Bones and Blades (Smoke and Shadows Book 3) by L.L. Gray

Author:L.L. Gray [Gray, L.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heroic Rose Publishing
Published: 2023-03-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28

As the adrenaline faded, I felt the dull throb of my still healing cuts. I touched my side gingerly. My fingertips came away bloody. I must’ve popped some stitches. Mama wouldn’t be thrilled with me, but it could’ve been worse. At least I’d held up long enough to deal with the lich and his minion. Hopefully, I could get stitched back up soon and the damage wasn’t too bad.

The foliage almost engulfed the entire front of the mansion by the time we retraced our steps. I stopped well outside of the ferocious greenery and shouted, “Cameron Blaze and werewolf! We’re friendlies and we’re coming in!” The tunnel leading towards the entryway widened ever so slightly in unspoken welcome. We walked slowly through. It felt like we were walking into some sentient carnivorous plant’s maw. I shivered. Being gnawed on by a meat-eating plant would be a sucky way to die.

Chaos reigned in the grand entryway of the Embassy. They’d stretched the injured out on makeshift pallets. I counted at least four bodies completely covered in white sheets. Letitia crouched by one of the injured guards, speaking in a low, comforting tone. When she saw us enter, she patted the man’s shoulder gently and moved to meet us.

“We need to talk,” she said tersely.

“Tell me about it. Can we go somewhere a little less public?” I asked.

“Yes, of course. Follow me,” Letitia pivoted on a heel. I moved to follow her, but Magnus let out a little whine behind me.

“Uh, Letitia? Magnus wants to shift back but doesn’t want to offend by walking around buck naked. Could you please lend him a set of clothes?” I asked.

“Certainly, how rude of me.” Letitia raised her voice. “Geoffrey? Please arrange for a set of clothes for the werewolf as soon as possible.”

I noticed I’d still entwined my fingers in Magnus’ fur. Gently, I wiggled them loose. He nosed at my fingers gently. The impeccably dressed butler I’d called ‘Jeeves’ on my previous visits appeared out of nowhere. “As you wish,” he said with a little bow. Magnus followed the butler out of the room while Letitia led me out of the entry hall towards the back of the house.

“Careful, you know that means Geoffry loves you, right?” I said to her back, following her deeper into the Embassy.

Letitia snorted in a very unladylike way. “Doubtful. I’m neither a princess, a bride, nor his type.”

She led me to what I recognized as Aldrich Kingsley’s old office. She swung the door wide, ushering me into her newly decorated sanctum sanctorum. Gone were the heavy masculine furnishings and dark colors. Instead, clean white lines accented by soothing blues and greens greeted us. I looked around and whistled low. “You’ve been busy.”

“Haven’t we all?” Letitia settled herself on a cream and olive striped settee, gesturing for me to join her. She winced, hand flying to clutch at her side.

“Are you ok?” I asked.

“He grazed me, that’s all. I’m fine,” she said.

I looked at the light-colored upholstery and then at my dirty, bloodstained clothing.

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