Page 62 of Rising Reign

“Human food tastes like cardboard, but I love alcohol.” The adoring way Rhys looked at his glass said exactly that.

“Why do you eat, then?” I pressed.

Rhys straightened, tension weaving its way through his shoulders. “Long story.”

“A no-go zone,” Clara surmised.

Puck studied the vampire for a long moment. “You know, it seems quite unfair that you seem to know all our secrets, and we know none of yours.”

Rhys grinned, the charmer mask back in place. “Exactly how I like it.”

But I’d gotten a glimpse beneath the mask, and there was a bone-deep sadness there. Loneliness.

“Come on,” Rhys said, sliding off his stool. “It’s time to head to the gym.”

I glanced at the clock on the wall and saw that it was five past the end of my and Puck’s shift. “Dina, do you need us to stay?” I called.

She waved us off. “I’m good until the dinner shift gets here. I’ve got my trusty bat if anyone causes trouble.”

Clara beamed. “I love her.”

“That’s because you have fabulous taste,” I said, setting my order pad on one of the shelves behind the bar.

The moment the four of us headed for the door, Clara’s guards silently surrounded her.

“Doesn’t that get old?” Rhys asked.

“Not when I’m partial to breathing,” Clara shot back.

The remark had Puck’s brow furrowing, and I understood why. I couldn’t help wondering what sorts of threats Clara had faced to be so partial to a security detail.

She quickly changed the subject as we walked across the parking lot to Crescent Kingdom. “I like seeing this side of the human world. Our pack lands are so removed from the humans that we don’t get the same slice of life. Pucker, your bar is charming.”

Puck let out a snort. “Brace yourself for the human contingent we’re about to meet.”

I rolled my lips over my teeth, trying to keep from laughing. “I can’t wait to watch you kick their asses.”

Clara let out a low laugh. “It is fun to put men in their place, isn’t it, Wren?”

Rhys rubbed his backside. “My ass is still complaining about the last show of force from you two. Simmer down.”

I didn’t hold in my laugh this time.

Henry stepped forward, holding the door for the rest of us, but it was Mei and Eliza who took the lead, scanning the space for any intruders. The moment all of us stepped inside, the sparring and heavy bag work slowed or stopped altogether as everyone stared.

“Now, this place I love,” Clara said almost reverently.

“Thanks,” Kingston said with a twitch of his lips as he walked up. “Welcome to Crescent Kingdom. It’s an MMA gym, but we get some who tend more toward boxing.”

Clara scanned the room. “It’s a great space.”

Juan moved toward us from where he’d been working out on a heavy bag. “Who is this absolute goddess, and why have we never met?”

He took Clara’s hand and lifted it to his lips. In turn, she let out an honest-to-goodness giggle.

“Oh, hell no,” Puck muttered. “Stay the fuck away from my sister. Everyone.”

Juan’s eyes widened, but he didn’t let go of Clara. “Wait,” he whispered. “Do you go wolfy, too?”