"Mileddy Selene. Yer lookin' lovely."

Selene stared daggers at Senator Brann as he sidled a step closer to her.

She was not in the mood to even pretend to be gracious. She didn't give a shit how rich or powerful the man stalking her was. She wanted no parts of him.

She missed Zay.

The Chronicler had yet to get back to them after a week, and she hadn't been able to get away at all to see Zay. Between Eudora's brunches, luncheons, soirees, and balls, Selene was trapped at the Manor and on display at every event.

She was ready to scale the walls.

Brann moved another step closer, and Selene pointedly turned away from him. She spotted Letty escaping the dance floor and veered toward her, making a quick motion with her hand.

Her sister frowned, blue-green eyes searching beyond her and then narrowing. In a few strides, they were linking arms and moving away together.

"Brann has no sense of self-preservation, it seems," Letty murmured. "Del is sure to kill him for bothering you again."

"I'll kill him myself if he comes near me," Selene hissed. She held her fan so tightly she almost snapped it into pieces. "Lords, is the man ever sober?"

Letty squeezed her arm in sympathy and changed their direction. Selene snuck a look behind her and saw Brann hadn't given up. With a frustrated sigh, she quickened their pace.

"If only I could see Zay for just a little while," she muttered, "I could settle. I simply cannot function so long without him."

"Let's find Del," Letty suggested. "Brann is scared shitless of her. And we will try to concoct some way to get you some free time before you resort to tunneling under your bed."

"Don't think I wouldn't," Selene mumbled.

Selene spotted Del holding court, surrounded by several young men and women near their age. They were seated on one of the enormous balconies off the ballroom. Del saw them immediately and excused herself to join them.

"What is it?" her shrewd violet-blue eyes locked onto Selene's distressed pallor.

"Brann," Letty growled.

Del's eyes narrowed and she lifted her fan casually, casting her gaze back the way they came.

"A fool, indeed," she murmured softly.

Her flat, emotionless tone made Letty smile and Selene shiver. Her sister was not one to be trifled with.

Adelia would make a formidable Matron.

"Get him out here, Letty," she instructed, quietly. "Lenie, go to the walnut grove."

They parted, and Selene hurried down the stone stairs to the garden. Lifting her skirts, she scurried through the shadowed walkways, ignoring the sounds of people taking advantage of the strategically poor lighting.

They had no idea Eudora had recording devices everywhere. This had to be one of the ways the Matron gathered her dirt to blackmail the aristos of the Enclave.

Taking a shortcut across several patches of grass, Selene made it to the small walnut grove. She tucked her skirts up into her sash and climbed one of the stately trees near the center of the grove. Soon, she stepped out onto a wooden platform, hidden within the leaves and branches, and settled down to wait.

Soon, she heard Letty's musical laughter and watched her sister come into view with Brann in tow. The man was obviously drunk again, and even from her perch, Selene could see the lustful leer he cast at the woman leading him away from the party.

"It's not much farther," Letty coaxed. "Lenie always comes out here when she wants a bit of air. I'm sure she'll be delighted to see you."

"Shplendid," Brann mumbled, stumbling over his feet. "Susch a lovely gurl, both'a ya."

"Why Senator," Letty breathed behind her fan leaning back on a tree trunk, "you'll turn my head."

"I'm not agin it," Brann twitched bushy graying brows suggestively. "Um more'n man 'nuff t'handle both'a ya."

Letty -bless her- tittered girlishly and pressed closer to the tree. "My, I'd never believe you were such a rake, my Lord. How intriguing."

Brann lumbered nearer, and Selene watched, anxious for Letty to escape the man before he did her harm. When Brann was close enough to kiss her, he stopped, flailing back with a sharp cry until he slammed into another tree nearby.

"Senator Brann," Del's silky voice floated up to Selene and a chill ran down her back. "I thought you and I had an understanding."

"Lady Adelia," Brann stuttered. "A'course I...we was just takin' a stroll, y'know. And...an' ye tol' me ta stay away from t'other 'un!"

"Whether I named them or not, you have no right to either of them!" Del thundered. A lean shadow with broad shoulders loomed over the cowering man. "You are a waste of flesh, Simon Brann," Del went on, "and I daresay no one of consequence will mark your absence."

Brann's muddy, bloodshot eyes widened in horror. "Ye can't... ye can't kill me! Yer mad!"

"I have twenty witnesses who will swear to the stars that I never left the ballroom, and that you were seen tottering off on your own, too drunk to manage. Take him."

Selene watched two smaller shadows join the larger one and descend upon the hapless Brann. Despite his struggles, they quickly bound and gagged him, tossed a hood over his head, and carried him away.

"Come Lenie," Del called softly.

Selene made her way down, righting her skirts with Letty's help.

"You two go back to the Manor," Del directed, tenderly pulling leaves and twigs from Selene's hair. "I will see you there in a half-hour."

The cold and lethal woman that pronounced a death sentence on Brann was nowhere in evidence. She was again their beloved older sister.

"Take care, Del," Letty linked an arm with Selene.

"Never mind me, just look after Lenie." Del kissed both their cheeks and gave them a gentle push toward the path. "Stay together on the balcony, mind."

Selene nodded, allowing Letty to lead her away. She watched Del stalk down the dark path in the opposite direction, determination in every stride.

***

Adelia Siobhan Manchester Windemere sat comfortably on the warm hood while her shadows dragged Senator Brann from the small rig and dropped him to the dusty earth.

The tallest of her shadows jerked the cover from Brann's head and he stared wildly around.

Adelia took note of the vomit on his chin and down the front of his tailored suit.

Despicable creature.

Adelia raised her gaze to take in the dark and windswept plain. Her helpers stood awaiting her orders.

Out here in the Blight, Brann would not last long. If she had her way, he wouldn't see another sunrise.

Brann's attempts at her sisters had her seething within. The rage that burned within her was not evident in her expression. She learned long ago that absolute control of her reactions was the key to dealing with Eudora and her endless attempts to manipulate and use her children for her own ends.

They were more precious to her than her own life and there was nothing she wouldn't do to protect them.

She nodded and the largest of her shadows stepped forward to pull the gag and cut Brann's bonds. He lifted the man to his feet and pushed him out into the Blight.

"What is this?"

"Run," the big man growled.

"Yer mad! I demand to be taken back to the Stead at once!"

Adelia calmly drew a pistol from a holster on her thigh and fired at the ground in front of Brann. The man yelped and stumbled back, falling on his ass.

Shaking, Brann climbed to his feet and moved away from them. Adelia watched him, amused that even when running for his life, he was slow and lazy.

She nodded again, and one of the smaller shadows lifted a slim silver whistle and blew.

Adelia heard nothing, but seconds later, howls and snarls came from the wasteland. Screams and cries of fear and pain soon followed, and Adelia smiled, knowing her work was done. She slid down the hood to her feet and climbed into the rig. Her shadows followed her as Brann's screams fell silent under the growls of feasting mad dogs.

***

Selene breathed a quiet sigh of relief behind her fan when she saw Del gliding across the balcony, laughing at something the tall man beside her was saying. She tapped Letty's shoulder and nodded, seeing satisfaction brighten her sister's eyes.

"Letty, Lenie," Del placed a gloved hand on each of their shoulders. "Have you eaten, my dears?"

"We were waiting for you," Selene smiled, comforted by Del's serene demeanor. "Letty was just saying we should find another glass of wine."

"Quite right," she linked arms with them, nodding to her companion. The large man silently disappeared into the crowd on the balcony.

Selene swallowed, following Del's lead into the ballroom. Lords, it was still packed with far too many people she didn't know or care for.

She wanted Zay.

"Ah, here we are," Letty sighed and took fluted glasses from a passing server. "Now then, what do we feel like eating?"

Del steered them toward one of the long buffet tables. "Lords, we should be able to find something in all this," she said, looking over the excessive selection.

To think, Selene simmered, there were Steaders within a click of this table starving while Eudora threw these lavish parties for no other reason than she could.

"What have we learned?" Del asked, taking up a small plate from the table.

"Four more have come forward," Letty reported. "They are all quite desperate to be free of Eudora."

"Excellent progress, sister," Del praised. "Please convey our thanks and our pledge to do what we must for them."

"Will do," Letty smiled, selecting a small wedge of bread and a bowl of soup. "Anything from Eudora?"

"It doesn't appear that she's not caught on quite yet," Del said. "But it shouldn't be long, now. We have almost a third on board."

"I cannot believe how quickly this came about," Selene shook her head. She was too anxious to eat, but she put a fruit salad on her plate with a few cubes of cheese.

"All it took was one to tell another, who told another," Del arched a brow.

"And your cabal?" Letty arched a brow back.

"All fully aware of the benefits of assisting us in every way, and the wisdom of absolute discretion."

"I want to be you when I grow up, Del," Selene giggled, and her sisters laughed quietly with her.

***

Zayn stared at the short message from Selene. It was over a week since he saw her; since Vael declared his desire to court them.

He was thrilled to be the object of the Roamer's ardor, but he missed Mini.

Apparently, she missed him just as much.

      I can't get away. I need to see you.

Zayn swallowed hard. He needed to see her too, and not just to ease the pain of separation.

He had to know if his love for her was returned.

Vael was attending Quorum and Zayn didn't know how long he would be. Now was a good time to go if he was going.

Returning to the Manor so soon after escaping didn't alarm him. He would be in and out before Eudora ever knew he was there. The front gate was hardly the only way in.

He quickly typed out his reply.

    I'm coming

***

Zayn thanked the stars he knew his way around the Manor. He'd never have any peace if he was forced to encounter the Matron or any of her spies.

He waited for Selene in their hunter's cottage. He sipped the hot chocolate from their stash and smiled down from the loft when Selene slipped in through the back door of the cottage.

"Lords," she sighed. "I thought my maid would never push off." She hurried over to climb the rustic ladder to join him.

Zayn smiled, pouring her a mug of chocolate. "What, she wouldn't leave when you dismissed her?"

Zayn never had a personal servant once he outgrew his nanny. He shared a governess and tutor with Selene until she moved on to secondary lessons. The tutor was dismissed after his repeated failure to keep Zayn at the Manor after he found the flat.

Selene rolled her eyes and plopped down beside him on the modest bed. "Edna is Eudora's creature to the core. I have to check my knickers for listening devices, knowing her."

Zayn laughed and let her snuggle close under his arm. He swallowed, warmth coiling in his belly when she pressed into his side.

"What are we going to do, Zayn," she sighed. "I can't bear to dance to her tune much longer."

His thumb unconsciously caressed her bare shoulder, feeling the heat of her curves through her gown.

"I told Vael," he said quietly, "about us."

Selene cringed. "What did he say?"

"He said that we shouldn't be ashamed," he said carefully. "And, he thought, perhaps, I feel this way for you because I'm not actually your brother."

Selene shifted against him. "Del and Letty said something like that," she whispered. "We asked the Chronicler for my lineage and yours, but we haven't gotten anything back, yet."

"Who is it?"

"His name is Josef. Rather young for it, I'd think, but Del didn't question it."

Zayn nodded. "Mini, Vael said something else you should know about."

She sat up to look at him. "He was so right about everything. Del and Letty have started questioning aristos, gaining their confidence. Zay, you wouldn't believe some of the things Eudora has done to these people."

"I doubt that," Zayn shook his head and shifted to cross his legs. "But no, Vael told me he wants to court me."

Selene gasped in surprise and smiled. "Oh, bravo, Zay, how marvelous for you! Say you accepted his suit."

"I did," Zayn knew his smile was almost bigger than his face, "and he's been so attentive, Mini, so sweet. But," he chuckled and took her hands in his, "he wants to court you, as well."

Zayn laughed, seeing her stuck speechless. "Say you'll accept," he teased, and she pinched him in retaliation.

"Lords," she breathed. "I had no idea he looked at me that way."

"He does. He said he teases you because you're so cute."

"Oh, Lords," she snickered. "How would that work, with him courting both of us and we...and us, being whatever we are?"

Zayn gently wrapped a few loose strands of her hair around his fingers. "I want you, too. Whether you're my sister or not, I love you, madly. I want to take you away from here and keep you safe from Eudora. From everything."

"Zay," she threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. "I love you too," she whispered. "What do we do, then? How can we be together?"

"Whatever the Chronicler says, I can't do without you. You can come with me now, or wait to claim your majority next year, and I'll have mine a few months later. We can do whatever we wish then."

"Whatever we wish?" she whispered.

"Mini-" he gasped as she pressed a kiss to the side of his throat.

Heat swept through him, and he shuddered. "We shouldn't," he whispered.

"I know," she murmured, lips still on his skin. "But I want to."

Stars damn him, but he did too.

He turned his face to capture her lips and groaned when Selene slipped a leg over and sat straddling his lap, pushing her gown up to her hips.

"I miss you so much," she sighed, dragging her nails down his chest under the loose shirt he wore. "I know you can't stand it here, and I want you to be free, but I miss you."

"I know. I miss you too."

She sat back enough to pull his shirt up and off, flinging it away.

"Lie back for me," he murmured and got up to kneel over her as she complied.

He tugged the bodice of her gown down until her tight nipples came into view. Groaning, he pulled one into his mouth while plucking and pinching the other.

Selene arched under him with a soft cry, moaning as he scored her tender flesh with his teeth then moved to the other nipple to lick and nip it into a tight aching peak. Threading her fingers into his hair, she lifted her legs to his hips.

"Please, Zay," she whispered.

"You are wicked," he teased, sinking his teeth into the plump mound of her breast. "So very wicked, Mini."

"I'm even more wicked," she sighed back, "when you're wicked with me."

"Mmm," he skimmed his hands up her thighs to cup and squeeze her bare ass, kneading and pinching. "You make me want things I shouldn't."

"We both do, now stop teasing."

Zayn laughed, further aroused by her bossiness. He bit her belly, her hip, and her inner thigh on his way down to his prize. He took a moment to inhale the sweet scent of her before dipping his head down to trace her flower with just the tip of his tongue.

Selene shivered and he tightened his grip, keeping her still as he pressed closer, lapping at her core before sucking the plump and moist fig into his mouth.

He groaned when she cried out, her nails digging into his shoulders.

"Yes, Zay, ah stars!" she gasped, hips lifting and falling, grinding against his face.

He pulled back enough to slide a finger into her channel, twisting his wrist. He curled his digit until she spasmed in pleasure then plied his tongue and mouth to her bud again.

As she bucked and ground against him, he added another finger and sucked hard, shivering when she dissolved under him, clutching his hair.

"Lords," she panted. "You're getting so much better at this."

Zayn laughed, gave her a final long lick, and rose to his knees. "Every time I say it's the last time," he reminded her.

"You do," she sighed, sitting up and tracing the bulge in his drawstring pants. "So do I."

"Mini," he murmured, shuddering as she pushed his pants down and wrapped her hand around his cock. "It's not. Soon we won't have to hide."

He closed his eyes when she leaned forward and swirled her tongue around the head, sipping the beads of precum before engulfing him in the warm cavern of her mouth.

"Shit, Mini!" he gasped, thrusting up into that heat.

He wove his hands into her hair and moved as she bobbed down, her tongue flicking along his length. Her moan throbbed down his shaft as she swallowed around the head and drove him insane pulling back up only to glide down again.

"Almost," he whispered, feeling the tingle in his spine.

She cupped his balls and squeezed, pulling back to lick and suck on the head then gradually sinking her teeth into him.

"Lords, yes!" he hissed and stiffened, pumping his seed into her open and eager mouth.

With a final shiver, he sank down onto his heels and Selene pressed a tender kiss to his sensitive glans. With a satisfied smile, she laid back on the bed, and he crawled up to lay half on, half beside her, resting his cheek on her breasts.

"We are so wicked," he whispered.

"So very wicked," she laughed.

***

Adelia carefully placed her empty snifter on the delicate glass table beside her lounge. The man standing before her waited patiently for her to speak.

He hadn't brought her good news.

"Did anyone else mark him?"

"Not that they'll be speakin' on."

She smiled. "Vigo, you are such a treasure. I am fortunate to have you by my side."

He laughed and moved to sprawl beside her. "Querida, I am the fortunate one here. Always been."

She gazed into his golden eyes and felt a stirring deep within.

Vigo's hair was cut short, just barely laying over his ears and so black it was almost blue. Those golden eyes sat in a wide face with high cheeks and a square jaw. Like most Roamers, he was slender, with the strength of life-long labor in his arms, shoulders, and chest. He always stood with his long, lean legs braced wide, as if he were standing aboard a rig again.

How was it, she wondered, that this man had burrowed past her defenses so deeply into her heart?

No matter. He was there to stay.

"You have someone we trust watching?"

"Of course. The boy is clever, I'll say," Vigo said, admiring the young man's skill and daring. "I never would'a seen him if I hadn't been lookin'.

He purred, relaxing when Adelia laid a hand on his thigh. Damn, he loved her fierce.

"Clever, indeed," she agreed. "Do be certain he leaves safely."

"Should I encourage Lady Selene to join him?"

"She would be mortified if you approached her," Adelia shook her head. "No, I shall manage her myself. Things are becoming too dicey for Lenie here. She will only be safe with Zay, and his Roamer."

"Too dicey for her," Vigo inquired, "or for you?"

She canted her head, deep violet-blue eyes holding him hostage.

And he was so willing to be held.

"I would kill Eudora before I let her use Lenie," she admitted, "so yes, too dicey for both of us. I cannot risk the support I've gained. Too many of these aristos possess such delicate sensibilities. They want me to remove her, but they'd never understand my removing her that way."

Vigo nodded once, lacing his long fingers through hers and lifting her hand to his lips. His heart melted all over again when she didn't flinch away from his sharp claws, or the wild golden glow of his eyes.

Glowing for her.

"And you will remove her, Querida," he murmured. There was no doubt. His Lady was a creature of sheer will and terrifying focus.

Smiling, Adelia reached up and captured one of the fully beaded twists in his hair. They hung below his shoulders. Two were variations of the same terra cotta red, the one she held was a deep blue. She let it trail through her fingers to the end, giving it a playful tug that made him sigh.

"And once I have, I'll be free to proudly wear your Sweetlock, my love," she whispered.

Vigo's nostrils flared and he growled softly, making Adelia chuckle. He hated it when anyone interrupted their time together. It was endearing.

"Come," she called out before her visitor could knock.

Vigo reverently kissed her inner wrist and got to his feet. He moved to stand beside her chair, and as her visitor approached, he refilled her snifter from the decanter on the small bar behind her.

"My Lady," the man bowed. "I have news."

"Master Josef," Adelia nodded and gestured for him to sit across from her. "I was beginning to wonder if I would ever see you," she remarked. "What news, then?"

Josef accepted the chair and cleared his throat. "As to the lineage of the Lady Selene, she is the only daughter of Sir Atticus Talbot and Her Ladyship Matron Eudora Windemere. Sir Talbot was a Roamer of note, Ginny Lead, and Underboss out of Clan Chester since passed. He had no other children."

"And Lord Zayn?" Adelia prompted. She didn't need the man to tell her what she already knew, Lords.

He cleared his throat again. "Sired by Sir Carmyne Nicodemus, Roamer, and Wizard out of Clan Fitzhugh, Second to Underboss Dame Desmona Ichabod out of Clan RoShae in Clan Kestryl. Sir Nicodemus has also passed. Lord Zayn is Her Ladyship's only son and youngest child."

Adelia touched a finger to her lips. "You are quite certain?"

He nodded quickly, his dull brown eyes darting to Vigo and back. "Quite, my Lady."

"I presume you've brought me documentation?"

"Oh...of course." He reached into his jacket and offered her a disc.

Vigo stepped forward and took it, making Josef flinch. Vigo bared his teeth at the nervous little man in a savage smile, drawing a whimper from him.

"Thank you, Vigo," Adelia murmured, and he moved back beside her. "And thank you, Master Josef."

Josef stood to bow to her again, trembling. "My Lady."

Together, they watched him almost run from the chamber and waited until the door closed behind him.

"He is lying," Vigo muttered.

"Yes, he is," Adelia sighed, taking up her snifter. "And I very much want to know why."

"Shall I seek out the true Chronicler as well?"

"Please, my love," she sipped. "Discretely, mind."

Vigo traced a gentle claw down her porcelain cheek, lifted her chin, and leaned over to take a soft kiss. Her enticing scent -a blend of orange and magnolia blossoms with a hint of juniper- soothed and aroused him.

She cupped his cheek and rubbed her nose along his jaw.

"Shall I send Simone and Sante in to tend you?" he murmured.

The Twins that also served her were as loyal and as enamored as Vigo.

She captured his wrist before he could move away. "It'll keep," she whispered. "I have other tasks for you three."

Laughing, he scooped her out of the chair into his arms.

Damn, he loved this woman.

***

Selene stood before Del with her head hung.

"You are well aware of the danger Zay is in if he comes back here," Del scolded sternly. "If Vigo had not taken action, he may not have escaped again. What were you thinking?"

"I wasn't!" Selene cried. "Lords damn my stars, I wasn't. I just...I had to see him."

Del sighed and went to fold her sister in a warm hug, petting her hair. "Oh, I know, dearest, I do. But you cannot allow him to take such a risk again. You know he will come to you, if you ask it of him, never mind himself. There's nothing for it, Lenie."

"I don't know what to do," Selene whispered.

"You do, Lenie," Del held her shoulders and force her to look up. "You know exactly what to do, to protect him, and yourself. And it must be done at once. Zay will not rest until he's certain you are safe."

Selene nodded and took a deep breath. "Tonight," she nodded again. "I'll do it tonight."

"Good girl," Del approved, rubbing her back gently. "I'll arrange everything, yes? We can leave nothing to chance."

"Thank you, Del, so much."

"Live free and be happy, Lenie," Del sighed. "That's all I need."