Page 115 of Sight of Fate

He flashes a rueful smile. “No excuses, but we’re here now.”

She pinches his cheeks, then turns and examines me from head to toe. “Too skinny. Don’t tell me you’re one of those females who’s always on a diet?”

“I love to eat,” I assure her. “Macklin told me your food is incredible, but the reason he comes here is to see you.”

Her gaze flicks from me to Macklin, then she laughs. “She’s good.” She turns back to me. “Fiametta, but you can call me Nonna.”

“Does that mean I’m out of the doghouse?” Macklin teases her.

“Not a chance. Come. Let me fix you something to eat. Get to know your mate. Then you can tell me why I’m hearing a siren and rumblings of disappearing supernaturals,” she says imperiously, walking into a small dining room with about twelve tables.

Almost all of them are full. Macklin nods at a few people but keeps walking until we get to a cozy booth in the back. Nonna leaves, and a second later, a dark-haired, good-looking guy with a tan comes over.

“I’m Pietro. What can I get you to drink?” he asks, his eyes lingering on me.

Macklin growls. And I whip my head toward him. But he’s too busy glaring at Pietro. “Two waters. Bottle of red.”

Pietro chuckles. “Nonna will be pleased.” Then he disappears. Literally in front of my eyes. Seconds later, he reappears with our waters and a bottle of red wine with two glasses. He pours the wine, then disappears again.

“How did he do that? Disappear,” I murmur, wondering what kind of supernatural he is.

“Nonna’s an ancient succubus. Pietro, her grandson, is an incubus,” Macklin explains. When I look confused, he shrugs. “Demons who seduce you and drain your energy.”

I blanch. “He seems friendly but harmless.”

“Exactly. That’s how he lures you in,” Macklin answers as he turns toward the tiny woman who’s carrying two bowls in her hand even though we haven’t ordered yet.

“Shrimp scampi with linguini for your mate and vegetable lasagna for you,” she says, setting them down. She stands there, hands on her hips, waiting for us to take a bite.

When I do, my mouth bursts with flavor. Exactly what I would have ordered. After swallowing, I smile. “Amazing. The best shrimp scampi I’ve ever eaten.”

“Good.” She motions to Pietro, and he brings her a chair. “Now, tell me what’s going on.”

Macklin gives her an abridged version of the disappearances, but unlike with Raine, he tells Nonna that someone in Greystone is helping the organization.

She shudders. “Every hundred years or so, a group comes along, intent on eradicating us. Or using our powers. It’s how my sons and I ended up here after I lost my beloved Cesare. You need anything, you let me know. We have…family…who can help hide the bodies.”

She gets up. “Enjoy the rest of your dinner. I’ll get you some dessert to take home.”

After she leaves, Macklin nuzzles me. “I have another dessert in mind.”

Heat pools low, and I lick my lips. “It’s my turn to explore, remember?”

His lips capture mine, and I groan, wondering if Nonna’s food will heat up for lunch.

He chuckles. “Eat, and I’ll let you do whatever you want.” Returning to his food, he stares at me until I pick up my fork and take a few more bites.

Images of all the things I’ve been thinking about flash in my mind, and I shift restlessly in my seat. Macklin groans and lifts his hand.

Pietro comes over, a little smirk on his mouth, and hands Macklin the check and the box with our dessert, then hands me a second box for our leftover food.

Fifteen minutes later, the food is in our fridge and Macklin’s scooping me up into his arms.

I wrap my legs around him and sigh, loving everything about him.

You humble me, love.

He captures my lips in that slow-burn way of his, and I instantly melt. Once we’re in his bedroom at the end of the hall, he lets my feet drop to the ground.