This night could not get any more embarrassing. The idea that she’d been fooled by some moron who wore fake vampire contacts would haunt Grace forever. She’d love to call her sister and get a laugh out of it, but then she’d have to tell Faith everything, and she couldn’t do that. Faith had nearly gotten killed trying to save Grace before—it was time Grace stood on her own feet and stopped relying on her older sister so much.

Nick’s condo was more like a spacious lodge than a typical mountain cabin. Warm and welcoming lights spilled out of a multitude of windows in a hand-sewn log building that faced the back side of an imposing ski mountain.

Grace followed Nick up the shoveled front walk to the double wooden door, her camera equipment slung safely over her shoulder.

Nick used a keypad to unlock the door and moved inside, turning left immediately into a dining room where three females sat playing poker with real money all over the table. One was a stunningly beautiful woman with green eyes and dark red hair, while the other two were kids, one probably eleven and the other a couple of years younger.

The youngest looked up, her eyes the green of pure emeralds. “Mom just lost your lake place in Scotland, Dad. You can start paying me rent, any time.”

The woman rolled her eyes and stood. Even in jeans and a black sweater, there was something regal about her. “Adare,” she breathed, smiling and moving toward him. “It has been too long.”

He hugged her gently and then released her. “Simone Brightston, this is Grace Cooper, my mate.”

Grace shook Simone’s hand, feeling power surge up her arm in response. “Hi.”

“Mate?” Simone shook, her eyes dancing. “Aren’t you full of secrets?” She slipped an arm through Grace’s and pulled her into the dining room. “These are our two monsters, Cadhla and Riona.” Cadhla was the older girl, and she had Nick’s black eyes and Simone’s dark red hair, while Riona had Simone’s eyes and white-blond hair. A definite mix of species, perfectly balanced.

“You’re on the Coven council?” Grace asked, searching through her faulty memory. Hadn’t she heard of Simone? The female was a rather notorious witch.

“Yes, but I’m on vacation now.” Simone nodded toward the stacks of paper bills, which included currency from several different countries. “Currently, I’m about to lose one of my favorite motorcycles.” She pointed a finger at the younger girl. “You had better not be cheating.”

“How?” Riona snorted. “We all agreed that counting cards isn’t cheating, and it’s not like I can see through cardboard.”