Page 4 of Commanding Blood And Bonds

“Feels alright. Just waitin’ for those celestial genes to turn on.”

“In time,” Alastair said with a low chuckle, reaching forward to clasp forearms. Ajax stepped in next.

“How you been, Blazzy?” Ajax’s chest shook with amusement as Blaz rolled his eyes before glaring at him.

I swallowed my laugh, batting my lashes when his gaze flicked my way.

“For Pete’s sake, I thought that died a decade ago.”

Mocking innocence, Ajax raised his hands. “Old habits, big man.”

“Sure,” Blaz drawled, and I caught the start of an eye roll as I turned back around, reminding myself to move light and airy like Fae.

Four windows, two on either side of the entry. Two benches, one beside each door, with work and riding boots propped below them. A swing at both ends of the porch. A wire-pronged hedgehog beside the benches. I quirked my head, narrowing my eyes as I made mental bullet points. Honestly, the place had an inordinate amount of glass to be called a safe house. No wonder it was crawling with celestial security.

Eyeing the hedgehog, I internally noted: peculiar decor style.

Boot scraper, Brody supplied.

G and Darius lunged ahead to open both looming white doors. My gaze scraped up to the grand vaulted ceiling and dramatic crystal chandelier. Twin staircases greeted us just beyond the entryway, their graceful curves caging in a hallway illuminated by lantern-style lights, flickering flames dancing within the glass. A marble round table and ornate centerpiece with draping greenery sat between them.

I snapped my mouth shut, realizing it had fallen open for real, and glanced to Blaz, whose lips twisted with something like satisfaction.

“This place is...” I swallowed thickly. Intimidating. Creepy. Rigid. “Magnificent,” I finally supplied breathily.

“Thank you, ma’am. Quarters get a little tight, but it’ll do.”

My brows could have kissed with the depth of my confusion, but then the hair on my arms prickled. I turned to the young man now beside me, smirking down as realization dawned.

“Ohh, you’re funny,” I teased, laughing lightly.

“And you’re wearing shoes past the foyer.”

My eyes flicked up to the saccharine ghost of a voice abruptly cutting our conversation short just as Blaz looked to his own feet. Standing at the railing overlooking the entrance was a woman too perfect to be real. Worse than I remembered. The southern belle incarnate—skin glowing, bright blonde hair swept back into a chic style at her nape, with strands framing her heart-shaped face—Reyna wore an overtly feminine chiffon dress. Bright buttercream yellow. It should have clashed with her hair, but somehow, she owned every inch of the graceful, flowing fabric. Lightly hooded eyes, sharp as the wings that lined them, stared down at me before she offered what was supposed to be a smile but felt closer to a grimace.

“You must be Reyna.” I smiled, knowing full well she was the mirror image of the bitch I was actually here for.

Reyna mimicked the expression, the movement sickly sweet as she curved around the railing. Long fingers, crowned with perfect French tips, trailed the wooden banister as she descended with theatrical grace.

“And you must not be from around here.”

“We were just catching up,” Blaz offered, his hand settling at the curve of my back. Familiar enough to let it linger—but if he dropped lower, he might lose it.

“Very well,” Reyna’s voice hovered over the space. Gritting my teeth, I followed Blaz’s lead to the bench beside the opposing staircase, setting down my duffle to remove my boots.

“Reyna!” Brody boomed, a smile curving the sharp lines of his cheeks.

“Ambroise,” her voice softened as her eyes did, reaching out a hand as her pedicured feet touched marble. Blush polish. Shocker.

As Brody kissed her fingers, I turned to Ajax, who smirked.

Rusty mask, madam Wraith.

Bite me. It’s been a minute.

His cough failed to cover his snort, drawing Reyna’s gaze. After pleasantries, she turned to me.

“Freya Porter, correct?”