Both warriors nodded.

“Everyone is to come to the Downfall tomorrow night. We’ll plan our next move then.”

He waited until he received some sort of agreement from each of the warriors before flaring his wings and darting into the air.

A few seconds later, Xerxes was beside him. I know you’re worried despite Bjorn’s words, as am I, but this has happened to him several times before. He’ll be back at the club before nightfall.

Thane released a breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding. As usual, his friend had known the crux of his problem. Does he suffer?

He must, Xerxes answered honestly. Upon his return, he reacts as he does after sex.

Bjorn hated to be touched. That rarely stopped him from taking a lover—Thane often thought his friend hoped to prove something to himself—but he always ended up withdrawing into the darkness of his mind for days afterward.

Thane swallowed a curse as he landed on the roof of the club, a flat strip of smoked glass—like Elin’s eyes—leading to his private wing. So badly he wished he could take Bjorn’s place.

Bjorn had suffered so much already, and edged ever closer to his breaking point. Familiar helplessness battered against Thane’s composure, guilt a noose around his neck, choking him.

“Cario,” Xerxes suddenly roared. He jumped the ledge of the roof and arrowed through the night sky.

Thane searched and found the girl climbing the side of the building in an effort to sneak past one of the windows.

A few weeks ago, she had come to the club. A woman of questionable origins, like William the Ever Randy, and clearly powerful, with the ability to read others’ thoughts. Thane had made a play for her. She had said no, but offered herself to Xerxes. Before the two could retire to the bedroom, she made the mistake of revealing what she’d gleaned from their thoughts.

It had enraged them all.

Thane had kicked her out and forbade her from returning. On her way out, she’d looked at Xerxes and said, “Remember me.”

Now, she noticed Xerxes’s approach and screeched, releasing the brick to fall down, down, down, hurtling toward the earth.

Xerxes followed, determined to catch her.

Poor girl. When he got his hands on her, he would interrogate her—to death. She kept coming back, and he wanted to know why.

Perhaps his questions would finally be met with answers.

Questions. Answers.

A reminder. Anticipation swept through Thane. He had his own interrogation to oversee, did he not?

* * *

UGH. SUMMONED BY the Big Cheese for their get-to-know-Elin chat.

She had just finished practicing with the Multiple Scorgasms. Three hours trapped inside the gym next door to Thane’s club. Today, she had not only been taught the art of throwing boulders too heavy for her to lift at targets moving too quickly for her to see, she was also given her nickname. Bonka Donk.

Yeah. A real winner.

Savy was Black Cawk. Don’t ask anyone why. The girls snickered every time they said the name, and Elin was afraid she would, as well. Chanel was Alcoballic. Bellorie was The Little Red Rocket That Could—Rocket for short. Octavia was Kobra Kai.

They were as serious about their nicknames as they were about their victories.

Adrian held open the double doors, his expression blank. Great. Would giving her a hint about Thane’s mood have killed him? Elin reluctantly entered the sitting room. I’m totally used to the luxury now. I won’t gawk. I won’t.

“I’ll be waiting in the hall when you are ready to return,” Adrian said, and sealed her inside.

Thane relaxed at the edge of a backless couch, his blond curls surprisingly tamed. I do not want to run my fingers through those curls. The robe he wore was a brilliant white, almost blinding, and without a speck of dirt. I do not want to peel the material from his body and feast on the muscles he displayed at camp.

She wasn’t attracted to him anymore.

Tension radiated from him, making him appear bigger, stronger. More aggressive.

I’m not intrigued by that.

I’m not drawn to him.

I’m scared. Right.

“Sit,” he said.

Though she wanted to run—because she was scared, dang it—she forced herself to claim the chair across from him. Already the air seemed drenched in the most expensive champagne, with hints of cinnamon, making her head swim. And this close to Thane, the scents only intensified. Did they come from him?

She crossed her legs in a vain attempt to slow the warmth stirring in her core.

Would she always react to him?

No, please, no.

At least she was out of her skimpy uniform and in the world’s most expensive pair of flannel pj’s. Bellorie had sold the soft, snuggly outfit for a sapphire brooch, a ruby choker and an emerald bracelet. Parting with the jewels hurt. Bad. But there was no way she would have shown up for this meeting so scantily dressed, and she had no other clothes.

Tomorrow, she and the girls were going shopping. She could hardly wait.

Thane looked her over, his gaze hooded and sensual, but hiding his thoughts. He arched one golden brow. “You aren’t curious about your surroundings?”

“Not really.” Though she did like seeing him in his natural habitat. “Been here, searched everything already.”

A terrible kind of stillness came over him. “You have.” A statement, not a question.

Survival instincts flashed a yellow light inside her mind. Proceed with caution. “Well, yeah. I had to pass through to get to your—” She motioned to his bedroom with a wave of her hand. “Afternoon delight. But I didn’t touch anything! Mostly.”

A volcano of fury erupted in his eyes, startling her. “Adrian,” he called in a quiet tone. And yet, she heard the promise of pain and suffering.

The male entered the room.

“Did you forget my orders?” Thane asked, still using that shudder-inducing tone.

What were his orders? What was going on here?

Head high, Adrian said, “I did not. Savy and Chanel were gone. Only Bellorie and Elin remained.”

Uh-oh. Somehow, Elin had gotten him in trouble. “I was happy to help. Honest.” Liar. “Well, honest-ish. Like I said, I didn’t touch your stuff. Much. And I didn’t break anything. For reals.”

Thane ignored her, saying to Adrian, “Never again. Do you understand?”

She noticed he didn’t bother with an “or else.” But then, he mustn’t need to.