Raine's POV

The meeting rolled on and I listened attentively, fascinated and grateful for an opportunity to learn more about how this world – my new world – worked.

After another couple of hours, the session ended. Alaric found his way to my side. I could see Cage across the room, engaged in conversation, but decided it was best not to approach him right now. Alaric leaned down and whispered, "We will stay for another thirty minutes or so."

I nodded. The night had turned out more interestingly than I had expected, but my nerves were coiled tightly. Abruptly, a beautiful woman approached us. I was surprised to feel tension...