“Is that what you offered Lexi when she discovered your secret?” She glanced at her watch again and then gripped the cage bars, glaring at me. “I want the truth. Does Kaleb know you’re a witch? Has he been protecting you this whole time? Did—”
“He didn’t know,” Asher said as he entered the room. The two brown wolves stood as Asher walked toward the cage, frowning at Tessa. “Kaleb knows the other wolves would kill him if he claimed a witch as his mate. He’s loyal to the Norwood Pack.”
I lowered my gaze, not daring to look at Kaleb’s father. Although I had hoped to avoid facing him, it made sense he’d come to check on me. At least he’d confirmed what Markus had said—that the wolves would kill Kaleb for claiming me. I had no choice. I had to lie and tell them I’d put a spell on Kaleb. It was the only way to save him.
“He was stupid enough to agree to an alliance with the Romanies,” Tessa said. “If he—”
“Remember, the alliance was my idea.” Asher flashed his sharp canines. “Are you questioning my judgment? Be careful how you answer. My wolves are only here because I’ve ordered it.”
Tessa bowed her head slightly. “I’m not questioning your judgment, but I don’t trust Kaleb’s decision in claiming this witch as his mate.”
“You’re assuming Kaleb had a choice in this,” Asher replied. “Unless he was forced to, he’d never claim a witch. She must have used a spell.”
“Then ask her,” Tessa said. “I injected her with a truth potion when we locked her up. It will have kicked in by now.”
Crap.
I rubbed the back of my neck, that explained the dull pain. Hopefully, what Calandra had said was true and potions didn’t work on me.
Chapter 30
I folded my arms and glared at Tessa. Why had a witch agreed to help a Rocklin wolf? First, they’d cast a spell on this room to render a witch powerless. And then, they’d supplied the truth potion she’d injected into my neck.
“You gave her a truth potion?” Asher scowled at her. “Why?”
“My alpha ordered me to,” Tessa replied. “The Rocklin Pack wants the truth. If Kaleb claimed her knowing she was a witch, then I’m supposed to kill him.”
I stared at Asher, holding my breath as I waited for him to kill Tessa or order one of the wolves to. He couldn’t be okay with Vaughan ordering Kaleb’s death. Asher killing Kaleb was one thing, although I still didn’t think he would. But to hear another alpha had ordered his son’s death? Asher had to be pissed.
Asher looked over at the wolves. “Leave us.”
The two wolves walked to the steel door. Once they’d left the room, a man pulled the door shut.
“I want the truth. Why did you come to Woodlake?” Asher snapped. “Has your alpha put a bounty on Kaleb? Is that why he was shot?”
“I don’t know anything about a bounty.” Tessa shook her head, fear creeping into her eyes. “I was ordered to check out the rumors that a Romani girl had killed Lexi and that Kaleb had claimed her as his mate. That’s all. When I heard she was a witch, I called my alpha, and he gave me new orders. I must do as he says. You know that.”
Asher charged toward Tessa, growling menacingly. “If I find out there’s a bounty, I will—”
“Please…” Tessa quickly took several steps back until her body was pressed against the wall. She lowered her gaze and mumbled, “I swear I’m telling you the truth. The Rocklin pack didn’t put a bounty on Kaleb.”
“If you’re lying, we’ll kill every single Rocklin wolf.” Asher stood in front of Tessa, staring her down. “Do you understand?”
She nodded, keeping her gaze on the floor. “But…I still need the truth from her.”
“Fine.” Asher turned to me, moving away from Tessa. “Are you a witch?”
“Yes,” I replied. There was no sense in denying it if a Norwood wolf had overheard the Elders tell the Romanies about me. Asher already knew the truth. He just wanted me to admit it.
He clenched his fists. “Did you put a spell on Kaleb to make him claim you?”
I pressed my lips together, refusing to answer his question. What if Calandra was wrong? What if I opened my mouth and the truth came out? I didn’t want to take that chance.
“Answer the question.” Tessa cleared her throat. “If you don’t, I’ll kill your family, starting with your cousin and her unborn baby.”
I looked at Asher, expecting him to say he wouldn’t allow her to kill them. Like Kaleb, he’d signed the agreement. The Norwood Pack had agreed to patrol the Romani community, protecting us from harm. Weren’t they obliged to kill Tessa if she went after Drina?
As if reading my mind, Asher glared at me. “I won’t stop her, so answer my question.”
“Yes,” I quickly said. Well, that had been easy. Calandra was right—spells and potions didn’t work on me. The truth potion seemed to have no effect whatsoever.
“Yes, and…?” Tessa’s eyes narrowed.
I concentrated on my words, confident I could lie again. “I used a spell on Kaleb to make him fall in love with me and claim me as his mate.”
Asher looked relieved. Now there was no need to order his son’s execution.
“That’s not possible,” Tessa replied. “He’s an olden from a pure bloodline. She can’t have cast a love spell on him.”
“Are you calling me a liar?” I snapped. “I’m the daughter of a High Council witch. Do you think I don’t know how to cast spells on oldens?”
“Who’s your mother?” Asher asked.
“Calandra,” I said. I was no fool. Although I trusted Markus, there was no way I’d trust Asher or Tessa with the truth.
“That’s why she came to town!” Asher said.
Tessa’s lip twitched. She pulled a cell phone out of her pocket and sent a series of text messages. No doubt to her alpha. At least now she wouldn’t have to kill him. After her phone chimed for the third time, she cleared her throat. “He has one more question.”
Scratching his jaw, Asher studied me, like he knew what the Rocklin alpha wanted to know. It seemed this same important question had already crossed his mind, so he asked, “Did you and Kaleb have sex after he claimed you?”
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Tessa’s stare. I couldn’t believe Kaleb’s father had asked me if we’d had sex. “No. He wanted to wait until after the wedding.”
“Are you sure?” Tessa asked. “That doesn’t sound like Kaleb.”
“She can’t lie, remember?” Asher snapped.
“He didn’t want me shaming my family.” My cheeks heated; I just wanted this part of their questioning to be over. It was bad enough that Carmel knew we hadn’t completed our bond by having sex. Now, the entire Norwood Pack would know.
“Contact your alpha and put an end to this charade,” Asher said.
She sent another text message, then tucked her cell phone back into her pants pocket. “It’s done.”
I glanced from Tessa to Asher. Had they finished asking their questions? Because I had things I wanted to say, especially since they believed the truth potion had worked. “The Romanies knew nothing about me. Will you still uphold your alliance with them?”
“I have no issue with the Romanies in Woodlake, but I can’t say the same for Kaleb. He wouldn’t have signed the agreement if you hadn’t put a spell on him,” Asher said. “Where is my son? The wolves said you and Markus took him to your house, but he’s not there. No one can find him, and I can’t feel his connection to the pack. It feels as though his transference link has been severed.”
“Markus took Kaleb out of town, but he didn’t tell me where they were going. He was worried about his safety and promised to come back once he’d healed. Kaleb had passed out, and that’s probably why you can’t feel his connection.” I bit my lower lip, waiting for Asher to respond.
I didn’t understand the pack connection or how transference worked and could only hope my explanation was correct. What if using my blood to heal Kaleb had broken his link to his bloodline? Was
that even possible?
“Does Kaleb know you’re a witch?” Tessa asked. “Have you told him?”
“She hasn’t told him,” Asher replied as he glanced out the windows. His jawline had softened. He no longer looked angry, in fact, he looked worried. “Tell me about the vampires. What did they want?”
“I don’t know,” I replied. “I guess they used compulsion on me.”
Tessa smiled. “That means she’s weak if they—”
“No,” someone yelled from outside the steel door. There was a loud commotion—shouts and growls, and what sounded like bodies slamming against the wall.
Tessa sniffed the air and moved to stand on the other side of Asher, away from the door. Whatever was outside frightened her.
Asher folded his arms as someone ripped the steel door off its hinges and tossed it aside. He didn’t look scared; he looked ready to fight.
I backed away from the cage door and pressed my back against the wall. Were the vampires here? Had they come to take me from the wolves?
One of the brown wolves slowly backed into the room.
“Where is she?” Kaleb shouted as he tossed aside the wolf.
My eyes widened. It had only been a day since Kaleb’s injury. Where was Markus? Had he told Kaleb everything? More importantly, had Kaleb come to rescue me or kill me?
Chapter 31
“Who did this?” Kaleb stormed over to the cage, glaring at Tessa. He was breathing normally and looked healthy. It was like he’d never been shot. “I’ll have your head for this.”
Asher placed a hand on Kaleb’s shoulder, examining him from head to toe. “I don’t understand. How are you walking around like nothing’s happened? Didn’t a vampire hunter shoot you?”
“No.” Kaleb glanced at me with soft, kind eyes.
My heart fluttered.
“That’s not possible.” Tessa shook her head. “The other wolves said they shot you with an arrow laced with wolfsbane. You should be dead.”
“Are you calling me a liar?” Kaleb lifted his shirt to expose a muscular chest with no wound. No scar. No sign of any injury. “The arrow must’ve grazed me, because I remember being in pain and then I passed out.”
Staring at me, Asher removed his hand from Kaleb’s shoulder. Did Asher have any idea I’d healed his son? Would he ask the question, knowing Kaleb could lose everything?
Kaleb folded his arms. “Get Sienna out of this cage.”
“She’s a witch,” Tessa hissed.
“No.” Kaleb’s gaze met mine. “It’s all lies. She’s not a witch.”
I held my breath, surprised to hear Kaleb’s denial. He must be stalling. Was Markus outside taking care of the other wolves? And when he was done, would he help Kaleb tie up his father and Tessa? Catching Tessa would be easy, but Asher wouldn’t let Kaleb take me. Not without a fight.
“She’s already admitted to using a love spell on you. I bet she slipped something into your food when you met her at the café. Her real mom’s Calandra, the High Council witch,” Tessa said. “Ask her. She can’t lie. I gave her a truth potion.”
“I want to speak to her alone.” Kaleb grasped the cage bars, keeping his gaze on me.
Tessa shook her head. “That’s not a good idea. We don’t know what power she has over you. What if she—”
“Didn’t your witch put a blocking spell on this room?” Asher asked.
“Yes,” Tessa stammered.
“Then there’s no harm in giving him five minutes.” Asher turned to Kaleb. “Don’t open the cage or hurt her. That’s an order. Sienna’s admitted to being a witch, and it’s up to the pack to decide what to do with her.”
I swallowed hard. The pack would decide what to do with me? What did that even mean? Would they put me on trial just because I had witch blood flowing through my veins?
“Answer his questions, Sienna. Whatever he wants to know,” Asher said. “Or Tessa will go after your family. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” the word squeaked out of my mouth.
Asher took a few steps toward the steel door. As he glanced back at Kaleb, his shoulders tensed and his eyes flickered yellow. Then he shook his head and walked out of the room.
Whatever they’d just said to each other, it didn’t look good, but it seemed Kaleb’s transference still worked. There was no evidence that I’d healed Kaleb or tainted his blood.
Tessa lingered for a moment. “I’m sorry about this. I never meant to—”
“Get out,” Kaleb snapped.
With a heavy sigh, she hurried from the room.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I rushed to the cage door and touched his hands. Close up, he looked even better—so relaxed and strong, like nothing could stop him.
“I’m fine.” He reached between the bars and touched my shoulders. Looking me over, he studied every inch of my body. “Did they hurt you?”
“No.” I glanced over at the open doorway, remembering Asher had only given us five minutes. I needed to know the rescue plan. “Where’s Markus?”
“I don’t know.” He looked over his shoulder, watching the doorway as he let go of my shoulders and eased the cage bars apart. “I haven’t seen him since we left with the scouting party.”
I touched Kaleb’s hand, and he stopped. “What did you say?”
“I haven’t seen Markus since we searched the woods for that vampire.” Kaleb’s forehead wrinkled. “We were going to watch the fireworks that night, don’t you remember? I’m sorry I didn’t make it. The wolfsbane must have touched my skin, and I guess I passed out. Carmel found me in the woods about an hour ago and told me what was going on. It’s weird because I swear, I was wearing a different shirt. Guess the wolfsbane must be messing with my mind.”
A sob formed in my throat.
He didn’t know the truth.
Kaleb had no memory of the last twenty-four hours.
“What I don’t get is why Markus didn’t come looking for me. And then this crap about you being a witch. Nothing makes any sense. It’s like—” Kaleb’s eyes widened as a tear rolled down my cheek. He wiped the tear away and gently lifted my chin with his finger. “Don’t worry. It’s gonna be fine. I promise. We’ll get this straightened out.”
I let go of his hand, backing away from him until my body touched the wall behind me. I glanced at the open doorway again. The wolves were nearby, listening to our conversation. I had no choice but to lie.
“What’s wrong?” He gripped the cage bars again, pulling them apart.
“Stop,” I yelled, fighting back my tears. I couldn’t let him rescue me. “Ask me, Kaleb.”
His eyebrow shot up. “What am I supposed to ask you?”
“You know the question.” I slid down the wall to sit on the concrete floor. Pulling my legs up, I hugged them against my chest and stared at the floor.
I couldn’t look at Kaleb. I didn’t want to see his face.
Why hadn’t I told him the truth that night when I confronted him about kissing Tessa? Or at the hospital when he willingly cut his hand and gave me his blood to help Mom? If I’d been honest from the start, we wouldn’t be in this situation. I wouldn’t be forced to lie.
“Are you a Romani witch?” Kaleb asked, sounding relaxed. He wasn’t taking this question seriously. As if he already knew what I’d say.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I loudly replied, “Yes.”
Silence filled the room.
I opened my eyes and waited, not daring to look up. Why wasn’t Kaleb reacting? I was sure he’d heard me, and he knew about the truth potion.
“Look at me,” Kaleb pleaded. “I want you to look at me and say you’re a witch.”
I took a deep breath.
Be strong. Be brave. He’ll forgive you one day.
I looked up, locking my gaze with his. His eyes flickered yellow, but he didn’t look upset.
“It’s true what everyone’s saying.” My lips trembled. “I’m a Romani witch.”
“You must be under a spell. Did Cala
ndra or Garrett give you something to drink?”
“I haven’t seen Calandra since she left the hospital, and you saw me with Garrett before he left town. I’m not under a spell. I’m telling you the truth.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I don’t believe you.”
I sucked in air, preparing myself to hurt the one person I loved most in this world. Because Kaleb needed to believe me. “You heard what Tessa said. She gave me a truth potion. I can’t lie.”
“Then what she said was true? Did you put a spell on me?”
“Yes.” I wiped the tears from my face, determined to see this through. He’d learn the truth later, and we’d be okay. That was what I clung to, the only way for me to get through this.
“Why would you do that?” His lips twisted. “Why put a spell on me?”
I chewed my bottom lip. I’d not expected that question. Why would a witch put a spell on Kaleb? Why not on another wolf? “I couldn’t get close to a pack alpha. They’re suspicious of anyone new. When I heard you enjoyed spending time with the ladies, I knew you were an easy target. All I needed was a simple love spell to hold your attention.”
He ran a hand over his face then reached down and tore the chain from the cage door. The door slammed back against the bars as he entered the cage and pulled me into his arms.
I couldn’t move. Even though my heart ached from wanting to hold him tight and never let him go, I refused to allow myself to. Instead, I inhaled his wolf scent, hoping it wouldn’t be too long until our hearts were this close again.
“I don’t understand what’s going on,” he whispered in my ear, sending tingles down my neck. “Just say you love me. I’ll get you out of here, and we’ll run away together.”
I choked back a sob. Did this mean he didn’t care I was a witch? Or was he in denial, thinking Tessa had lied about the truth potion?
I glanced at the open doorway again, expecting Tessa or Asher to rush in and stop Kaleb. No one appeared, but I knew better. The wolves were listening. They were deciding whether Kaleb could be saved. Would they kill him if he freed me from this cage?
Romani Witch (Shifter Blood: Romani Curse Book 2) Page 21