by D. C. Gambel
“I demand retribution, Conrad.”
“We do not know the details yet.”
But Gideon spoke over my father. “A life for a life.”
My stomach bottomed out as the blood fled from my cheeks. My father’s face went whiter than a sheet and I wondered what he would say to stop this. It was our error. As the injured party, Gideon had the right to ask for requital in whatever form deemed reasonable, but a life?
“It was an accident,” I admitted, seeing injustice in his request.
He ignored me continuing to speak solely to my father. Perhaps it was because he only deemed the leader of the Order worthy to speak to. Or he was chauvinistic. I hoped, for his benefit, the latter wasn’t the case. I wasn’t the type to sit quietly and be ignored.
“It’s your choice. You can either honor the life debt with a hunter of your choosing—” My father would never agree to that. “Or I take the responsible party as my prisoner.” Gideon sent a purposeful glare my way. I couldn’t help but send one back. He wanted blood or me. Only one of those I could live with.
My father stood there silently pondering the offer. I gaped at him. He couldn’t seriously be considering giving up a life? The hunters no longer pretended to work as they all watched with interest.
“How long?” I inquired taking another step forward.
Gideon pivoted to stare skeptically at me. It seemed he could hear me over his own virile maleness. “Excuse me?”
I spoke slowly so he might hear me. He probably wasn’t used to listening to women speak. “How long would I be your prisoner?”
“Isabel,” my father interjected but neither the Alpha’s attention nor mine broke from the other. I couldn’t count on my father to do the right thing. He hesitated over Gideon’s offer.
“What is a life worth? Should it not be a lifetime, for that is what you robbed Cyrus of?”
It took everything in me not to roll my eyes. He was needling me and I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction. “It was an accident. He leapt in front of me taking the bullet I had aimed at his uncle, who would have survived by the way.”
Gideon cocked his head to the side studying me. What did he see? Was he hunting for a weakness? Greater men than him had tried. “Ten years.”
I scoffed at his offer. “At best, his death would be considered manslaughter.”
His lips tugged up in the corner. For a moment I thought he might be fighting off a smirk. How unbecoming for the Alpha. “Under the federal sentencing guidelines, the base penalty for manslaughter is twelve months of incarceration with a maximum penalty of eight years.”
I glanced around the room as I struggled to regain my composure. Clever wolf had just provoked me into a trap. Perhaps I underestimated him. I wouldn’t make that mistake again. How had he known that off the top of his head? I’d have heard if he had a law degree.
“One year then,” I offered, holding my hand out for him to take. I could be jumping the gun. It wasn’t often that I was bested, but one year was nothing in the scheme of things. Shaking hands was the fastest way to bind the deal, something all supernaturals were honor bound to observe.
“Isabel!” My father tried to interject again, but Gideon was already sauntering his way across the floor.
“A year,” he agreed clasping his hand with mine. Tingles spread up my arm almost like there was real magic binding our deal. Warmth flooded my body at the contact that neither of us seemed in a hurry to break. I met his green eyes, which sparkled wickedly causing me just the briefest hint of panic. What had I just agreed to?
3
“How could you be so stupid, Isabel?” My father hadn’t ceased his raving since we departed the assembly chamber. His brown eyes that matched mine in color and shape, shimmered with rage. The metal in the weapon vault glimmered as I bent over removing the hidden blade from my boot and threw it onto the table where my other knives already sat. Weapons of every variety, from blades to guns to bows, hung from the wall creating a uniquely realistic wallpaper. A crate sat just feet away filled with broken knives in need of repair. Black filing cabinets had been repurposed, now filled with foam to hold guns and magazines. Hunters had their own drawer. Mine currently sat empty.
Unholstering my gun, I slammed it onto the table making the weapons rattle. Someone would need to clean it before it was put away. Normally I’d do it myself, but I didn’t have the time.
Gideon had given me until dawn to get my affairs in order, which was more than I expected. My father had asked that since the full moon was happening in just over twelve hours, and the wolves would all be forced to change, that perhaps the Alpha might consider waiting until tomorrow to collect me. The answer had been a resounding no. Gideon wouldn’t risk giving me time to escape, not that I would. I did volunteer after all. I was to bring nothing except the clothes I was wearing. Anything I needed would be provided upon my arrival at the wolves’ stronghold.
“What would you have me do, father? Sacrifice another innocent life just so I wouldn’t have to spend a year as a prisoner?” I jerked open my left bracer and a small knife clattered onto the table.
“Of course not.”
“Really?” I snubbed tossing the bracer onto the table. “Because you seemed to have considered it awfully hard when he presented you the option.”
His face turned red proving to me that he had actually considered killing one of our own just to keep me out of the werewolves’ grasp. He’d deny it if I pressed, so I let him tell his lie. “Of course not. I was trying to think of an alternative, but you just offered yourself up so quickly.” I was proud that I had managed to refrain from rolling my eyes.
“It was you who taught me that my life wasn’t worth anything more than someone else’s. How could I do anything different?”
“We could have offered him a less prominent prisoner,” he whispered not risking anyone overhearing him. I balked in disgust. “Hear me out. You are my daughter. My daughter, a princess of the Order. Who’s to say they’ll follow through at the end of the year and release you? You’d make an excellent bargaining chip.”
“If they do, it’s because you showed your hand tonight instead of treating me like any other hunter who made a mistake. You treated me like the daughter you love. I killed that kid, Dad. Me. Not some lower ranking hunter. I should have seen his intention, but I was so focused on Malcolm that I was distracted from the world around me and it cost both of them their lives. It’s just as much my fault that he died, as it is Malcolm’s or even Cyrus himself. My finger pulled the trigger.”
“Are you sure you’re not just offering yourself up because you feel guilty?”
Was I? Even if I felt justified in the killing, and Gideon had come demanding retribution, I’d still offered myself up refusing to let anyone else suffer for what I’d done. It was a point of honor.
The door to the vault swung open saving me from answering. “I just heard.” Reed barged in wrapping his arms around me causing me to cringe. I glared at my father over Reed’s shoulder, as he struggled to hide his amusement. He knew Reed repulsed me. I didn’t care how good-looking he was with his golden blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. His features were sharp and defined from his face to his body, that I heard him claim was only eight percent body fat. He was a social climber. His family was number two in the Order. Mine was number one. The only way they’d ever move up was if we were all killed. If that happened and even a hint of our deaths led back to the Hauptman family, they’d never lead, otherwise they’d have to marry into our family. I was next in line to rule, which meant I was constantly being bombarded with suitors. Reed just happened to be the most persistent and the one with the least chance of succeeding.
“You offered yourself up as a prisoner? What were you thinking, Izzy?”
“Why?” I wrenched myself out of his grasp. “Did you want to go in my stead? I think the Alpha’s still here. Maybe we can ask?” His face heated and he stood there silently tensing his jaw. “No? Well then I guess I�
��ll just have to go.”
I shoved past both men heading back to the assembly room. Gideon had left two werewolves on the premises to make sure nothing shady happened. They stood outside the door waiting. As I moved through the halls, they trailed behind me like twin shadows refusing to let me out of their sights without first investigating the area for potential escapes. The vault had been a windowless room. They felt the risk was low leaving me unattended even in a room of weapons. If they were killed, we’d be at war, not something I was willing to risk and they knew it. Now, if I managed to escape, the hunters could claim they had no control over my own cowardice, which meant keeping me from escaping was much more important than preventing me from getting access to the weapons.
Reed followed after me. “Come now, Isabel, surely you can see how ludicrous this is. You are next in line to lead. You can’t willing give yourself as a hostage.”
“Hostage? I’m serving the time demanded by the Alpha. What would you rather I do?”
“Send someone else in your stead.”
I whirled on him unable to hide the disgust off my face. “You can’t be serious.”
“You are too important to risk.”
“So you’d rather I hand over someone innocent to serve my time? God, Reed, you sound like a tyrant.”
“I may sound like one, but I’m not naïve enough to risk a valued hunter.”
“Glad it’s not your decision.” I turned heading back to the assembly chamber.
“You can’t seriously be letting her do this?” Reed spat at my father.
My father was not one to be spoken to without respect. He’d tolerated it from Gideon because he considered him his equal as a fellow ruler, but he wouldn’t from a subordinate. I couldn’t help but smirk since neither of them would see it. Reed didn’t know that his comment just moved my dad onto my side. If he’d only kept his mouth shut, he might have had an ally. “I will not have you questioning my decision, Reed. I still rule this clan.”
“But—”
“Another word and you’ll find yourself in the pit.”
I entered the assembly chamber and saw the squad I’d arrived with still huddled together awaiting debriefing.
“Eric,” I called out, not approaching. I glanced at the two wolves behind me. Taking the hint, they paused allowing me to put a few paces between us giving me some semblance of privacy as Eric made his way to me.
“You’re really leaving?” Eric’s interest was nothing more than that of a trusted partner, even though other hunters assumed there was something more between us. We simply worked well together.
“I am and please don’t try to convince me otherwise.”
“Why would I? What you’re doing is incredibly honorable. When the time comes you will be a leader I will be proud to follow.”
My lips tugged up in the corners feeling relieved that someone understood. “Keep an eye on Reed. I have a feeling he’ll use my absence for some kind of advantage.”
“Like what?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know but you know Reed.”
“I know how all the Hauptman are. You need not worry.”
In an out of character move, Eric reached out, pulling me into his arms. I tensed before returning the hug. It was the first time he’d ever touched me when it hadn’t been completely necessary.
The energy in the room shifted flaring violently. I didn’t need to turn to know that Gideon was back.
“You’re punctual,” I stated, turning to face the Alpha wolf. The way his energy radiated off him had me worrying my lip nervously. This was the right decision, I told myself no matter how much his presence affected me.
“Have you said your goodbyes?”
Eric reached forward giving my hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. I nodded stepping away from my friend.
“Wait!” My father raced into the chamber. He walked straight to me hugging me tighter than ever before. As he held me, I couldn’t remember the last time we’d hugged. Perhaps the night my mother died. “Be safe.” Releasing me he turned a glare to Gideon. “If anything happens to her—” he left the sentence unsaid. The words weren’t necessary. The meaning was clear.
Gideon met my father’s stare but was the first to break. I’d never seen an Alpha break first to anyone less dominant, and while I loved my father, between the two of them, Gideon clearly won the dominance competition. He broke first as a sign of respect.
“Come,” the Alpha demanded turning on his heels. He didn’t wait to see if I’d follow. The two wolves sandwiched me between them. Neither of them touched me as they escorted me from my home.
4
Thanks to the morning rush hour, the car ride to the wolves' stronghold took over an hour. The sounds of traffic as people were busily starting their day were a welcome distraction. The scent of the city mixed with that of the well-dressed Alpha, that sat across from me, filled the cab. I’d done my best to calm my heart, but it still raced nervously. I’d eyed the exits more than once, refusing to give into my fight or flight instinct. I didn’t know what the next year would hold for me. I could face a ravenous vampire or a feral werewolf, but the unknown was perhaps the one thing that truly frightened me. It was beyond my control, and in my line of work, I needed control.
We paused at a black iron gate that stood out against the contrasts of the stormy gray stonewalls surrounding it, as the driver leaned forward for a retinal scan.
The werewolf stronghold was nicknamed the Thorn Court and the reason why was blatantly obvious. The stone fence was stacked twenty-five feet high making it difficult to climb, but if that wasn’t enough to deter someone, along the top were masses of thorn vines so thick they were visibly impenetrable. No one knew if they simply covered part of the stone or if they were a barrier all their own.
The car lurched forward cruising down the long driveway that led to the house, if that’s what you wanted to call it. The building was smaller than the hunter’s headquarters, which was an easy feat since our base housed not only our operations but all the families as well, yet the Thorn Court was much more immaculate. The main house was wrapped in white stone and appeared as almost three separate buildings. The center was the most pristine with its four stories. Windows were sparse, but each had its own ledge. In the center of the roof was a dome; its walls made almost entirely of glass. A gray roof blanketed all three sections, minus the dome. I wondered if the glass bubble was just for decoration or if there was access to the extra level. The two sides of the house came up short on the elegances and were only slightly less impressive with their three stories. The windows were smaller and lacked the freedom the center of the house held.
The car came to a stop jolting me from my admiration. The door opened from the outside and Gideon exited first, almost in haste. Whether it was his need to assert some kind of Alpha BS or he just wanted to get away from me, I didn’t know. A small group of people awaited our arrival in the bright morning sun. Rarely was I awake long enough to feel the sun’s morning rays. It would have been a treat for me in any other circumstances. A hand reached into the car and after a moment I realized it was being offered to me. My lips flattened. Did they think I was some southern belle who needed assistance to exit a car? Shoving past the extended hand, I grabbed the handle mounted to the car using it to push my momentum out. Once my feet were securely on the ground, I realized the hand had belonged to Gideon. He eyed me as if my act had been an affront. I crossed my arms and met the Alpha’s glare with one of my own.
“Go with Eleanor,” he demanded dismissing me. The way he spoke suggested he wasn’t used to being questioned.
“Why?” My nose wrinkled curiously. The crowd around us flinched as if preparing for the blowback. Werewolves, even Alphas, were nothing new to me. Neither had the longest fuse. I agreed to come, it didn’t mean I was going to be easy.
Gideon scowled, but instead of his unleashing his temper or even blatantly ignoring me, he replied in the same tone as before, which was unexpected. “She will
show you to your accommodations.”
I should have left it alone, but my curiosity was piqued. My brow rose as I repeated what he’d just said. “My accommodations?”
A curt nod was the only response he gave. Without giving me another opportunity to speak, he climbed back into the car. The door was tugged shut and the vehicle heaved forward. I guess I was dismissed.
With my arms still crossed over my chest, I was aware of several people, including the two wolves that had been following me earlier, watching me, but I didn’t budge. I was curious how long we’d all stand there.
“Miss?” an elderly woman stepped forward. I cocked my head to the side studying her. Her gray hair was cut short and curled into her face. She wore a pale lavender dress with white stripes running down the length of her body. Her pale blue eyes met mine sparkling with kindness I hadn’t expected from members of the Thorn Court, especially after what I’d been accused of. “If you would follow me. I’ll help you get squared away.”
I glanced at wolf one and two and decided to not risk them dragging me through the building. This would be my first impression on the wolves. I was a hunter. That alone was cause for them to dislike me, add the death of the young wolf and I’d be lucky if they didn’t kick my ass the first moment they got.
“Where are we going?” I asked trailing after the woman as I took in the house. It was elegant and modern in a way I hadn’t anticipated. Marble pillars graced the hallway where we walked. Cream color coated the walls. The warm scent of vanilla filled the air.
“To get you somewhere safe.”
“I don’t understand,” I admitted, catching up to her having fallen behind as I admired the house. Hearing her concern about my safety didn’t make me nervous as it might some. I could handle myself even if I was weaponless. What did pique my curiosity was whether this “safe place” was to keep me safe or the pack safe from me.
She didn’t reply as she led me down a flight of stairs. The fact that the house had a lower level was unexpected as it’d not been noticeable from outside.