The Past

ously like the arrival of a mid-life crisis on wheels. Evangeline gr

ubtle, is he?" she muttered,

a businessman and more like a tiger checking its territory. "Subtlety isn't in his nature. Men

s flashing a violent, electric violet. "What's the move, Valerian? Do I go

his desk. "Fiona Drake is already at the main gate. She's my head of security. If

she the one who told me I was 'wearin

she's ruthless, and she's currently stalling him while we figure out how

room. "I just need to be fast. If I hide, he wins.

his hands bracketing her waist. The static discharge between them was visceral, a hum of pure, lethal energy.

hitching as he leaned closer, his scent of storm and ir

Go to the observation deck. You can see the gate from there. Don't engage, just... observe. A

nergy pulsing through her veins. "It's excitem

ng a quick, searing kiss to her ja

that felt entirely new to her. She reached the observation deck just as the floodlig

as she filed her nails. She didn't look like a security chief

he day he'd ditched her at the altar. He was draped in a tailore

e smooth and oily. "I know she's in here. My scout

rty, Lucius. The only thing you're going to find here is a la

er. "I'm looking for a stray. A pathetic, wolf-less girl who owes my p

r fingers beginning to warp and heat up. "Compensation? I'

her. It was Valerian. He stood close, his ha

go problem. You want to keep looking? Go ahead. But if you touch one of my walls, I'm au

ing over. "I know she's here. I can feel th

For a split second, his eyes locked onto the shadows where Evangeline

sked, pointing toward the ba

cision. "That's just the reflection of the neon signs, darling. Are you h

owled, his voice vibrati

replied, her sm

lly sending a decorative stone gargoyle tumbling from the bal

as suddenly confronted by a figure in a dark, flowing coat-a blur of mov

f Valerian's scouts, mimicking

ted in a mixture of confusion and rage.

ing to run himself right into the trap at the valley pass. And when he gets there, he

d the gate, his pack scrambling after him like headless chickens.

said, her voice dropping

hunger. "The hunt has only just begun, Evie. And I think

d, stepping into him until there was

lied, his eyes dark with prom