Izzy wandered around the room while she ate, a glass of lemonade in one hand and a sandwich in the other. She had no idea how long Tristan’s explanation would take, but Izzy hoped they’d be out of here soon. She didn’t want to be in this house any longer than necessary.
She stopped near a window and stared out at the vast lawn. The lush green space had been carefully manicured to project an image of southern refinement. If people only knew who their neighbor really was, they’d be horrified.
Izzy had just turned to retrace her steps when she heard Tristan’s voice. She stopped to listen. Where was it coming from? The window was shut. She was alone in the room, and the thick walls wouldn’t carry sound.
Tristan spoke again. There was no mistaking the deep timbre of his voice.
She followed the sound to a heating vent behind a nearby table. Izzy glanced over her shoulder to make sure the door was closed then moved closer.
It was wrong to eavesdrop, but Izzy was genuinely curious what he and Pierre were talking about. She grabbed a small stool and took a seat. Izzy placed her food and drink on the table, so if anyone came in unexpectedly it would look like she was enjoying her meal.
“Never thought I’d see the day that you’d be slumming it with a human,” Pierre said. “Even one as attractive as her.”
She stiffened but listened for Tristan’s response. Whatever he said, it was too low for her to hear. Izzy scooted the stool closer.
“Have you located the Darkling?” Pierre asked.
“I almost had him, but he opened a portal and got away,” Tristan said. “He’s after the woman. Of that there is no doubt.”
“Ah,” Pierre said. “That explains why you brought her here. You know if you took away the purple streaks from her hair and changed her formless clothes, she wouldn’t be bad to gaze upon.”
Tristan mumbled, but his next words were frighteningly clear. “She’s a means to an end,” he said. “Nothing more.”
“Oh,” Pierre said. “I thought perhaps there was something going on between you two. There seemed to be—”
“No!” Tristan cut off whatever he was going to say. “You know I do not mix with humans. All I see is bait when I look at her. Bait to catch the Darkling.”
His cold words left Izzy chilled to the bone. She shouldn’t be surprised. Tristan had said from the outset that he didn’t care for humans, yet somehow she’d convinced herself that the frigid exterior was just a front.
She’d been a fool.
Izzy stood. She didn’t need to hear anymore. She thought of Stone’s offer of help. Would it still stand? She glanced once more at the closed door.
At any moment, Tristan might return. Izzy needed to contact Stone, if for no other reason than to tell him that he was safe because the monster was with her. They all were.
She pulled out the cell phone he’d given her and turned it on. Izzy found the number and sent a quick text. Less than a minute later, she received a response.
I’ll help you get away. Just tell me where you are.
Izzy replied. I’m someplace you can’t help me. I’ll let you know if and when we leave.
Take care of yourself. The monsters aren’t to be trusted.
Izzy knew that better than most. Tristan had just squashed the tiny bit of doubt lingering inside of her. She turned the phone off and shoved it into her purse. Izzy looked at her half-eaten sandwich. Suddenly she wasn’t hungry anymore.
* * * * *
Tristan sat across from Pierre in his ornate office. He’d never seen so much gilded gold outside of a Parisian palace. He didn’t like the way the Alpha looked at him. It was as if he knew something that Tristan did not.
“We need a place to stay. Preferably someplace remote, so that I will know when the Darkling draws near,” he said.
“No problem. I know just the place.” Pierre sat back. “How does the woman feel about being used as bait?”
Tristan shrugged casually. “I hadn’t planned to tell her.”
Pierre watched him closely. “What if something happens to her?”
Tristan’s gut clenched. Nothing was going to happen to Isabel.
“You cannot always protect bait,” Pierre said. “Accidents happen.”
Tristan flinched.
“Are you sure there is nothing going on between you two?” Pierre asked. “I’ve never seen you so wound up.”
“Positive,” Tristan’s vehement response didn’t have the effect he’d hoped.
Pierre grinned, looking positively enthralled by the whole conversation. “You say that the woman is a means to an end, yet she carries your scent.”
Tristan blanched. “I had no choice but to touch her,” he said. “When I first encountered her, she refused to come with me.”
Pierre’s face hardened, along with all the muscles in his body. “When you say touch, what exactly do you mean?”
There was one hard-and-fast rule within the Moonlight Kin. A woman could be coerced, but never be forced into physical intimacy. Doing such a thing was an automatic death sentence for any Were.
Tristan had gladly carried that sentence out a few times over the years, which was why he gnashed his teeth at the Alpha’s insinuation. “I had to pick her up and carry her someplace private so we could talk. That’s how my scent got on her.”
Pierre relaxed a fraction. “It seemed...stronger.”
He thought about the kiss, and his whole body tensed. There was no sense in lying to the Alpha. They had ways of ferreting out information. “She forced me to kiss her.”
If Pierre’s eyebrows rose any higher, they’d disappear beneath his hairline. “How exactly did Isabel do that?” he asked. “Did she hold you at gunpoint?”
Tristan knew what he thought. It would be what any Alpha of the Moonlight Kin would think, when it came to him. Tristan wasn’t known for being emotionally or physically demonstrative, unless he killed someone. And even then, emotions rarely played a part. He wasn’t the type to keep females around.
Contrary to what they all believed, Tristan wasn’t a glacier and he wasn’t gay. He had needs just like any other male. He just rarely acted upon them.
Instead, Tristan focused on the job. It took a special breed of wolf to hunt down your own kind and kill them without mercy. It wasn’t something he enjoyed, but Tristan was exceedingly good at the job. There were a few other Enforcers, but none were better.
Pierre continued to stare at him until he squirmed in his seat.
“She wouldn’t shut up,” Tristan said, trying to make the Alpha understand. “When she wasn’t threatening to scream, she tore into me. Since I didn’t have a gag, I improvised. That was all. The kiss meant nothing.” The lie slipped out before he could stop it.
Pierre’s amber eyes glistened. “That’s some improvisation on your part. I would’ve never thought you had it in you.”
“It’s been a while, but kissing is not something one forgets how to do,” he said mockingly.
“Wish I could’ve been there to see that,” Pierre said.
“What did she do when you kissed her?”
Tristan’s mind blanked. “I don’t understand the question.”
Pierre’s lips canted, and his eyes crinkled in amusement. “Did Isabel smack you? She would’ve had every right to do so, since I have no doubt you kissed her without permission.”
Tristan hesitated. Where was Pierre going with this line of questioning? “No, she didn’t strike me, though Isabel did look like she wanted to,” he said.
Why hadn’t she hit him? She’d had plenty of opportunity. Tristan hadn’t exactly been as unaffected by the kiss as he claimed. He wished the Alpha wasn’t so amused by the situation, but Pierre had always had an annoying sense of humor.
“Did she scream or try to run away?” he asked.
Tristan shook his head. “No, she didn’t do anything like that.”
“Hmm...” Pierre said. “Interesting.” He leaned forward. “I have one final question.”
&
nbsp; “Then ask, so I can put us both out of our misery,” Tristan said impatiently.
Pierre chuckled. “Did she kiss you back?”
Yes, the word whispered through Tristan’s mind, leaving confusion in its wake.
He straightened in his seat. “You don’t know her. Isabel may look soft and tempting, but her tongue spews acid,” Tristan said. “I am lucky to have flesh left on my bones.”
A grin parted Pierre’s face. “So she did kiss you back. Fascinating, don’t you think?”
“Did you not hear what I said?” Tristan ran a hand through his long white hair. “There is nothing interesting about this situation,” he said. “Isabel can be utterly infuriating, when she wants to be. Which is most of the time, I might add.”
“Yes, I can see that,” Pierre said. “Isabel.” Her name rolled off his lips.
The seductive tone made Tristan’s hackles rise. “That is her name,” he said.
Pierre carefully blanked his expression. “It is indeed. Perhaps I need to speak with Isabel once more. I feel that I prematurely formed my opinion of her.”
Tristan’s muscles flexed as he gripped the arms of the chair. “I’ve told you everything,” he said.
The Alpha gave him a knowing look. “I have absolutely no doubt, but women can be quite elusive when they want to be,” he said. “There’s obviously more to Isabel than meets the eye.”
Something akin to panic struck. Pierre was renowned for his charm and his many conquests. Women of all ages responded to his devilish good looks. Isabel hadn’t been immune. Tristan had seen her pupils dilate and heard her pulse jump when she looked at him. He didn’t want the Alpha anywhere near her.
“I assure you that she will show you no respect whatsoever,” Tristan said, trying to dissuade Pierre. “You are wasting your breath.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll be the judge of that.” Pierre rose from behind his desk.
Tristan stood, too.
“Please, have a seat,” he said. “This shouldn’t take long.” Pierre winked at him. “Or perhaps it will. One never knows what kind of mischief one can get up to in the parlor.”
A deep growl rumbled out of Tristan as his wolf surged to the surface.
The Alpha stopped and gave him a hard look, one that all but dared him to continue.
Tristan clenched his hands at his sides.
“Sit, Enforcer,” Pierre said. “Or I’ll make you sit.”
For one insane moment, Tristan considered challenging the Alpha. The thought must’ve shown on his face because Pierre’s amber eyes widened.
“I won’t harm her,” he said.
Tristan wanted to stop him, but he couldn’t forbid the visit without starting a major incident. He’d never wanted to be Alpha. Tristan didn’t want the responsibility of caring for so many wolves. So what had gotten into him? Isabel’s face flashed in his mind. He knew she was trouble, and this proved it.
Pierre laughed, and then the Alpha stepped into the hall.
It took every fiber of Tristan’s being to nod and sit back down.
Pierre made sure to shut the door behind him, so there would be no chance of Tristan hearing what was going on. That didn’t stop Tristan from trying to listen. He’d give the Alpha ten minutes. If he didn’t return within that time, then Tristan would go after him.
* * * * *
The door opened behind Izzy. She turned, expecting to see Tristan, but instead found the darkly handsome Pierre La Fontaine staring at her. He noted the missing sandwiches on the platter.
“I trust they were to your liking,” he said, indicating to the food.
“They were fine. Thanks,” Izzy said, rubbing her arms. Where was Tristan? She wanted out of here. Now!
“I’d like to have a word with you before Tristan joins us. Which I have no doubt will be very soon.” Pierre grinned.
What was so funny? Izzy hoped Pierre skipped the niceties and got straight to the point. He didn’t know that she’d heard them talking, so if he lied, she’d know.
“Please, have a seat.” Pierre pointed to one of the expensive-looking settees.
Izzy hesitated then perched on the edge of the seat. Instead of taking a seat opposite her, Pierre sat down next to her. Izzy immediately scooted away.
She checked to see if the move had insulted him, but his smile only widened. Izzy angled herself in such a way that she kept him and the door in sight.
Pierre noticed but didn’t comment though for a second Izzy thought she heard him laugh. The sound was there and gone before she could be sure.
“What did you want to talk about?” she asked to hurry things along. She knew exactly what the monsters had planned for her.
“What do you think of Tristan?” Pierre leaned back and draped his arm over the back of the settee.
Izzy blinked. The question surprised her so much that it took her a full minute to answer. “What do you mean?”
This time Pierre did laugh. “I’m just curious what you think of him. Feel free to speak candidly. You are safe within these walls.”
Yeah, but what would happen when she left the house?
“He’s fine,” she said noncommittally.
“You can do better than that,” he said.
“Okay, he’s bossy and thinks he knows everything.” She had no idea what Pierre was after, and until she figured it out Izzy wasn’t about to be too direct.
“So the kiss wasn’t that good,” Pierre said.
Izzy’s eyes widened in shock. Heat spread from her face to the rest of her body. Why had Tristan told Pierre about their kiss?
She sputtered as words clustered in her mouth and tangled on her tongue. “I-I-I.” Izzy cleared her throat. “I’m not sure what that has to do with anything.”
Pierre took pity on her. “I’ve known Tristan Chevalier for years. He’s never been one to play with...” –he paused— “anything.”
Play? What did he mean by that? Izzy had no clue, but it hardly mattered since she’d heard exactly what Tristan had planned for her.
“Perhaps he’s trying to soften me up before he delivers bad news,” she said.
“Perhaps,” Pierre said. “But I’ve never known Tristan to care about such things.”
“I’m not sure what you want me to say,” she said.
Pierre tilted his head. “You are a unique woman,” he said, surprising her once again. He rose from the settee and walked to the door, where he paused. “Contrary to his appearance, Tristan wasn’t always made of ice. There was a time when he was a lot like you.”
Izzy couldn’t imagine Tristan ever being like her.
“Thank you for...” Pierre’s brow furrowed, and his voice trailed off.
“What?” Izzy asked, more confused than ever.
“For thawing him a little,” Pierre said, then opened the door.
Tristan stood in the hall, his hand raised to knock on the parlor door. He had an unreadable expression on his face.
Pierre grinned. “Right on time I see.”
As if on cue, Tristan scowled. “Let’s go, Isabel,” he said. “I have the keys to the cabin. Thank you again for your assistance, Alpha. I will let the Lycanian Elders know of your aid.”
Pierre laughed. “You do that.”
* * * * *
Chapter Six
Izzy waited until Tristan climbed behind the wheel of his silver F150 pickup truck and pulled out into traffic before she confronted him. She hadn’t planned to bring the subject up, but Pierre’s questions had rattled her, and Tristan had been acting distant ever since they’d left the house. Frankly, the whole situation pissed her off.
Tristan had no right to be angry or pouty or however snowmen acted when they got their carrot noses out of joint. Izzy was the one being taken advantage of. She wasn’t the one in the wrong. He was.
“So,” she said, itching for a fight. “How exactly do you plan to use me as bait?”
To his credit, he didn’t flinch, but his glacial features tightened.
<
br /> Didn’t think I knew about your little plan, did you?
“Did Pierre tell you that?” he asked.
“Does it matter how I found out?” Izzy wasn’t about to let him know that she’d eavesdropped on their conversation. There was confessing and then there was confessing.
Tristan exhaled. “The Darkling wants you. We have to give it what it wants,” he said. “There is no other way to draw it out.”
Izzy crossed her arms. The move pushed her breasts up. “Do I get a say in any of this?”
He glanced at her chest, then his expression hardened. “No,” he said then returned his attention to the road.
He doesn’t care about you, remember?
“Well I’m sorry to rain on your party, Snowflake, but you’re just going to have to find the monster without me,” she said. “Because I have no intention of helping you.”
Izzy might’ve helped him, if he’d bothered to ask, but he hadn’t. Instead, he’d planned to deceive her.
“The Darkling doesn’t want me,” Tristan said. “It wants you. It followed you here from Oregon. It knows you’re here. It won’t give up until I stop it.”
“Sounds like you need me more than I need you,” Izzy said. “That must suck for you.”
Tristan laughed, but the sound sent shivers down her spine. “It matters not,” he said. “You will help me.”
“I will not,” she parroted.
Izzy stared out the window. She didn’t like anyone giving her orders. She’d had her fill of them when her parents had her locked up in the asylum.
“You either help me or everyone you love will die,” Tristan said. “Just like your friend, Celina Gibson.”
Her head whipped around in surprise. At the same time, a wave of pain struck. Mindy had told her about Celina’s death. Told her about Slade, the man who’d killed her. Izzy had already known that her best friend had passed because she’d caught a glimpse of her spirit shortly after her death.
Izzy didn’t like having the incident thrown in her face. And she damn sure didn’t like being threatened. She’d done everything she could to lead the danger away. It just hadn’t been enough.
Moonlight Kin 4: Tristan Page 6
