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Big hands steadied me, pulling me back to lean against him. Rik supported me while I made a final pass. A few thralls slipped away, shaking off rats and dodging the thicker shadows sweeping along the ground. But they would find no quarter in Paris. No place of darkness would ever welcome them now.

I pulled my awareness back into my body. Shaking. Drenched in sweat. Shivering.

“Enough, Shara, my queen,” Rik whispered, brushing hair back from my face. “Release Leonie and feast on us.”

I blinked, suddenly aware that Leonie slumped across me, her wrist still in my mouth. Goddess. I released her immediately, and Rik pulled me up into his arms, pressing my face to a bleeding cut on his throat. Guillaume. Sekh. Each took a hand. Jamming my nails into their sides.

Fresh, hot blood pouring through me. Anchoring me back into my body. Almost too tired to swallow. Almost.

:Is she okay?:

:I’m fine,: Leonie replied, though her mental voice quivered. :Jenrade is feeding me.:

Rik started to carry me toward the car, but I stopped him. :No. Change in plans.: I tugged on Gina’s bond, and she immediately stepped out of the car and came to me, phone in hand. :House Isador needs to make an appearance. Tonight. Somewhere grand and ostentatious, out in public. A place to be seen and admired by the rich and powerful, human and Aima alike.:

“I have the perfect place,” Gina said. “Though we should all really change...”

:One of the larger designer stores is still open on Champs-Élysées,: Nevarre said. :It’s five minutes away. I’ve got an idea for Rik, too, assuming Ikaros is still open.:

:Go,: I told him, then touched Carys’ bond. :We’re going to dress up and go to a fancy dinner if you’re up to it. You could wear your new shoes.:

:Oh. Oh my. But my dress…:

I swept power over me, absorbing the last of my blood that hadn’t already soaked into the earth. :We’re going to shop for new outfits before we go, if you can pick something out quickly.:

The car door popped open and Carys climbed back out. :I’m never too tired to shop, my queen.:

5

SHARA

We waited outside of the large clothing store while Gina spoke to a posh-looking man in a suit inside. Beside her, Frank held an innocuous black briefcase he’d retrieved from the trunk of the car. They disappeared into a back room for a moment, and suddenly we had the entire shop to ourselves. Other guests were ushered out. The doors locked behind them.

Beaming in a way only a very large amount of money can earn, the man returned to bring us inside, while the briefcase conspicuously stayed in that inner office.

“Welcome, welcome,” the man said in English. “My name is Gabriel. My team is delighted to serve you this fine evening. How can we assist?”

“We’re going to play a game,” I said. “Everyone in my party has thirty minutes to put together a beautiful, elegant outfit to wear for dinner.”

Gabriel damned near started drooling. “Is there a particular budget, madame?”

“No budget. Sky’s the limit.”

For a moment, he gaped at me. Then he snapped his fingers, blurting out quick orders in French. Eager salespeople leaped to escort each of my people to the appropriate part of the shop, leaving just me, Rik, Guillaume, and Sekh standing with Gina and Frank.

“You too,” I told her.

“But what about you?”

“Nevarre will be back in a minute to help. Go ahead and find something lovely. Gabriel, take us to your men’s department, though I need someone to let my other man in when he returns.”

Gabriel gazed up at Rik, his mouth sagging open. Then he started to babble. “I’m terribly sorry, madame. I’m not sure I have anything quite large enough… Though we can certainly try.”

I touched Daire’s bond. :Remember the silver fairy dress from Kansas City? If you have time, see if you can find something like that.:

He let out a purring rumble. :I fucking love picking out dresses for you, my queen. I’ll see what I can find.:

In the five minutes it took for us to confirm the largest sizes in the store wouldn’t begin to fit Rik’s sheer bulk, Nevarre returned carrying what looked to be an entire bolt of fabric. He gestured to one of the private fitting rooms. “I’ll fix you right up, alpha.”