“What’s that about?” I pointed to my face then to him. “It’s cool and creepy.”

“The lines appear when he has a psychic vision.” Everest glanced back to me, then did a double take. His eyes widened and his face paled. “Why are you covered in blood? Is that yours?”

Everyone turned to look at me.

I grimaced. “Um⁠—”

“Francelina,” Everest growled but I heard the panic he was trying to reign in.

I shrugged. “Long story short, I bit Soneillon’s thumb off.”

Silence.

Then everyone burst into laughter.

Everest closed his eyes and tipped his head back. “For the love of — why?”

“I was very angry.” I patted my sais tucked against my right thigh. “Oh, I also sliced her across the face. Not sure if I blinded her but there’s hope.”

Tenn snort-laughed. “Why did you bite her thumb off though?”

“I don’t know, seemed like a good Idea at the time?” I frowned. “Wasn’t a whole lot of rational thought running through the noggin’ in the moment. She kept blasting me with all that rage magic and I went full Hulk smash mode.”

Everest was suddenly in front of me, taking my face in his hand. He moved my head around while he scanned me with narrowed eyes. Then he inspected my body. “Are you injured? You’ve drained yourself a great deal⁠—”

“Yeah, hence the thumb biting.”

I heard laughter behind him. Before I could make another joke, he pulled me against his chest and wrapped his arms around me tight. The second that cinnamon scent of his seeped through the smell of blood I never wanted to move again. I just cuddled into his chest and gripped his shirt on his back.

“My Lord, you and the Guard need to return to Issale.” Akecheta’s voice was firm yet soft at the same time. “They will call if you’re needed, or I will. But it is imperative you remain safe.”

Koth cursed. “Fine. But if I call you, answer your damn phone.”

“I’ll be ready and waiting, as usual.”

Koth growled.

“He’s right, Koth. Thank you for the rescue. Again. Please get to safety so we won’t have to worry about you,” Tenn’s voice held a different level of power in it than anyone else’s. “We’ll handle the mess here.”

I yawned.

Sharp pain pierced through my arm. I cursed and jumped back — and gasped. I wasn’t in the ruins of the cafeteria anymore. I was sitting on a couch in Coven Headquarters. Emersyn sat perched in her spot by the hearth poking the fire. All of the dogs lay puddled at my feet. I tried to wipe at my eyes, but my arms were too heavy to move.

“She’s awake!” Mei-Ling shouted.

I frowned and looked toward her voice to find her sitting on the couch next to me. “How did I get here? When? Why?”