Elora looked over her shoulder at Cush, and she felt the familiar rush of desire as her purple eyes met his. “Jealous?”

Cush leaned down so that his mouth was next to her ear. “And what does the thought of another woman smiling at me, flirting with me, do to you, Little Raven?”

He could practically hear her gritting her teeth. “Point taken.”

Just because he could, he pressed his lips to the skin just beneath her ear, a subtle reminder that she was his Chosen—he had that right.

“Where is the Rapture being made, Tony?” Rin asked as he pushed away from the wall where he had taken up his post.

“San Joaquin Valley, located in Southern California. Lorsan bought 500 acres there because it has some of the richest soil in the world and would support the growth of the plant needed from the elfin realm.”

Cush looked at Rin. “You up for a raid?”

Rin’s lips twitched. “It will be like old times.”

Elora stepped back and turned to look up at him with a frown. “You might as well just share with the entire group, Cush. You two aren’t going to do this alone.”

“You aren’t coming,” he told her in a voice that invited no argument. He expected her to argue, but instead she just grinned at him. His eyes narrowed and he reached for her, wanting to see what little wheels were turning in that mind of hers. But she stepped back, staying just out of his reach. “Elora,” he warned.

“No, it’s totally cool. You and Rin go and do your raid thing. And I’ll stay here in Vegas and Oakley can show me around and introduce me to all those more experienced things he has partaken of.” She smiled as she put her arms in the air and started shaking her hips to a beat only she could hear. “I think it’s time this Little Raven spread her wings and let her dark side out just a tad.

Cush felt his blood begin to boil as he saw Tony’s eyes widen as his Chosen turned in a circle, gyrating with way too much skill. He grabbed her arm and tugged her to him, effectively putting an end to her little dance. “Do you have rooms we could stay in for the night?” he asked the casino operator.

Tony’s eyes were still frozen to the spot Elora had just occupied, but he quickly composed himself and became the host that he usually showed his customers. “Yes, I can accommodate you. Your food and rooms will be on the house. Also, I would like to discuss your plan more.”

Cush nodded. “Can we meet later tonight?”

“That will work. I’ll have one of the conference rooms reserved. One of my men will come and retrieve you at ten.” Tony made a call and then before Cush knew it they were being ushered into some of the nicest suites in all of Vegas.

“You’re feeling your oats,” Elora teased the frowning light-elf warrior, who lookedvery much out of place in the opulent hotel room. His arms were folded across his broad chest and his handsome face was rigid with frustration. “Not many people could get away with informing my mom that her daughter would be staying in a room with a guy while she has to sleep across the hall.”

“You’re mother understands what we are.” His voice was tight with anger. “She knows that it will be painful for us to be separated.”

“True,” Elora conceded, “but you could have been a tad bit more polite than the whole Elora stays with me bit. And then closing the door in all of their faces, well that was just classic.” She sat down on the large, over stuffed sofa. Smoothing out her short black skirt she noticed that the black fishnet tights she wore had begun to fade and now looked closer to a dark shade of grey. She crossed one leg over the other and grimaced as the heavy combat boots on her feet weighed down her leg uncomfortably. When she looked back up to where he stood her breath caught as the intensity of his stare pierced her soul. “Cush?” she asked cautiously.

It was several seconds before he finally answered her. “You can’t come with us, Elora.”

“Didn’t you just say that it would be painful for us to be separated?” she countered.

“It is merely uncomfortable as long as we are in agreement to be a part. But it is painful when we are forced a part.”

“Believe me, you don’t have to explain. I saw what it did to Cassie when she was separated from Trik. But what makes you think that I will agree to stay here while you go to take on the dark elves?” She pushed herself up from the couch, suddenly very agitated at his calm demeanor. “I understand that you don’t want me to get hurt. I get that because I don’t want you to get hurt. But why do guys always think it’s fair to ask the chicks to stay behind where they will have to sit around and wonder if the man they care about is alright?”

“You aren’t a warrior, Elora,” he said in exasperation as his arms fell to his side and he took a step towards her. “I have been fighting for a very long time. I am very good at what I do.”

“Oh, I bet you are,” she muttered under her breath and then blushed when his eyes widened at her. “What? Sorry, I tend to get a little snarky when I’m frustrated.”

“The point is…the reason males ask their females to stay behind is because it is in our genetic makeup to protect what is ours. You are my Chosen and I will protect you from everything, even yourself.”

Elora snorted. “Yeah, good luck with that. What are you going to tie me up or something?”

An eyebrow rose on his gorgeous face. “Bloody hell, you would, wouldn’t you?” she asked.