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lifetimes.”
    â€œHe’s playing with you, girl.”
    Rosa sighed. “Marylebone won’t leave you without the ability to protect yourself in a dangerous situation.”
    Alanna’s reply oozed sarcasm. “And this morning was a fine example of just how
clever
Anton and Goran are?” Alanna needed something stronger than tea or coffee. “Let’s go to Clematis Cottage. I could do with a shot of something alcoholic instead.”

Chapter Eleven
    The whiskey was doing what it was supposed to. “My cheeks feel numb,” Alanna said and topped up her glass.
    â€œNot as numb as that brain of yours,” Rosa muttered.
    â€œThat’s not fair,” Alanna protested. “Like I said before. I didn’t do anything.”
    â€œYou should have told me about Anton’s visit two years ago.”
    â€œI was sworn to secrecy.”
    Rosa scoffed. “That’s never stopped you before.”
    â€œIt was Anton. Grand Dragon Anton. How many visits would you say you’ve had from the head of Marylebone?”
    Rosa shrugged. “None before I was Called.”
    â€œNo sense in blaming anyone,” Beth stepped between them. “Calm down. Zelda’s correct. We need to provide a united front.”
    Alanna looked at her fingers. They were beginning to feel as numb as her cheeks. “I can look after myself. He’s not that scary.”
    â€œHe siphoned Anton and Goran’s magic. He could have taken yours from your aura as well.”
    Something she hadn’t thought of. “No. He wouldn’t do that.”
    â€œDon’t be fooled by his charm.”
    Alanna scoffed. “You can’t judge. You weren’t there. You haven’t met him.”
    â€œRosa.” Beth interrupted once again. “Before you return to Marylebone could you check the protection spells around the Gallery to ensure the repairs Goran did to them are all working correctly?”
    â€œListen to you,” Alanna sneered. “I’ve already got rid of one bossy-boots for a sister. I don’t need another.”
    â€œI’m not doing this just for you,” Beth shot back irritation in her tone. “I’m doing this for all of us.”
    Alanna felt color rise on her cheeks. “The morning’s been the strangest ever. It’s all getting to me.”
    â€œAnd alcohol first thing in the morning isn’t going to help either,” Beth pointed out the obvious. She headed into the kitchen. “I’m going to make coffee and I’ve some healthy blueberry bran muffins I baked earlier. You need to eat something. I’ll zap them in the microwave.”
    All the bravado Alanna had been hiding behind deflated and she sunk into the closest chair before her knees buckled and she ended up in a puddle on the floor. “I don’t know what to do next.”
    Rosa accepted a muffin from the plate Beth held out to her. “Hopefully, Gregori’s gone for good.”
    â€œBut why would he do that,” stated Alanna. She might as well tell Rosa the rest. “He’s um … suggested that I’m his destined mate?”
    Rosa’s muffin slipped through her fingers and broke into sections on the polished floorboards. “You’re what?”

Chapter Twelve
    Aden Dragunis stalked the halls of Marylebone with his familiar, Albert, at his side. “Quiet little one. Don’t let others think you’re looking for anything. Best not inflame a situation already out of control.”
    Albert nodded his head, a hint of smoke puffing out as he settled on Aden’s shoulder. “Albert search out Gregori. Call you straight away. No fires today.”
    â€œGo quietly. Go invisible,” Aden instructed. He looked over his shoulder to assure himself they were alone. The hallway was a busy thoroughfare but he was on Marylebone time and that meant it was early evening. Even immortals liked to relax at the end of