Free Shades of Moonlight by Stephanie Julian Page B

you.”
    As soon as the other man nodded and left, Selvans sat at the table next to Mara.
    “Now, sweetheart, I’m not going to lie to you. This is probably going to hurt like hell. And there’s a good possibility Veive is going to know we broke his spell. He may even be able to trace you, at least until the spell dissipates. I’ve got this place pretty well shielded but there’s always a possibility.”
    She reached for the whiteboard.
     
    Do you think I should?
     
    “I think if you’re going to do it, now’s the time, this is the place and we’re your best shot.”
     
    Then let’s do it.
     
    Selvans nodded, his expression becoming a study in seriousness. “Sal, Scarlata, hold her down. And don’t let go.”

Chapter Seven
     
    Race couldn’t hear a damn thing coming from the kitchen and he knew someone had thrown up a sound barrier.
    Which made him crazy.
    “Hey, man. I think the little guy would appreciate being able to breathe a little better.”
    Shit. Race immediately loosened the arms around Arin, who stared up at him with wide eyes. If the kid could talk, he’d definitely be telling Race to get a grip. Just not around him.
    “So you’re versipellis .” Justin sat across from him, the baby in his arms asleep. “Haven’t had too many here.”
    “And what exactly is this place?”
    Race decided if he couldn’t be with Mara, he’d at least get some answers.
    “Sanctuary,” Justin said. “For those Etruscans who need it.”
    “Are they in danger?”
    “Some have been, yes. Some just find it easier to live here. Away from people who might not be as…tolerant of what they are.”
    “And what are you?”
    Justin smiled. “Just a guy in love with a girl who has wings.”
    Race figured there was a little more to the story but didn’t pursue it. Instead he forced himself to tend to Arin, get the kid out of the bulky snowsuit so he could at least have some range of motion.
    “So, you and Mara. More than just friends?”
    He answered without thought. “Yeah.”
    “And she’s on board with that?”
    He fucking hoped so. “Yeah.”
    “And the guy who had this spell laid on her, righteous prick, huh?”
    “You could say that. If he wasn’t dead already, I’d kill him again. Slower.”
    “Dude. I like you. So, this whole baby thing. Weird, right? I mean,” Justin looked down at the bundle in his arms with a smile Race could only call goofy, “I can’t imagine my life without her but before she was born, I couldn’t imagine how the hell life was going to work with her in it.”
    Race just grunted. He hadn’t really thought about it. Arin was Mara’s so therefore Arin was Race’s. Probably shouldn’t say that out loud. Sounded pretty arrogant.
    So he did what he normally did and kept his mouth shut.
    “So you’re a wolf, huh? That’s pretty cool. Don’t meet many of them, since y’all tend to live in dens.”
    The guy continued to talk. He was good at it so Race let him, though he couldn’t keep from watching the doorway to the kitchen. He couldn’t see or hear anything and it was driving him nuts but Selvans had told him to go and he didn’t want to piss off a deity. Especially not one who was helping Mara.
    A half hour later, he was ready to climb the walls. And storm the kitchen. Arin had started to get antsy, gnawing on his fist or anything else he could get in his mouth.
    He figured Mara had packed a bottle and he was just about to dig it out when Selvans walked into the room.
    Race didn’t wait for permission this time. He figured he’d been patient long enough. Selvans would understand.
    In fact, as he got closer, the god smiled at him, though he looked tired. “I’ll hold the baby, son. I think you’re going to want your hands free.”
    Shit, that didn’t sound good.
    He passed off Arin then rushed into the kitchen, finding Mara slumped over the kitchen table.
    He called her name. Okay, he shouted her name, which made her groan.
    She sat up with a start as he