by Cali Mann
She’d take the blame for the headmaster’s death, and they’d lock her up. We’d meet Chuck to get her brother back, and then the guards would set upon him. But we couldn’t tell anyone what was going on until the last possible minute, because Sasha was afraid of leaks.
I grabbed my dinner and sat down at the pack table. My friends surrounded me. I trusted them, and my mate should be able to trust them too. How could I make her see that?
“Your mate okay?” Zan asked as he dug into the meatloaf.
“Yeah,” I said, nodding.
“Did she really set the bed on fire?” Nancy asked, her voice hesitant. She knew she was still on my shit list after the way she’d treated Sasha.
“Yes,” I said, raising an eyebrow. ‘Challenge me if you must’ was what that eyebrow said.
“Badass,” Tom said, leaning forward on the table. “It’s cool as fuck having a Queen who can set things on fire.”
Several others nodded in agreement.
This was why I trusted my pack. They supported me one hundred percent and by extension, my mate, no matter who she was. Supposedly, they’d been attacked by that little spirit shifter, Molly, but several of them had approached me afterward and said they didn’t believe it. She was too puny to have taken out a whole group of wolves like that—even with the spirit shifter madness upon her.
I dug into my potatoes and meat. Sasha was still new to our world. She didn’t understand how things worked. How the pack would take her and her brother in and protect them.
And I bet Uncle Derrick knew all about Charles Denison and his whereabouts. If I talked to him, then I might get an idea where Alex was being held. But Sasha was worried about word getting back to the executioner. Still, even if he didn’t like spirit shifters, I knew I could trust Uncle Derrick. He’d taken care of me since my parents died. He’d stepped in as alpha until I came of age, and he kept our pack alive and safe. I stabbed a potato.
Calder Bass slid into the seat across from me.
I raised an eyebrow. “What do you want?” I’d never had a problem with Cal, but I’d never really sought him out either.
“You’re Sasha’s mate, right?” he whispered.
I nodded, curiosity getting the better of me.
“Can I talk to you alone?” His eyes darted over the pack members sitting around us.
“Anything you want to say to me can be said to them,” I said, gesturing.
“No. I don’t know them.” He shook his head, then rose to leave. “I’ll talk to the other one.”
I frowned. If it was about Sasha, I wanted to know, but I didn’t like the ultimatum. What the hell—it couldn’t hurt to hear him out. I shoved the last bit of meat in my mouth and stood, following him into the courtyard.
Finding a spot out of the main path, Calder leaned against one of the small trees that spotted the courtyard. As we inched into fall, the leaves had turned a rusty-gold, and many carpeted the grass.
I stomped up to him. “Spit it out, man.”
“I know him.”
“Who?” I rubbed my chin.
“I know the executioner.”
“So?” I asked, casually, though my interest was piqued. Maybe I didn’t need to go to Uncle Derrick after all.
“My parents are enforcers. They can find anyone.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “And why do you think this guy needs to be found?”
“Sasha’s in trouble.”
I gave a minute nod of my head.
“He attacked her in the pool. I was there.”
“And why was that?” I asked leaning forward.
“Why was I there?” He shook his blond head. “That doesn’t matter.”
I growled, the wolf in control. This water shifter had been doing what exactly with our mate? It was stupid. I knew Sasha needed to mate with more guys than Drew and me, but my wolf still wanted to keep her all to myself. We’d accepted Drew and, once she was mated, we’d accept the others, but each new potential was met with a challenge from my wolf. Was he good enough to be pack? Was he good enough for Sasha?
Calder raised his hands innocently. “We were just swimming, man.”
I reigned myself in, trying to stay in control. There were too many threats to my mate. My wolf called out for me to take charge, to vanquish her enemies, but they were like wisps of air, gone before I could get a good hold. I closed my eyes. “It’s okay. What do you know about this executioner?”
20
Sasha
I sat on my bed, the blue shawl wrapped around me. I’d opened the window and let the fresh air in. I was free-ish. Not locked up in that damn infirmary anymore. Nox climbed in my lap, and every time a bird called outside, his head lifted, but then he snuggled back down against me.
I pretended to be reading the novel I had open on my tablet. I’d wanted to read Belle Harper’s Twice Bitten for a while now—a story where having multiple mates was normal—but I never seemed to get a chance to stop and breathe. I’d had a lot of time for reading novels growing up—the time when Alex was drawing and my mother was out, but ever since I’d come to Thornbriar, my thoughts seemed to run on a constant loop. How to keep Alex safe. How to save Alex. How to protect my brother. It didn’t leave much time for pleasure.
I ran over our plan again. It was a good one. I’d go in and pretend to kill the headmaster, and we’d leave an old corpse instead. Then they’d come for me and Chuck would let Alex go. He’d have no reason to hold him after that. I’d be locked up and unable to do anything more. I ran my teeth over my lip. It had to be enough.
I’d had to depend on Drew and Lucan to pass messages to Larkin. Even if they were my mates, I didn’t like depending on them. I’d rather have done it myself, but if I met with the headmaster, Chuck was sure to know something was up. I’d considered calling her, but I was sure he had a trace on the phone. I glanced at the so-far silent cell phone on the desk. He’d given it to me, after all. He might be tracking my every movement.
Was he hurting Alex? My breath quickened as I thought of all the ways Chuck might toy with my brother. He was an asshole, and he liked to play with his food. I’d seen that with what he’d done to our mother. But surely he wouldn’t hurt a kid? His words about killing spirit shifters came back to me and I shuddered. But Alex wasn’t a spirit shifter.
Lucan wanted to hunt him, send his uncle after the executioner like it was that easy, like Chuck didn’t have most of the Council in his pocket. None of them wanted spirit shifters here—us here. My fingers stroked the soft cloth of the shawl. If it hadn’t been for the Oracle, we’d still be killed at birth. If it hadn’t been for her, Molly and I would have been kicked out of Thornbriar long ago. Molly. My breath caught. Did she even know Alex was gone?
“Sasha,” a voice whispered, and my eyes darted around the room.
This one wasn’t any different from the last one I’d been in, white wallpaper dotted with yellow roses, white bedding, a desk, a closet, and a four-poster princess bed. There was no one there. Maybe I’d heard something from outside. I stood, setting Nox aside, and crossed to the door. I peeked out into the suite.
“Sasha,” the voice came again.
The lounge was empty. No huge TV and no triplets—just a lumpy, school-issued couch, a mini-fridge, and a small kitchen area. Had Poseidon or someone brought me lunch? My stomach was growling. But no food sat on the counter or the small coffee table. I searched the room, but couldn’t find anyone.
I checked the bathroom, but no one hid in there either. I opened the door and stuck my head into the hall.
“What do you need?” Poseidon asked from where he leaned—casually for a guard—against the wall.
I frowned. “Did anyone come to see me?”
He shook his head, his sea-green eyes inspecting me—for signs of madness I supposed.
“Well, I’m hungry. Can we get some lunch sent up?”
Poseidon nodded and pulled out his communicator.
I closed the door again and wal
ked over to the couch. I was alone. Who was calling my name? I fingered the shawl. Was it the Oracle? Was she trying to communicate with me somehow?
Nox jumped up on the arm of the sofa, pushing my hand with his head.
The door flew open, and a leggy preteen burst in, tears rolling down her freckled cheeks.
“Molly.”
“I’m sorry, Sasha,” Vera said, her voice smooth and calm. “She insisted she had to see you.”
I nodded.
“Close the door,” Molly shouted, then when Vera went to shut it behind her, “No! I talk to Sasha alone.”
Vera sighed and stepped into the hall with Poseidon. Then she shut the door.
Molly stomped over to me, her hands on her hips. She glared at me. “Where is he? What’s happened?”
“Who?” I knew exactly who she meant, of course—Alex—but she didn’t need to get involved in this mess. She was too young and in too much trouble already.
I dropped down onto the couch, and Nox meowed at me. I patted my lap, and he jumped into it. I’d never seen a wild cat be so much of a snuggler. He was always leaning against or sitting on me. He must have belonged to someone. I scratched his ears, and he purred.
“Are you even listening to me?” Molly shrieked.
My eyes met hers, and I put command in my voice. “Sit down.”
She huffed and sat down on the other end of the couch. Biting her lip, she asked in hushed tones, “Is he okay?”
“He is,” I said with a nod.
“Where is he?”
I shook my head. “Molly, this isn’t your fight. You need to let me take care of it.”
“Who are you fighting? The guy who attacked the pack?” She trembled with energy. “Then you’re wrong.”
“About what?” I asked as casually as I could.
“It is my fight.” She leaned forward, her gaze searing. “That b-b-bastard”—she stuttered over the word—“stole my boyfriend and my life!”
“Your life?” I raised an eyebrow, trying to be cool and collected while my mind was whirling with the thought: when did Alex get upgraded from a crush to a boyfriend? He was my little brother. Not a boyfriend!
“I was doing just fine here at Thornbriar, getting what I came for: more knowledge. Now people run the other way as soon as they see me. Vera follows me around like some cranky old nanny—” Her head dropped into her hands. “I can’t concentrate. I can’t think.”
Leaning forward, I laid an arm around her shoulders. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“It’s not your fault, Sasha. It’s his!”
I pressed my lips together. I wanted to answer her. I wanted to tell her the truth—that it was all my fault. I’d brought this monster to Thornbriar and into her life. Rubbing her back, I tried to think of the words.
“How are we going to get Alex back?” she asked, her big eyes tearful.
I forced a smile. “I’m his big sister, Molly. I’ll take care of it.”
“Is he hurting him?”
“I don’t think so, and he won’t as long as I do what he asks,” I replied. My heart ached. I hadn’t wanted to tell her, but it wasn’t fair for her to be worrying over Alex and have no idea what was going on.
“So he did take him?” she asked.
I nodded. “But I’ve got a plan and I’m going to get him back.” I reached forward and took her hands. “No one is going to get hurt.”
She turned her head into my shoulder, wiping her tears on my shirt. Then she hiccupped and met my eyes. “Thank you, Sasha.”
I smiled gently, though my stomach churned. I hoped it worked this time. That Chuck would get caught and finally leave us alone. This constant threat hanging over us was killing me.
A knock echoed on the door, and Drew and Lucan came in with plates piled high. I sighed in relief.
21
Drew
I sat on the coffee table watching Sasha eat. I’d been so worried about her for the last few days. I hadn’t been able to think straight. But here she was, eating and drinking and laughing—back to her old self. There were still dark circles under her eyes and signs of strain along her temples, but she was better.
As soon as we finished eating, we sent Molly back to her room. The kid didn’t need to be a part of this.
Lucan turned to us as soon as the door closed. “I think we need to take another look at asking around about the executioner.”
Sasha sighed, throwing up her hands.
I moved behind her, rubbing her shoulders, and she leaned into me. If only I could take every bit of strain from her, I would. In a heartbeat.
“Now listen,” Lucan began. “We have a few days until everything gets into place and—”
“Why?” Sasha said, her voice full of exasperation. “We can’t search for him, because we don’t know who’s in his pocket.”
“My uncle—”
She scowled. “You know damn well that I don’t trust your uncle.”
“I don’t know why,” Lucan said. “He’s never done anything to hurt you.”
“I told you when I started here: I met with some of the Council and your uncle was among them. They were all against us, against spirit shifters.” She raised her hands to his objections. “How many times do I have to tell you?”
“Leave her alone,” I muttered.
Lucan stood, growling. He walked across the room and back to us again. Leaning on the back of the lumpy sofa, he said, “What about Calder Bass?”
“What about him?” Sasha asked, frowning. “You haven’t told him anything, have you?”
“No, of course not,” Lucan said. “But his parents are enforcers and he knows who Chuck is. Maybe if we asked?”
Sasha rubbed her temple. “I said no.”
Lucan glared at her.
I bristled. My hands pressed on Sasha’s shoulders, letting her know I was here. This was her fight, but I was willing to beat the shit out of him if she needed it. She squeezed my hand.
“We already have a plan, Lucan. We don’t need another,” she said.
“Fake the headmaster’s death and hope he sends your brother back?” Lucan snarled. “What if he doesn’t?”
“He has to,” Sasha said. “That’s the deal.”
“And what if he kills him anyway?” Lucan asked, his tone deadly. “Wouldn’t you rather have a backup plan?”
“It’s too risky,” Sasha insisted. “He’s got too many friends in the Council and the guard. If he gets wind of it . . .” Her voice trailed off.
I watched them go back and forth like a ping-pong match. How had fate thought Lucan was going to be a good mate for her? All he did was argue and try to force his will upon her. Couldn’t he see how upset she was? How she did everything for her brother and never took a break? She was the one the Council was going to blame and lock up when they found the headmaster dead. Hopefully, the real Larkin revealed herself before they took Sasha’s head off.
“If we don’t at least try, you’re condemning your brother to death,” Lucan said.
Sasha shot to her feet. “You don’t get to talk to me this way. He’s my brother and it’s my problem. It’s my way or . . . get out!” Her arm whipped out, and her finger pointed to the door.
“Sasha,” Lucan said, shock echoing in his voice. “I’m just trying to help.”
“I don’t need your help.” She sank back down on the couch.
He looked at me, pleading in his eyes. I shook my head. I was and would forever be on Sasha’s side in this. No one else’s. If he couldn’t do it the way she wanted, he needed to leave. I sat behind her and she leaned against me.
Lucan growled low in his throat, but he turned toward the door. “You’re being an idiot.”
“Leave,” Sasha growled.
He turned and marched out the door.
As soon as the door swung closed behind him, Sasha buried her face in my chest. I stroked her hair. Couldn’t Lucan see that she had enough on her shoulders? Why did he have to make this harder on he
r? “I’m sorry he’s an asshole.”
She looked up, her eyes dark pools of worry. “Thanks for being my rock, Drew.”
“Of course, Angel,” I said with a small smile.
“You don’t think he’s right, do you?”
I sighed. “It’s hard to know who to trust. Chuck has you in such a bad place, I’d love for there to be a backup plan—a way out. But enough people already know about this, and if it gets back to the executioner, we’re screwed.” I scratched my chin. “All that is to say, no, I don’t think he’s right. It’s too risky.”
She nodded and lay back against me. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her, and rested my chin on her hair. I sniffed, taking in her honeysuckle scent that I loved so much. I was so glad that we were able to be like this with each other. Wildly passionate often, but also this quiet support.
Growing up with an asshole father as I did, I’d never really seen a couple be kind to each other. Dad spent most of his time yelling at Mom for all the things she’d supposedly done wrong, and little time loving her. I hoped that my little sister, Kalto, got to see real love sometime, so she wouldn’t choose a man like my father. She hadn’t spoken to me, hell, hadn’t even been near me since I’d showed up with the fake mate tattoo, as if I had some kind of cooties.
I sighed. I knew I was going to have to trap Kalto into a conversation with me at some point, but with all of the plans to help Sasha and get her brother back, it might be a while before I had a chance.
22
Lucan
I stomped away from Sasha’s room. She was being unreasonable. We needed to have a backup plan if we were going to make sure her brother came back in one piece. From everything she and Cal had told me, this executioner was violent and unpredictable. What if Sasha got beheaded by the Council before this guy bothered to bring her brother back? I couldn’t let that happen.
She might drive me crazy regularly, but an Alpha without a mate would be dangerous. We needed to cover all our bases. I pulled my cell from my back pocket and stared at the screen.