Jake grins and nods. “I know that to be true. Done, Riley.”

“I said I’d consider it,” I repeat. “I haven’t signed a contract yet.”

Jake merely grins again. “Ah, but you will. And I’ll be ever so grateful for it. Besides, you owe me a new jet. You all but tore the other one to shreds.”

“Sorry ’bout that,” I answer, and Jake continues grinning at me. Prick.

Ginger, her head against Lucien’s shoulder, looks at me. “Your powers, your energy, they’re fantastic,” she says. “So many innocents can benefit from them, Riley. Join us, please?”

My gaze moves to Sydney, who echoes Ginger. “Please?”

I simply shake my head and sigh. “I will…heavily consider it.”

“You won’t regret it,” Ginger says.

Glancing out the plane’s window, I stare at the weightless, empty air. I’m in an airplane with two werewolves, several vampires, a couple of immortals, and whatever you want to call me.

How life has certainly changed.

When I think back on me as a kid, doing such stupid, stupid things like drugs, drinking, and quitting school, and then when I think of my life now? It’s impossible to even fathom. Absently, my fingers move to the black wings inked at the corner of my left eye. Damn, I’ve done some idiotic things in my life. I hate worse than anything that my mom had to suffer through them. She didn’t deserve all that I gave her. And she damn sure didn’t deserve to die the way she did.

I can’t help but wonder what she’d be like now. What she’d think of Seth and me now. Would any of this even have happened? To be perfectly honest I’m surprised I didn’t die young. All the shit I got into as a preteen? How it must’ve killed her inside, to see her baby become such a…loser. I know that I might not be who I am now had it not been for those poor choices, but it’s hard not to hate myself for putting my mom through it all. My heart still hurts, still longs for her. Sometimes I can even feel her close to me. Sometimes, I swear to God, I can smell her. I get a whiff of someone wearing some perfume that reminds me of her and—whack! Heartbreak all over again. I really miss her. At times, I wish she could see, just for a second, that I didn’t stay a loser.

Eli’s hand finds mine, and he laces his fingers through mine. He looks at me with those enigmatic eyes, and I immediately feel calm. He smiles, and it almost makes my heart seize.

I lay my head against Eli’s shoulder. My eyes grow heavy, and I close them. After tucking a pillow under my head, since Eli’s bicep isn’t the softest of things, I drift off to sleep.

“Riley, wake up,” Eli’s voice whispers against the shell of my ear. “We’re home.”

My eyes flutter open, and the moment my brain registers my whereabouts, I sense newlings. I look at Eli. “We’ve got to hurry.”

The urgency in his face makes me know my words ring more than true.

We race from the airport in three cars, through Industrial Park and up Bay Street. I’d slept so hard on the flight home, I don’t even remember landing twice for fuel. Well, I’m full of energy and ready to fight. I’m sick and tired of our lives being disrupted. It has to end. Now.

We drive straight to Monterey Square and to the House of Dupré. It’s now four p.m. Seth meets me at the door and grabs me into a fierce hug. My feet literally leave the ground.

“Ri!” he says into my hair, hugging me so tight I can’t breathe. His arms are like bands of steel around me. He looks at me, those green eyes revealing every single emotion he possesses. “I was going crazy here, worrying about you,” he says. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, of course, squirt,” I reply, having to almost look up to answer him. I smile at him. “You’ve grown.”

Seth blushes. “Yeah, a little.” He kisses my cheek. “I’m glad you’re home, Ri. This time for good, right?”

I drape an arm over his shoulder. “Damn right.”

We walk in together.

The crowd behind me files in, and the moment Elise spies Gilles, she hurries to her husband and flings herself into his arms. They embrace for a long time.

“Riley!”

In the next second, Nyxinnia Foster throws herself at me, almost impales my eye with a pigtail, and hugs me tightly. “I’ve missed you!” she says. “Luc wanted me to stay here. Things are bad, Riley. I’m glad you’re home.”

“Yeah, looks like you brought the whole country back with you,” Luc says, walking up and pulling me against him. “Nice of you to come back mostly normal, Ri.”

“She’s never been normal,” Phin says, and he, too, pulls me into a hug.

“Whatever,” I answer. “And Nyx must be rubbing off on you guys. All this hugging.”

Phin says something to Luc in French. She might not be normal, but she’s still hot as hell.

“Yeah, I’m hot as hell all right,” I say. Then smile.

“Damn,” Luc says. “What happened?”

“All right,” Gilles says, and walks to the center of the room. “We’ve guests and introductions.” He looks around the room and his gaze lands on me. “Then we’ve business to discuss.”

“Where’s Preacher and Estelle?” I ask Phin.

“On Da Island,” he answers. “They’re there with Josie, Zetty, and Riggs.”

Gilles makes fast introductions, then inclines his head. “Philippe will show you to your chambers,” he says. “You may settle in and meet in my study in thirty minutes. There is much to discuss.”

Eli now stands on one side of me, Seth on the other, and Phin and Luc fill in the spaces. “You brought back a pair of wolves, bro?” Luc asks. “Sick.” He glances around. “Arcos is staying here, too?”

“Yes,” I answer. “And don’t be an ass, Luc. He’s here to help.”

Luc glares at me.

“I want to hear more about what’s happening in Edinburgh,” Phin says. “How old is Darius, anyway?”

I shrug as I watch the ancient Pict climb the Dupré staircase behind Gabriel and Sydney. “Old as dirt, I think,” I answer. “Pretty cool guys, though.”

“And they’re here to help, too,” Eli adds. “So be nice.”

Luc shrugs. “Cool by me.” He leans toward me. “That whole vampire versus wolf thing? It’s all Hollywood. No bad blood between us.”

“Good thing,” I say. “Because Ginger looks like she can kick your ass.”

Luc rubs his chin. “You’re probably right.”

“All right,” Eli says. “Let’s get ready. We’ve got to get a plan together. Tonight.”

Thirty minutes later we all meet in Gilles’s study. Philippe passes me as he brings in a loaded tray of food. One gray eyebrow lifts, as does the corner of his mouth. “Mademoiselle,” he says. “So nice of you to return…as yourself. Mostly.”

“Oh, I’m anything but myself, Phil,” I say. His other eyebrow lifts and he continues on. Damn, no telling what I did before Romania. It must’ve been pretty bad, though.

Gilles is front and center, and the others line the walls in chairs. “I’ve spoken to Preacher,” he says. “And to Garr in Carolina. The newlings are being led. They’re merging. And they’re coming here.”

“Led by Valerian,” I say.

“Oui,” Gilles answers. “And it’s you, Riley, that he wants.”

I sigh. “Figured as much,” I mumble. “So what now?”

Eli’s hand grasps mine.

“We lure him out,” Gilles says.

“You mean Riley lures him out?” Eli answers. “No, Papa.”

I roll my eyes. “Okay, Eligius,” I say, and turn to him. “Seriously. After all this, after all we’ve been through, after all I’ve endured, you’ve seen what I’m capable of. Now’s not the time to be overprotective.”

That little speech wins me a frown from Eli.

“It won’t be as easy as you think,” Victorian adds. “My brother is cunning. He suspects something is up.”

“Have you told him anything?” Luc says.

“No,” Victorian answers, and looks at me. “I wouldn’t.”

Gilles nods in satisfaction. “There is an old woman. Gullah. She’s been…in hiding for many years. Preacher says she’s back and knows something that will help us.” He looks toward me and Eli. “I want you two to go and speak with her.”

Eli nods. “Done. When?”

“Tonight.”

“You others will span the city,” Gilles continues. “Nyx, love, you will stay here, with me and Elise.”

“Okay,” Nyx says.

“Garr believes the research facility off the coast has been taken over by Valerian and his clan,” Gilles says. “Drummond Research. The Gullah have watched them for years, but to my knowledge, they’ve been one hundred percent scientific in their research.”

“We’ll check it out,” Eli says. “After our visit.”

“Bon,” Gilles says. “Her name is Darling. You’ll find her in LaFayette Square after nine p.m., so says Preacher.”

“I want no less than four visiting the research island,” Gilles said. “If Valerian has taken over, it will not be easy to maneuver.”

“Will do,” Eli says.

Gilles glances around, then nods. “Eat. Rest. And be careful.”

“You better hit the platters of food before the wolves do,” Luc whispers in my ear. He grins.

I shake my head and head for the spread. He may be right about that.

By eight forty-five p.m., we are all ready to head out. I’ve showered and changed into a pair of green cargos, a black tank, and a black, long-sleeved tee over the tank. Plus my Vans. Every holster I own sits against my body, filled with silver blades.