by K. N. Banet
“The people of Cassius’ family are very good at going insane,” Sorcha said lightly.
“Hm.” Cassius nodded at her in agreement. “Now, should I just text her and tell her what I know, or do I try to contact my father first? Decisions to be made. Protocol doesn’t have much about this, and I’m not sure I want to deal with my father, but Alvina will expect me to have a way to get ahold of him.”
“I like Alvina more than most of your family,” Sorcha said softly, reaching out to take his phone. “But I’ll do you one better. Why don’t we reach out to known allies of your father’s and ask them to pass along word if they see him? Then we’ll contact Alvina and tell her everything, including that we’ve already made an effort to find Brion and are waiting to hear back.”
“Good idea, my love. I’m not sure why I didn’t consider it.”
“You’re under a lot of stress,” she whispered, brushing his hair off his forehead. The endearment and love I saw between them was beautiful. Every time Sorcha had the chance, she was touching and comforting him.
“Neither of you asked Rian or Fiona if they know how to get ahold of him,” I pointed out, trying to take my thoughts off their intimate relationship. I turned to the other half of Brion’s family in my bar.
“We don’t,” Rian said softly. “Mom?”
“No. He promised he would check in, but for safety purposes, there’s no way for me to reach him.”
“That’s backward,” Heath said impatiently. “You’re the one in the most danger. He knows where we are, what we’re doing, and how to get here or to contact us. You’re vulnerable, and you have no way of reaching out?” he growled. I knew he was frustrated with the perceived flaws of Brion’s plans.
“It’s the cold and self-serving part of his nature,” Cassius said mildly to my werewolf. “My father knows this is the weakest link in his plans, whatever they are. Fiona or Rian being taken is likely. Either of you dying is likely. He won’t risk the big picture. My father knows how to manipulate the chess pieces on the board. Whatever his plans are, he intended this. This was not an oversight on his part.”
“It’s cruel,” Heath snarled. “I would never leave…” He shook his head and got up, pacing around the bar.
“Neither would I, but neither of us is King Brion, who has ruled the sidhe since shortly after he reached adulthood,” Cassius reminded him. “He has taken every mistake he has ever made and turned it into a lesson for himself, growing adept at turning his failures or missteps into advantages. Jacky, you were telling me my father didn’t know who you were when you met. He had no idea you were Hasan’s daughter. Correct?”
“Yes. No one knew who I was outside of the family. It was closely guarded information.”
“Then you went public, and he would have caught it. Of course, it’s stupid for him to use you now to protect Fiona, but he’s done it, anyway. He considered how this could play out and thinks you’re too important to lose. It probably has to do with your father.” Cassius sighed heavily. “This is how my father thinks. He’ll know Rian can’t control his powers very well, which could lead to uncertainties. He also knows fae magic is wild, emotionally driven in many cases, and has a mind of its own, as much of a curse as a blessing.”
“You think your father thought Rian would find you accidentally?” Sorcha leaned back in her chair. “It’s very much his sort of play. If Rian needed help, he would look for family. If Brion and your other brothers were unavailable, the magic would only have one option.”
“Wow,” I huffed. “You think he considered all that?”
“He’s the oldest and most powerful of our kind. He’d have tried to think of everything.” Cassius stood and walked to a window, peeking through the blinds, staring into the bright sunlight pouring over my parking lot. It wasn’t the most majestic of views, but Cassius made it feel as though he was looking over a kingdom.
“He can be a loving man, fun, charming, and kind, but none of that can erase what he is. He’s sidhe. Not even Oberon and Titania knew what their children would be when they had him. He was the first. He will have thought of all the ways his plans could go wrong. I just need to catch up with him. He knows everything I don’t.” Cassius turned to his wife. “Start going through the people we know will be loyal to him. Send them word I’m with…the protector. He’ll understand that message, but it won’t mean anything to others. I’ll contact Alvina.”
“Of course.” Sorcha stood and pulled out her phone, typing quickly.
“What do I do?” I asked, looking between them.
“Protect Fiona,” Cassius said with a small shrug. “Truly, you shouldn’t be pulled into the political problems of this. We’ll handle that.”
“Tell your family you’re okay,” Heath said, coming to my side quickly. “Have you checked your phone to see if they’ve reached out? They might be worried, which would be bad for us. We still need to find a way to…”
“Yeah.” I nodded quickly. “I’ll work on that.” I searched for my phone. Heath started helping when he realized I didn’t have it in my pockets or in the bag we had carried my clothing in to leave my home. The hunt for the phone led us to my home, and I found it buried among living room furniture. Whoever had torn up my home hadn’t been stealing anything. It seemed like a fit of fury. A smart attacker would have taken the phone for their own use.
The phone was dead, so we went back to Kick Shot. I knew Fiona and Rian were safe with Cassius and his wife, so I went upstairs, letting them keep an eye on the silent pair. Heath followed, staying quiet, and sat across from me in my office.
“Anything on your computer?” he asked softly.
I opened my emails and had nothing, then went to the program Davor had made for the family, seeing only a reminder from him that I needed to hurry to get my security back up and running. I resisted deleting that message, leaving it to think about later. Zuri knew why my security was off-limits, so I would have to press the issue later with her privately to get her on my side.
“No, nothing except Davor being a bit…well, he’s been nicer than he was, but he’s pushy,” I said, closing out of the message. “You know, when we go public, he’s going to be one of our biggest detractors.”
“I do.” Heath seemed unconcerned, but I could catch the soft smell of his worry, underneath the love and pride, under his conviction. “Ask me if I care.”
“Heath—”
“I don’t want to lose you, Jacky.”
“Everyone, if they don’t try to kill us, will be waiting for us to fail,” I reminded him. “They’ll wait for our separate natures to drive us apart because…” I tried to continue that train of thought but faltered. I didn’t want to lose him for any reason. “And the moment that happens—”
“Only if we let it happen,” he whispered. “Yes, what we are is woven into the fabrics of our souls, but I like to think what we feel for each other is as well.” He stood and leaned over the desk. “Are you getting cold feet?”
“No, I’m just worried one day you’re going to leave and never come back,” I answered honestly. That was one thing I loved about my relationship with Heath. We could be completely honest with each other, and there was never any judgment. We were both too old for games and didn’t have time for them, not in our situation. “One day, you’ll go get a pack again, and there won’t be a place for me in that world. I could handle living alone in my territory, the natural state for me, but I don’t think I could handle knowing you’re out there and never coming back.”
“Jacky, I’ll never take a pack unless it’s willing to make a place for you.” His blue-grey eyes darkened. “For as long as you’ll have me, I’ll always find a way to keep you in my life. Even if I have to put a pack right outside your borders, I’ll do it. I don’t care what the situation is. If they won’t have you, they don’t get me.”
I smiled. “That’s bold of you, Alpha Everson. That’s asking a lot from werewolves.”
“Just like asking your family to accept
me as your lover is a lot for werecats. Especially those werecats,” he said, leaning in closer. I met him halfway, and the gentle kiss was a promise. He was right. We were asking a lot from everyone. When he pulled away, there was a heated twinkle in his eye. “Feeling better?”
“I am,” I promised. “It’s been a hell of a week, hasn’t it?”
“Yes, it has.” He sat back down. “Zuri knows about us and has accepted us, from what you’ve said. Why don’t you tell her our predicament?”
“Good idea,” I agreed, going back to my computer. “Since we’re in a bit of a lull after getting home from the fae realms, I can do it now.”
“Do you want me to go downstairs?”
“No, stay.” I eyed him as I hit call on Zuri’s name. “She knows, so what’s the point of hiding you?”
25
Chapter Twenty-Five
It rang three times, and Zuri didn’t answer, but Kushim did.
“Ah, Jacky!” he said with a grin as he came on the screen. “And someone I don’t know. What can I do for you?”
“I was hoping to talk to my sister,” I said, crossing my arms as I leaned back in my chair. “This is Heath Everson. Heath, this is Kushim.”
“The husband of the queen,” he said, backing up to give an elaborate bow. “Her bandit and the father of her child.”
“Ah…” Heath nodded slowly. “Well met, Kushim. I’m the werewolf in love with the enemy.”
“Yes, yes, the one who lives in Jacky’s territory. Zuri has given me some details and the importance of the secret.” He crossed his arms. “Sadly, Zuri is feeding the little one right now. You can leave your problems with me, and I’ll pass it along.”
“We’re being blackmailed,” I said with a tight smile. “I need Zuri. If you can—”
“I heard that!” Zuri yelled from somewhere off-screen. “I’m coming!”
Kushim’s expression went dark, but it lightened when he turned as Zuri walked into view. Their camera was pointed at a large couch, able to fit both of them on screen. Zuri was holding her son to her chest, with no covering. Little Amir was busy getting his meal, and Zuri seemed completely at ease with the situation.
“Blackmailed? By whom? And Kushim, I told you if my siblings called, you come to get me…no matter what.”
“You need to rest and focus on—”
“No. Matter. What,” she repeated. “Jacky is comfortable with seeing me feed my son, and there’s nothing for me to hide.” Zuri studied the screen. She must be able to see me and Heath. “Heath Everson, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”
“Normally, I leave when Jacky is getting a call from her family.”
“I asked him to stay. We’re being blackmailed because of our relationship. I probably should have told you sooner, but things have happened rather quickly, and I’ve been called to Duty. It’s not as if we can change anything now.”
“I think I need to hear this from the beginning,” Zuri said softly, narrowing her eyes on us.
“It starts with Brin…the fae I met while protecting Carey…”
I listened to Zuri’s snarling fury when I got to the part about that fae actually being King Brion and saw the fear in her eyes when I told her about the attack that led us to run into the fae realms only yesterday. I told her about finding Cassius and Sorcha, even gave her Cassius’ answer.
“Prince Cassius is a good man,” she said softly, that part of the conversation leaving her more thoughtful than anything. “But King Brion is not. He tries to be, and he will be when he can, but he’s an old king of great power. As for the blackmail…” Zuri sighed. “Jacky, there’s no getting you out of it. You shouldn’t have made the Duty official. One day, I’m going to kill our father and mother for that idea. Preying on our protective natures to give a purpose…” She growled as she shook her head. “You’re stuck. Heath can get out of it, but that comes at a cost I’m not sure either of you can pay right now.”
“Going public,” I said, nodding. “We’re already talking about it. We know it needs to happen. We can’t let this remain blackmail.”
“Or ending the relationship,” Zuri countered. Heath growled at the suggestion, and she appeared offended by the noise. “Don’t do that with me, wolf. I’ve killed more of your kind than you can begin to consider. You are a tiny, insignificant wolf, and I would destroy you.”
“Zuri,” I snarled in warning.
“It doesn’t change anything,” she snapped. “You have two options, and both are bad. I want you to have everything your heart wants, but ending this relationship is the safest way to stop this trouble from coming to your door, and you know it. If you go the other route, I’ll speak up for you, but I can’t promise our family or any werecat would listen. Heath will have the same problems with the werewolves, and they’re more vicious than us. They’ll come hunting, and you’ll out yourself in that fight to protect him. Then what? We lose you?”
I looked at Heath, searching his face for any sign. He didn’t want us to be over, and neither did I. Were we willing to take the risk?
He nodded, answering my silent question.
When I turned back to Zuri, she sighed heavily, looking at her husband and mate.
“Zuri…” Kushim sat down beside her. “Look at them. Ready to fight for what they’ve found together. We’ve lived a long time, never experiencing what they have until we met each other. We wouldn’t let the world drive us apart. Why should they?”
“The only thing we had to contend with was your mother’s legacy and my father’s history with you and her,” Zuri countered. “But…I understand, and you’re right.” She turned to me. “Davor is already a broken man from losing the love of his life. I shouldn’t ask, sister of mine, to cut out your heart because it’s convenient. I said I would back you up, and I will, but it’s a bad time. I can’t tell our father you’re involved with King Brion. Not right now.”
“That’s why I didn’t mention it. I know the politics.”
“My recommendation? Finish this. Oisin won’t be foolish enough to kill you to get Brion’s wife and son. He knows who you are. He knows how badly that could go for him.”
“His assassins already tried,” I reminded her.
“I pulled that arrow out,” Heath muttered, the growl in his throat fighting to break free.
“I think they just wanted to get you out of the way. None of their hits were fatal. They tried magic first. That’s a good sign.” She frowned. “Oisin wouldn’t order you killed, but if you were accidentally killed by his people, he has cover. I don’t know him as well as I know Brion. I would need to ask our father just how slimy this particular fae king is, but asking those questions would give Father an idea something is going on.”
“Yup.” I threw my hands up. “Or I would have asked more about it yesterday.”
“Of course. So, get through this. Let Brion think he has this on you for now. Once we learn who the king will be going forward, come to the family and tell us. I’ll speak up for you. I’ll even admit to knowing before they did. Heath, tell whoever you like, however you like, but be careful.”
“Of course.”
“Once it’s out there, it can’t be used for blackmail. You can shrug off the threats of it being used against you in the future.”
“How do you think Father will react?” I asked softly.
“Poorly,” she answered grimly. “Jabari will be furious with you. Davor will relapse back into his more hateful stance of you. Niko will be on your side. He likes Heath, sees his blood father in him, which is good. Mischa might enjoy the chaos, but she’s always a wild card. She let your werewolf into her most treasured sanctuary, and this was kept from her, so she might take offense. Hisao won’t have feelings about it one way or another. He’ll ask a question you shouldn’t take personally.”
“If he should kill me?” I stared her down, wondering what that answer would be.
“Not you. Hisao would never raise his blade against the family,” Zuri snap
ped. “But he’ll be willing to put you down, Heath. If our father asks him to, he’ll get on a plane, and neither of you will see him coming. I don’t see Father taking that route, though. That’s extreme and…”
“I’d never forgive him,” I snarled.
“No, you wouldn’t, nor should you. If push comes to shove, I’ll remind our father he already lost you once because of his handling of the man you loved,” she whispered. Amir began to stir, chubby arms flailing. “Kushim, will you burp him and take him to his crib for a nap?”
“Of course, love.”
I watched the quick exchange, Zuri covering up once her son was detached and out of the room. A quick glance at Heath, I saw his eyes were averted politely.
“Hasan found my fiancé and me dying from a car crash on his island,” I explained to him. We rarely spoke about our previous relationships. I knew I probably had told him at some point or another, but a refresher never hurt. “He Changed me, then lied to me, saying Shane was dead when he arrived.” I couldn’t tell Heath the whole story, the entire truth. Hasan’s Talent was too dangerous to spread it to even my lover. The fewer people who knew, the better.
“Yeah. You’ve mentioned it before,” Heath said softly. “I don’t plan on dying on you.”
“Well, that’s nice to hear,” I said with a chuckle, then turned back to Zuri. “Zuri…Cassius was mentioning earlier that his father is very good at using people and things to get what he wants.”
“And what would he get from using you? Our father’s support and his anger. It’s a dangerous play on Brion’s part. They used to be good friends, and if Brion hadn’t involved you, they probably would be after this, but our father won’t forgive him for this. You’re in a dangerous position, and there’s nothing we can do to get you out of it.”
