by Helen Harper
“That cat’s got better sense than you do, Lord Corrigan.”
I growled at sudden – and very annoying appearance – of Lord Solus. This was a most unwelcome interruption. Thinking of the fact that he’d been at Alcazon with Mack, my growl deepened to a snarl.
“Now, now,” he said, eyes dancing with typical Fae mischief, “there’s no need for that kind of attitude.”
My body tensed and I shifted back into my human form. Placing my hands on my hips, I glared. “What do you want?”
“Nice muscles. I can see why she likes you.”
I stiffened. “I’m going to assume you have a very good reason for being here.”
He eyed my chest. “Would you like some baby oil for that?”
I bared my teeth, still feeling the remnants of the wild animal inside me. Then I turned and started walking away.
“Actually, oh wonderful, beauteous, most powerful and dominant Lord Alpha kitty cat, I do need your help.”
I turned slowly, sneering. “Really? What with, Lord Solus?”
“Well,” he said, inspecting his fingernails with studied casualness, “it’s not so much with what as rather with who. And please, call me Solus.”
“Get on with it.”
He stopped playing around, lifting his violet eyes up to meet mine. “It’s Mack. She’s in trouble.”
I froze. “So go and help her out.”
He sucked in a breath through his teeth. “The thing is that I can’t.”
“I thought you were Fae. What happened to that superiority complex?”
“It doesn’t tend to do so well when iron and anti-Fae wards are concerned. You see, she’s at the Ministry of Magic.”
“What the hell is she doing there?”
“It’s a long story. Suffice it to say that she should have left by now and she’s not. I rather fear the Arch-Mage has decided to, well, keep her.”
“Keep her?” I roared. “He has no right! She’s a goddamned shifter!”
“If you say so,” Solus answered. “I wonder if you could pretty please go and see if she’s alright?”
I took a step towards him. “What concern is she of yours?”
He put his palms up. “Now, now, don’t get all territorial. My little dragonlette will make up her own mind about who she wants.”
“Dragonlette?”
“A pet name. Because she’s so … fiery.” His eyes gleamed.
“Why,” I snarled, “do I get the idea you’re just toying with me?”
The amusement vanished from his face. “I apologise. She really is in trouble and I really do need you to go and talk to the Arch-Mage to see if she’s alright. He won’t take anyone else seriously. But with the new alliance you two have formed, you’ll have the best chance of getting him to see sense.”
I watched him carefully. “You really are worried.”
“Me? Nah.” He still didn’t smile again though. “But in the best interests of inter-species communication, it might be good if you went and rescued the damsel in distress. Just, please don’t tell her I told you about her predicament. She really wasn’t very happy last time I got the two of you together so…” he scratched his neck.
“I’ll go and get my clothes and call a car. I’ll be there in an hour or two.”
“Or you could be there sooner.” He raised his voice towards the end of the sentence as if he were asking a question. Or trying to play the innocent.
I sighed. “Go on.”
Solus grinned at me. “It’s easy! I’ll transport you right there. You’ll be in front of the Arch-Mage in a jiffy.” He snapped his fingers and a shimmering purple portal appeared. “See? Wouldn’t you love to have that kind of power at your fingertips?”
I gazed at the Fae in exasperation. “I still need clothes,” I said, gesturing towards my naked form. “I realise my toned body and perfect muscles showing my strength might not be a problem for you, but the Arch-Mage I know is a bit of a stickler for propriety.”
“I wouldn’t make too much of a thing about the muscles, Lord Corrie.” He leaned forward, dropping his voice to a mock stage whisper and plumping up his hair. “And I think Mack prefers blonds.”
I pulled away. “Apparently, time is of the essence. So the more you want to stand there and tease,” I snarled, “the longer it will take to get to her.”
Solus lifted up an index finger in my direction. “Just wait one minute.” He blinked out of existence – at least as far as this plane was concerned anyway.
I stared in frustration at the spot where he’d been standing. Goddamnit. I’d known deep down that Mack was in London for more than just a jolly up the bloody London Eye. Why on earth had she gone to the Ministry? And who did that fucking wizard think he was? Assuming the Arch-Mage really was keeping her against her will. I wouldn’t put it past the glib Fae to be making all this up.
Solus flashed back, tossing me a pile of furry material.
“What’s this?”
“It’ll save you time.” He clapped his hands together twice. “Chop chop.”
I stared down. “I am not wearing this.”
“They’re all the rage, I can assure you.”
I shook out the material. “I am not wearing a onesie.”
“But it’ll really suit you!”
“I am definitely not wearing a onesie of a green dragon!”
Solus bit his thumb, glancing at me archly from under his eyelashes. “Don’t you like dragons?”
“It’s not happening, Fae.”
“Look, Corrie,” he said, slapping his hand on my back, “either you put on the onesie and I transport you lickety-split to the Ministry where you save sweet little Mack and become her one true hero for the rest of time or,” he shrugged, “you let her hang.”
I lifted up my eyes up to the heavens. I could not believe I was about to do this. “Fine,” I snapped, pulling the damn thing on.
There was a flicker of relief in Solus’s eyes that concerned me. I zipped up the suit and looked at him. “You’d better send me there now then.”
Chapter Thirteen
I had to say this much about the Fae - he might enjoy yanking my chain but he was a dab hand at portals. I emerged smack bang on the grand front porch of the Ministry, much to the frightened bemusement of a nearby mage. Within seconds, I was surrounded by several more. I frowned at them all. They weren’t normally so jumpy. I could only guess that Mack had done something to put them all on edge. It would hardly be surprising, given what I knew of her nature. Or then again it could be the damn onesie I was wearing.
“I wish to see the Arch-Mage at his earliest convenience.”
An older man, clearly hierarchically superior to the others, stepped forward. “The Arch-Mage is busy, Lord Alpha.” To his credit, he didn’t so much as glance at my bizarre get-up. “You are free to make an appointment for a more convenient time, however.”
I took a threatening step forward. It wasn’t exactly planned but the thought of Mack trapped inside was starting to really get to me. “Actually, that’s not good enough. I want to see him now.”
The mage didn’t blink. “Not possible.”
I growled. “Then in the interests of our continued alliance, please convey to him that if he doesn’t release my shifter in the next five minutes, all bets are off.”
Again, the mage acting as spokesperson didn’t react. The others around him were less circumspect, however. To a man, they sucked in a breath of collective dismay. My stomach sank as I realised Solus hadn’t been lying. Mack really was here. And she really was being kept captive.
“Perhaps you could remind the Arch-Mage as well of the Aberstrong Treaty. By neither informing me or requesting permission to imprison her, the Ministry is breaking a contract that has stood for over a hundred years. I’m fairly certain that he’s not looking for the kind of fallout that will ensue from such an action.”
I received a long assessing look in return. I straightened my shoulders and hardened my eyes. I wasn
’t bluffing and it was important everyone understood that.
Eventually, the mage nodded. “So be it. I shall inform the Arch-Mage of your demand. In the mean time, can I offer you some tea?”
I stared at him as if he were mad. Then, because I couldn’t think of what else to say, I merely shrugged. “Sure. Milk and one sugar please.”
He bowed in my direction then glanced over at one of the other waiting mages. “Take the Lord Alpha to the His Magnificence’s office. He may wait outside.”
“But what about the…?” The mage’s panicked voice trailed away when he received a stern look of rebuke.
I banked down the wave of seething rage that was building inside me. At this point I wasn’t sure whether it was directed at the mages or at Mack herself. Either way it would do none of us any good. I simply did my best to act like the calm, authoritative Brethren Lord Alpha that I should be and trailed after the mage. I knew perfectly well where the Arch-Mage’s office was – I’d been there enough times, after all. But I also knew when it was best to play along. As I walked, I tried to use my Voice to contact her. Unfortunately it was a wasted effort. The Ministry were far too stringent about keeping things on their terms while on their territory. Whatever spells they had in place to stop such communication were bloody effective.
My escort was clearly not about to let me out of his sight. He gestured towards a chair in the hall right outside the Arch-Mage’s office then stood against the far wall with his arms folded and his eyes on me. Rather than sit down, however, I focused on the devastation in front of me. There were several deep scorch marks in what had once been a beautiful unblemished marble floor. I raised my eyebrows although refrained from commenting. It was difficult not to gasp, however, when I turned and saw the door leading to the office itself hanging off its hinges. Through the gap I could see a scene of utter devastation inside. I cursed Mack internally. She had better have had a damned good reason for doing this.
I craned my neck in further to get a better view. I wanted to assess just exactly what had happened. Any clues I could glean would allow me to better negotiate with the Arch-Mage – and to discern truth from lie when he finally deigned to speak to me. What I saw gave me pause, however. Mack couldn’t be responsible for all this. From the pattern of the burns, it appeared as if there had been two magic wielders fighting each other. Mack, whatever she had done, was out of the running. I heaved a silent sigh of relief just as heavy footsteps sounded along what remained of the shiny floor. I turned to greet him. Or, rather, to snarl at him.
“Why have you kidnapped one of my shifters?”
The man standing in front of me blinked rapidly several times. He turned his hands over and over. I gritted my teeth. This was what happened when Mack got to me. I stopped paying attention to my surroundings and started acting like a newborn. No shifter worth their salt would have mistaken this man’s scent for the Arch-Mage’s. I cleared my throat and tried to appear as if I’d not made a stupid error.
“Well? I’m waiting for an answer. I can only assume that you have been sent in the Arch-Mage’s absence to provide me with one.”
“Uh, uh…” he stammered, his cheeks suffused with pink embarrassment.
I leaned towards him. “If I don’t start getting some answers right now, you are personally going to regret it.”
“I’m sorry, Lord Alpha!” he burst out. “His Magnificence asks that you wait just a little bit longer. He’ll be here soon.”
“I thought you were a cat,” interrupted the older mage wandering in behind, followed by a younger woman carrying a tray. “Aren’t cats supposed to be famed for their patience?”
“Actually,” I said, baring my teeth, “I’m a panther. I’m a bit more … predatory than a cat. And when one of my shifters is being threatened, patience is not a virtue.”
“You keep saying that,” the mage responded, taking a delicate cup from the tray and passing it to me.
“Saying what?”
“’One of my shifters. It’s an interesting turn of phrase.”
I stiffened. “Is it?”
He gave me a perfunctory smile. “The Arch-Mage will be with you shortly.” Then he turned and left.
I stared down at the tea cup. What I really wanted to do was to dash it and its contents against the wall. Instead, I took a sip and seated myself finally on the chair.
*
It felt like an age before the Arch-Mage showed up. Not only I had finished the ridiculously small and far too sweet cup of tea long before, but I was also about ready to start tearing the place apart to find Mack. Propriety and alliances be damned.
When he did appear, his face remained as impassive as usual although his robes were in unaccustomed disarray. Not that I was in any position to comment on fashion.
The Arch-Mage glanced at my outfit and his mouth twitched. “New look for you?”
I shrugged. “What can I say? I’m keeping up with the times. Now where the fuck is she?”
He winced. “Your language is as bad as hers. I hope you can remain more rational and less … angry.”
“That depends, frankly. Bring her to me now – unharmed, I might add – and I may just be persuaded to stay calm.”
He gestured to my long-suffering escort who bowed so deeply I was afraid he was about to topple over and left. “I would invite you into my office,” the Arch-Mage said, “but we’re re-modelling.”
“Is that what you call it? Who did all that? It looks like two giants with magical wands had simultaneous epileptic fits.”
“Does it matter?” he asked mildly.
I pursed my lips. “I suppose not. Bring her.”
“Mackenzie Smith has decided that she does not wish to see you. She is under the impression that you wouldn’t be very happy with her.” He looked me over. “I tend to concur.”
“I don’t care what she wants or what she’s decided,” I hiss, my spine stiffening so much it was painful, “she is a shifter. She belongs with me.”
The Arch-Mage looked thoughtful and scratched his chin. “I’m not sure that’s quite true, to be honest.”
My eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
“Well,” he said, “she’s gone rogue of course. Technically, she’s no longer yours.” He watched me carefully.
“It makes no difference.”
“Actually, I think it makes every difference. After all, the Brethren aren’t often known for their forgiveness in such matters.”
I struggled to keep a rein on my temper. “That was before. There’s a new order in place.”
“Regardless, I can assure you that in her case, the Aberstrong Treaty doesn’t stand.”
My knowledge of the finer details of archaic law wasn’t strong enough to make a coherent argument. I shouldn’t have let Solus talk me into coming straight here. Preparation was always key. It didn’t mean I was about to walk away though.
Before I could say anything further, the Arch-Mage spoke again. “I can offer you a boon.”
“What?” I snapped.
“I will release the nullifying spell that prevents you from contacting her with your Voice for five minutes.” He smiled. “That way you can communicate with her yourself and be assured that she is not a prisoner and is, indeed, more than fine.”
I knew what Staines would say. That Mack had caused us enough problems as it was and that as long as we weren’t losing face as a result of her presence here, then I should wash my hands of her. It would be the sensible move. To do otherwise would be to jeopardise any future we might have of getting along with the Ministry.
I took a deep breath. “If she is unharmed and under no duress when I communicate with her, then I shall take my leave.” I ignored the sharp shaft of pain through my chest at my own words. I needed something to take back to the rest of the Brethren so that I didn’t look like a total idiot when word of this got out. “However, I will also expect your attendance at the future gatherings we are planning with the vampires.” The bloodsuckers might
have pulled out for now but I reckoned I could bring them back. Somehow. It would help when they realised the shifters weren’t on the verge of becoming suddenly extinct.
The Arch-Mage snapped his fingers. “Done.” He checked his elaborate fob watch. “You have five minutes. I will give you some privacy.”
The moment he ducked into his warzone of an office, I opened up the link. Mackenzie?
Her returning Voice was shaky but she sounded alright. I’m here.
I quashed down my relief that she was still alive and seemingly unhurt. I was still Lord Alpha, whether she was rogue or not. Would you mind explaining to me what the fuck is going on?
As I believe I’ve mentioned before, I’m no longer part of the Pack. There was less fire in her answer than normal. This is not your concern.
It’s my damn concern when the Ministry takes a shifter off the street and holds them against their will. It irritated me that I was one the losing my temper.
I came here of my own free will. I’m not a prisoner.
So tell me why you are here.
No, she snapped. It’s got nothing to do with you and nothing to do with the Pack. It’s time you left me alone.
I punched the wall and ignored the hole my fist managed to create. Big deal. The Arch-Mage was already ‘re-modelling’. I will not allow a rogue shifter to wander around the streets of London making unauthorised deals with the mages! There are rules, Mackenzie.
Screw your rules, Corrigan, and get with the programme. I left, so get over it. Go play with the shifters who want you.
It was her flippancy that made me get personal. Well, it’s funny you say that, kitten, because I could swear that when you materialised in my bedroom, you wanted me too.
You’ve been Lord Alpha for too long, Corrigan. Your ego is letting your mind play tricks on you.