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Anything it was in his power to give Such a rash and generous offer How could Dorien know that he wouldn’t ask for some exorbitant sum or maybe a piece of the pack’s territory? The ansas simple: he couldn’t And it made Lyra’s situation see… in fact, it was likely to And the thought of Dorien’s contingency plan, whatever it was, already gave hi horrors In the end, Jaden could only think to ask one question, siave Jaden a look that was equal parts irl I love her Haven’t you ever had soive only a single negative shake of his head No But that didn’t mean that he couldn’t--that he didn’t want to--understand

"I’ll do it," Jaden said

Dorien’s expression turned deadly serious, full of wariness and cautious hope "And… in return, what are you asking?"

"It’s very simple," Jaden replied "I want a boon from your pack, to be decided later, which "

The wolf frowned "I don’t much like the sound of that"

"And I don’t much care That’s my price" He knew the value of a promise tucked in the back pocket One never knehen it would be needed iveyou now, cat: hurt her, or break faith with me in any way, and I’ll have you rent limb from limb Your fancy footon’t save you from the wrath of esture that Jaden had never seen extended froripped Dorien’s hand with his own, feeling the iron strength in the clasp "You’d think I was going to teach her dancing"

When they broke the connection, Dorien beckoned hiot a lot to talk about And then we’ll need to speak to Lyra, get that screa out of the way"

Jaden felt his lips curve into a s as Dorienincoherently Slowly, Jaden started after hilow of the house He should have been appalled with hi But he felt better than he had in a long ti else, his life, or what passed for it, was about to get a lottih a ould never understand the internized this uncertainty as the gift it was

He’d spent years enslaved, been tortured, escaped, and helped to defeat one dynasty in order to begin another No one could say his long life hadn’t been eventful But it now see on soht be bad news in every way iht be just what he needed

Chapter SEVEN

IT WAS LATE by the ti home in a foul mood that Lyra hadn’t been able to tease him out of She’d doctored him in the upstairs bathroo as she had patience for, but in the end she kneould take hiht’s sleep and possibly a couple days ht love him like a brother, but Lyra was more than happy to send him on his hen he was ready

She took so downstairs Normally she didn’t suffer from a lack of nerve, but then, nor up on her doorstep She had an idea that it et over that, and that thereone Lyra really wanted to postpone the shouting part

In the end, she decided to get comfortable and take her chances She put on a pair of cotton pajama shorts, pulled on a hooded sweatshirt, swirled her hair up into a messy bun, and then headed downstairs in her bare feet The house was quiet She had no idea if that was a good sign, because Dorien was fully capable of fu in wait sorab a snack before he really started in on her Her sto of Cheetos stashed in the cupboard calling her nah the foyer, then back to the kitchen When she rounded the corner, it didn’t surprise her to see a figure seated at the table

The shock caht blue eyes flashed when they htened where he’d been slouched at the heavy wooden table, and Lyra watched hi to take her measure while she tried to process the fact that he was still here Not just in her town, but in her house With her father nowhere to be found Surprise quickly gave way to dark suspicion

"Why are you still here? What did you do with host of a smile hovered at the corners of histhe absolute worst of my intentions You realize that, don’t you?"

She crossed her arround "Don’t play harmless with me There’s no way in hell he would have invited you in Where is he?"

Jaden sighed, looking slightly uncos to deal with I was… kind of hoping he’d be back by the ti his social schedule with you too I don’t reht"

"He does now, if he wants to keep h to help you Fro out the alert that I’m here, and that I’m not to be chased, dismembered, or eaten if spotted"

"Help me? Is this so her eyes That he’d brought her the family talisht even have a few redee qualities… for a vamp, at least She’d even worried a little when she’d left hih she kneas What did she care about what happened to his co so soon, she wasn’t likely to buain