Shades of Moonlight

 Lucani Lovers - 6

by

Stephanie Julian

To the readers who’ve followed along on this journey, thank you. XOXO

Glossary

Arus: magical power inherent in the Fata and Enu, races of Etruscan descent

Boschetta: Etruscan coven, traditionally comprised of thirteen streghe

Candela: Etruscan sprite, tiny magical beings with wings and a certain glow about them

Decurio: legion rank of commander

Eteri (pl. eteri): Etruscan for foreigner, used to describe regular humans without magic

Enu: humans of magical Etruscan descent

Fata: elemental beings of magical Etruscan descent

Fauni: Etruscan elemental spirit of the earth

Folletta (pl. folletti): Etruscan female fairy

Linchetto (pl. linchetti): Etruscan night elf

Malandante: descended from the Etruscans but born with a bent toward evil, with a taste for power and wealth

Praenuntio: Goddess Gift of foresight

Praepositus: an officer rank in the lucani army

Praetorian: elite guard of the lucani king

Pugio: a Roman dagger

Quercioli: the offspring of a folletta and a linchetto, always female

Salbinelli: Etruscan satyr

Sicari (pl: sicarii): assassin

Silvani: one of the three original Etruscan Fata; always female, protectors of fields and forests

Speculator: spy

Strega (pl. streghe): Etruscan witch

Versipellis (pl. versipelli): literally “skin shifter”—shapeshifters including Etruscan Lucani (wolves), Norse Berkserkir (bears) and French loup garou (wolves)

Chapter One

There he was again, the huge gray wolf prowling around the shadows outside Mara Maruccini’s tiny home.

Well, it wasn’t actually her home.

Cole Luporeale, the lucani king, graciously allowed her to stay here, close to the very little family she had left. The five-room building sat on the outskirts of this small community of versipelli. Skin shifters. In this case, Etruscan wolves, members of the magical race of Etruscans who continued to survive in the modern world.

And she knew that wolf better than any of the others.

Race.

Just the fact that he was out there made her feel safer than at any other time in her life. Which wasn’t really hard to do, considering…

A tap on her shoulder drew her attention from the window to the woman standing behind her.

Her aunt, Grace. Well, her aunt only if you considered that Mara’s father’s brother—she refused to call that bastard Uncle Ettore—was the father of Grace’s son and daughter.

A tenuous connection, at best, but Grace considered Mara family and what Grace believed came true.

Grace smiled now, though Mara saw the strain in it and, reluctantly, turned her back on the window to focus on what Grace wanted to tell her.

Mara hadn’t been able to understand all of it by reading Grace’s lips, a necessity because Mara was still under a nasty spell that had taken away her hearing and speech.

That bastard Ettore. So glad he was dead.

She shook her head and held up her hands, letting Grace know she hadn’t been able to understand her.

So Grace lifted her hands and signed slowly. “The streghe want to be certain you understand. They may not be able to break the spell and you could be permanently deaf and mute.”

Her aunt’s sign language skills had improved greatly in the last six months since Mara had given birth to Arin, her beautiful baby boy. She’d do anything for him, even attempt this risky spell-breaking. She needed to protect him and she couldn’t if she were deaf and mute. Not completely.

Mara nodded and signed back, “Yes. I’m positive.”

Grace sighed and forced another smile, though she wasn’t able to make it the least bit encouraging. Grace had become the closest thing to a mother Mara had ever had, even considering that Mara had two living parents—who’d given her up to Ettore when she was fifteen to be a breeder for the Malandante.

No, trust didn’t come easy for her. She trusted only one person implicitly. Her cousin Amalia. Only sixteen but already wise beyond her years, Lia, as everyone had begun to call her here, had never lied to her.

She looked to Lia now, sitting in a corner of the room, away from everyone. Lia’s gaze locked on to hers and she nodded, just once.

Lia believed this would work. They’d discussed it last night as Mara rocked Arin to sleep and Lia avoided her mother. They both still felt like outcasts in this little community, even though none of the lucani had outright shunned them. In fact, most had accepted them and that stunned her. Grace and her mate Kaisie’s unconditional love made her want to weep.

And then there was Race…

Pushing thoughts of the man out of her head, she looked back at Grace, who couldn’t hide her fear. For her. Mara still had a tough time figuring out how to react. She’d never had anyone fuss and fawn over her like Grace had in the past few months. As if she were trying to make up for the previous twenty years of neglect by Mara’s parents.

Mara soaked up Grace’s kindness like a sponge. On the other hand, Lia was having a hard time trusting anyone.

Mara had to trust that this would work. She had to. “I’m ready,” she signed. “Let’s get this over with.”

When Grace nodded and turned to speak to the Etruscan witches who were going to attempt to break the spell, Mara looked out the window again.

Was he still—

Yes, there he was, sitting beneath a low-hanging willow. Staring at the house.

If I ask, will he come in and hold my hand?

She wanted that so badly her chest ached.

Race was the one person, in addition to her small family, she’d become used to seeing, who she expected to see every day.

And the one person she knew she shouldn’t come to rely on.

Ettore had been right. She was weak.

Another tap on her shoulder and she turned but this time it wasn’t Grace.

Catene Rossini Ferrante was only a year younger than Mara but that was where the similarities ended. Cat had long, copper hair and bright-blue eyes, the polar opposite of Mara’s short dark hair and dark-brown eyes.

“Would you like me to ask him to come in?” Cat asked.

Mara’s eyes widened in shock as she had no trouble reading Cat’s lips. How had—

“I’m sorry.” Cat’s smile held a hint of regret. “I didn’t mean to pry. It’s just that since I… Well, I know he wants to be in here with you and I thought maybe the feeling was mutual.”

Mara knew the rest of Cat’s unfinished sentence was “since I took the power of the former Etruscan Goddess of the Moon”. That act had knocked the lucani off their feet. Some of them were still trying to find their bearings.

Cat appeared to be adjusting to her new life. At least on the outside. But Mara knew how you could be a seething mass of fury on the inside and present a calm front.

Obviously she hadn’t been hiding her emotions well enough.

Mara glanced over Cat’s shoulder to the five women, including Grace and Cat’s mom Margie huddled around the dining table. They all appeared to be talking at the same time.

Lia continued to sit in the corner, her mouth set in a perpetual scowl.

Making sure no one could see her hands, Mara signed, “Do you think he’ll come?”

Cat’s smile naturalized, became softer. “Yes. I think he will.”

Wouldn’t that be nice to believe? A man who would do something for her just because she asked.

Then she sighed. Silently of course. “I wish…” Her hands stilled. “Why would he?”

Cat’s smile disappeared. “Why don’t you let me ask him? Every now and then we all need someone big and strong to lean on and Race definitely fills that requirement.”

Yes, he certainly did. He stood inches over six feet and had to weigh at least two-twenty. He was built like the men Ettore had employed to kill whoever crossed him. And Race looked even more dangerous.

When he wasn’t in his pelt, roaming the forests and fields surrounding this community as a huge gray wolf, he dressed in faded jeans, black boots, black t-shirts or black hooded sweatshirts. He shaved his dark-brown hair down until only the slightest fuzz remained. She’d often wanted to rub her hand over it, see if it felt prickly against her skin. Or soft.

He never smiled but she never felt afraid of him. She only felt safe.

She needed that now. Needed that big, strong man who had been by her side almost constantly since Kaisie had brought her here.

Mara looked at Cat and nodded.

Cat smiled. “I’ll be right back.”

* * *

Race Aragon had been prowling the grounds outside Mara’s house for hours, watching the streghe arrive, knowing what they were going to attempt.

He wanted to be in there with her.

Ridiculous but true. And so not happening.

With a huff, he sat on his haunches and stared at the little house Mara shared with her son and, more often than not, with her cousin Lia. He was glad the two girls had each other. The deep well of hurt in Mara tempered the bitter anger burning in Lia.

He understood the anger. The hurt made him want to kill Ettore Marrucini all over again. Slowly and much more painfully.

Then maybe Mara wouldn’t be as sad. Maybe then she could move on and… What?

Well, he knew where he wanted her to move to. And it wasn’t away from here.

Since he’d been a kid and realized pretty early on he wasn’t built for the life his parents had expected of him, Race had sworn never to lie to himself or anyone else.

He was a soldier. His body was built for it, his brain wired for it, and he made no excuses for it.

His parents and brother were happy living in their cozy little world of numbers and money outside of Philadelphia, where getting your hands dirty meant something a lot different than Race’s definition.

Logically, his family understood the need for soldiers. The lucani had been under attack for more than a millennium. They needed protection. His parents had just never expected one of their sons to become a soldier.

He’d never doubted their love for him but they didn’t understand him. Sometimes he thought they were frightened of him instead of for him.

He knew he looked scary. The shaved head, the tats, the face only a mother could love.

But…Mara never seemed afraid of him. He’d seen the anxiety in her eyes around several of the other male lucani who guarded her and her son. But never when she looked at him.

Her reaction made no sense but Race wanted to beat his chest in victory anyway. What he’d actually won remained a mystery since she couldn’t talk and he couldn’t completely understand sign language.

He’d tried. He’d picked up a few basic phrases but he wasn’t good enough yet to hold a conversation. And he wasn’t sure what they’d talk about anyway. So the fact that he was sitting outside her house in his pelt overthinking everything was kind of pitiful.

Okay, not kind of. It was fucking pitiful.

And, yeah, he’d volunteered.

He was just about to make another run around the perimeter of the house when Cat stepped out onto the porch.

His wolf sensed the power the girl now held inside her. The power of the Goddess of the Moon. That power called to his wolf without any effort on her part.

She wanted him to come to her and he obeyed without thought, loping up to the porch. She didn’t seem worried or scared so he didn’t think Mara was in any danger.

When he reached the porch and butted his head against the girl’s leg, she reached for him, a smile on her face, and ran her hand along his fur. If he stood on his back legs in this form he’d be taller than she was. Grown men had been known to wet themselves when they saw him coming for their asses.

“Hello, Race. I need you to shift and come inside. Mara would like you to be with her while the witches attempt to break the spell.”

If he’d been in his skin, his mouth would’ve hung open in shock. Instead he growled and shook his head, which made Cat’s smile widen.

“Don’t try that with me, Race. You and I both know you want to so just get the clothes you have stashed on the side of the house and come inside. And don’t worry. Ty is out there. He’ll stand guard.”

How the hell did she know what he wanted? Had he given his feelings away somehow?

Well, that was a stupid question. She was a goddess now, even if she hadn’t started out as one. She was the lucani’s very own goddess so of course she had a special affinity to them.

And how the hell did she know Tivr, God of the Moon, was here? Race didn’t sense—

A sleek gray wolf trotted out of the forest, stopping at the tree line. Beside him, Cat stiffened but she never lost her smile.

“Go on, Race. I need to talk to Ty.”

She sounded as if he’d asked a question. And maybe he had unintentionally or maybe she’d just read his mind. He knew there was tension between the young fledgling goddess and Tivr. Hell, everyone knew there was tension between the two but no one knew what to do about it. That didn’t mean they didn’t notice. And worry.

But Mara wanted him inside so that was where he needed to be.

He raced around the side of the building, skidding to a stop, his shift already in process. In the span of a few seconds, he’d traded his pelt for his skin, embracing the few milliseconds of pain that set his teeth on edge before he pulled his jeans up his legs.

He was still tugging his shirt down to cover his stomach when he reached for the doorknob. Taking a deep breath, he pushed through and into the house.

And froze when all eight women in the room turned to stare at him.

Grace and Lia smiled at him, looking so much alike he did a quick double take. Cat’s mom Margie smiled too. The three older streghe gave him a cursory glance then returned to their discussion at the table, completely ignoring him.

Finally, sitting on the small couch by the window, he found Mara.

Her body a stiff line of tension, she stared at him through wide, dark eyes, her face pale. She looked terrified.

He didn’t realize he’d closed the gap between them until he stood in front of her. He clenched his hands at his sides so he didn’t grab her and crush her against him, like a child with a toy. She wasn’t a toy. She was a terrified young woman who looked at him as if he could make some of this a little better.

So he would. He’d figure the rest out later.

He knew she could read lips well but he didn’t want their conversation to be overheard. So he raised his hands to chest level and signed, “You okay?”

Her gaze flashed back to his after watching his hands and she attempted a smile as she nodded. Then her gaze slipped away as if she were shy. Or didn’t know what to say.

Well, that made two of them.

Okay, so maybe he’d just go stand in the corner with Lia and—

Mara grabbed his right hand, her gaze once more glued to his. She had the most beautiful eyes. Dark, soulful. He had the feeling she saw so much more than anyone gave her credit for.

As if she’d read his mind, she tugged on his hand and drew him closer until he took the hint and sat next to her. When his ass hit the cushion, she released him and he had to clench his fist so he didn’t grab for her again.

Then Margie turned to face them. “We’re ready.”

This time when Mara reached for him, she didn’t let go.

Race’s hand felt huge and solid around hers and Mara didn’t know why she’d let him go the first time. Her feelings for him didn’t make any sense but then nothing in her life, except Arin, made sense these days.

She would do anything for her son, even undergo this potentially dangerous ritual. Was determined to take back some of what that bastard Ettore had stolen from her. And with Race by her side, she felt strong enough to do it.

The streghe were talking again but Mara had learned to look only at Margie. She usually spoke for the group and, for some reason, Mara could read her lips better than anyone other than Lia and Cat.

“Race, if it’s okay with you, we think Mara should maintain contact with you during the spell work.”

She felt Race’s surprise in the tightening of his hand on hers. She turned to look at him and found his gaze already on hers.

“You okay with that?”

Forcing herself to nod, she let her gaze linger on his lips. He had a beautiful mouth, set in a face she figured most women would consider too harsh, too rough. They’d write him off as a thug. She saw strength. And where other women might see crude, hulking muscle, she saw protection.

She lifted one hand and signed, “Yes, I’m sure.”

Turning back to Margie, she saw the other woman nod. “Okay then. Why don’t you two come over here and sit on the floor.” Margie motioned to the area in front of her. “Race, you sit behind Mara with her between your legs. We believe your inherent magic might absorb some of the shock of the spell when it breaks.”

The streghe took positions around her and Race in a circle but Mara shook her head as she lifted her hands. “Will Race be in any danger?”

She’d signed so fast only Lia had been able to follow her and she translated for everyone else.

Margie shrugged, her mouth twisting in a grimace. “We don’t believe so but you can never tell.”

No. Mara shook her head. She turned to tell Race to go. No matter what, she wouldn’t be responsible for his—

He gripped her shoulder and she found herself much closer to him than she’d ever been before.

His dark eyes held a steady resolve. “I’m not leaving.”

She shook her head. “I want you to leave.”

He reached for her hands, stilling their frantic motion. Then he spoke slowly and made sure she could see his lips. “I’m. Not. Leaving.”

Warmth flooded her chest, quickly followed by a chill. What if something happened to him? What if he was injured because of her? She didn’t want that. This had been a huge mistake. She would not be the reason anything happened to him. With magic, anything could and usually did happen, and it wasn’t always good.

If something happened to her… That would be par for the course. Up until this point, her life had been one giant free fall. But there was no way she would take Race down with her.

Even if she wanted to wrap her arms around those massive shoulders and cling.

Her head still shaking, she firmed her mouth and emphatically signed “No” over and over.

He just covered her hands with his, turned to Margie and nodded.

Frustration and relief warred in her gut and she wanted to scream. Only she couldn’t.

And when Race turned back to her, he separated her hands, clenched together in front of her, and laced her fingers through his. “Let’s get this done. Now.”

Chapter Two

Ears still ringing, nerves twitching with pain, Race pushed himself into a seated position on the floor.

What the hell had hap—

Mara.

He shouted her name. At least he thought he did but no sound emerged. Or his eardrums were just that damaged. He couldn’t tell. His throat felt raw, as if he’d been screaming for days. Shaking his head, he tried to clear the smog clouding his thoughts.

What the hell happened? Where is she?

He had to find her. Blinking to bring the world into focus, he reached out, searching. Where—

His hand brushed against Mara’s arm. How he knew it was her didn’t matter. Only that it was. He forced his eyes to focus so he could see her then lifted her into his arms and crushed her against his chest.

Thank the Blessed Mother Goddess. She was breathing, but unconscious.

He released the breath he’d been holding. “Mara. Can you hear me?”

She didn’t move.

Drawing on every ounce of calm he had, which wasn’t much at the best of times, he took a deep breath and forced himself to check out the situation in the room.

Around him, the other women began to stir, picking themselves up from the floor where it seemed they’d all ended up.

He didn’t smell blood. At least not much. Good enough for now.

He returned his attention to Mara. Vaffanculo. He’d done a shitty job of protecting her from…whatever the hell had happened.

Which was a problem for another time and someone else. Right now…

“Mara. Open your eyes. Now.” He used his hard-ass growl, the one that made weaker men cower.

Easily holding her with one arm, he used his free hand to cup her jaw, keeping her face pointed toward his.

“Mara.” Her eyelids flickered but still didn’t open. He leaned closer to her ear, his lips only centimeters away. “I want you to wake up now. You have to wake up. Arin needs you.”

There. That did it. At the mention of her son, she shook and drew in a deep breath.

After at least another minute, her eyes opened. Dazed. Confused. Unfocused.

“Come on, sweetheart.”

Blinking up at him, her eyes finally began to focus.

“Mara, can you hear me?”

Her eyes widened in shock and tears formed in her eyes. Then she nodded, smiling so wide it had to hurt.

Her lips began to move…but no sound emerged.

The joy drained from her face and she began to struggle, trying to get out of his arms. He released her reluctantly, ready to draw her back if she moved too far away. He forced back a growl, not wanting to frighten her.

Luckily she didn’t go far. She sat cross-legged on the floor next to him, breathing deeply, the most intent expression on her face.

“Can you really hear me?”

He couldn’t help but ask the question again and he wanted to pump his fist in the air when she nodded.

“But you can’t speak.”

He didn’t make that one a question but she shook her head anyway and her lips trembled as if she were going to cry.

He reached for her again, grateful that she didn’t pull away when he took her hand. “Then we’re making progress.”

The look she gave him was equal parts frustration and joy and her eyes filled with tears again.

Shit. He couldn’t handle her tears. What the hell did he do now? What did she want him to—

“Mara? How are you? Can you hear me? Can you say anything?”

Margie stood in front of them and Race scrambled to his feet, immediately towering over the women. When Mara reached up, he took her hand and pulled her up too.

“She can hear, but she still can’t speak.”

Mara’s hands began to move and, when she was finished, Margie shook her head. “I don’t know what happened but the fact that you have your hearing back is a great first step. Race, are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Nothing was broken and his ears weren’t ringing as much as they had been. And he could see straight. Mostly. So, yeah, everything was fine. But he didn’t matter. “Is she okay?”

Margie gave him a critical looking over and, when she was done, she looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

Okay, maybe he did feel as if he’d gotten hit by a bus but he’d survived worse. He suspected he’d taken the brunt of whatever had happened when the spell had broken but he could take it.

Mara was the one who mattered now.

As the other women began to rouse, Margie checked Mara from head to toe.

An hour later, they’d determined there’d been only one serious injury. One of the older strega had hit her head when the spell controlling Mara’s hearing had broken and lashed out. She had a cut that had bled all over her shirt but, other than that, there were no major injuries.

He didn’t consider his worsening headache an injury. It was just a headache. It’d pass.

But Margie kept coming back to him, asking about his head, and finally Mara turned to stare at him.

“What’s wrong?” she signed to Margie.

His hands rose before he remembered he didn’t need them to talk to her anymore. “I’m fine. Just a headache.”

Mara’s mouth firmed and she signed to Margie again. This time he didn’t catch all of it but Margie shook her head.

“No, I think he’ll be fine but he may have a bit of a concussion. I’d feel better if he had someone stay with him tonight though.”

Before he could answer, Mara was signing again and this time he had to wait for Margie to translate. “She said you can stay here. Arin can stay with Grace and Kaisie tonight.”

Stay the night? Here? With her?

His first thought? Hell yes.

His second? Pretty much the same as the first.

Which was how, another hour later, they found themselves alone in that tiny house staring at each other from opposite ends of the couch.

Race had never been good at small talk and Mara couldn’t talk so they sat there staring at nothing while the radio she’d turned on earlier played a steady stream of Latin music. It’d surprised him at first, until he remembered she’d spent the past five or so years in Florida.

“How’s your head?” she signed, her graceful hands moving in ways that made him hot.

Even through the sexual fog, he didn’t have to translate her hand movements into words in his head. She’d asked so many times in the past hour, he’d memorized the signs.

“For the last time, it’s just a headache. I’m more worried about you. Are you sure you’re okay? You were knocked out cold.”

She nodded and he could tell she wanted to say something else but probably thought he wouldn’t be able to understand her. Once again he cursed himself for not being able to pick up sign language faster.

Her gaze darted around the room and he rose before she could, knowing what she wanted. Grabbing the pad and pen off the dining room table, he brought them back to her. And nearly bent to steal the sweet smile she gave him with a kiss.

He’d wanted to kiss her for weeks.

Hell, from the first moment he’d seen her, eight months pregnant, terrified but determined to get away from the man who’d made her his slave, he’d wanted to put himself in front of her and shield her from everything. Wanted to make sure no one ever hurt her again.

He realized kissing him probably wasn’t even on her to-do list but keeping her safe was Number One on his. He’d make damn sure no one ever had the chance to hurt her again.

At least as long as she stays in the den.

Just the thought of her leaving made him want to tear things apart.

And that wasn’t going to get them anywhere tonight so why even bother to think about it?

As he sat back down at the far end of the couch, she surprised him by scooting closer and holding out the pad. This close, her scent—spun sugar, sweet pea and baby powder—flooded his senses, made it hard for him to keep from wrapping one hand around her neck and dragging her against his body.

That’d be a sure way to get her to run far and fast.

Biting back that primal urge, he took the pad instead.

I just wanted to say thank you again for coming in and I’m so sorry you were hurt. I don’t want you to be hurt. I don’t want anyone to be hurt because of me. I appreciate everything the lucani have done for me. I don’t plan to be a burden for long.

He stopped reading, his gaze snapping back to hers. “You’re not leaving.”

Okay, that had sounded way too much like a command and Mara’s gaze dropped away from his in a flash.

Shit. He hadn’t meant to scare her.

Her gaze flashed back up to his and he knew she wasn’t scared. She was pissed.

She began to sign and he only got “You are not” before she lost him.

He held up his hands, frustrated again by his inability to understand. He got that she was angry though. Her hands flew and he watched, mesmerized. He didn’t have a clue what she was angry about because he couldn’t help imagining those slim hands all over him.

He snapped out of the little daydream he had going when Mara clapped, the sound echoing through the room.

His gaze snapped back to hers and he got lost in those dark eyes. Furious eyes. He’d never seen her mad.

It made him hot.

Yeah, you can just put that right out of your mind, asshole. Not happening.

“Sorry. Sorry, I…” Was thinking about you naked. Yeah, that would go over really well. “I—”

Rolling her eyes, she grabbed the pad out of his hands and began to write again. Then she shoved it back in his face.

You are not my keeper. I’m an adult. I can go anywhere I damn well please whenever I want. My life was dictated for me for far too long. I won’t stand for that again.

He nodded. She was absolutely right. Hell, he understood completely.

Still, it frosted his ass to realize one day she could just up and leave. Disappear. Leave him behind.

Fuck no.

Adrenaline pumped through his body, tightening every muscle until he thought his jaw might crack.

She stared back at him with that stubborn expression and her anger acted as an unexpected aphrodisiac. His cock began to harden. He couldn’t help it.

Wrapping his hand around her neck, he held her steady, gazes locked. He didn’t yank her toward him. He slid across the cushion to her, his hand on her neck making it clear he wasn’t going to release her. Her eyes grew wider with each second until his lips were only inches from hers.

“You want me to treat you like an adult?” His voice had dropped to a barely audible rumble. “Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Her eyes widened even farther but she didn’t pull away.

That’s right. I’m going to kiss you. Deal with it.

He caught a glimpse of that knowledge in her eyes right before he shut his and sealed his mouth sealed over hers.

Sweet. So fucking sweet.

Goddamn, she tasted like sugar candy. He’d expected that. He hadn’t expected the heat. It took less than a second to build then lit like dry kindling hit with a match.

And then… Holy hell, then the angels fucking sang.

She didn’t kiss as if she were a master at it. Hell no. But what she lacked in finesse, she more than made up for with enthusiasm.

And that’s when he realized he was much more of a Neanderthal than he gave himself credit for.

Releasing her neck, he wrapped both arms around her, pulling her against him.

She stiffened but didn’t pull away.

Thank the Blessed Goddess. He didn’t want to let her go. Not yet. If she’d shown one hint of fear, he’d have been out the door in a heartbeat. Instead her hands came up to rest on his shoulders and she held on. She let him kiss her.

And he took full advantage.

He pried open her lips and licked into her mouth. Slid his tongue against hers and coaxed her into responding. The kiss deepened every second and he felt himself sinking further and further away from reality.

Each taste, each touch, every sigh made him more convinced that this was where she belonged. Even if he knew she wouldn’t stay.

Chapter Three

Wow, I should have done this a whole lot sooner.

It was the only thought running through Mara’s brain as Race’s mouth moved over hers.

Blessed Goddess, the man could kiss. Just demanding enough to be dominant but sweet enough to drag her under his spell. She’d thought she’d grown immune to the ways men could make you fall for their tricks, their lies.

But if Race was lying to her in any way, she couldn’t tell. Or maybe she just didn’t want to know.

Since she’d taken leave of her senses for the night, she figured she might as well go all-out and enjoy herself while she had the chance.

She wanted to enjoy Race. Enjoy the solid feel of him so close to her and the lust she couldn’t explain away as magic.

She’d wanted this man since her libido had returned about three months after Arin’s birth. She’d thought it’d been beaten out of her by the life her parents and Ettore had forced her into.

Now… Now she knew it’d only taken the right man to bring it out of her.

This man.

Race’s mouth molded over hers, sucking at her. His tongue pushed between her lips to lick and play with hers.

He wasn’t careful. He didn’t treat her like a porcelain doll. Not like— Well, not like before, when she’d thought she’d been in love. That had been a lie.

This…

This was no lie. This was exactly what she needed.

Race made her feel desirable. Like a woman instead of the walking wounded.

And with her hearing restored, she reveled in the sound of him.

His labored breathing. The low groan he made when he twisted his head to get a better angle on her lips. Heard the shift of his clothes against hers and wondered what it would sound like if they were skin-to-skin.

She loved knowing she made him hot and bothered.

Wrapping her arms around those broad shoulders, she pressed closer until she had to move or risk falling on top of him.

And maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad idea. She knew he’d catch her.

Maybe he read her mind because in the next second, he put his arms around her waist and dragged her against him. She opened her legs so her knees fell on either side of his and her chest pressed against his. Then he shoved one hand into her hair and tilted her head so he had better access to her mouth.

His other hand spread across her back and she nearly melted as his fingers stretched from one shoulder blade to the other. This close to him, she felt tiny. As if he could curl around her and nothing could ever get at her again.

It made her bold. He made her bold.

When he reached out to lick at her again, she opened her mouth and touched the tip of her tongue to his. He groaned, inducing a shiver that shimmered through her like hard liquor.

Then his tongue pushed past her lips and she opened wider, letting him in. He didn’t hesitate to take what he wanted and a momentary flare of panic lit low in her gut.

What if—

He pulled away, leaving her breathless, her fingers digging into his shoulders.

“Shit.” Grimacing, he released her to run one hand over his face. “I didn’t mean for that to get so far out of hand. Damn, I’m sorry, Mara. You okay?”

She blinked up at him, heart pounding. Was she okay?

No, she wasn’t. She wanted him to continue. To kiss her and make her forget. To make her feel.

Why had he stopped? Did he think she was frightened? What would he do if she told him no, she wasn’t okay, but only because he’d stopped?

Would he continue? Or was this space for the best?

“Mara?”

She shook her head but not as an answer and signed slowly enough that she knew he’d understand. “I’m fine.”

When he didn’t look totally convinced, she reached for the pad.

You don’t scare me, Race. You make me feel safe. I didn’t want you to stop.

His gaze narrowed on hers after he’d read her note. And did she actually see a hint of a blush on his cheeks?

“I’m glad you feel safe around me. I want you to feel safe with me. I…don’t want you to be uncomfortable. With me.”

She took a moment to consider her response, pen poised over the paper as Race watched her. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking, wasn’t sure what she should say.

I’m not uncomfortable with you. I just

She paused. She didn’t know how to put into words how she felt about him. Couldn’t think of the right thing to say.

Since Kaisie and Grace had brought her here, Race had always been near. At first, she thought he’d been assigned. She’d asked Lia to find out. Lia had told her he’d asked to be her protection. She had no idea why.

She wasn’t Mal. Although, she thought, maybe that didn’t matter to him. Maybe anyone associated with the Mal was lumped into the same category. And maybe since she’d been impregnated by one, she was automatically the enemy.

But just now, he’d kissed her.

Confusion threatened to give her a massive headache. She’d had a lot of those lately, which she’d attributed to stress.

She lifted her hand to her temple and started to rub.

“What’s wrong? Does your head hurt? How bad?”

He cupped the back of her neck, warmth spreading from the point of contact. Taking away some of the pain.

She stared up into his dark eyes, wondering what he was thinking. He looked worried.

Would he kiss her again? She wanted him to.

He stared into her eyes, searching for something. She wished she knew exactly what so she could give it to him.

When he rose from the couch to pace the floor, she had to blink back tears. Obviously he didn’t want her as much as she wanted him.

And why would he?

Her gaze dropped away from his, all the doubts she’d lived with since escaping Florida roaring back up to drown her.

She’d never run far enough away to outrun her past. She’d forever be that frightened little girl too afraid of her own shadow to stand up to the people who had made her little more than a slave. Who had used her in the cruelest way possible.

And she’d let them.

“Mara.”

She’d let them use her. She should’ve been brave enough to at least attempt an escape. If not for herself then for her baby.

“Mara. Look at me.”

No, she couldn’t. She was afraid she’d see confirmation of her cowardice in Race’s eyes. He was the one person she couldn’t stand to have look at her like that.

She picked up the pad and focused on that so she wouldn’t have to see him.

I’m sorry. I’m so tired. I need to get some sleep.

She paused, thought about what she wanted to say then forced herself to finish. Yes, she was a coward but she meant to change that. Baby steps. She could do that at the very least.

But please don’t leave.

She’d never asked a man for anything since she’d begged her father not to send her to her uncle’s compound. Her father had told her to do her duty and act her age. She’d been fifteen. Her life since then had been one long nightmare ruled by fear. First for herself. Then for her child.

Now… She needed a little breathing room.

She handed over the pad, watched Race read it, his jaw tightening again before he nodded and captured her gaze.

“I won’t go anywhere. You go to bed. I won’t let anything happen to you. And I’ll be here when you get up.”

There was a promise in his words. One she so wanted to be worthy of.

Maybe someday.

Race watched as Mara nodded at him then turned and headed for her small bedroom at the back of the house.

He waited until she’d closed the door before he let his eyes close and his hands curl into fists.

He’d scared her. And that was the very last thing he’d ever wanted to do.

Damn it. He’d known better. He knew he shouldn’t have touched her. Knew—

Fuck.

He ran a hand over his head, the rasp of stubble against his palm abrasive. If he’d had any hair, he would’ve yanked it.

With a muttered curse, he stalked to the front door. He wanted to call his pelt and go for a run but he’d told her he’d stay here and he refused to break that promise.

So he opened the door and took a deep breath of the winter-scented air. And the scent of the man sitting on the porch.

Check that. Not a man. A god.

Tivr. Etruscan God of the Moon. Who looked as if he should be playing guitar in a metal band, all lean muscle, tattoos and spiky black hair. He leaned against the porch post, seemingly oblivious to the below-freezing temperature in a short-sleeved Avenged Sevenfold t-shirt, faded jeans and bare feet.

“Hey, Race. She okay?”

Though Ty looked about twenty, the guy had been around for a couple millennia. Weird but then Race and all his friends and family turned into wolves. Who was he to talk?

“Not really sure.” Which was totally the truth. “You want to come in?”

Ty nodded though he didn’t move for several seconds. When he finally pushed away from the post, he gave Race a brief smile as he slipped by.

Shutting the door behind him, Race watched Ty amble into the room, taking in everything.

The guy was the lucani patron god, just as his mother had been their patron goddess. Now that duty had fallen to Cat, who Race still remembered as a tiny redheaded toddler following around after Race, his best friend Seth and Race’s brother Lark, who were only five and six years older than she.

After a couple laps around the room, Ty finally headed for the couch and slumped into the cushions. Race took the chair opposite, not sure what he was supposed to say or do.

“So they could only break half the spell.” Ty stared at him, sharp gaze taking in everything. “How’s Mara handling it?”

Race’s back stiffened at the tone of Ty’s voice. “She’s strong. She’ll deal. You don’t have to worry about her. She won’t go back to the Mal. Not ever.”

Ty’s lips curled in a slight smile. “I kinda thought it was like that.” Shaking his head, Ty held up one hand. “I wasn’t questioning her loyalty.”

Damn it. Should’ve kept his mouth shut again. Usually when he opened it, he said the wrong thing. Like now.

“Sorry. I didn’t—”

“Race.” Ty’s smile had spread to a full-blown grin. “Seriously. Chill. This isn’t an inquisition.”

Then why was Ty here? Race could count on one hand the number of times he’d been alone with the god. He thought he’d gotten beyond the point of being uncomfortable around him.

Not that Race was comfortable around many people.

“So, tell me something.” Ty speared him with that too-sharp gaze again. “Do you like being a soldier?”

Huh? He smoothed out a frown before it could form. “Yeah, I do.” His answer wasn’t hard to come up with. And it was the truth. But what the hell was Ty getting at?

“Have you ever considered doing anything else?”

“No, not really.”

Ty nodded, as if that was exactly what he’d expected to hear. “Nice to know what you want to do with your life, isn’t it?”

“Uh…”

Ty snorted. “Yeah, sorry. Long day. I could really use a beer.”

Race was on his feet and heading toward the fridge before he realized Mara probably didn’t have any. He’d never seen her drink anything other than milk, water or juice.

He was shocked as shit to see a six pack of Yuengling tucked in the back.

Grabbing two, he headed back to the couch, handing Ty one and sinking back into his chair.

“So can I ask you a question?”

Race wanted to groan. Seemed question-and-answer time wasn’t over yet. “Sure.” What the hell else was he going to say?

Ty stared him straight in the eyes. “What should I get Cat for her birthday?”

* * *

The birds woke Mara shortly before daybreak.

Tears gathered for the simple fact that she could hear them but she forced them back. No more tears. She didn’t want Arin’s first memory to be of her crying.

Turning, she looked for the bassinet by the bed—

Her heart nearly leaped from her chest.

The bassinet wasn’t there.

Throwing off the covers, she flew out of bed, her heart pounding up into her throat.

Where was he? Who—

She stopped short as she remembered. The bassinet hadn’t been there for weeks because she’d moved him into the crib in the next room.

And Arin wasn’t there either because Grace and Kaisie had kept him last night.

Because Race had stayed with her.

Race had kissed her. And she’d freaked. She’d been a damn timid fool.

But now it was time to face the day.

Walking into the front room, she saw him, stretched out on the couch, sound asleep.

Or so she thought. The second she took a step toward him, his eyes opened and he looked straight into hers.

He shot off the couch, instantly alert. “Hey, everything okay? What’s wrong?”

Wrong? The only thing wrong was that Arin wasn’t here. She wanted her baby.

She wanted her voice back. She wanted her life to be normal, not this freak show. She wanted parents who loved her, not the monsters who’d given her to a psychopath who treated women like breeding mares.

And…she wanted Race.

Maybe she should just wish for the moon and stars too.

“Mara. What’s wrong?”

Race’s voice held that just-woke-up rasp that made a shiver run down her spine. And brought frustrated tears to her eyes. She shook her head and signed, “I miss Arin. How’s your head?”

She watched his face as he watched her hands, saw how hard he concentrated.

He confused her. He made her want to kiss him again. He made her want…

Things she shouldn’t. Because what she wanted always came with strings.

His gaze snapped back to hers as soon as he’d translated. “Head’s fine. How’d you sleep?”

“Okay.” Would’ve slept better if he’d been there beside her. But she couldn’t tell him that, could she? Yes, he’d kissed her but she still didn’t know why. And maybe she never would.

“Do you want to go pick up Arin now?”

She nodded. “Can you take me?”

He had her out the door in under ten minutes, bundled into a coat that had to weigh at least ten pounds and made her look like a walking pink quilt. And the boots… They weighed at least another ten pounds.

But the extra weight was worth it because it had snowed overnight.

Living in Florida her entire life, the only snow she’d ever seen had been on television.

This… This was magical. And she didn’t mean the kind of magic the people around her used every day.

This was altogether different. It lightened the pressure on her chest and she smiled up at Race as he took her hand and helped her wade through the couple of inches already on the ground.

“Beautiful,” she signed and knew he understood when his face screwed up in a frown.

“Haven’t you ever seen snow before?”

She shook her head then tilted her face up to let the flakes fall on her skin.

Cold but feather-soft.

“You’re going to be soaking wet by the time we get there if you don’t pick up the pace.”

Race’s voice held a note of amusement that made her turn to look at him again. His expression had lightened some and that gorgeous mouth curved in a slight smile.

She smiled back as she lifted her hands to sign. “Want to be rid of me already?”

His eyes narrowed for a brief moment before he reached for her hand again and tightened his grip on her. “No.”

Waiting for him to elaborate, she held her breath, but he had nothing more to say, which was par for the course with Race.

She released his hand so she could sign again then couldn’t think of how to say what she wanted to say in sign language simple enough for him to understand.

Instead he grabbed her hand and pulled her along again. “Talk later. Walk now.”

She wanted to argue. So she did. With one hand, she told him exactly how frustrated she was with him and knew he didn’t understand more than a few words.

But his lips did that slight twist again that let her know he was amused.

“I’m pretty sure you just ripped into me but for once I’m happy I can’t understand you.”

She threw her free hand up in the air in exasperation and rolled her eyes but he just kept moving forward, that half-smile still tugging at his lips.

Mara couldn’t quite contain her own smile. For the first time in what felt like forever, she thought maybe, just maybe, things had started to turn her way.

* * *

Cole Luporeale stared out the window of his office, watching the snow blanket the forest.

He registered the beauty of the white-tipped pines and pristine carpet covering the forest floor but his brain kept working the problem he’d been considering for the past few months.

What should he do?

Yes, there was so much more to the question. What should he do about Cat? What should he do about the Mal? What should he do about the coming war? The war only he seemed to know was coming.

A war that had the potential to further fracture the Etruscan races until they ceased to exist altogether.

And allowed the Mal to spread unchecked.

“Cole. You have a minute?”

Turning from the window, he made sure he had his game face on. He wasn’t sure it would help. Sometimes he thought Dorian Pelligrini could actually read his mind.

It didn’t help that his praetorian had been with him since he’d been nineteen. Now Cole was legatus of the lucani legion. He’d inherited the title of king from his father and he’d managed to keep the lucani from splintering into several pieces over the last two years.

But even though he was thirty, she could still make him feel like a stupid kid with nothing more on his brain than sex and drinking.

Vaffanculo, he really wished that was all he had on the brain.

“What’s up, Dorian?”

She stopped just inside the door. She wouldn’t come any closer unless he specifically invited her to.

“I heard about Mara. When are they going to try to break the rest of the spell?”

“Sounds like you’re worried about her?”

Dorian shrugged and Cole hid a grin. Anyone who met Mara was taken in by her sweetness. Apparently Dorian had had the same reaction.

“The girl didn’t deserve what those bastards did to her.”

“No, she didn’t. And I don’t know when they’re going to attempt to break the rest. Margie said the first part knocked them all on their asses. They want to regroup before they try the second. Come in and sit, Dori. You’re making my neck hurt.”

She shook her head. “No time. Have you forgotten? You’ve got a meeting in five minutes.”

Holding back a sigh, he nodded. “I haven’t forgotten. Is she here yet?”

“No. But you know she’ll be on time.”

He nodded. The Goddess Turan was never late. And every time she showed up, she left him with more questions than he’d had before she showed up. “And one of these days maybe she’ll actually tell me why she comes to talk.”

Dorian leaned against the doorjamb, dark-brown eyes staring at him with single-minded focus. “Maybe she likes the company.”

Her deadpan delivery made him grin and brought out an answering smile on her beautiful face. Years ago, he’d accepted the fact that Dorian was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever met, smart and sexy with a dry wit not many people realized she had. He’d never been attracted to her sexually but he often wondered if she ever thought about sleeping with him.

Hell, they spent most of their time together, which meant if he went on a date—which he did occasionally—she went as well.

Which made him wonder if she had dates of her own.

What would she do if he flat-out asked her to sleep with him?

Probably lay him out flat with a left hook. He’d seen her take down bigger men.

“Cole? Is everything okay? You haven’t seemed yourself lately.”

He didn’t feel like himself lately. He felt out of it, a beat off. Ever since he’d returned from New Orleans a year ago, where he’d held his first congress, a meeting of the North American lucani packs.

That meeting hadn’t gone as planned. He’d nearly lost his sister Arabella and his best friend Steven Castiglione there.

And this past year had been…eventful, to say the least.

They’d gained a new goddess and added several members to their extended family. Some of whom had Mal ties.

That should’ve worried the hell out of him. But Grace had proven her loyalty to the lucani. And her daughter and son and their cousin Mara were innocent pawns in Mal games and Cole would never turn them out.

Hell, his best friend Steven had been born Mal and he’d more than proven his loyalty to Cole and Arabella.

“Times are changing.”

Dorian’s eyes narrowed in concern but her tone was droll. “Are you going to sing now? At least give me fair warning so I can leave before my ears bleed.”

Cole shook his head, frustration and fear bubbling in his gut. Neither of which he ever showed outside this office. “Aren’t you worried about what’s coming?”

Dorian took a deep breath and released it on a sigh. “Of course. But that just means we have to be ready for anything. So that’s what we do.”

If only it were that easy. Because the person who needed to be sure the lucani knew what to be ready for was him. And he couldn’t fail. The fate of an entire race depended on him.

“Cole. You’re over-thinking.”

“No, this time I don’t think I am.”

Dorian rolled her eyes. She actually fucking rolled her eyes at him. “Fine. You want to mope for a few minutes, have at it. But just remember. You’re not dealing with a bunch of pansy-assed humans. We’re also wolves. We’ve got fangs and claws and we know how to use them. If people forget that sometimes, that’s their problem.”

“Vaffanculo, you sound like you wish we were back in the forests spending most of our time in our pelts.”

Coming from Dorian, that was a shock. She was one of the most human lucani he knew. Even in her pelt, she retained a sense of humanity.

“That’s not what I’m saying at all. And you should know that. What I am saying is that maybe some of our people have forgotten what it means to be lucani. What it means to be Etruscan.”

“You think I don’t know that? I deal with it on a daily basis. More and more lucani are moving out of the dens and into the cities. Taking drugs to suppress their change. Our birthrate has been declining for centuries.” And even more frightening, at least two teenage lucani who he knew of had not been able to call their wolves.

It was almost as if the lucani were losing their identity.

“Then maybe they need to be reminded.”

“Of what?”

Dorian straightened away from the doorjamb, long and sleek. “Of who they really are.”

Then she turned and headed toward her office at the back of the house. Leaving Cole to wait for a goddess alone.

Chapter Four

“He’s a pretty happy guy, isn’t he?”

Mara nodded, smiling. She couldn’t stop smiling.

She’d spent several minutes crying at Grace and Kaisie’s house at the first sound of Arin’s voice. No, he couldn’t speak, but his happy burbles when he caught sight of her made her burst into tears.

She’d thought Race was going to turn and run for the door. It would be a short trip, considering he’d planted himself in front of it the second he’d closed it behind him.

He’d stayed there while she listened to Grace talk about Arin’s night. She saw Kaisie walk over to talk to him at one point but Race never took his eyes off her.

It could’ve felt creepy. It wasn’t. Not at all.

It made her tingle all over. And when she thought about that kiss last night…

That made her heart race.

And just thinking about it in those terms made her smile. Arin smiled back and she rubbed her nose against his before she lifted her head to look at Race. His gaze had sharpened to a laser focus, taking in her every move, though he appeared to be talking to Kaisie.

“So you and Race. I like him.”

Mara should’ve been expecting Grace’s straightforward approach. Even so, she couldn’t stop the blush from painting her cheeks red.

“Oh, you don’t have to be embarrassed.” Grace reached out to pat her on the jaw and give her a smile. “Hell, if I were a few years younger, he’d be on my wish list too. Too bad there’s never a good time for anything nowadays. But some things you just have to make the time for, in my opinion.”

Grace’s words stuck with her as she and Race made their way back to her little house.

The snow had stopped, leaving everything with a coating of white. Fresh. Clean. Amazingly quiet. Almost as if she couldn’t hear again.

But that wasn’t totally true. She heard Race’s quiet breathing above her as he carried Arin on his back in the metal-frame backpack, though he barely made a sound as he waded through the snow. On the other hand, she sounded like a herd of elephants. Which was music to her ears.

She was listening to the crunch of the snow under her feet when Race dropped a heavy hand on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.

“Don’t move.”

His voice was low, almost subvocal. A warning.

She looked up at him but his attention was focused to his left.

They’d been following the tree line of the forest. It’d never occurred to her to be worried about wild animals. She lived with a community of wolf shifters.

But this wasn’t a wolf.

A black bear lumbered toward them from the forest. She sucked in a sharp breath, fear making every muscle in her body tense. She wanted to take Arin and run but she knew that was the worst thing she could do.

She held her breath, waiting for Race to tell her what to do. Hoping he had a plan.

The bear looked directly at them, made its way straight toward them. And stopped only a few feet away.

Then, like Winnie the Pooh, it sat on its haunches and growled at them. But it wasn’t a growl. It didn’t sound angry. And the bear made no attempt to lunge at them.

It sat there, waiting.

“Okay,” Race said in that barely audible whisper. “We’re going to—”

Arin began to babble loudly. And squirm in the backpack. Fear made her heart pound.

Blessed Goddess, please—

Arin stopped and the bear began again.

And her mouth dropped open.

They were talking to each other.

Yes, it sounded totally crazy but that was the only explanation she could come up with because whenever Arin babbled, the bear fell silent and when Arin stopped, the bear answered.

It was the most amazing thing she’d ever witnessed. And the most terrifying.

She didn’t know how long it went on but she did know Race was ready for anything. He hadn’t moved his hand from her shoulder, the weight both a comfort and a warning.

Finally the bear moved, lumbering up onto its four paws. She couldn’t contain the gasp that left her lips and, even though it was silent, Race somehow heard her. His hand tightened on her shoulder, not painfully but in warning.

The bear never looked twice at either her or Race. It turned and made its way back into the forest, leaving her and Race to stare at each other.

“Vaffanculo. What the hell just happened?”

She shook her head. Even if she could speak, she wouldn’t know what to say. The shock was slowly wearing off, leaving her with the sense that something momentous had just happened and she had no idea what.

Other than the fact that her six-month-old son had apparently talked to a bear.

“We need to talk to Cole. Come on.”

Race grabbed her hand and pulled her along in his wake.

She stole several glances at Arin, who wore a big, happy grin. He clapped his little hands, as if he were having a great time.

It didn’t take them long to get to the den’s main community of houses. Cole kept a home there, though it mostly served as his office. The building looked almost plain, as did the rest of the houses in their community. To the outside world, it looked like any other rural development, set in the woods miles from the nearest city.

The houses were made from wood and stone, all local material. And almost all had only one floor, a nod to their Etruscan roots. Cole’s home was no exception.

Race beat her to the door, his fist banging against the wood until she swore she heard it echo through the forest.

Seconds later, a tall woman opened the door, dark eyebrows raised.

“Dorian, we need to talk to Cole.”

Mara recognized the woman. Cole’s praetorian, his personal guard. The first time Mara had met her, she’d wondered why the lucani king’s safety would be entrusted to a woman who couldn’t weigh more than one hundred forty pounds and stood nearly six feet tall.

She’d only thought that until she’d gotten a glimpse of Dorian working out in the community building across the street. Now she knew better.

“What’s wrong?” She waved them into the house, her gaze traveling between Race and Mara. “What happened?”

“We need to talk to Cole.”

“Then talk.”

Cole had appeared in one of the doorways toward the rear of the house and Mara was struck as she always was by his quiet sense of strength. The lucani king was handsome in conventional terms, with dark-brown hair, dark eyes and perfect cheekbones.

But he had an air about him that was…imposing. She never failed to feel intimidated in his presence. And to know that her welcome here hinged solely on his opinion…

Would he kick her and Arin out now? Where would they go? How—

“I know this is going to sound crazy but we’re pretty sure Arin just had a conversation with a bear.”

Race’s hand tightened around hers and she realized she was clenching his so tight her knuckles were white. Arin had started to babble, jumping up and down in the pack, as if he understood what they were saying.

Which he couldn’t. He was a baby. Her baby.

Cole’s eyebrows lifted but he didn’t show any other sign of shock. As if people told him babies communicated with wild animals all the time. “Why don’t you start at the beginning.”

Mara was starting to think the beginning went back a lot further than her arrival here at the den.

Race felt the change in Mara as soon as the last word left Cole’s lips.

She tensed, as if he’d said something shocking. Or he’d threatened to kick her and Arin out.

Cole wouldn’t do it. But, of course, Mara didn’t know that. She hadn’t been here long enough to know Cole had a heart. Unlike every other man she’d ever known.

Instead of answering Cole, he turned so he could look directly at Mara. “Hey. We’ll figure it out. Everything’s going to be fine.”

Mara’s mouth pursed and he waited for her to shake her head, to deny him. Instead she signed, “Let me have Arin.”

Cole and Dorian waited silently while he undid the pack so Mara could lift the baby off his back. But once she had Arin out of his snowsuit, Cole stepped into the room and held out his arms. “May I?”

Race wondered if Mara would balk at handing over the baby but she gave Cole a small smile and a nod before holding out a smiling Arin.

“Hello, little man.” Cole took the baby as if he were an old pro. Race wasn’t surprised. Sometimes he didn’t think there wasn’t anything Cole couldn’t handle. “Sounds like you had a busy day.”

Arin gurgled and smiled and made all the noises Race was used to hearing the baby make. Which made him look to Mara. Today was the first time she’d heard the sound of her son’s voice. The wonderstruck look on her face made him bound and determined to make sure no one ever took another thing from her.

“Race.” Cole’s voice held a note of amusement. “Anything else you can tell me?”

He shook his head, not in answer but to clear his thoughts. Then he forced himself to think. But Mara beat him to an answer. She tapped her hands together to get Cole’s attention then began to sign until Cole made an apologetic face.

“I’m sorry, Mara. My signing just isn’t good enough.”

In the next second, Dorian held out a whiteboard and marker with an eraser attached by a string.

Race shook his head. Was there nothing Dorian didn’t think of?

He made a mental note to ask her where she’d gotten that then read what Mara had written.

There were squirrels at his window the other day. Five of them staring at him. I thought it was strange but I lived in the city all my life. Maybe country squirrels are different.

Cole nodded, still smiling at Arin as the baby put his chubby little hands on Cole’s cheeks and patted them, smiling the whole time. “Actually, the squirrels around here aren’t too keen on getting close to us. The whole predator-prey thing tends to keep them scarce.”

Great. So that meant another episode with Arin as a damn Doctor Doolittle…

Or not a doctor at all.

Shit.

Cole met his gaze. Obviously the king had already come to the same conclusion.

Mara touched his arm and he grabbed her hand before she could move away.

She signed “What?” with one hand.

Vaffanculo, he did not want to have this conversation here and now. But the look in Cole’s eyes meant he was going to be overruled on this one. He looked back at Mara, the slightest hint of fear starting to creep into those wide eyes. Would he ever see her without that fear?

His jaw locked. He shot Cole another look, one that warned him to be careful. One that should have put his back up. The king gave him a wry grin.

“Mara, what do you know about Arin’s father?”

Cole should’ve just taken a knife and stuck it in Race’s stomach. Mara looked sucker-punched and the blood drained from her face.

No one, not even Grace, had brought up Arin’s father since she’d been here. When Arin had been born without the intact cowl marking him Malandante, everyone had breathed a sigh of relief.

Mara’s baby would not be drawn to the dark side of magic. But beyond that, no one had thought to ask if there was anything else they should know about his biological father.

Race reacted without thought. He turned her toward the couch and guided her down onto the cushions. He sat beside her, not about to move while they had this conversation.

To his surprise, she didn’t move away from him. And when she laced her fingers through his, he clasped her hand tight and felt her return the squeeze.

Cole watched everything with a sharp eye but his expression showed nothing.

She only held on for a few seconds then released him to write again.

What do you want to know? As far as I know, he was Mal. Nothing more. And not very strong. But then everything he told me may be a lie.

“Did you notice anything different about him?”

She sighed.

Yes. He treated me well.

If Race ever came face-to-face with the bastard who made her look like this just by thinking about him, he was going to tear him apart with his teeth. Slowly.

Dorian appeared to be thinking the very same thing. The praetorian’s scowl promised retribution.

Cole walked to the chair opposite the couch and sat with Arin on his lap, alternately clapping his hands and grabbing at Cole’s hands, which the king obligingly held out for the baby to play with. “I understand that this entire situation sucks. If we find him, you have my promise that he’ll pay. But right now, anything at all could help us figure out what’s going on with Arin.”

Another sigh then Mara shook her head.

There’s nothing. He was an average guy with minimal power even though he’d been born Mal. He was never going to be anything other than Ettore’s pawn. He had a minor affinity for earth but the man couldn’t manage a workable spell.

Cole nodded. “Okay. And there’s nothing in your family, like a fauni ancestor, who could account for it?”

Another denial from Mara.

“Then I’d like to send you to see someone who may be able to tell you what’s going on.”

“And you think there is something going on?” Race asked.

Cole’s steady gaze met his and Race bit back a profane curse at the certainty he saw on the other man’s face.

He felt Mara shift beside him and he turned. “I’m going with you.”

The fear was back in her eyes and he’d do anything to wipe that away forever. He’d defy Cole for that. Might as well just hand his pelt over to her right now. Knowing full well she probably wouldn’t take it.

Why would she? They didn’t know each other well enough.

But then the fear retreated from her eyes and she smiled up at him for several long seconds. When she finally looked away, he felt as if he’d been smashed on the head with a two-by-four.

Vaguely he realized she’d picked up the whiteboard.

Where do we have to go?

Chapter Five

Arin was down for the night and Mara had just closed the door behind Kaisie and Grace, who had stopped by to make sure everything was okay.

Mara had smiled and said of course, they were fine. Race had held up a corner of the living room, arms crossed over his chest. He hadn’t said much but he hadn’t made Grace or Kaisie suspicious.

The story of her son’s encounter with the bear hadn’t left Cole’s house. She had asked Cole to keep it secret until they knew what was going on and he’d agreed. She didn’t know whether to be grateful or even more worried about his agreement.

Arin had fallen asleep after a short feeding and a little rocking, not at all out of sorts. As if nothing momentous had taken place today.

And maybe nothing had. Maybe they were making a mountain out of a molehill.

Sure. Bears always sat and had conversations with babies. And totally ignored the adults.

It made no sense and she couldn’t believe she’d managed to convince Grace that everything was fine. Maybe she hadn’t. Maybe Grace had simply decided to cut her some slack.

She needed a little slack. A little breathing room.

But not too much.

Where’s Race?

She realized it was a thought she had several times a day. She’d grown so used to his presence that when she couldn’t find him, she felt…lonely.

Now he wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

A sharp pain struck her dead center in her chest. Had he left? Without saying anything?

No, he wouldn’t do that.

Would he?

She didn’t know him all that well. What she did know was that she felt safe with him.

And when he kissed her…

She definitely shouldn’t be thinking about that kiss. She had too many other things going on in her life. She should be thinking about what she was going to do with her life when she left the den. She’d have to get a job. She had no money. She owned absolutely nothing, not even the clothes on her back. They’d been bought by Grace.

She had a high school education only because Ettore had employed a tutor for her and Lia who helped her get her GED. She had no head for numbers, but she wasn’t stupid.

Still, she wouldn’t be able to survive without help. And that made her furious. And terrified. And embarrassed.

“Mara. What’s wrong?”

She turned with a gasp, her hand going to her chest.

Race stood in the open front door, wearing a frown, a pair of jeans and not much else. He held a shirt in his hands but she had the almost overwhelming urge to grab it and stuff it in the disposal in the sink and grind it to tiny bits.

Blessed Mother Goddess, the man had a body sculpted by the deities. She’d never felt this way about a guy. Not even the father of her son. That man—she refused to even think his name—had been the first man to show her simple affection. She’d been attracted to him, had soaked up his apparent kindness. She’d given him her virginity and never realized he’d been playing her the entire time.

All because Ettore had wanted her to be a breeding machine.

She lifted her hands. “Where were you?”

His eyes narrowed as he watched her hands before he nodded and lifted his gaze back to hers. “Out for a run. I wanted to check the forest, make sure everything’s okay.”

Then he pulled his shirt over his head and she nearly asked him to take it off again.

“Something happen?”

He strode across the room to her, stopping only inches away and again she was struck by his size. He made her feel tiny. And as if nothing could get at her if he stood by her side. Or in front of her.

Looking up into those dark, dark eyes, she wondered if he knew how she felt about him. If he knew she wanted him to kiss her again. To take her out of herself for just a little while.

Was that so awful? Arin was safe and sound asleep in the little bedroom next to hers. Arin had outgrown the bassinet, and the queen-size bed in her room didn’t leave room for the crib.

She wasn’t sure Race would fit in her bed. And if he did, he’d take up most of it.

And that would be okay.

A muscle began to jump in his jaw and she reached out to run a finger along the rough stubble on his cheeks. He had perpetual five o’clock shadow. It added to the air of danger surrounding him.

With any other man, it would’ve turned her off, made her run the other way.

With Race…it drew her closer.

She took a step forward until only inches separated them. She wanted him to kiss her again but he seemed dead set against it. He held stock-still, his only movements that still-twitching muscle in his jaw and the increasingly labored rise and fall of his chest.

Was he as affected by her as she was by him? He’d kissed her last night then pushed her away. What would happen if she kissed him right now?

She wanted to ask him but she knew he wouldn’t be able to understand all of it and she didn’t want him to misunderstand her in any way.

So how did she show him what she wanted?

Should she rise onto her tiptoes and press her lips against his? Last night he’d kissed her. Maybe she needed to show him just how much she wanted him.

“Are you sure?”

His voice startled her and her gaze flew from his lips to his eyes.

“Just nod or shake your head. I don’t want any misunderstandings. If you don’t want to kiss me, shake your head. If you do, nod—”

Putting both hands on his cheeks, she pulled him down and kissed him. She wanted him to have no doubt that this was what she wanted. That he was who she wanted.

As her lips moved over his, she took her time, learning how best they fit together. How much better they meshed when she turned her head a certain way or how much deeper when she lifted onto her toes.

Race let her explore, let her kiss him instead of taking over.

She felt the tension in his body, as if he were holding himself back from grabbing her and pulling her against him.

She appreciated his control but it wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted him out of control. Wanted him to want her so much he couldn’t keep his hands off her.

Taking the final step forward, she pressed against him from breasts to thighs.

Gods, the man threw off enough heat to warm an entire room.

She wanted to get closer. Wanted to feel his naked body against hers. Over her. Wrapped around her and moving in her.

Did he want the same?

She pulled back and opened her eyes, looking up. His were open, barely, and glittering.

“Are you absolutely sure?”

His voice sounded sexy, dark and enticing. She wanted to hear him telling her how much he wanted her. Not constantly asking if she was okay or if she was certain she knew what she wanted.

She wanted him to know she was okay. Wanted him to trust that she knew what she wanted.

Prove to him she was as adult as she claimed to be.

Making sure she maintained eye contact, she nodded then smiled at him.

And watched desire flush his face.

“You want to stop at any time, all you have to do is push me away. I’ll understand. Okay?”

She nodded because he needed the confirmation. Then she took his hand and led him to her room.

She didn’t turn on any lights. Didn’t need them because she always left the curtains open. She couldn’t stand being shut in a room and having the windows covered. Another thing to lay at Ettore’s feet.

But she wasn’t about to let that madman invade this time with Race.

Not here. Not now.

Moonlight bounced off the snow and lit the room with a silver glow. It made her smile, added a hint of romance she hadn’t anticipated.

Not that she expected Race to care about romance. Men didn’t really think about those things, did they? It seemed women were the only ones who cared about moonlight and candles and—

“Turn around. I want to look at you.”

The tone of his voice made it hard for her to swallow as she did as he asked. But before she could do more than glance at him, he wrapped his arms around her and settled his mouth over hers again.

This time, his kiss was more demanding, more like last night. She stretched against him, aching for more contact.

Why wouldn’t he rush? She wanted him to tear her clothes off. To show he truly wanted her.

Instead he slowed, drawing out the kiss. One hand cupped her jaw, the other splayed across her back, a warm, heavy weight that did weird and wonderful things to her.

She couldn’t imagine how she’d react when they were naked.

And they would be. Hopefully soon. She wanted that connection with Race. Needed it.

He’d become important to her and she believed she’d become the same to him.

She hoped she wasn’t wrong, that she could trust her judgment.

But after everything that’d happened to her…

No. No more.

She refused to live her life by others’ expectations.

While Race kissed her with total control, she worked her hands under the t-shirt he’d pulled on only minutes ago.

Warm flesh against her skin. Hard muscles flexing beneath her hands as she spread them across his broad shoulders. Her lips parted and his tongue slid into her mouth to tangle with hers.

Gently. No heated, frantic rush.

She sensed he was holding back. Probably because he didn’t want to scare her.

Race didn’t scare her. How could she make him understand that?

Taking a step back, she maintained eye contact as she pointed to his shirt.

His gaze narrowed but he didn’t move. So she pointed again, this time touching her finger to his shirt and flicking at it.

His expression lightened the tiniest bit. “But I just put it on.”

She cocked one eyebrow at him, realizing he was playing with her. Knowing Race wasn’t known for his playful nature. She liked that he wanted to play with her.

He sighed. “All right. But only because you insist.”

Biting back a smile, she knew she did insist. And when he reached behind him and pulled the shirt over his head, she wanted to insist he strip completely.

She’d seen what was under those clothes before. But this time, instead of simply admiring, she could touch. And she so wanted to touch.

She reached for him, letting her fingertips graze along the defined ridges of his abdomen. Her previous lover had been in shape but Race put him to shame. Hell, Race put most other men to shame. He was as beautiful as a piece of sculpture. But so alive.

He gave off heat like a furnace and she wanted to soak it in, skin-to-skin, until she was as warm as he was.

Lately she couldn’t get warm enough.

Right now, she was overheating.

She wanted him to strip off her clothes but she knew he wouldn’t unless she asked. And she didn’t want to have to use her hands for that. Her hands were busy exploring him.

He held still, let her fingertips glide over his pointed nipples, down to the muscles of his abs then lower, to trace the waistband of his jeans. She heard him suck in a quick breath as she slipped one finger into the front of his pants and almost brushed against the head of his erection.

His jeans strained against the thick length and she wanted to release his zipper so she could see him in all his glory.

Wanted to stroke him and tease him and torment him. All the things she’d never gotten to do at each previous fumbling, furtive time.

“Mara, look at me.”

She responded to his voice immediately, tilting her head back so she could look into his eyes.

He’d sounded worried and she had a moment to stare up at him before he cupped her cheeks in his hands and kissed her again.

This time, it was more like being devoured. And so much more erotic than anything she’d ever experienced.

He held nothing back now and her body responded with a surge of desire, making her wet between her thighs, making her heart race and her blood pound.

Squirming against him, she wanted to be closer. As if he’d read her mind, he released her face and reached for her shirt. He reared back to pull it over her head, allowing her to suck in a quick breath before he kissed her again seconds later, not even long enough for her skin to register the change in temperature.

And then her senses went wild at the touch of so much of his skin against hers.

Firm yet soft. Hot.

Her hands spread across his back, fingers clenching so her nails dug into his skin. He groaned, low and deep, then kissed her harder.

She couldn’t get enough of him, of the feel of his skin, of his taste. Of the way he totally dominated the kiss but didn’t make her feel as if he were using her only for his pleasure.

He kissed her as if he were starving for her, as if he couldn’t get enough of her. And that set her free.

No more doubts. At least not now.

She pressed into his hands when he cupped her breasts. She didn’t have much there so she didn’t usually wear a bra. She hadn’t tonight so he had unimpeded access.

Which he took full advantage of. He put his hands over her breasts, cupping them, molding them. Slowly at first then with more force.

He didn’t hurt her. Not at all. He made her ache. For more. Faster.

Shifting her head to get a better angle, she reached for his jeans but he grabbed both of her hands in one of his and instead flattened them against his stomach.

“Not yet. I want you to touch me.”

Was it possible his voice had slipped even lower?

It sent shivers up her spine.

“Are you cold?” His hands moved from her breasts to her shoulders then rubbed down her arms.

Shaking her head vehemently, she looked up, her fingers sliding under his waistband to brush closer and closer to what he had hidden behind the zipper.

His eyelids snapped shut and his expression looked almost pained. “Touch me, Mara. I want your hands on me.”

The tone of his voice sent a bolt of sensation straight to her clit. That little organ was already incredibly sensitive. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she aligned their bodies until she could press her clit against his thigh. The pressure gave her some much-needed relief. But only for a few seconds. Then the yearning increased.

His mouth descended again, but this time his lips landed on her neck. He nipped at her skin before he licked at her earlobe then kissed his way down to her collarbone.

Goose bumps erupted along her skin, and her fingers dug into his back.

“Yeah, that’s right. I like that.”

Liked what? She dragged her nails up his back and he groaned into her neck.

Oh. Okay.

While she discovered every trick to make him groan, he drove her closer to the edge of total surrender.

If she thought what she’d experienced before had been good, Race proved her totally wrong.

He set her on fire with only his hands and his mouth. She couldn’t imagine what would happen when he finally took the rest of her clothes off.

Which would hopefully happen really soon.

She felt like a rocket with a lit fuse, all ready to go off but still burning.

Race, however, wasn’t getting with the program. He maintained his slow and steady pace, his mouth lingering in all sorts of interesting places but not exactly where she wanted him to go. He nipped along her collarbone, following the curve of her shoulder before backtracking to her neck.

He bit her at the point where her neck met her shoulder, causing her to gasp and her fingernails to rake at his back.

The sound he made assured her he liked what she’d done but she was fast losing her senses under his steady onslaught of desire.

Her head tilted back so he could get a better angle and his lips trailed down her neck to the top curve of her breast.

Just a little farther…

His arms wrapped around her and her feet left the floor. A second later, he lowered his lips to one of her nipples and sucked.

If the spell on her voice had been broken, her groan would have rattled the windows. Electricity shot through her, to all the points of her body that demanded he pleasure them. Her breasts, her clit. Deep inside her body.

She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, her eyes closed as she absorbed the pleasure rushing through her.

With his mouth, he worshipped her breasts, teasing the nipples into tight points that begged for more. And he gave it to her. He bit her, not hard enough to hurt. And still she shuddered from the shock of it.

One hand clutched at his shoulder, the other clamped to the back of his head, making sure he didn’t get away.

When she began to rock against him, trying to get the pressure where she needed it, he lifted his head and tapped her ass with his hand. Not hard, just enough to focus her attention.

“No jumping ahead of schedule.” He began to walk, heading for her bedroom. “I plan to feast on you for at least another hour.”

Her mouth dropped open and he started to laugh, a low chuckle that made her lips part as the sound battered her already crumbled defenses. “All right, maybe half an hour. But, Mara, I don’t want to rush this.”

She wanted to respond, opened her mouth to speak and silently cursed the fact that she couldn’t. And she couldn’t use her hands either. The light was dimmer back here and he had a hard enough time understanding her when he could see her hands clearly.

A frown started to form but he swooped in and kissed it off her lips.

The next thing she knew she was falling.

No, not falling. Race was lowering her to the bed, following her down and completely covering her with his body.

Yes. This was what she’d wanted. The feeling of being totally surrounded by him, his mouth taking hers, his hands molding her body.

Her fingers splayed across his chest. The muscles jumped and flexed beneath her palms as she caressed his warm skin, even as his mouth demanded more.

She felt him working the buttons on her jeans. With his free hand, he cupped her nape, holding her at the perfect angle for his kiss.

He struggled a little with her jeans but shoved them, along with her panties, off her hips and down around her thighs. She figured he’d want to get inside her as soon as possible but he left the jeans just above her knees.

Then she felt him brush against the hair on her mound. Every muscle in her body tensed with anticipation, her clit pulsing for his touch.

Which he deliberately denied her.

She squirmed against him, trying to make him touch her where she wanted. Instead he trailed his fingers up. Over her abdomen, still rounded with the baby weight she hadn’t yet lost to just below her breasts.

Then he moved his mouth to her breasts again and used both his hands and lips to make her gasp and her body burn.

His lips tugged at one nipple while his fingers pinched the other. The dual stimulation had her fingers clenching into his shoulders. Trying to tug him closer.

But Race was an immoveable object, seemingly intent only on making her crazy. The heat from his body seared her, the hard ridge pressed against her thigh taunted her. She wanted to yell at him but of course he wouldn’t hear her.

All she could do was lie there and let him whip her into a frenzy. So she let herself enjoy it.

“That’s it.” His rough voice sent a shiver through her body. “Let go, babe. Just give yourself over to me.”

Oh yes, she would. For now.

He played with her breasts for a long time, until her bones felt like liquid and her skin oversensitive. When he finally slipped one hand back down her body, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

This time, he pushed her jeans down and completely off. As soon as her feet were free, she moved.

She rose onto her knees and pushed him onto his back. She knew the only reason she did was because he allowed her to. And that was okay.

When she had him flat on his back, she knelt beside him…then paused, unsure what to do next.

Her former lover had always taken control in the bedroom. She’d felt she hadn’t known enough to make it good for him, and he’d seemed to be content with a little foreplay and a really quick fuck. Which was all it had been with him.

This… This felt different. And she wanted it to be different.

“Mara.” Race had gone still on the bed. When he spoke, her gaze flew up to catch his. “We can stop right—”

She put her hand over his mouth and shook her head, felt his lips curve beneath her hand before he pulled it away from his mouth and laced their fingers together.

“Then I’m all yours.”

She smiled, his words giving her the confidence to do what she wanted. Give in to the urge to explore.

Since she’d loved when he’d sucked on her nipples, she bent and put her mouth over his. Nipping at the hard tip, she felt him groan. The vibration made her smile as she inhaled his scent and lapped up the salty flavor of his skin.

She lost herself in the taste and feel of him, exploring his body as he watched her. He released her to grip the quilt with both hands, as if he couldn’t trust himself not to grab her. As if she drove him to the point of losing his control.

Such a wonderful feeling. It made her smile up at him in triumph. And when he smiled back at her, she couldn’t wait any longer.

She reached for the button on his jeans but he got there first.

“You touch me and I’ll come in your hands. Let me take these off.”

The rough words made her pussy clench and she watched with avid fascination as he ripped open the zipper and practically tore the jeans off his legs.

His body was gorgeous but it was his erection that captured her full attention. Thick, hard. Soon to be hers.

She couldn’t help herself. She reached for him, curved her hands around the shaft and listened to him groan. She wanted him.

Looking up at him, she hoped he could read her mind. Apparently he could.

He took her by the waist and laid her out on the bed.

“We’re gonna take this really slow because I don’t want to hurt you. Okay?”

She nodded, having no doubt he’d take care of her.

But when she thought he’d finally enter her, he put a gentle hand between her legs and began to stroke her instead. The feeling lit her up inside, made her wet and more than ready.

He stroked along her labia, the lips puffy and sensitive. His fingertips played in the moisture gathering there, let it wet his fingers until he used one to burrow inside her.

The intrusion felt thick and wonderful. And she needed more. She writhed, her hips beginning a slow grind that he couldn’t mistake for anything other than readiness.

His lips descended to hers, sealing them together. His tongue pressed into her mouth then retreated, picking up the same rhythm as his hand.

By the time he finally moved his body between her legs, she was limp but buzzing with anticipation.

Removing his fingers from her, he rubbed his cock against her labia, making him slick.

When the blunt head of his cock lodged at the entrance, he pulled back to look at her.

“You let me know if I hurt you.”

She nodded then lifted her hips slowly to meet him. The thick intrusion of his erection stretched her until she thought she wouldn’t be able to take it. But there was no pain, just a sense of fullness as he worked his way inside.

So slowly. Too slowly.

She needed friction.

Lifting her legs, she wrapped them around his waist, tilting her hips to take more of him. She watched his face, watched him grit his teeth as he sank deeper until finally he had her pinned to the mattress.

“Okay?”

She nodded again, even managed a smile. Then she put her hands on his hips and urged him to move, which he did. Slowly.

As if he were afraid she’d break.

Stroking one hand up his side, she reached his face and cupped his cheek, urging him to kiss her again.

He obliged but only for a second. Holding his weight above her didn’t allow him to move freely. She tugged him closer until he got the hint and pressed his body against hers. But he still wouldn’t move any faster.

Finally she took her hand from his hip and smacked him on the ass.

He froze for a second before he lifted his head to look straight into her eyes.

“No fair, sweetheart. I’m not exactly steady right now.”

She tapped him again, making sure she held his gaze.

With a groan, he dropped his head into the curve of her neck, opened his mouth on her skin and gave her a sucking kiss that electrified her nerve endings.

Then he started to move again. Faster. A little harder.

Yes. That was the friction she needed.

He took her breath away, not only with his body but with the way he made her feel. As if what she wanted was the only thing that mattered.

She felt her sheath tighten around him, felt the shudder that racked his body. Tightening her arms and legs around him, she let herself fall out of time with him.

The only sound she heard was the sound of his breath in her ear and the sound of flesh on flesh. The scent of his skin drew her mouth until she had to taste him again. Her teeth lodged into the shoulder, the closest part of him she could reach, and he growled.

That sound sank straight to her clit, an almost physical caress that made her climax, pulsing around him until he couldn’t resist any longer.

With a final thrust and a drawn-out groan, Race came.

Chapter Six

Race woke wrapped around Mara.

Her naked body fit perfectly in the curve of his and she was still sound asleep.

So what had—

He heard Arin babbling in the next room. Quietly. Like yesterday afternoon.

The moon had already set but the room was still dark so it had to be at least 2:00 or 3:00 a.m.

Was the baby hungry? Should he wake Mara?

Or should he check it out first?

He looked back at Mara.

He’d let her sleep for a while. If the baby needed her, he’d bring Arin back.

Besides, he knew how to change a diaper. Just because he didn’t like it didn’t mean he hadn’t taken care of a few kids in his day.

Sliding out of bed without disturbing her was easy. She must’ve been exhausted.

Or he’d worn her out.

He tried not to let that go to his head. He didn’t have much of a reputation with women mainly because he hadn’t had much time for them. And he’d never found one who could tolerate him for more than a couple dates. He wasn’t the easiest guy to get along with. He didn’t talk much and when he did, they didn’t like what he had to say.

Mara seemed to like him.

Good thing, because he wanted to keep her. Primitive but truthful.

And since Arin was part of the deal, he’d better get used to changing diapers.

The second bedroom was only a few feet from Mara’s and Arin was still babbling away when he entered.

“Hey, little man. You’re awfully chatty for the middle of the night. What—”

Shit. The bear was back. Standing outside the window, staring in at Arin. The animal wasn’t making a sound, just watching Arin. And not in an “I’m going to eat you” way.

Tinia’s teat. The baby talked to animals. This was totally fucked up. And yeah, a little cool.

The baby gurgled and turned his head toward Race. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the bear back away from the window and amble off into the woods.

“Okay, little man, one of these days we’re gonna have a serious chat about that bear. But not tonight. You have a big day tomorrow so you need to get some sleep.”

Race didn’t really think Arin understood him, but the baby smiled and made noises for a minute or so as Race walked him around the room. Finally he must have worn himself out because he shut his eyes and his mouth and went limp in Race’s arms.

It still made him shake his head. He typically made people nervous but Mara had told him she felt safe with him. And Arin…well, obviously he did too.

After he changed the kid’s diaper and set him back in the crib, where he looked way too small, Race caught Mara’s scent behind him. She stood in the doorway, watching him, covered from head to toe in flannel pajamas.

Because she was so small, the man’s design hung on her. She had the pants and sleeves rolled up and her short hair looked as if she’d been running her fingers through it for days.

He didn’t think she’d look any sexier in red lingerie and black stockings.

She watched him with an almost disbelieving look in her eyes, which she quickly blinked away when he frowned.

She must not have seen the bear and, since he didn’t want to upset her, he didn’t tell her. It’d probably come back to bite him in the ass later. That stuff typically did.

“Did I wake you?”

She shook her head as she made her way to the crib and looked in at Arin. She ran her hand over his head before she stepped away.

Mara looked up at Race, her lips curved into a smile that made his heart pound as she slid her fingers through his and tugged him along with her back to bed.

* * *

Race had tried to answer all Mara’s questions before they left the next morning, knowing it’d be tough to hold a conversation in the car.

The trepidation had returned to her eyes and she constantly looked over her shoulder to check on Arin, strapped into a baby seat in the backseat of Race’s Ford Explorer.

He didn’t know what to say to make her relax so he didn’t try. Instead he turned on the radio, telling her to pick a station.

It took her almost five minutes until she settled on a station playing Broadway music.

Served him right for letting her choose, he figured.

But the music seemed to calm her. And apparently put Arin to sleep.

He’d already told her there’d been a change in plans. They weren’t going to Sal’s place in Reading. They were heading for a set of coordinates Race had determined were somewhere in the woodlands north of Hamburg.

Interesting.

And the closer they got to the coordinates, the more his curiosity was piqued. Mara also seemed to lose some of her trepidation and looked around with more interest than concern.

When the road they were on began to veer away from the coordinates, he had to make a choice.

“I think I saw a cutout back there,” he said as he put the truck in reverse and backed up until he got to what he thought—

The cutout looked almost like a natural break in the trees, especially if you weren’t looking for a way onto the mountain. And who would? There were easier trail entrances only a few miles away.

But this was definitely the way they needed to go. He knew it.

“Hang on. This could get a little bumpy.”

As they turned onto the dirt track leading into what looked like solid forest, Race realized there was definitely something magical going on. For one thing, the ride was much smoother than he’d expected. Even though it looked like rocky, untamed wilderness, the truck barely dipped and swayed.

A hundred yards into the forest, a definite track emerged and Race knew they were on the right trail. He stole a glance at Mara, who stared wide-eyed out the front window.

They drove almost a mile before he realized that what he was seeing ahead weren’t just abnormally large trees.

They were houses, one-story log houses clustered around a central clearing.

They looked like fairy houses. Honest-to-God fairyland houses. With the covering of snow, the scene looked like something out of a movie.

And when Sal, in all his goat-legged glory, stepped out of one of the houses and waved to him, he felt Mara practically vibrate with shock.

And in the backseat, Arin started to babble.

“Mara, look at me.”

She didn’t turn right away. It took her several seconds but when she finally did, she began to sign, so slowly he actually understood most of it.

“He’s exactly what you think he is. He’s salbinelli.”

Her hands moved again.

“Obviously they’re not extinct.” He smiled. “There’s actually another one living here.”

“Hey, it’s freaking cold out here, people,” Sal yelled from the doorway, making them both turn to look at him. “Get a move on.”

Typical Sal. Blunt and to the point. And maybe more than Mara could handle right now.

Mara grabbed his arm in a tight grip. If she wanted to leave, they were out of there.

But when he looked at her again, she wore a grin a mile wide.

“All right then. Let’s get inside before Sal comes out again. He doesn’t like getting his hooves cold.”

She shook her head when he said hooves and he hid a smile at her obvious astonishment. Damn, he liked when she smiled. He felt as if the world brightened around him.

Yep, he’d definitely gone sappy. If his brother could see him now, Lark would fall on the ground laughing. And Race wouldn’t care one damn bit.

Mara made him happy. And now that they’d moved their relationship to the next level, he wasn’t going to let her get away.

Hell, he was occasionally a wolf. If she tried to get away, he’d track her down.

“I’ll get the kid. Be careful getting out over there.”

There was more snow here, at least six inches. Mara didn’t seem to notice as she plowed through it to reach his side. With the baby in his portable carrier, they hurried to the cabin, barely taking time to knock the snow off their feet before Mara pushed through the door.

She stopped just inside, forcing him to crowd her and get her to move in a few more feet so he could close the door behind him.

When he looked up he realized why she’d stopped.

“Hello, Race.” A tall, dark-haired man with a wide smile and distinct Etruscan features walked toward them, his hand held out. Imposing was a good word for him and Race instinctively stepped in front of Mara. She didn’t handle meeting new men easily.

A split second later, he realized who this man was and bowed.

“Selvans. Greetings.”

Apparently his mother’s insistence that he learn some manners as a kid had stuck. At least enough to know what to do when he met an Etruscan god.

“Nice to meet you, son.”

Straightening, Race found himself looking into bright-green eyes. He took the god’s hand automatically and shook.

Then that startling gaze transferred over his shoulder.

“Hello, Mara.” His voice had softened and behind him, Mara shifted, moving to his side to take the God of the Woods’ hand.

“And this,” Selvans’ gaze dropped to the baby, who stared up at him without making a sound, “must be Arin. Nice to meet you too, little man.”

When Selvans held his hand out to the baby, Arin grabbed for it like babies did. Which made Selvans draw in a deep breath and his mouth curve in a bittersweet smile.

“Yes, I see. So the signs are correct. I had wondered…”

Selvans seemed to be speaking to himself, though he could be talking to the baby. Hell, Arin could talk to animals. Why not gods?

Selvans straightened and smiled at Mara again. “Well now, who’d like some hot chocolate? Sal makes a mean cocoa. I’m going to have mine with a shot of peppermint schnapps. Then we have some things to discuss.”

Mara began to sign but Selvans held up one hand with a wry smile. “I’m sorry I don’t understand sign language. But one of the things on the agenda today is breaking the rest of that spell. As a matter of fact, let’s see if we can get that taken care of right away. Mara, I’d like you to meet Scarlata.”

A woman Race hadn’t noticed came forward from the other side of the room, where Race realized another man stood as well. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen them, especially the gorgeous redhead. Then again, meeting a god and worrying about Mara consumed most of his concentration.

He’d have to watch that. Couldn’t afford to get sloppy.

“Nice to meet you, Mara.” The woman’s voice held a trace of an Italian accent, husky and deep. “I understand the streghe weren’t able to break the spell on your vocal cords. I believe I can do something about that, if you’ll let me.”

Race watched as Mara took a moment before nodding then turned to Race and lifted her hands.

“Oh crap,” he interrupted as he set the baby on the floor. “I forgot I had this.”

Reaching for the baby bag, he pulled out the whiteboard Dorian had left on the porch this morning. He swore Dorian could read minds.

As Mara gave him that smile that made his blood heat, she took it from him then began to write.

What makes you think you can break this spell?

Scarlata grinned. “Because I’ve got a few secrets up my sleeves that even the streghe don’t. And with Selvans and a few of my other friends, I think we have just a little more magic than even the streghe.”

What are you?

The redhead threw her head back and laughed and, from behind her, Race heard another baby gurgle.

“Well, there are some people who call me a b—”

“Scary, honey, no one calls you anything other than beautiful. Not if they want to continue breathing. Hi, I’m Justin.” The other man in the room walked forward, now holding a tiny, pink-blanket-wrapped bundle. “And this is our daughter, the eighth wonder of the universe.”

Scarlata snorted and rolled her eyes at Justin but the look she gave the baby said she totally believed his boast. “Also known as Celestina. And I’m folletta. And fata magic works differently than enu magic.”

Folletta. Holy shit.

Race felt his mouth drop open as he tried to wrap his head around the fact that Scarlata was an actual folletta. He’d thought they were extinct. Obviously not.

As he shook his head, Mara turned to him with a puzzled look.

“Enu are the human branch of the Etruscan magical race. Fata are the—”

He’d been about to say creature-based but that wasn’t right. Some of the fata resembled humans almost completely, except for their pointed ears. Or wings.

“We’re the non-human branch,” Scarlata finished for him. And then turned to show them her back. Just as pink wings fluttered through slits in her shirt.

Race tried to hold back his gasp but didn’t quite manage. Holy shit.

“Now,” Scarlata turned, her wings disappearing once again, “let’s see if we can fix you.”

Mara took the folletta’s outstretched hand automatically, still trying to process the fact that this woman had wings.

Amazingly beautiful pink wings that made Mara want to smile. She vaguely remembered reading stories as a child about the enu and the fata.

“Have a seat, Mara. Sal and I are going to do a little preliminary examination and then we’ll see if we can break that spell.”

“Nothing to worry about.” The little half-goat man jumped onto the seat next to hers. “Those damn Mal won’t get the best of us.”

Realizing she still held the whiteboard, she looked behind her for Race, who was undoing Arin from his carrier while Selvans watched. The god had a strange look on his face, almost sad.

Are you sure this will work?

She wasn’t sure how much more disappointment she could take. If this didn’t work, she would have to accept that nothing would. That she’d be without her voice forever.

Tears began to well, but Scarlata scowled down at her and she blinked them back.

“None of that now,” the woman said with enough steel in her voice that Mara’s back straightened in response. “I have no doubt this will work. And neither will you.”

Mara felt as if she should say yes ma’am and snap out a salute. And marveled that she still had a sense of humor.

“All right then,” the little goat-legged man said. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

Mara frowned and Sal patted her hand. “Just a figure of speech. Although you might want to hold on to the table. This could sting a little.”

With a quick motion, Sal slapped one hand around her neck and Mara’s vision went black as pain rushed through her.

From somewhere far away, she heard Race shout, calling her name. He sounded frantic but she couldn’t open her eyes and there was no way she could call out to him.

She lost all sense of time in the dark void that enveloped her so when Sal finally removed his hand and she could see again, it took her several seconds to regain her bearings.

As she blinked her vision back into focus, the first thing she saw was Race’s face directly in front of her, wearing an expression she’d never seen on him before.

Fear.

She reached for him automatically but he’d already grabbed her and pulled her against him.

“What the fuck was that?”

His voice had dropped to a growl that would’ve made anyone else cower on the ground. Sal barely paid any attention to Race as he turned to Scarlata. Mara followed Sal’s gaze and registered the woman’s extremely pissed-off expression.

“That bastard.” Scarlata sounded just as furious as Race. “Selvans, he’s been fucking around with the Mal again.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Race demanded.

Still holding the baby, Selvans walked over to join the little group. “I was afraid of that.” The god turned to her and gave another one of those apologetic smiles. “It seems Veive is working with the Mal.”

Mara shook her head. The name didn’t ring a bell but Race stiffened against her. “He laid the spell?”

Sal gave a disgusted sigh. “He had a hand in it. Shit. I was hoping the rumors were wrong.”

As if he’d read her mind, Race asked, “What rumors?”

“That there are lines being drawn.”

Race went silent, as if he understood what Selvans had said. Since she didn’t, she raised her hands.

“What lines?”

No one answered her right away and she wasn’t sure if it was because they didn’t understand her or they didn’t have an answer.

Finally, after everyone had exchanged glances, Sal looked her straight in the eyes. “Sweetheart, the bastard who helped cast that spell on you was Veive, God of Revenge. And the bastard apparently has aligned himself with the Mal for the upcoming power struggle. Otherwise known as war. Shit.” Sal turned to shake his head at Selvans. “Who else do you think they’ve got?”

Selvans sighed. “I have no idea. But,” he gave Mara a weary-looking smile, “that’s a conversation for another day. Right now, we need to make good on our promise to Mara. Race, take Arin into the front room.”

Race wanted to argue. She could tell by the way he held so still and the stiffness of his jaw.

Lifting her hand to stroke her fingers against his cheek, she waited until he looked at her. Then she signed, “I’ll be okay.”

It took him at least thirty seconds to comply and the look he shot Sal could have sliced through wood. But when he took Arin from Selvans, he kept his gaze downcast.

Selvans didn’t say anything, just patted his shoulder as he walked out. “You too, Justin. Take Tina. And don’t let him come back in here until I tell you.”

As soon as the other man nodded and left, Selvans sat at the table next to Mara.

“Now, sweetheart, I’m not going to lie to you. This is probably going to hurt like hell. And there’s a good possibility Veive is going to know we broke his spell. He may even be able to trace you, at least until the spell dissipates. I’ve got this place pretty well shielded but there’s always a possibility.”

She reached for the whiteboard.

Do you think I should?

“I think if you’re going to do it, now’s the time, this is the place and we’re your best shot.”

Then let’s do it.

Selvans nodded, his expression becoming a study in seriousness. “Sal, Scarlata, hold her down. And don’t let go.”

Chapter Seven

Race couldn’t hear a damn thing coming from the kitchen and he knew someone had thrown up a sound barrier.

Which made him crazy.

“Hey, man. I think the little guy would appreciate being able to breathe a little better.”

Shit. Race immediately loosened the arms around Arin, who stared up at him with wide eyes. If the kid could talk, he’d definitely be telling Race to get a grip. Just not around him.

“So you’re versipellis.” Justin sat across from him, the baby in his arms asleep. “Haven’t had too many here.”

“And what exactly is this place?”

Race decided if he couldn’t be with Mara, he’d at least get some answers.

“Sanctuary,” Justin said. “For those Etruscans who need it.”

“Are they in danger?”

“Some have been, yes. Some just find it easier to live here. Away from people who might not be as…tolerant of what they are.”

“And what are you?”

Justin smiled. “Just a guy in love with a girl who has wings.”

Race figured there was a little more to the story but didn’t pursue it. Instead he forced himself to tend to Arin, get the kid out of the bulky snowsuit so he could at least have some range of motion.

“So, you and Mara. More than just friends?”

He answered without thought. “Yeah.”

“And she’s on board with that?”

He fucking hoped so. “Yeah.”

“And the guy who had this spell laid on her, righteous prick, huh?”

“You could say that. If he wasn’t dead already, I’d kill him again. Slower.”

“Dude. I like you. So, this whole baby thing. Weird, right? I mean,” Justin looked down at the bundle in his arms with a smile Race could only call goofy, “I can’t imagine my life without her but before she was born, I couldn’t imagine how the hell life was going to work with her in it.”

Race just grunted. He hadn’t really thought about it. Arin was Mara’s so therefore Arin was Race’s. Probably shouldn’t say that out loud. Sounded pretty arrogant.

So he did what he normally did and kept his mouth shut.

“So you’re a wolf, huh? That’s pretty cool. Don’t meet many of them, since y’all tend to live in dens.”

The guy continued to talk. He was good at it so Race let him, though he couldn’t keep from watching the doorway to the kitchen. He couldn’t see or hear anything and it was driving him nuts but Selvans had told him to go and he didn’t want to piss off a deity. Especially not one who was helping Mara.

A half hour later, he was ready to climb the walls. And storm the kitchen. Arin had started to get antsy, gnawing on his fist or anything else he could get in his mouth.

He figured Mara had packed a bottle and he was just about to dig it out when Selvans walked into the room.

Race didn’t wait for permission this time. He figured he’d been patient long enough. Selvans would understand.

In fact, as he got closer, the god smiled at him, though he looked tired. “I’ll hold the baby, son. I think you’re going to want your hands free.”

Shit, that didn’t sound good.

He passed off Arin then rushed into the kitchen, finding Mara slumped over the kitchen table.

He called her name. Okay, he shouted her name, which made her groan.

She sat up with a start as he reached her, sucking in a breath that sounded pained.

Race cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him and only him. “Mara, are you okay?”

Vaffanculo, she looked so damn pale, as if she’d had the life drained out of her. Her face was the color of ashes except for around her eyes, which looked bruised.

Then she opened her mouth and everything else ceased to exist.

“I’m fine.”

Her voice was raspy, as if she had a sore throat. But she had her voice back.

Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m fine. I’m just tired and—”

He grabbed her and hugged her to him, only loosening his arms when he heard her squeak out a protest. She must have thought he was going to release her because her arms wrapped around his shoulders and she clung.

He would’ve sat there forever, holding her, but when she pulled away, he let her go. Not far. Just far enough to look at him.

“Everything’s going to be fine.” He’d make sure it was.

She smiled, just a bare curve of her lips, but it was enough to make him breathe a short sigh of relief.

“Can I see Arin?”

“Shit, of course. Just let me—”

“Here he is, dear.”

Selvans walked into the room, as if on cue. Arin was already reaching for Mara and she took him and hugged him to her, whispering in his ear. Arin’s entire focus was on Mara as she spoke to him, his eyes wide. Then he began to giggle, which made Mara’s smile widen.

“Race. Mara. We need to talk.”

Sal’s quiet statement cut through the room, causing Mara to clutch Arin a little tighter and Race to move closer to Mara.

“We’re pretty sure when the spell broke, it alerted Veive to your location,” Selvans said. “And since we’re pretty sure he’s working with the Mal, we’re just going to assume that he’ll tell them where you are.”

Sal and Selvans exchanged a look that raised Race’s hackles.

“Why would they care?” Mara’s voice sounded weak and he didn’t think it was a side effect of the spell breaking. “Arin wasn’t born Mal.”

“No, he wasn’t.” Selvans shook his head, his gaze transferring to the baby. “But he was born to be my replacement.”

* * *

Mara stared out the window of Race’s truck, an odd sense of relief warring with nerves as Race drove home.

Finally. An explanation. A reason. Something that made sense.

Okay, yes, her son was going to grow up to be a god. And yes, that should freak her out completely.

But it was so far out of the realm of real life that it didn’t seem real.

Turning from the window, she focused on Race, who hadn’t looked surprised at the news. Actually he’d looked rock-steady. As he always did.

It was why she’d been drawn to him from the first minute she’d seen him. But it wasn’t the only reason she’d fallen for him.

The rest was pure chemistry, at least on her end. It was a combination of the way he treated her and the way he treated Arin. In the way he’d made love to her last night and the way he’d stood beside her for the past six months. Even if he hadn’t said a word, she’d known he’d been by her side and on her side at every turn.

But this…

She had no idea what was going to be required of her. And she wanted to be up to the challenge. Needed to be for Arin.

“You’re going to hurt yourself thinking that hard.”

She smiled and automatically raised her hands to answer before she remembered.

“I don’t think that’s possible.” It felt almost weird to have her voice back again. The raspy quality was receding with use but it was almost as if she were regaining the use of her lips. “My son is going to be an Etruscan god. It’s not something you hear every day.”

Everything was topsy-turvy in her world but she’d realized she might never be able to get off the roller coaster.

“No, but you heard Selvans. It means nothing right now. Arin’s going to have a normal childhood. Except for the fact that he can communicate with animals. That might take a little getting used to. But he’s going to have you by his side. And he’s going to have the lucani at his back. And when the time comes and he needs to know what’s expected of him, we’ll handle it.”

She liked the sound of that. “We” instead of “her”. Liked the sense that she wasn’t alone against the world.

Though she knew she should probably learn to stand on her own, to take care of herself and Arin on her own…just knowing she didn’t have to allowed her to breathe easier.

“And what if the Mal find out?”

That was the thing that most worried her because it was the most immediate threat. Selvans was still powerful, more so than many of the other deities, so he wasn’t in danger from anyone who they knew of. Not like the goddesses who’d been targeted by Charun in the past year.

Thesan, Goddess of the Dawn, and Lusna, Goddess of the Moon, had given up some or all of their powers in order to save themselves. Lusna had transferred hers to Cat. Mara assumed that’s what would happen with Arin and Selvans. Later. Hopefully much later in his life.

“The lucani won’t allow the Mal to get close to Arin.” He paused and shot her a look. “I won’t allow it.”

That look promised so much more than his protection of Arin. And it made her want to wrap her arms around him and kiss the hell out of him. Made her think of getting him alone in a dark room and showing him just how much she appreciated him.

As if he’d read her mind, he shot her another look, this time his gaze narrowed and glittered.

By the time they got home, she couldn’t wait for Arin to go down for the night. He’d been cranky on the drive home. He hated to be confined for long periods of time and he’d been in the car seat more than he’d ever been before.

After she’d fed him and bathed him, he’d practically fallen asleep in her arms. Laying him out in his crib, she stood by the side for several minutes just watching him breathe.

With a final brush of her fingers through his dark hair, the same color as her own, she walked back into the living room. Back to Race.

He stood in the kitchen, staring out the window.

“He’s asleep?”

That deep voice always did such warm and wonderful things to her insides. She wanted to walk up to him, wrap her arms around his waist and just hold on. Let him hold her.

She nodded, stopping a few feet away because she still wasn’t sure what this meant. What they meant.

Then he turned and leaned against the sink, holding out one hand. She took it and found herself pressed against him from breast to hip to thigh. Her nipples peaked at the contact, her pussy tightening with an ache like she’d never known. His erection burned against her lower belly, hard and hot. Making her want to slide her hand beneath his jeans so she could wrap her hand around his cock.

“Mara.”

“Yes.”

He released a rough breath, as if he knew exactly what she was saying yes to.

Still, he put one hand beneath her chin and tilted her head back until he could see her eyes.

“I want you to know I’m here, for as long as you want me. No pressure. No commitment. Just know I’ll be here whenever you need me.”

That sounded like a commitment to her. And she was okay with that. Before she could tell him so, he dropped his mouth over hers and kissed her with enough force to put everything else out of her mind.

Since there was too much crowding her brain, she let it all go. For this time with him, she wouldn’t worry about tomorrow or Arin or anything else. She’d let herself enjoy the moment.

And when tomorrow did roll around, she’d let him know how she felt.

She may be young. She may be emotionally damaged and have trust issues. She probably wasn’t anyone’s idea of a dream date.

But she knew what she wanted. And she’d take him for as long as she could have him.

Because she knew, at some point, she wouldn’t have him.

As if he’d sensed her thoughts, he caught her around the waist and lifted her until her feet hung inches off the ground and her eyes were level with his.

And the tip of his cock rubbed against her clit.

She sucked in air but he covered her mouth with his again, grinding his lips against hers. Her mouth opened to his insistent tongue but this time instead of letting him have the lead, she took it.

With her hands cupped around his nape, she tilted his head and let herself attack his mouth.

She kissed him with no restraint, let her tongue dart into his mouth, mimicking his movements from last night.

Groaning low in his throat, he wrapped one arm around his waist to hold her in place then let his other slowly work its way from her waist to her breast.

He cupped her, kneaded her while she kissed him, let her tongue tease and torment. He tasted hot, his lips soft against her.

Her hips began to grind, needing more pressure.

“Put me down.”

He released her so fast, she thought she might actually stumble but she should’ve known better.

“Sorry—”

“Don’t you dare.” She slapped her hand over his mouth before he could apologize. “I’m not afraid of you. I just can’t do what I want when you’re holding me way up there.”

He blinked, as if she’d said something he didn’t understand. Then his eyes narrowed as her hands moved to his waistband. He wasn’t wearing a belt, thank the gods, so her hands slipped into his pants without impediment and she pushed them down.

She brushed over the tip of his cock, heard him suck in air as he cupped both breasts. He played with the nipples, tugged on them until they were hard and aching for more.

She wanted his mouth there but she’d have to stop what she was doing and she didn’t want to stop. She had her hands around his erection, loving the feel as she stroked him. Loving the way he began to thrust into her hands.

“Yeah. Tighter.”

He didn’t have to explain, she knew what he wanted. She tightened her grip on him, feeling his pulse beat beneath the skin. Then she used her hands to make him even harder.

She discovered again what made him groan, what made his hands tighten on her, what made his head drop forward and rest on the top of hers. And when she bent and touched the tip of her tongue to the crest of his cock, she knew how to own him.

“Mara.”

He grabbed her shoulders, but she wouldn’t let him stop her.

This relationship wasn’t just about her. She had to let him know this was about him as well.

He’d been taking care of her from the moment she’d gotten here. Hell, he’d been taking care of her since the day she’d been rescued from Florida.

Now she wanted to take care of him. Pleasure him. Every way there was.

Opening her mouth, she took him in, settled her lips around the head of his cock and tasted him.

Above her, she heard him groan, felt his fingers dig into her shoulders.

She really had no idea what she was doing but he seemed to like it. She understood the general concept and he was so hard and so warm that she felt no inhibitions as she sank lower on his shaft each time.

Losing herself in the rhythm, she settled her hands on his hips and let her mouth do the work. Her lips slicked over his iron-hard erection down to the root. She took him in until she literally couldn’t then she worked her way back up.

When she looked up at Race, his head had dropped forward, his eyes closed and his expression slack with desire. Blessed Goddess, the man was gorgeous.

His eyes opened as she released him and, in the next second, he had her in his arms again and was walking her back toward the living room.

His mouth covered hers for a drugging kiss, which she returned with every ounce of desire she had in her. They made it as far as the couch, where he sat, pants still around his thighs.

Ripping at her jeans, he stripped them down her legs as she stood in front of him. While she toed off her sneakers, he put his hands on her hips and drew her closer.

When his lips touched her stomach, she sucked in a breath. And held it when his lips blazed a trail from her bellybutton to the top of her mound.

His tongue drew wicked lines of heat to her clit. He flicked the little bundle of nerves then used his teeth when she shuddered. She had to reach for his shoulders to hold steady because her knees were in danger of giving out.

One of his hands moved to cup her ass. The other worked its way between her legs, found her entrance and filled her with his fingers, starting a slow, steady caress that made her want to melt.

Instead she absorbed every sensation. The roughness of his fingers moving inside her, the way he squeezed her ass every time he thrust.

She wrapped her hands around his nape, drawing him closer. He tilted back his head and she found herself trapped in that dark gaze.

When she couldn’t hold it any longer, she leaned forward to kiss him. She cupped his jaw, loving the roughness of his whiskers. Then she set her hands on his shoulders and pushed him back. He didn’t go right away. He smiled, just a slight curve of his lips, before he leaned back.

But he didn’t go alone. He grabbed her by the hips and settled her over him, one knee on either side of his thighs.

With a little shimmy, she moved herself into position while he stripped her shirt over her head. As she began to sink down his shaft, he leaned forward to suck one nipple into his mouth.

The dual sensations threw her into an immediate rush of pleasure. She dropped her head to press her lips against his head as he used his mouth to drive her higher.

And filled her aching pussy.

She moaned and started to move, unable to stay still. She needed friction, needed more. Harder.

Race helped her, rocking her back and forth as she moved up and down. Her body sizzled at each point of contact, desire overwhelming her. Leaning back, her hands on his knees, she changed the angle of penetration, making him groan and shift beneath her.

“Ah, fuck, Mara.”

She thrilled to hear the growl in his voice, the way it caused her pussy to tighten around him. When he leaned back and thrust harder, she dropped her head back and rolled her pelvis.

Goddess, she could do this forever. Wanted to hold on to this sharp edge of pleasure while she watched Race. Felt his barely leashed lust as he watched her.

But she knew Race wouldn’t let her hang. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her closer, worked his way deeper inside her. Then he fucked her, hard and fast, and made her feel as if she couldn’t catch her breath. Or ever live without him.

Her orgasm hit without warning, dragging her under. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hung on as he sank deep and followed her down.

Chapter Eight

“Race, Lark’s missing. We need you to come home.”

Sitting up in bed with a start, Race took two seconds to process what his dad had said then turned to put his feet on the floor and switched the phone to his other ear.

“How long’s he been gone?”

His dad sighed and Race had a mental image of the man running a hand through his short brown hair then clenching it into a fist as he took a deep breath. “It’s only been a few hours but he was supposed to come for dinner and he never showed. He never called and he’s not answering his cell. There’s something wrong.”

Yep, that wasn’t at all like his brother, Mr. Responsible. “It’s gonna take me about an hour to get there. And…I’m bringing someone with me.”

“Just get here as soon as you can.”

His dad hung up abruptly and Race knew he was totally freaked. His father never would’ve let Race get away with saying he was bringing someone with him without giving him the third degree as to who it was.

Fear wanted to immobilize him but he was a soldier. He didn’t have the luxury of freezing. Or doing nothing. His family needed him.

Mara was awake when he turned, staring at him with wide eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“My brother’s missing. My parents need me to find him. Pack a bag for you and Arin. I want you to come with me. I don’t want to leave you behind.”

For several seconds, she looked like a deer in the headlights. “What are your parents going to say about me?”

“My mom’s gonna take one look at Arin and fall in love. Then she’s gonna take one look at you and want to feed you.”

“But…don’t they know who I am?’

He hated that hitch in her voice. “Yeah, they know.”

And yeah, they’d been worried about his “association” with Mara. But he had no doubt when they met her, they’d do exactly what he’d just said and see exactly what he saw in her. A sweet woman with a huge heart and a tender soul. A woman he wanted to love and protect and whose son he wanted to make his own.

He didn’t want to spring that on her now. He wasn’t sure she was ready to hear it. But the time was coming when he’d need to tell her because he’d be tired of waiting. When he’d want her to know exactly how he felt and what he wanted.

Her. And Arin.

She continued to stare at him and that insecurity had him reaching for her, wrapping his hand around her neck and pulling her in for a kiss. She didn’t fight him. She gave him what he wanted. And then she began to take what she wanted.

Desire flowed like lava through his veins and he wanted to press her back into the bed and show her just how much he cared for her. He knew they didn’t have time.

But he did have just enough time to show just how much he appreciated her.

When his tongue demanded entrance, she let him in. She gave him what he wanted, asked for nothing in return. They had time to work on that. He wanted an equal partnership. Didn’t want her to ever feel she wasn’t on the same footing as he.

With a tiny growl, she wrapped a hand around his neck and kissed him harder. Yes, this was the Mara she was meant to be. And would be.

What he wouldn’t give for a few more minutes, to let her kiss him, let her hands move over his body as if she were worshipping him. He certainly wanted to worship her.

With a groan, he finally pulled away but not without a final hard kiss to seal what he was silently telling her.

When she opened her eyes and looked into his, he made sure she held his gaze for several seconds before he nodded and stood.

A little over an hour later, he and his father stood in the study of his parents’ Main Line house. His mother had already taken Mara and Arin to the kitchen and he and his dad were getting ready to go check out Lark’s apartment in the city when Race’s phone rang.

The number was blocked. Race exchanged a look with his dad and hit the answer button.

“I’m sure you’re wondering who this is but that would be giving away too much of the game too soon. Let’s just say I have something you want and you have something I want.”

The man’s voice raised Race’s hackles. There was something about it, a darkness that came through loud and clear, even through the phone line. And a slight accent that Race would swear was Italian.

“How do I know you have anything I want?”

A second later, Race’s phone dinged to announce a message. The attached photo showed Lark with an extremely pissed-off expression, no visible bruising, and a copy of today’s Philadelphia Inquirer. Must have been fresh off the press.

“He’s unharmed and will stay that way. I have no desire to start a war. That said, I want the girl and the child. Meet me at the address I’ll text you in half an hour and you’ll get your brother back.”

“And if I don’t want to make the trade?”

“Then I’m sure I can find a use for your brother. One I’m sure he’ll grow accustomed to. In time.”

Race bit back a curse. He understood the implication just fine. And so did his dad, if the look on his face was any indication. At one time, the Mal had made slaves of the lucani. At least, those they could catch.

How they’d caught Lark, he didn’t know. But he would get his brother back and he wouldn’t sacrifice Mara and Arin to do it.

Another ding and he received the address. “There’s no way I can get there in time. Not with the baby.”

“I’ll give you an extra five minutes then. See you soon.”

Race lowered the phone as his father closed his eyes, his face, so like Lark’s, tight with fear. “Vaffanculo, Race. Your brother—”

“Will be fine.” He refused to believe otherwise. But Race couldn’t do this on his own. He was already dialing another number. “Tell Mom to take Mara and Arin—”

“I’m going with you.”

Mara stood in the doorway, fear and determination warring in her expression.

He opened his mouth to flat-out deny her but the phone call connected.

“What’s up?”

“Quinn, are you in Philly?”

“Yeah, just for the—”

“I need backup. The Mal took Lark and they want to trade him for someone I’m not giving up.”

“Ah, your girl.” Quinn Kennett didn’t seem surprised. Then again, nothing much surprised Quinn. He was one of Cole’s highest-ranking legion officers for a reason, despite the fact that he was still under thirty. The guy was pretty damn unflappable. “You’re in luck. I’ve got a couple friends staying with me tonight. We’ll be more than happy to watch your back and kick a little Mal ass. Where’s the meet?”

After he gave Quinn the address, Race hung up and turned to Mara.

“You’re staying here.”

She shook her head. “I’m going with you. If you show up without me, they’re going to know it’s a ploy. I’ll leave Arin with your mom but you need me. And I’m not letting you go without me. Together, you said.” Her expression was steady. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

Race wanted to argue but he knew she was right. About everything.

“I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Her lips kicked up in a sweet smile. “I know you won’t let anything happen to me. But you have to take me, Race.”

As his father looked on, Race crossed the room and draped his arms around her. Her eyes widened even farther and her gaze slipped for a brief second to his dad. “I’ll never let anyone hurt you again. And I will always be right here with you.”

“Standing in front of me?”

“Or behind you or beside you.” He leaned in and whispered so only she could hear him. “Or under or over you.”

The blush on her cheeks made him want to beat his chest but her smile rubbed against the rough edges of his fear for his brother. And for her.

He really didn’t want to take her along but he knew she was right. In this short amount of time, they couldn’t fake her presence.

“Kiss Arin goodbye then we have to leave.”

“I already did. He seems to like your mom.”

“Everyone likes my mom.”

“Son, I think I should accompany you.”

Race turned to his dad, unable to contain his shock. His dad had never been a fighter and there was definitely going to be a fight. “I’ve got backup.”

“You know I did my time in the legion. I was a fairly decent strategist and I still remember how to use my claws.”

“Dad, I didn’t mean—”

His dad held up a hand to stop him. “I know you didn’t mean to dismiss me but you’re not the only one who can fight in this family. I just chose a different path.”

“Then stay here and guard Mom and Arin. If the Mal think two steps ahead of us, they’ll send someone here. Someone needs to make sure they don’t get to the baby. He’s…important, Dad.”

His dad’s laugh was strained but amused. “I think we understand that, son.”

Yeah, but did his dad understand just how important? And not just to Race. Probably not. But the look his dad gave Mara was beyond worth. It was an accepting smile. A welcoming smile.

“You’d better get going then. I won’t let anyone near Arin or your mom. Bring your brother back.”

“I will, Dad.”

His dad turned to Mara and reached down to pat her cheek. Surprisingly she didn’t flinch. She even had a smile for him. “You make sure you’re careful, sweetheart. I have a feeling my son would be lost if anything happened to you.”

* * *

“They want to meet here? At a park? Where anyone can see?”

Mara’s incredulous tone cut through the silence that had held throughout their drive to the address the Mal had indicated. He’d figured she was worried but now he heard anger in her voice.

They were a few minutes early and he didn’t see Quinn or any unusually large gray dogs among the people milling around the park.

“Promise me you’ll stay in the car.” Race had to make her understand how important that was to him. “No matter what, okay? I don’t want you anywhere near these people. We’ll get Lark and we’ll get the hell out of here and you will not expose yourself to any danger. Understand?”

Mara smiled at him and put her hands on his cheeks, drawing him close for a quick kiss that eased a little of the anxiety inside him.

“I’ll try.”

“No, you will do it.”

“I’ll—”

Mara’s eyes widened as she looked over his shoulder and Race turned to find a man standing by the door. Not that old, maybe a little younger than Race. And definitely not as big. Race could take him with one hand behind his back.

Except for the fact that he reeked of magic.

The guy wore a pleasant smile that Race had no doubt was false. If he didn’t stop directing it at Mara, Race was going to rip it off his face.

“Thank you for coming.” The man didn’t raise his voice but Race and Mara heard him plainly through the window. “Why don’t you step out and we can talk?”

“Stay in the car, Mara.”

He didn’t turn to see if she responded in any way. He could scent her fear and anger and he wanted to rip out this guy’s throat. Time enough for that later. First he needed to get his brother. He could smell Lark but didn’t see him. And he really didn’t like that.

This guy was fucking with him.

Race opened the door and stepped out, keeping his arms at his sides. “Where’s my brother?”

“He’s here. And I see you’ve kept your end of the bargain.” Looking in the back window, the man must have been satisfied to see the car seat. Hopefully he didn’t realize it was empty but Race knew it wouldn’t fool the guy for long. He was surprised it had so far.

“Nice to see you again, Mara.”

“You don’t speak to her.” Race didn’t bother to hide the growl in his voice. “Let me see my brother.”

The guy looked amused and it was all Race could do not to shift and tear his throat out. But he had no backup. Where the fuck was Quinn?

“Look across the parking lot.”

A van sat on the opposite side of the lot. The side door opened and Race saw his brother in the back. He didn’t look injured but then he didn’t exactly look completely awake either.

“Don’t worry. He’s perfectly fine. Just dosed with a little Bullet. Wouldn’t want him to turn and expose all these lovely people to the Etruscan dirty little secret.”

The bastard had given his brother the drug used by the lucani to stop their change. He was going to enjoy ripping out the guy’s throat.

“Now, where’s my son?”

Race felt as if he’d been kicked in the gut. Son of a bitch. No wonder Mara had gone sheet-white.

After a split-second struggle to submerge the shock and fight off the urge to kill the guy, Race took a deep breath. “The brat’s in the back. You send Lark over and I’ll get the kid.”

“And don’t forget Mara. She produced something extraordinary the first time around. Can’t wait for the second.”

Holding on to his rage by the barest of threads, Race deliberately turned his back on the guy. In the reflection of the window, he saw two men help Lark out of the van. His brother stumbled and between one blink and the next, both men had vanished.

It only took a millisecond to realize what had happened and, letting instinct take control, he turned and grabbed for the bastard behind him.

But he wasn’t there.

“You didn’t think I’d be stupid enough not to think you’d bring backup, did you?”

The guy stood on the other side of the truck, his hand around Mara’s throat. He must have pulled her from the truck in the time it’d taken Race to turn.

They stood on either side of the hood and, though Race wasn’t looking directly at Mara, he could see her in his peripheral vision. She had her hands clasped in front of her and she looked terrified.

Race felt his wolf flex his claws inside his skin. He wanted so badly to shift and tear the guy’s throat out.

But he couldn’t risk Mara.

“And you didn’t think I’d be stupid enough to bring the kid.” Race looked the guy in the eyes and silently promised retribution. With a silent apology to Mara, he added, “You can keep the girl. We don’t need her.”

The guy snarled. “I want my son.” His hand tightened around Mara’s throat. “I’m sure I can make more but he’s mine and I want him.”

The guy sounded like a toddler who’d had his favorite toy taken away. Vaffanculo, he hoped like hell Quinn was close because Race was about to make a goddam mess of this guy and there were going to be witnesses.

“Sorry. Not yours anymore.”

Deliberately crossing his arms over his chest, he made sure his fingers were visible to Mara. If he was lucky, the douchebag wouldn’t know he was signing to her.

If he did… Well, Race was going to kill the bastard anyway. It’d just be a little faster than he’d planned.

He tapped his fingers against his biceps, waiting until he saw Mara sign “Okay”, though she made it look as if she were just twisting her fingers together in agitation.

The Mal asshole’s face twisted with an evil smile that made him look like a comic-book villain. Race was going to wipe that look off his face permanently.

“Don’t be too sure about that.”

Race took a deep breath between one second and the next because instinct told him the guy was about to do something stupid.

And his instincts had yet to let him down.

A millisecond after he signed “Duck” to Mara, he saw two other men appear at the side of the car.

Taking a leap of faith and hoping that his trust in Quinn wasn’t misplaced, Race leaped across the car hood for the man holding Mara.

A split second after she ducked, Race hit the guy square in the chest and took him to the ground. Mara rolled away as Race wrestled with the Mal. The fight was short and dirty. And Race had no doubt who the winner would be.

The guy fought like someone who didn’t know how to fight. And didn’t have as much to lose as Race.

Only his life.

When he heard the snap of bone and the guy went slack beneath him, Race immediately turned to look for Mara.

She sat, breathing hard, only a few feet away. She met his gaze immediately, her eyes wide but not terrified. He didn’t know what he would have done if she’d been afraid of him.

“Are you okay?”

She nodded then looked over his shoulder.

Behind him, he heard the sounds of fighting and realized his backup had arrived in time.

Race hadn’t noticed. Now he turned and saw a huge gray wolf standing over an unmoving body while another guy with long, dark hair and arms almost the size of Race’s smashed his fist into another man’s face. As that guy crumpled, the wolf trotted over and lifted his leg to piss on him.

Race got to his feet then extended a hand to Mara, who took it and let him pull her up. Immediately he tucked her into his side, trying not to clinch her too hard, just to make sure she was really here and unharmed.

“I take it you’re Race?” The man Quinn stood beside held out his hand and Race took it without hesitation. “Gabriel Borelli.”

“Thanks for coming.”

“No problem. I like to kick Mal ass and I was in the neighborhood.” Gabriel turned to Mara and held out his hand. “I understand you have a very special little boy.”

Mara took his hand, even though she’d clearly been startled by Gabriel’s statement. “I do.”

“So does my mate. I think you two should talk sometime. You’re staying with Race at the den?”

He couldn’t help the hitch in his breath as he waited for her to answer. But she never hesitated. “Yes.”

And when her arm tightened around his waist, he wanted to lay a kiss on her that would take her breath away. Instead he forced himself to settle for hugging her just a little bit closer.

“Then we’ll be sure to set something up.” Gabriel turned to Race again, his expression turning badass. “Quinn and I’ll take care of the mess. We’re starting to get some funny looks from the natives. You and Mara take your brother home.”

Race looked down at her. “Are you ready to go?”

She smiled up at him. “I’m ready to go anywhere with you.”

* * *

Lark was no worse for wear, but he was furiously embarrassed about being taken by the Mal.

Their mom began to cry and clung to Lark as if he’d just returned home from a war. Their dad hugged them both then tried not to let them see he had tears in his eyes.

Arin took it all in with wide eyes while he clung to Mara’s neck.

By the time everyone had settled down, Race was ready to head home. He wanted Mara and Arin in his domain, surrounded by his pack. Protected on all sides.

Lark promised to come to the den the next day to talk to Cole and Dorian. His parents said they’d come along. His mom made a point of saying she was anxious to see Mara and Arin again, and Mara’s sweet smile in return made his chest ache.

By the time they returned to the den, that ache had transferred to a part of his anatomy lower on his body but it was too soon to put Arin to bed.

“Would you like something to eat?” Mara asked as he closed the front door behind him. “I’m not much of a cook but I can boil water for pasta. Sauce will be out of a jar though.”

She looked exhausted but he knew if he told her to go to bed, she’d fight him. “How about I help you with dinner? If you’ve got canned tomatoes, I can make a decent sauce.”

From the counter, Arin babbled away in his carrier, content for the moment with stuffing his hands in his mouth.

“A man who can cook.” She threw him a wry grin over her shoulder as she dug around in the cabinets and started pulling out cans. “Be still my heart.”

“My mom taught me well.”

“I like your parents. They seem very…”

“Normal?”

She started to fill a pot with water. “Yes. But that doesn’t mean I don’t like you.”

Race let her statement slide by him for the moment as he put the sauce together from ingredients in her pantry. “We’re going to need to go shopping. Your cupboards are pretty bare.”

“Does that mean you’re going to be spending more time here?”

“I thought I made that clear.”

She nodded but didn’t say anything more as they continued to work side by side then shared a meal. They avoided talking about what had happened earlier, about the fact that the father of her child had tried to steal her and Arin away. He knew eventually they’d have to deal with it but for now, this was nice. Normal. He could get used to this. Wanted to get used to this. Wanted Mara to get used to this.

By the time they were finished, it was time for Arin’s bath and bed. Poor guy must have been tired because he went down without a whimper and was out like a light only minutes later.

Leaving him and Mara alone on the couch.

He wondered if he’d always have to make the first move or if she’d eventually be comfortable enough to come to him.

That question was answered when she straddled his lap seconds after he sat beside her.

He tried not to grab her ass and drag her forward but he couldn’t quite rein himself in. She came without hesitation, her arms around his neck, her lips only inches away from his, her pelvis pressed against his thickening cock.

He smiled and watched her lips curve in return.

“You want to talk about what happened today?” he asked.

“Do you need to?”

Yeah, maybe he did. “I’ll never let anything happen to you, Mara. You or Arin. I took one look at you and I knew.”

Her head cocked to the side, her eyes bright with curiosity. “Knew what?”

“That you were mine. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to have you but I always knew I’d be here to keep you safe.”

Her hands curved around his neck, the warmth of her skin both calming him and riling him up.

“I know, Race. Just as I knew I’d always be safe with you.”

“And loved. I love you, Mara.”

Her smile brightened his world. “Let me show you just how much I love you back.”

Again, he tried not to take over. And thought he managed fairly well this time.

She stripped his shirt over his head and dropped her mouth to the exposed skin of his chest, only centimeters from his left nipple.

Heat raged through him as she licked and nipped at his skin, her hands smoothing over his shoulders, down his arms then back up to spread across his back.

Slowly she caressed every inch of his skin she could reach.

He had to touch her, couldn’t wait. Sliding his hands beneath her yoga pants, he cupped her ass, tugging her closer.

“How attached are you to these pants?”

“Don’t you dare rip them. They’re my favorite.”

“Then take them off.”

Sliding off his lap, she stood before him with that smile on her face, the one he couldn’t resist. And when she crooked her finger at him and started to back away toward the bedroom, he smiled and pushed off the couch.

He was at her side in seconds, startling a surprised cry from her but in the next second she started to laugh as he threw her over his shoulder then tossed her—gently—on the bed.

It took him only seconds to strip her, only a few more to get rid of his own clothes.

But it took him several minutes to kiss his way from her ankle to her breast.

She wasn’t smiling when he looked up but the heat in her eyes more than made up for it.

His erection brushed her hip and she reached for him, stroked his cock with sure, steady hands and made him want to beg for more.

She didn’t make him beg. She gave him everything.

She opened her legs and let him come between them, wrapped her legs around his waist and arched up to meet him when he thrust into her.

With his arms tight around her, he sealed his mouth over hers and tried not to go too fast or too hard but she urged him on with every twist of her hips, every contraction around his cock.

When he finally let go, after he felt her orgasm around him, he told her again.

“Always yours, Mara.”

“Always.”

About Stephanie Julian

Stephanie Julian is an avid reader who used to have a book-a-day habit. Then she realized she not only wanted to read books but write them too. Romance has always been her first love, the sexier the better. Hot men, strong women and a heaping helping of magic dominate (and she does mean dominate) her blazing hot stories.

When she’s not writing, she’s, well…she’s certainly not cleaning. And she only cooks when her guys complain that they’re hungry (ain’t cereal grand!). Otherwise, she’s got her fingers on a keyboard, her butt in a chair and her head in the stars.

Stephanie welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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