“I couldn’t have you thinking that I would just do everything you told me to,” Alina said having caught his thoughts. “It would have made you much too arrogant. You’re barely tolerant as it is.”

He smiled at her. “So your defiance has kept me at a tolerable level of arrogant-ness?”

“Arrogant-ness?” she laughed. “Our daughter-in-law and her friends are beginning to rub off on even you.”

He shrugged. He didn’t necessarily consider that a bad thing. As long as he didn’t start throwing out sexual innuendos or drinking hot chocolate every time things got difficult, he’d be alright.

There was a knock at the door and he shifted so that his body blocked his mate’s. He knew it probably wasn’t necessary, but his wolf didn’t take that into consideration. He only cared that she was protected at all times.

“Come in,” Vasile called out.

Perizada walked in, her demeanor uncharacteristically subdued. It immediately raised his hackles.

“Has something happened?” he asked as he stood from the couch.

The high fae looked past him to the fire burning and seemed to be lost in thought.

“Peri?” Alina asked as she also stood.

Finally she realized they were talking to her. “What?”

“I asked if something has happened. What has brought you here this late?”

She waved him off. “Nothing with the children, or at least nothing that I’ve heard of at this point.” She began to pace slowly as she bowed her head and creased her brow. “Something has been nagging at me. The power I felt while in Phoenix—the darkness that is growing there—it felt familiar.” Peri was silent again as she paced some more.

Vasile didn’t want to interrupt her train of thought so he just let her pace and waited for her to continue. Alina stood next to him, just as patient as always, waiting with him.

Suddenly the fae stopped and snapped her fingers. “Where’s that history boy of yours?”

“Wadim?” Vasile asked.

“Is that the one with the ridiculous, yet hilarious, shirts?”

Alina laughed. “Yes, that’s him.”

“He might be able to find the information I’m looking for. Is he still in his dungeon?” She flashed before they could answer her.

A few minutes later she reappeared with a very tired, very grumpy Wadim standing next to her.

“Could someone please talk to her about boundaries?” Wadim growled.

“You’re the pack historian, isn’t there some rule that says you have to be available twenty-four hours a day?” Peri asked as she crossed her arms in front of her and took a step away from him.

“Read the shirt, fae.” Wadim pointed to his chest.

Vasile snorted as he read his historian’s shirt. ‘If you can’t find me, consider it an invitation not to look for me.’

Peri didn’t look impressed.

“Why do you need Wadim’s help, Perizada?” Vasile asked before their pissing contest could turn into an all-out clawing and magic throwing brawl.

“Do you have records as far back as 1502?” she asked the wolf.

Wadim’s eyes widened and Vasile mirrored his surprise at the question.

“That’s, wow,” Wadim laughed. “How old are you?”

Peri narrowed her eyes at him. “Answer the question, history boy, or you won’t have to worry about people bothering you anymore because you will disappear—permanently.”

Wadim cocked his head to the side as a sly smile spread across his face. “Do you threaten Lucian like that? Bet he likes it.”

Peri turned to Vasile. “What the hell is wrong with your wolves?”

Vasile just shook his head at her. Peri was an expert at poking his wolves so she generally deserved what she got, not that she couldn’t handle what they dished out.

“Do you have the records or not?” She turned back to Wadim.

He scratched his jaw, appearing as if he really had to think about it. “I can take a look and see. Is there anything in particular you want me to look up?”

“A vampire named Sincaro.”

“Who is he?” Vasile asked, noticing the slight pinch in her lips as she said the name.

“He is an enemy that I thought had fallen long ago during a previous purge of the vamps,” she explained.

“You think he’s alive?” Alina asked the question before he could.

“The power that I felt in Phoenix was distinct. It was old and dark. If he is still alive, he is most likely the oldest vampire still walking the earth, which would make him very, very powerful.”

Wadim shifted on his feet. “How soon do you need this information?”

“We are planning to leave at first light for the US,” Vasile said.

“So, plenty of time to look through thousands of files,” Wadim said dryly. “Perfect.”

“Wadim,” Vasile warned.

“No offense, Alpha, but I think your wolves need to be reminded who’s in charge.”

“I don’t interfere with your people, Perizada. I suggest you don’t interfere with mine.”

“Wadim, get the information as quickly as you can. Search the database first, then hit the archives.” Vasile turned to Peri. “Do you want to help look in the archives or do you have other things you need to do before we leave in a few hours?”

“I want to scope out the first city. If I have time to help after that, I will.”

She disappeared without another word.

“I can’t say that I envy Lucian having that one for a mate,” Wadim muttered as he turned toward the door. “She could have at least taken me back—”

His words were cut off when Peri suddenly appeared next to him, grabbed his arm, and then disappeared again.

Alina laughed. “She never ceases to amaze.”

“If she didn’t care so much, I don’t think that I could put up with her antics.”

His mate huffed. “You have liked that woman from the minute you met her. She’s strong and you respect strength. She’s also a faithful comrade to have.”

“Let’s try and get some sleep before we have to start saving the world once again,” he told her, not commenting on her remarks regarding the high fae.

Alina took his offered hand and let him lead her from the room. “What do you think she’s going to do if this Sincaro is still alive?”