She stood and followed him with her wine glass.
“I’ll be fine,” she assured him, wiggling her wings. “Who would dare fight me with these? I’ll just smack them in the face with one, and they’ll reconsider everything.”
He snorted, but concern still filled his eyes. “You’ll come straight home after?”
“Yes, I promise.” Washing her glass, she placed it on the counter and brushed her lips over his cheek. “I wouldn’t miss our goodnight kiss for the world.”
They hadn’t discussed the state of their relationship, but they would have to do it soon. The Reunion was coming.
It wasn’t as though they were ignoring each other, though. On the contrary, every night since their return from Moonwater Prison, they’d shared a very steamy, definitely not platonic, goodnight kiss before going their separate ways. Brynleigh went to the couch, and Ryker went to his bedroom.
Without fail, she dreamed of him. She woke with an ache between her legs that was growing more insistent with each passing day. She wanted him. Needed him, even. Every kiss was a taste of what they’d had, and she cherished each one.
So no, she wouldn’t be missing their kiss.
Ryker wrapped his hand around hers and pressed his chest against her wings. He kissed her neck, murmuring, “Don’t doanything stupid. Don’t be brave. Just stay in one piece. I don’t trust Jelisette.”
Neither did Brynleigh, but this was the best way to get the information for Ryker.
“I will.” Tugging the sleeves of her cardigan, Brynleigh stepped back. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Chocolate eyes met hers. “I can’t wait.”
Releasing her shadows, she allowed them to embrace her. Even as the apartment slipped away and she stepped into the Void, she held Ryker’s gaze.
The warehouse had undergonea serious transformation since Brynleigh’s last visit. The tables, bar, and stage were gone, as though they’d never existed. Dim lighting had replaced the spotlights. Several large crates were stacked in clusters.
Where too-loud music had once filled the industrial space, now every hushed whisper of feet on the cement floor felt out of place.
If Brynleigh hadn’t seen the fight club or bled on the stage, she never would have believed this was the same place.
And yet, it was.
She’d shadowed to the same alley, walked across the same street, and spoken to the same burly guard at the door. The same wards had tickled her skin as she walked into the space, and now, she occupied a seat in the last of four rows of metal folding chairs. Her wings were draped over the back, fanned out behind her.
Crossing her arms, Brynleigh willed her shadows to stop throbbing in her veins. They didn’t like her presence here, but they’d have to deal with it. She wasn’t leaving until she got what she came for.
Instead of focusing on her shadows’ unease, Brynleigh took in the space. All the other seats were occupied except the two on either side of her. She’d probably be insulted if she was in anothermood, but as it was, she was grateful she wouldn’t have to make small talk with anyone.
Not that anyonewastalking. Furtive glances and furrowed brows were shot in Brynleigh’s direction, but no one spoke to her or anyone else.
It was gods-damned awkward, and minutes dragged on.
It seemed as though every single species in the Republic of Balance was present tonight, save the merfolk. Several humans sat among shifters, werewolves, fae, elves, and witches. There were even a few other vampires, although Brynleigh didn’t recognize them.
That wasn’t entirely surprising. She had spent the past six years preparing for her revenge, so she hadn’t spent much time in the vampiric community. Maybe once this was over, she could find some vampires to befriend. Ones that weren’t insanely cruel, lying bitches like her Maker.
But one problem at a time.
First things first: staying under the radar in this meeting, getting information for Ryker, and then getting out of here in one piece.
Then, once this was over, she’d figure out the rest of her life.
Brynleigh wanted to mend things with Hallie, but no matter how many times she typed out an apology text, none of them seemed right. How did one ask for forgiveness for missing the most important day of someone’s life? She couldn’t seem to find the right words.
Footsteps echoed through the space, drawing Brynleigh out of her thoughts. She looked up, her eyes landing on two figures approaching the gathered group.
Those seemingly ever-present knots in Brynleigh’s stomach tightened to the point of pain.