house, my body went rigid. I could smell  the visitors. Aged parchment, fine wine: Lumine Nightshade's scent exuded an aristocratic elegance. But her guards filled the house with an unbearable oder, boiling pitch and burnt hair.

" Calla?" Lumine's voice dripped with honey.

I cringed, trying to gather my wits before I walked into the kitchen with my mouth glued shut. I didn't want to taste the creatures as well as smell them.

Lumine sat at the table across from her pack's current alpha, my father. She remained impossibly still, posture, chocolate tresses caught in a chigon at the bac of her neck. She wore her typical immaculate ebony suit and crisp high- collared white shirt. Two wraiths flanked her, looming shadow-like just over her slim shoulders.

I sucked in my cheeks so I could bite the insides. It was the only thing that kept me from baring my teeth at the bodyguards. " Have a seat, my dear." Lumine gestured to a chair.

I pulled the chair close to my father, crouching rather than sitting in it. I couldn't relax with wraiths nearby.