That wasn’t great, the good possibility of Serena being harmed, but the possible outcome was, so I relaxed against my man.

“Or, it could mean The True decimated them and there’s no one to report back,” Lucien finished.

“Fuck,” I whispered, not relaxed anymore at all.

“We cannot know until we know,” Jian-Li pointed out the obvious. “So there is no need to waste negative energy on lamenting loss when we aren’t certain we’ve sustained one. And as positive energy sustains these beings, gives them their light, their lives, it’s crucial we honor them by staying as positive as we can.”

Yeesh, if all her ancestors were as wise as her, it was no wonder Abel was so smart.

On this thought, I felt something funny so I looked to Abel to see his gaze aimed across the room. There was a small smile playing at his mouth.

I looked where his eyes were aimed, but I knew what I’d see.

The mirror image of my man, including the smile playing at his mouth.

Cain.

He knew his parents had chosen well as to who would raise Abel.

But I bet it didn’t suck to have that confirmed.

We all fell silent and I held Abel and his brother’s nonverbal communication close, using that to send positive energy out there to Serena and her mate and all those who were trying to save her.

Our silence lasted awhile before Dad broke it, muttering, “Christ, I could use a doobie.” I looked to him to see his eyes on Gregor. “You got any pot around this joint? My stash ran out three days ago.”

I felt Abel shaking with laughter and I turned to grin at him just when an unmistakable boop, boop, boop-ing sound came from Gregor’s computer.

His eyes sliced to it as his hand went with vampire speed to his mouse.

He clicked.

The boop, boop, boop-ing stopped and the room filled with a deep, smooth voice.

“Serena has been secured.”

I slumped against Abel as relief swept the room.

“However, the losses were again great,” the voice went on.

The relief vanished.

“We’re safe. My mate is weak, but she’s being seen to,” the voice kept going.

That meant it was Gastineau.

“The news of losses is distressing, Gastineau,” Gregor replied to the computer. “But I’m very pleased to hear of Serena’s rescue.”

“You have the phantoms,” Gastineau declared, and I stopped slumping against Abel. “A delegation is en route to your compound now. I’ll send missives to the rest. And you’re already aware that my queen has committed her wraiths to the side of The Real True.”

“We’re most grateful,” Gregor told him. “I await your delegation and word of Serena’s successful recovery.”

“Right,” Gastineau returned, then there was a different boop sound and I knew he had disconnected.