The flight from Paris to Dublin took a little more than one hour. 

Being stuffed in a private jet with a werewolf was interesting. Noah's eyes had turned into neon signs the moment he got on the plane, and a continuous low growl- so low that had I not had sensitive hearing I wouldn't have picked it up- emanated from him.

I took my seat, Arthur beside me. I sank into the beige leather seat with a sigh. Marianno and Charles sat across a table from us. Noah folded his big frame in a corner all by himself. 

"What's wrong with him?" I asked. Noah closed his eyes and leaned his head back, his body frozen.

"Some shapeshifters don't like closed spaces," Arthur replied. "Their animal side doesn't tolerate being caged very well."

"I see." 

I glanced at Noah again. Would he be alright? As if feeling my gaze on him, he raised his hand in a small wave without opening his eyes. He'd be alright.

Arthur pulled on my ponytail. 

"Stop it." I glared at him. Looking back at Noah, I called, "Hey, Noah. won't the window seat be better?"

He didn't move. His voice, when he replied, was a barely recognizable rumble. "Seeing that I'm thousands of feet above the ground will make it worse. Thank you for your concern."

Arthur tugged on my hair again. 

"I should just shave it all off," I grumbled, pulling my ponytail to the other side.

"I believe the Sire is jealous," Marianno said, his eyes crinkling in amusement. 

Arthur was not amused. He gave Marianno a long look. The vampire bowed his head, but the smile didn't leave his eyes. Even Charles looked entertained.

When I focused on the bond, Arthur's emotions were a kind of muted irritation with a hint of murderous intent. My eyes widened. "Do not kill Noah!"

Noah choked. Mariano laughed and Charles' cheeks lined.

Arthur sighed. "I will try."

Noah coughed. "I appreciate it."

The plane took off soon afterward. A flight host came with an assortment of food and drinks. I ate because I needed the fuel, but I didn't taste any of it. It wasn't difficult to know why. I'd been down ever since I said goodbye to Amanda in the airport.

I knew we would see each other again, if everything went well. But I already missed her. It was kind of scary how big a part she became in my life in only a few months.

Arthur put his hand on my knee and squeezed. His focus was outwardly on the tablet in his hand, but his presence and concern were strong through the bond. Charles and Marianno had changed seats and were engaged in a video game of virtual. Their eager eyes focused on the screen of their phones. I guess even immortals were clients of the gaming industry.

"What's that?" I asked, looking over the screen that held Arthur's attention. It displayed several graphs and numbers.

"Work."

"Work?" I looked more closely at the screen, interested. "I didn't know you actually worked. Being a brooding vampire lord doesn't pay enough?"

His lips twitched. "No, it does not. Especially now that I have you in my life. Your exorbitant taste in clothing and jewelry will surely drive me to ruins."

I snorted. "Uh-huh. How unfortunate for you."

"Which reminds me." He put down the tablet and fished something from the pocket of his jeans.

"What's that?" I opened his fist. There was a ring in it. It was a golden band with blue gemstones encrusted all around it.

"That's yours." He took my hand and slid the jewelry in my ring finger.

I flexed my hand. "It fits perfectly." 

It wasn't uncomfortably tight, but there was no give in it. It wouldn't disturb me in a fight.

"Of course it does," Arthur said, looking at my hand with a smile. The bond brimmed with a sense of self-satisfaction.

I ran my finger on the gemstones. They were smooth. "Well, I guess I'll have to find you a ring. Wouldn't want other people to forget you're attached now."

He grinned, popping a dimple in his cheek. "You do that, my love."

"Mhm." I wiggled my fingers. The ring felt nice. Its presence would be a reminder of Arthur. A reminder that I would never be alone again. My heart warmed, the ring unexpectedly soothing the ache of Amanda's absence.

I looked at Arthur and poked his dimple. "You're very smooth, you know that?"

"What can I say?" he said, his grin widening. "You keep me on my toes."

___ _________ _____

I would recognize that black head of smooth, waist-long hair anywhere.

"Is that...?"

I was running down the plane steps before finishing my question, because the black-haired person had turned, and her face broke into a massive grin that made her slanted dark eyes sparkle.

"Irene!"

She waved, jumping up and down. I zipped past the staff near the airplane and tackled her to the ground. Or at least, I tried to. Irene knew me too well. She grabbed my arm and, turning, flipped me over her back, throwing me to the floor. Breath knocked out of me in a woosh. And I was staring at the sky.

I grinned as Irene's face filled the sky. "You got slow, sitting on your ass all day in Paris."

When my lungs were functioning again, I laughed and let her pull me to my feet. Oh, it felt good to have her around again.

"You sly fox," I said, patting her shoulder. "What the hell are you doing here?"

She looked over her shoulder where Arthur was speaking to the pilot with Noah. Charles and Marianno were still inside the plane.

"Your mate ordered me here," she said, lowering her voice. "Also, I knew it, you bish."

"Knew what?"

"You and Arthur," she said with a smug smile. "I called it before you even admitted it."

I could feel heat crawling up my neck. "Shut up," I grumbled.

"Congratulations." She squeezed my hand. I looked at Arthur. I hadn't known he ordered Irene to come here. He met my eyes and winked, then went back to his conversation.

He'd done it because he knew Amanda's departure affected me. My heart felt all sorts of warm and fuzzy. 

The complete bond was still new territory to me. But if I focused hard enough, I could send a specific thought his way. So I did. Thank you.

You're welcome.

Arthur's responding thought rang loud and clear in my head.

"So, how are things-"

Irene's words died down, her eyes turning a pale blue and her magic flaring in an instant. She sucked in a deep breath, her chest expanding.

I knew the reason for her sudden change of demeanor. He was walking down the plane steps next to Marianno, his eyes already fixed on Irene.

A slow smile stretched my lips.Irene snarled. "Shut up."

I couldn't help my grin. "I didn't say anything."

"You were thinking it. Just..." She closed her eyes and groaned. "Damn it, why did he have to smell so damn good?"

"Don't worry, your time will come," I told her. "And I'm going to tell you exactly what you just told me; 'I called it before you even admitted it.'"

"I'm going to skewer you," she scowled.

I laughed. "Come on, you know you wanna look."

Her entire body twitched, as if she was fighting an inner being that wanted to turn and devour Charles.

Charles was no better. He'd arrived at the bottom of the steps, his entire being fixed on Irene. Arthur put his hand on the blond vampire's shoulder when the latter made a move forward, and whispered something in his ear.

"Let's go," Irene said, pulling me with her into the hangar. She didn't even glance over her shoulder. Really, her willpower was admirable.

"Any particular reason why you don't want to look at Charles?" I asked.

"What would a dog do if it was starving for weeks and then you dangled a ... juicy piece of steak in front of it."

I burst out laughing. "I can't believe you compared Charles to a juicy piece of steak," I said, "and yourself to a dog."

She growled. "Yeah, well. I have a canine inside that wants to..."

"Devour Charles?" I said through my laughter.

She jabbed her elbow in my side. "You're an ass. Just shut up. So, the spell finally broke, huh?"

We passed by a couple of vampires to enter the hangar. A few fae were scattered around the place, some in suits and some in overalls. Everyone stared. "Yep. Do I feel weird to your senses?"

"Yep. Pretty damn weird." She cocked her head to the side as she looked me over. Her eyes were slowly returning to their dark color. "I can tell you're a fae, but there's something that feels like a vampire in you, too. It's a real trip. Also, your magic feels hell of a lot stronger."

"Hmm."

"So..." she stopped us near a car, a black SUV, and lowered her voice, wiggling her eyebrows, "how is Arthur in-"

"Do not," I warned her. "I will cut off every single one of your tails."

She burst out laughing. The sound abruptly cut off when Arthur and company walked into the hangar. Irene groaned and started bumping her head on the car.

I bit my lip. Our stay in Ireland will be so much fun.

"Irene," Arthur said, standing beside me.

"Sir!" Irene stood straight, hand clasped behind her back. But she lost the battle and glanced over Arthur's shoulders at Charles.

"Interesting," Marianno said, pushing past Charles. "Very interesting. I don't believe I have had the pleasure of meeting you, miss..."

"Irene," she replied, accepting his handshake. With his subtle Italian accent, smiling eyes and smooth manners, Marianno could charm a charging bull out of its rage. Irene was very much charmed. Her body lost some of its tension, and she gave him a genuine smile.

"A lovely name. I'm Marianno." He lowered his voice. "I must say. I'm honored to meet one of the elusive nine-tailed foxes in person."

Irene grinned. "That's impressive. People don't usually know what I am."

"I'm afraid I shouldn't take credit for that," he said with a chuckle. "The sire told me beforehand. Consider your secret in safe hands."

"Appreciate it," Irene said.

Marianno winked. "Anytime."

"Shall we go?" Charles interrupted, his usual scowl deepened by ten folds. Irene didn't spare Charles a glance as Arthur introduced Noah.

Two fae dressed in matching black suits approached us. They bowed their heads to Arthur, and then to me. The shorter of the two men stepped forward.

"Lord Arthur. Our king welcomes you to his land," he said in a heavy Irish accent. "We are to be your guides to the castle-"

"No need," Arthur interrupted. I gave him a look. He was being rude, and he probably didn't care. He continued. "I'm well acquainted with the land. We'll drive ourselves."

"As you wish, my lord," the fae replied. "We would also warn you about the heavy presence of nullifying spells all along the way to the royal palace."

"Nullifying spells?" Marianno asked.

"Yes. Due to an unusual demonic activity in the area, some measures have been taken."

An unusual demonic activity? Irene and I shared a look.

Arthur dismissed the two fae after a few more words and we piled into the vehicle.

The seven seater SUV felt crowded with the men in it. Arthur and Noah, who were about twice the size of a normal person, took the front seats. Irene and I huddled in the far back. Marianno and Charles sat in the middle.

As soon as we left the hangar, I asked, "A nullifying spell?"

I had an idea what it was, but I wanted to be sure.

"Spells that block the use of magic," Marianno explained. "They have an effect close to that of silver. It'll make it difficult for demons to push through to our realm."

A spell that prevents the use of magic. It was very similar to uncle Robert's gift.

"A rather extreme way to deal with the issue," Noah noted from the front seat.

"Nullifying spells are a very last resort solution to immortals," Irene told me.

It made sense. That kind of spell wouldn't exactly be popular among a race that relied so much on their magic.

Irene's eyes bore into Charles' blond head. The hair on the back of his neck raised. Irene opened the window at her side.

I cleared my throat. "So," I asked Irene outloud. "How did your dates with Jason go?"

Arthur's end of the bond filled with amusement. Irene shrugged. "It didn't go anywhere. We're better off just friends."

"Aha. He's such a good guy, though," I said. "Right, Charles?"

Irene widened her eyes at me, mouthing, 'what are you doing?'

'What?' I mouthed back, giving her my best, innocent look.

Charles grunted.

I opened my mouth, but Irene pulled a dagger from her boots and poked my thigh with it.

'I'm going to stab you if you don't stop,' she mouthed. I stuck my tongue out. But I didn't add any comments. I wanted to arrive at our destination with no bleeding holes on my person.

I turned my attention outside.

Rolling hills of grass swayed in the wind. I shivered. The weather was cool, the earth bore proof of heavy rain and the air smelled of it.

So this was uncle Robert's homeland. He'd loved it so much. And no matter how much he tried to hide it, I knew that he had missed it a great deal.

Other than apprehension about the future and what it might hold, I felt nothing special for this place. It was not home, and it would never be.

A wave of dizziness suddenly assaulted me. I squeezed my eyes shut and gasped, feeling my heart skitter in my chest. I couldn't feel my magic. I couldn't feel the bond. I panicked. My wide eyes found Arthur's in the mirror.

"It's a spelled area," he said. 

I nodded. Marianno was right. It was like being dosed with silver, except there was no pain. Losing my sense of magic, however, was inconvenient.

"Damn it." Irene snarled. "It's like going blind."

It lasted for several minutes before the feeling vanished with an abruptness that left me disoriented again. I was glad to have my magic back, and relieved when the bond snapped into place once more.

"Irene, I trust you've been briefed about the situation?" Arthur asked from the driver's seat.

"Yes, sir," Irene replied, sitting up straight.

"Good. I want you and Noah to stay by Elle's side at all times," Arthur said. I swallowed the words on the tip of my tongue despite my irritation. I had to understand that it was for my safety, I couldn't get complacent here.

Relief and gratitude flowed from Arthur. He'd been expecting me to throw a fit. A few weeks ago, I probably would have. But I understood the risks and dangers being in Ireland put me in. There were people here who wanted me dead. The same people who caused uncle Robert's death.

"I will undoubtedly be pulled aside by business since I have not been in Ireland for a very long time," he said.

"I'm not the only one at risk," I said. Arthur was a prime target as well. Many people would love to seize any chance to neutralize him. I met Arthur's gaze in the mirror and held it. If he was trying to neglect the threat on his own life again, I would drag him out of this car to teach him a lesson.

His eyes smiled. "Very well," he said. "No one must stay on their own. Try to move in groups of at least two."

"Do you think someone might try something?" Marianno asked.

"It's a strong possibility."

The car moved smoothly, and the scenery turned wilder. We were heading deeper inland towards the Fae Palace. 

The palace was located in the middle of a heavily wooded area, on the banks of a massive lake. Uncle Robert had always raved about its beauty. I had never seen it, obviously, and pictures of the famous Fae Palace were very scarce despite the press' interest in it. Only a couple of blurry pictures taken from very far away were available. I guess the Fae loved to keep their elusive image.

We passed through spelled areas several times over the following two hours. I got used to the feeling.

We had just gotten into another spelled area. Except this time, it was much larger.

Noah and Irene suddenly snarled as one. Irene sharply turned her head to the window right as Noah barked. "Stop the car!"

To his credit, Arthur smashed the breaks instantly. The car skidded to a stop. We were in the middle of a deserted dirt road, the hills around us empty except for some dilapidated rock structures dotting the land.

Up ahead, the road suddenly burst into flames in a loud explosion. We had been heading right there.

"Was that a damn bomb?" Irene whispered, horrified.

"Idiots," Arthur snarled, stepping out of the car. He took a deep whiff of the air and then called. "Get out!"

"Who is he talking to?" I asked Irene while stepping out of the vehicle after the others did.

"Rogue vampires. At least that's what I smelled, still smelling," Irene replied. She reached over her shoulder, and a sword materialized in an invisible sheath strapped to her back. That trick of hers never failed to impress me.

We all stood in a semi circle in front of the car, waiting for the enemy to show itself. Now that I was outside, my nose could pick out a whiff of a sour scent. It was the smell of vampires alright, but there was something very wrong with them.

"Out!" Arthur barked. The scenery changed at once. From behind the rubble, vampires popped out in dozens. Crap. I pulled out my sword.

What a lovely welcome home party. 

*** **** ***

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