Aveoth Read online

  “I’ll take care of it immediately,” Kelzeb swore. He walked away, mingling with the nearest group.

  “Congratulations on your adorable son,” Jill told the couple. She jerked her head, giving them a signal to get lost, and hoped they understood. They did, leaving her alone with Aveoth.

  She stepped in front of him. “You look ready to kill somebody, Wings. Deep breaths. We’ve avoided bloodshed so far and I’d hate to have to return your mother’s dress all stained. I mean, it wouldn’t be a loss. This thing should be turned into curtains anyway. There’s enough of it.”

  He put his hands on her hips. “I want to kill the council.”

  “What council?” She winked. “You disbanded them.”

  The tension seemed to leave him. “They’ll always cause us trouble.”

  “Assholes never change. True enough. It was pretty clear, though, that there aren’t any village idiots here to follow them, except that guy with the battered face and the porn queen clinging to him when they left.”

  His lips twitched. “Village idiots?”

  “Yeah. You know. Grab the ropes and torches to lynch someone and only the stupid people go along with it. They’re outnumbered, and the only ones in fear of being hung from a tree to be set on fire is them. Maybe the five of them can spend their time pretending to be plumbers while Winalin shows them the leak in her body where her soul escaped.”

  “The battered one is Winalin’s brother.”

  “Eww. Okay. Maybe he can hold the camera.”

  He tugged her closer and pressed a kiss on her forehead. “You always amuse me. I never know what you’re going to say next.”

  “I’m special that way and no take-backs now. You’re stuck with me. That mate thing sounded pretty solid and forever.”

  “It is and I’m grateful.” He lowered his head, peering into her eyes. “How are you holding up?”

  “I’m intimidated by your clan. I won’t lie. I’m hanging in though. Everyone who’s approached seems to be okay with me.”

  “They are or I’d have drawn my sword.”

  “You’re kind of hot when you get all murdery.”

  “Is that an actual word?”

  “It is when you knew what it meant. Plus, you’re the ruler of this place and I’m your mate. It’s a real word. I said so.”

  “I love you, mate.”

  “I love you, too. Now feed me. I’m starving.”

  “I can do that. They are serving a buffet on the other side of the room.”

  “Do we have to sit on that couch? Because I have to say that it feels like bricks are under those cushions. It’s the most uncomfortable thing ever.”

  “I’ll have it burned.”

  “Good. I’ll throw the match.”

  “We’re a perfect pairing.” Aveoth released her and offered his arm. “Come with me.”

  “Lead on, Wings.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jill stared out of the window of the taxi, feeling exhausted. The man sitting a few feet from her in the backseat cleared his throat, drawing her attention. Chaz seemed to be holding her gaze when she looked at him, but it was hard to tell. The dark sunglasses he wore didn’t show his eyes at all.

  “Why are you wearing those? It’s not that bright of a day.”

  He reached up and lowered them. “Why do you think?”

  He and his brother had silver eyes. They weren’t human-looking in the least. She’d noticed that about them before.

  “Can’t you mask your emotions and go to a more normal color the way Aveoth does?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. They’re always this way.” He shoved the sunglasses back up. “Are you okay?”

  “Not really.”

  “I’ll keep you safe.”

  “I have no doubt you will. It’s just that I didn’t expect this when Aveoth said he had a surprise for me last night. I was thinking kinky sex or something.”

  Chaz smiled and averted his face. “Be happy it wasn’t my brother assigned to you. He’d have made some smartass remark to that statement.”

  “Where are Aveoth and Fray?”

  “Shopping.”

  “How in the hell did Aveoth manage to get use of a jet? And who was that big guy waiting for us on it? Aveoth wouldn’t answer my questions.”

  “Your mate was stressed, taking you around an unfamiliar male who kept looking at you in a way that made Aveoth want to kill him. Garson is a bit of a flirt.”

  “Well, I’m still ticked. Aveoth practically dragged me into the bedroom on the jet, refused to answer my questions, and distracted me until I fell asleep.” The sex had been great but she wasn’t about to admit that to her guard. “By the time I woke up, we were landing and he just ordered me to shower and get dressed. Then he was gone and you were shoving me in this taxi.”

  “We’ll talk when we reach your address.” He turned his head forward, nodding in the direction of the driver.

  She sighed, understanding. The guy in front could hear every word they said.

  Some of her bad mood faded when she spotted the familiar area. A few blocks later, the taxi stopped in front of Mack’s metal shop.

  “Go first,” Chaz insisted.

  She opened the door and got out. He slid across the seat, paid the driver, and climbed out the same door she had. He was careful not to touch her but kept close. The car drove off, leaving them on the sidewalk.

  “Why’d you do that?”

  “I wasn’t about to get out before you, in case the driver took off with you still inside.”

  “Taxi drivers don’t abduct people, and especially since you were with me. That would be all kinds of stupid, since you’d seen his face and knew the number of the taxi. It was clearly marked on that card where the opening was to pay.”

  “I don’t trust humans.”

  “Tell me what’s going on, Chaz.” She glanced up and down the road. “Nobody’s around.”

  “Lord Aveoth wanted to take you home so you could get your mother’s ashes. He called the VampLycans for help to arrange it, since they owe us a few favors. It turned out that one of Lorn’s enforcers happened to be in Anchorage and was en route to the airport, on his way home. The timing was there for the VampLycan to hire a jet instead of a bush pilot and divert it to pick us up. And Lord Aveoth wants to give you a gift for your mating, so he’s shopping while we go pack up your apartment. That’s all I’m saying.”

  It was kind of romantic. “It was just so fast and unexpected.”

  “It was either go last night or possibly wait weeks until we could find another opportunity for a VampLycan to be at a large airport.”

  “And that makes sense…why?”

  “VampLycans have the ability to erase memories and control humans. No sane pilot would have landed a jet on an airstrip that isn’t even on a map. Garson handled paying them and keeping them under his control. Neither pilot will remember being there. We weren’t aware that landing strip could even handle a jet until you were brought there in one by Decker. Normally when we travel long distances, we’ll hire a bush pilot in a small plane to fly us to larger airports, and then travel commercial.”

  “But you have wings.”

  “Radar can be a bitch to avoid in populated areas. And imagine having to fly almost two thousand miles.” He rolled his shoulders. “I’m fit, but that would be rough, especially if I were carrying someone in my arms. It would also take us days, since we can only fly at night outside of safe territories controlled by us or the VampLycans. Lord Aveoth didn’t tell anyone he was leaving, since the clan is still unsettled after yesterday. This way, we’ll be back before anyone notices we’re gone. Jets are faster.”

  She sighed. “You know what? Let’s just get my things and get back at the airport. I’m tired, a bit cranky, and out of sorts.” She walked over to the main door and tried to turn the handle. It was locked. “Shit. Mack isn’t here. Come on.”

  “Who’s Mack?” Suspicion laced Chaz’s voice. “Lord Aveoth won’t l