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[Averi Coldgrove]

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“Merda.”

Averi stood in the doorway, his gaze darkened and glowering. How can I even call this place home, when it is permeated with the scent of Dezera's pre-pubescent plaything?

Everett. His scent was everywhere, and on everything.

Picking up a throw pillow from the sitting area, Averi inhaled the scent thoughtfully, then threw the pillow into the fireplace without ceremony. Greedy flames burned brightly as they consumed the fabric, and the room billowed with the thick and acrid scent of burning wool.

That should take the edge off...

Averi paced the room with a savage and measured stride. If asked, he could not put a name to what it was that unnerved him so. True, he had not seen Dezera in weeks. Although he had, himself, been gone attending...other business. But there was something more.

Something lurked just out of his mind's reach. And Averi was not one patient with the unknown.

Someone waited. Someone watched.

Latent power lay dormant in some forgotten relic.

And soon, those who could answer him would meet with his power of persuasion. He could only hope it would be enough.

[Averi Coldgrove]

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He did not bother to soften his gaze to her. The golden-haired angel drowsed at a writing table in the cabin where often she had awaited his arrival.

“Averi...” She smiled sleepily and lifted a hand toward him.

The beast smiled back.

“Mia Bella Serene.” Averi cooed softly, lifting her hand to his lips. He pressed a kiss into her palm as his hand encircled her wrist.

“I've missed ye. Where've ye been?” The girl's sweet voice questioned him as she arose and stepped closer.

Averi's darkened gaze did not waver as he watched her wide blue eyes intently. He pulled her closer, his smile more sardonic and menacing than she seemed to notice.

“Are ye all right, M'Love?” Serene tensed instinctively and tried to step away, but his grasp on her wrist kept her close, and she became entangled in his embrace.

Averi's dark eyes faded to white as her gaze questioned him. A low chuckle turned to a guttural growl in his throat. And where have these instincts been for the past year?

The screams might have awakened the gypsies of Minoc, if he had given her time and breath to scream. Savagely, he tore at her throat, and fed with abandon. Without restraint, without resolve to stop himself as her heartbeat slowed and faltered. In his arms, the light faded from her eyes. The fire faded from her body. Her blood carried hints of heather and rain, fear and desire. And betrayal.

Mia Bella Serene, it was time that you learned how the world works. Averi's efforts at finding even a hint more of the song her blood sang became futile, and he discarded her broken body on the floor of the cabin. You have served me well. But another will gladly take your place. I have far greater concerns at hand. After all...what's one pretty thrall, more or less?

He left the cabin door standing open and stalked out into the Highland night.