“Where are we going?” she asked.

“It’s a surprise,” Stefan answered.

Oh, goody.

Theo had undoubtedly worked himself into a serious lather by now. He wanted so much to protect her, even when she was capable of protecting herself. The fact he couldn’t get to her now would be bothering him much more than it was bothering her.

Right now her heart ached for him, something deep and painful inside her. She wanted him—the feel of his solid body and the scent of his skin. The desire was so strong it brought tears to her eyes.

“So how is Isabelle?” Stefan took a sip of his drink.

She blinked in surprise at the question, then quickly remembered the history he had with her. Isabelle had been the one responsible for his imprisonment in Gribben. She’d considered Stefan responsible for the death of her sister at the hands of a demon and had trapped him in his limo one night, allowing the Coven to rush in and scoop him up. If it hadn’t been for Erasmus Boyle breaking him out of Gribben—initially with the intention of killing him—Stefan would still be there.

“I only met her a few times,” she answered evasively. “She married Thomas Monahan.”

Stefan tipped his drink at her. “Yes, I know. I sent them a toaster as a wedding present. Such a wonderful couple.” Sarcasm dripped from every word. “And Mira Hoskins—oh, her last name is McAllister now, isn’t it? She’s a lovely woman, too. Killed my father, you know.”

Sarafina nodded. “I heard that. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Most of the Duskoff thought I would welcome his death, since leadership of the Duskoff and all its wealth then fell to me. They were wrong. I loved my father. He took me in when no one else would. He taught me everything I know today.”

Sarafina was familiar with the story. Stefan Faucheux had been born in Paris and still sported the heavy accent that marked him as a Frenchman. When he’d been a boy, he’d run away from the country’s protective services and lived on the streets. On a trip to Paris, William Crane had come across the child and recognized him as a very powerful fire witch. Crane adopted him and brought him back to the States to raise.

Many assumed that Crane had been replacing his biological son—also a fire witch—who had run away at a young age. William Crane’s biological son was Jack McAllister, Thomas’s heir apparent for Coven leader. At any rate, Stefan had proved malleable in William’s hands. He’d turned into a fine warlock, vicious enough to follow in his father’s footsteps.