every way, but also temperamental as hell.
     
    The Master of Witches, Zia interrupted. “Do you wish to do this, Nexi?”
     
    I glanced toward her. She gave me a smile that only intensified her beautiful features. Her strawberry hair seemed to do that thing you see in models when a fan is on them. Blow with beauty. Yeah, that was her—simply breathtaking.
     
    This wasn’t even a question. I owed Valor. Even doing this wouldn’t repay my debt to him for all the hairy situations he had gotten me out of. “I do. It is a small thing he asks. Plus, I feel bad for this wolf. It’s scary as hell waking to this world, and I didn’t shift into a wolf either. Who knew what I would have done if that