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"But did I return his love? Could I? Was I allowed to?" I don't know if Phil can prevent himself from falling in love, but he can decide what to do about it if he does. If Naha does the unthinkable to make Manu's continued existence in Egypt untenable, is there a way that Phil can bring him back to the present? By the time of Elizabeth I, the average age at death had increased only to 40. Thank goodness for modern hygiene/medicine!

Poor Carly, wearing her hair as a "modern reimagining of a mullet." An intervention is past due! 😱 So glad to see that Alex is seeking help. He was even willing to go to rehab if necessary (as indicated by his relief that he didn't have to), showing that he is truly dedicated to getting better: It's not just lip service. I'm also proud of Jeremy for standing by Alex despite the gambling issue: Instead of being put off by it, he wants to help.

If Gustav had not performed his behavior-altering trick with Vincent, the good guys might never have become privy to it. So now the big question: How many vampires and werewolves in high authority have ALREADY been sabotaged and don't even know it? 😱

"And what I discovered from behind the barrier, completely caught me off guard. Something that changes how we will fight the enemy that’s come between us." So Gustav is equated with the enemy after all. And they can control behavior, even in a strong vampire like Victor, but they do leave tracks....

Elisa's warnings have now been relatively late on two occasions--once with Naha, resulting in disclosure of Manu's homosexuality, and now with the raiding nomads, who were "one step ahead" and already boarding by the the time the warning was given. Phillip wants to thank Elisa, but I think she needs a tune-up! Also, despite all the alcohol consumption (alcohol was the most common beverage in ancient Egypt, as it killed bacteria, and the crew would have been drinking alcohol as well), the Captain and crew were still able to repulse the raiders. That said, the alcohol content for the wine and beer of the time was variable, and the Egyptians were all used to it, so perhaps it is not unrealistic for a drinking crew to emerge victorious. Manu took a spear for Phil. I don't know if Phil has yet to internalize why Manu would do such a thing or what it means for their relationship. Despite Manu's lack of concern over Naha's "horror" at finding out his sexual orientation, I don't think she'll be as quiet about it as Manu thinks. I'm fearful of what he might find when the two return home.

Prime is a much better name than Meat Market, and the Beef is only implied! Postpone instant gratification? Tony, what's wrong with you? 🤪 The Prime Shot: "Champagne, cassis, vodka, and a little ginger ale." I just love a story with recipes.... 🥰 (I don't know about the vodka and ginger ale instead of white wine, but it sounds intriguing.) And finally, Prime is ready for Prime Time! Well done! 👏

I didn't know Tony was a masochist! (His wanting to deal honestly with the New York building inspectors is a dead giveaway! 😂) "Late in the day, I found myself alone in the storage room, making sure the wire shelving units were properly attached to the wall studs...." After a line including the words alone, storage room, and studs, I figured that something was going down, but I must admit surprise that it was Tony serving his first Screwdriver (with assaulted nuts)! 😂😂😂

Wow, Chris is 18, but he actually grows two inches while in the Hall of Maktar, not to mention the Harlequin-bookcover development of his chest and abs. Go in a geek, come out a Favio! Etalos may look 16, but as Chris observes, he's probably much older. A new love interest? I honestly don't think we're done with the old one. That said, Chris is fairly free with his hugs! 🤭

I hate that Chris won't even let Victor tell his side of the story, even knowing that Gustav is a scumbag from their previous encounter. Further, I fully expect Victor to challenge Gustav, or otherwise obtain justice, for Gustav's attempt to destroy Chris and his relationship. (Going out on a limb, I wonder if Gustav can be an agent for the Blood Army, as his motivation is otherwise unclear. [He doesn't seem the type to act out of jealousy, but what do I know? 🤗]) Too bad that Chris is too responsible to materialize in the Elven boonies, as I'd still like to see him interact with the "common" Elves--and he has a free weekend! Every house should have a Hall of Maktar! (Fear of deadlines would be a thing of the past!) I can just imagine how powerful Chris will be when he emerges from the Hall, but I doubt that he will be over Victor any time soon. 😔

Agreed. Interesting that the Elven government is hiding something from a star reporter (in addition to Chris's presence). Along with this lack of transparency, the Elves have a spy organization, headed by Yal: Is the spying directed to other countries, or does spying also occur in the Elven realm? Is the Elven homeland, as beautiful as it is, a little too good to be true?

Hence my prior observation that he may have been under the influence of a magic user. Again, Halor appears to have been a slacker, and petty, but a murderer? Seems to be out of character. In the heat of the moment, if Jordan had caught the scent trail, would he have ignored it? I doubt it, as he knows Halor and would not be expecting him to wield a gun. That said, he was not the first to pick up the scent trail, so he certainly could have been suppressing his wolf, though this may have been a miscalculation by Halor or his puppet master (if there is one).

Halor, in effect, has killed two people, not just one. The grief has drawn Lysander and Jordan together, for comfort if nothing else, but some things just can't be made better. I still wonder at Halor's behavior: It would have made sense to him that Jordan, with his wolf's sense of smell, would be the one to follow his trail from the bookstore--particularly since he made no attempt to hide it. If that were the case, then the gun was meant to kill Jordan, not Jacob; and counting the burning apartment, two attempts have so far been planned on Jordan's life. I sure hope I'm wrong.

Sequel! ❤🥰😀

Too foxy! 😂

Agreed, but Elisa may be able to zero in on the anomaly as if it were a homing device. My biggest concern is not in finding the general vicinity of the anomaly but in gaining access to the exact site. (Because Memphis is the Capital, there are many sensitive sites where Manu and Phil will not be allowed--e.g., the Pharaoh's sleeping chamber [though he might enjoy a threesome 😂] or the inner sanctum of the various temples devoted to Ptah, etc. If our adventurers are lucky, the anomaly may be hidden in the Necropolis, so that all they need to do is rob a tomb! [Theme music from Indiana Jones, please! 😂])

Secrets revealed! Ameniu can speak, and Manu is a Kinsey 6! (So Naha's animosity towards Phil becomes more understandable.) A journey to the Capital! What will they find? With due respect to Erich von Daniken, my bet is on a temporal anomaly--maybe Elisa itself, hidden in a place like the Hut-ka-Ptah temple! (You never know. 😁) Of course, I could be wrong.... 😂

When the body can't be found, all bets are off!

George and the boys grow closer--to the point where the boys accept corporal punishment from George and, in turn, are entrusted with one of George's most intimate secrets. (A pity that DNA testing was not so advanced in 1965, or George may have had Chris tested. Regardless, seeing Philip's picture was certainly an Oliver Twist moment.) Billy has gone from a foul-mouthed prostitute to a schoolboy gentleman and sportsman, though we don't know if he's given up prostitution entirely. I love that Chris is also attending night school, as both boys seek to better themselves (again, with George's help). I love how the boys' own relationship has flourished. I don't know that the sex is about romantic love as much as it represents trust and comfort, but the elements are present for romantic love as well; and I'm glad to see that George doesn't care a fig how the boys express their love for one another (just don't tell Annie!).

I found this chapter painful to read but couldn't help myself. George, Chris, and Billy have become an oddball little family, and I want to find out more about what happens to them. I do hope that Billy gives up the prostitution before he contracts a bad illness or is subject to violence. In a way, I'm surprised that Chris or George hasn't already raised the issue.

Rushi creates spices for the Imperial table--the perfect position from which to poison the Emperor's food. That said, she would probably be the first accused of such an act if the Emperor were actually poisoned: She wouldn't be that stupid...right? Kastan and Andiya? Kiyan will discuss the possible pairing with his sister before "approaching" Kastan: It sounds as if Kiyan may give Kastan the choice, but the prologue has Kastan accusing Andiya of flouting an imperial edict. We are clearly still missing some pieces of the puzzle. (Of course, Kiyan would still get what he wants if Kastan marries Jihan, but he doesn't know of their relationship. Sounds a bit like the confusion in a Shakespearean play!) "Kastan studied the roads the messengers had used while following the eagles Jihan used." Kastan derives the probable location of the Kamran estate himself by consulting a map and the converging paths of the eagles: Jihan is not betrayed. 😊

Kastan turns out to be Jihan's one weakness, but is leaving him going to take care of the problem or make matters worse? Frankly, Jihon would be best served by integrating Kastan into the solution--and doing it on his own terms--rather than having an angry Imperial family member hunting him down.

Gustav's attempt to sew mistrust has fallen flat. Just how much faith can we place in Gustav, knowing how he dealt with Chris? Love Chris's surprise visits to Elfdom! I wonder if we'll see a McDonald's franchise on the way to the palace! 😂 "Need a few days of break to recharge for some more writing." Chris has your energy signature and will find you if you try to hide! 😂😂😂

I think that Don Martinelli may be a reformed gangster but that he wanted to evict the Russians personally for the fun of it (nostalgia is a wonderful thing!). He was probably hoping for some action!

So Dante is given a thriving bowling alley while Tony is given a disgusting rat hole. Sounds fair. 😂 Yakuza members may have to give up a pinkie, but Konstantin's yubitsume may involve his head (the brain is already missing, so no big deal! 😂). I love the old Lincoln town cars. Monstrosities, maybe, but they were comfy monstrosities! 😁

Chris, you're making assumptions. You say you love your boyfriend, so give him the benefit of the doubt until and unless he gives you a real reason for tears. (Do you think he'd be calling you over and over if he didn't care?)