by Jodi Vaughn
* * *
Damon rode toward Petit Jean State Park. Barrett had ordered him to stay behind and watch over the state while the Tribunal was held. But his conscience wouldn’t let him. Besides, he figured since he was filling in for Barrett that technically made him temporary Pack Master. And being Pack Master meant he didn’t answer to anyone.
He’d called Ava and told her where he was going. She’d been shopping with Haley for her wedding. He was glad she was distracted from the crap that was going on. He told her to buy a new outfit while she was out.
He saw the signs for the state park, slowed his speed, and turned.
After tonight, he was afraid they would be going to war with Louisiana.
After tonight, none of them would be safe.
* * *
“Hey, Jack.” Barrett stood near at the top of the mountain where the Tribunal was to be held. In another hour, fates would be sealed and debts would be paid.
“Barrett, I got your message,” Jack Welbourn said. The Pack Master of Mississippi’s tone was flat. He sounded unlike the genteel alpha that Barrett had come to know. “You have to give me more information about Boudier.”
“No. The time for talking has passed.” Barrett glanced down at his cell phone and noted the time in the dark. He looked up across the sky. “It’s actually really beautiful out here.”
“Yeah, well, that’s what they say about a hurricane. That right in the center of it all, it’s calm.” Jack forked his fingers through his hair. “Tonight is nothing but a shit hurricane.”
“I think if you’re patient enough you still might catch your witch.” Barrett looked up at the starlit sky. Out here in the middle of nowhere, the sky was putting on one hell of a display. It was the perfect night for a Tribunal.
“Ella?” Jack jerked his head in Barrett’s direction. “She’s here?”
“I got some intel that she’s coming.” Barrett shook his head. “That witch of yours is the one who holds the key to all this. She is Boudier’s witness. She is going to say that she saw Jaxon kill both Caroline Boudier and John. She’s going to stand up in the Tribunal and lie.”
“Jesus Christ.” Jack’s eyes widened. “But why would she do that? Why would she help Boudier? She hates our kind.”
Barrett narrowed his eyes at the older Pack Master. “Can I trust you, Jack?”
Hurt flashed through Jack’s eyes. It was the reaction that Barrett needed.
“Of course. I know things went to shit at my house, but I have always had your back, Barrett. I’ve always sided with you. To say that I’m not trustworthy is very offensive to me. You know you can trust me.”
“I know. I needed to ask it. I needed to see your reaction.” Barrett gave him a little smile.
“How did I do, smart-ass?” Jack cocked his head.
“You passed… for now.” Barrett narrowed his gaze a little.
“After all these years, I should have known that in your most critical hour as Pack Master you would still be busting my balls.” Jack chortled.
“Yeah, well, I have to have something to entertain me.” Barrett shrugged.
Jack chuckled, and the tension between them was gone.
They stood there for a few minutes saying nothing, just taking in the night air and staring back at the beautiful sky.
“I’m going to ask you to do something. Something you might find difficult.” Barrett turned to look at Jack.
“You know I’ll do what I can to help. Anything. Just tell me.” Jack’s face creased with concern.
“Before I ask you, I need a blood oath, Jack.” Barrett pulled out a knife from the back of jeans. He wasn’t allowed to carry a gun to the Tribunal, but a knife was acceptable.
“Are you shitting me?” Jack arched his brow. “Just when I thought we were having a moment, you ask me something like that.”
“You’ll understand later. Quit bitching and cut your fucking hand. Let’s get this shit over with. Then you can bro out as much as you want.” Barrett sighed.
“Ugh, with this new vernacular. I’m not sure what bro out means, but if it involves getting a drink, I’m in.” Jack held out his hand and then hesitated. He narrowed his eyes on Barrett. “And I don’t want some girlie drink like wine either. I’m a scotch and bourbon man. Always have been, always will be.”
“Jesus, will you just give me your hand?” Barrett lifted his eyes to the sky.
“Fine. But don’t cut too deep. I’m on a blood thinner and I’ll fucking bleed like a stuck pig.” Jack scowled at him.
“Pussy,” Barrett murmured as he took the knife and brought the blade across Jack’s palm. Blood came to the surface and dripped out of the cut.
He turned the knife on himself and made a cut in his own palm, slashing a large cut across the flesh. His hand stung and he squeezed his hand, making the blood come faster. He held out his hand to Jack.
Jack sighed but stuck out his hand, and they shook. Barrett held on and looked Jack in the eyes. “This blood bond is unbreakable. For the next twenty-four hours, you will be unable to break our deal or reveal what was said between us. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” Jack nodded.
Barrett released his hold and glanced down at his hand.
“So tell me.” Jack took a silk handkerchief out of his jacket pocket and pressed it against his palm.
“You won’t interfere in the judgment of the Tribunal.”
“I swear it,” Jack said. “I’m not sure why you need a blood vow for that. No Pack Master has ever interfered with a Tribunal ruling.”
“And I expect you to stand with the ruling this time as well. Just so we’re clear.” Barrett held Jack’s gaze.
“Barrett, do you mind telling me what the fuck is going on?”
“The fact is, Boudier will demand retribution for the killing of his wife and son-in-law. There is nothing for the Council to say but to uphold that.”
“So you’re going to let them have Jaxon even though we both know the daughter probably did it.” Jack glared. “Hell, why don’t you just give him the girl. That’s what he wants anyway.”
“No. That’s not what he really wants. What Boudier really wants is to watch me suffer.” Barrett glanced up at the sky. A shooting star whizzed across the twinkling canvas, and he wished that there was something else that could be done. “There’s more. Ginny is pregnant.”
“Holy fuck.” Jack scrubbed his hand across his face.
“You tell me, Jack. If you were in my position, would you give Ginny over to Boudier? Knowing what kind of life she would suffer at his hands?”
Jack scowled and then studied the ground.
“No, you wouldn’t.” Barrett chuckled. “We are more alike than you think. You would do anything to protect your Pack.”
“I would. But I don’t know if I could hand over one of my men. Even if it would save the rest of them.”
“The life of one versus the life of the many.” Barrett closed his eyes and inhaled deep.
“I won’t interfere with the ruling of the Tribunal. Is there anything else you need me to do?” Jack propped his hands on his hips.
“I have a briefcase over there by that rock. You need to grab it and take it to the Tribunal. Don’t let anyone else touch it. When the time is right, I want you to open it and hand over the contents to the Council.”
“How will I know when the time is right? You’re being awfully vague here, Barrett.” Jack scowled.
“Trust me, Jack. You’ll know.” He clasped his hand on Jack’s shoulder and nodded. “And one more thing. When the shit goes down tonight, I’m going to need help holding back my Guardians. I would greatly appreciate it if you could position your Mississippi Guardians beside mine. They’re not going to be happy with the outcome. They will fight to save their own. They might even come after me.” He gave him a wry smile. “So I need you to hold them back. Use whatever force. Just don’t let them interfere. Okay?”
“You have my word.” Jack nodded. “You will have a h
ard time ruling over Arkansas when your Guardians see that you handed Jaxon over to Boudier. They will feel betrayed.” Jack shook his head and clasped Barrett’s hand in his. “I don’t envy you the choice you have to make tonight, Barrett. But I’m here to stand beside you.”
“I appreciate it, Jack.” He gazed up at the sky again. “I’m sure my Guardians will get over feeling betrayed soon enough. We all eventually do.”
Chapter Thirty-One
“I’m not so sure we should be here, Granny.” Ava shoved her hands in her jeans pockets and continued to walk up the steep trail up to where the Tribunal would be held. “I don’t see any other females.” She cut her eyes at the Guardians from the other states jogging up the hill in a uniform line.
“Pish posh. I’ve never been to a Tribunal, and I promised Ginny I would look after Jaxon.” Granny turned her sad eyes on Ava.
“Stop doing that,” Haley said.
“Stop doing what?” Granny frowned.
“Stop giving everyone that look. You know, that look that says everything is not going to be okay.” Haley wrapped her arms around her chest and continued walking with them.
“Everyone needs to calm down,” Catty said from behind. “Barrett is in charge, and he always finds a way out. I mean, we’re the good guys, right?”
Ava glanced over her shoulder at her friend. “Catty’s right. I’m just worried what Damon is going to say when he finds out I came.”
“How’s he going to find out?” Granny frowned. “He’s back at the Compound. Looking after things. Besides, we’ll just watch things from behind those trees. The Arkansas Guardians are already around the Tribunal circle. There’s no way they can see us, so there’s no way that Damon will find out.”
Ava tried to relax. Granny was right. Besides, she was more worried about Ginny than what Damon would say about her coming tonight.
Before she left, she’d gone to visit Ginny with Granny. Ginny had stayed behind in the Compound in Jaxon’s room. Jaxon had posted a guard at her room to make sure she didn’t try to leave.
As soon as Ava had entered the room, she’d recognized Ginny’s scent. The female was pregnant.
Ginny had been wary of them at first, but after a while she’d warmed up to Granny and then Ava. While Granny had gone to the kitchen to fix them some tea, Ava took the opportunity to confide in Ginny that she too was pregnant.
Ginny was distraught over Jaxon’s situation. She’d told them that Jaxon was innocent. Ava really didn’t need her to say anything. She already knew in her heart that Jaxon was taking the blame for the woman he loved.
Ginny had tried to convince them to sneak her out of the Compound so she could see Jaxon, but they refused. Instead, Granny offered to go herself and stand by Jaxon’s side.
“I don’t understand why Ginny isn’t here. I mean, isn’t she supposed to speak against Boudier?” Catty asked.
“Jaxon made Barrett promise not to let her come tonight. So she’s at the Compound with a guard at her door,” Ava said and looked around the small trail.
“What the fuck are you all doing here?” Barrett stepped out from the tree line and blocked their path.
“Barrett, you scared me half to death.” Granny clutched her chest and pursed her lips together. “I think I just aged another twenty years.”
“All of you are going to turn around and leave now.” Barrett didn’t smile, and his voice held an edge that Ava had never heard before.
“But I promised Ginny that I would come and stand with Jaxon,” Granny insisted.
“No. Leave now. All of you,” Barrett commanded. He looked over his shoulder and waved. From out of the thick forest, a couple of large Weres stepped out.
“Who are you?” Granny lifted her chin and assessed the Weres in front of her.
“This is James and Michael. They are Mississippi Guardians. They will escort you back to your vehicle.” Barrett turned to leave, but Ava placed her hand on his arm.
He jerked away at the contact and took a step back.
Something was wrong. Ava knew it.
“Do what he says, Granny,” Ava said.
“But I promised…” Granny raised her voice.
“Please, Granny. Do what Barrett asked. I’ll be along in a minute.” She looked at the older woman.
“Fine.” Granny relented. “Come on ladies, let’s go.” She turned and headed down the mountain trail with Haley and Catty. The Guardians followed behind.
She waited until they were out of earshot.
“Barrett, what’s going on?” Ava asked.
“Leave, Ava. Go home to Damon.” He closed his eyes and lifted his face to the night sky. The moon was bright, and she could see the stress etched into his expression despite the darkness.
She’d never seen Barrett so on edge.
“Don’t bullshit me, Barrett. It’s just me and you.” She leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “Can you get Jaxon out of this?”
Barrett met her gaze. “Boudier has a witness who will say she saw Jaxon commit those murders.”
“Boudier is a lying sack of shit. He probably bribed someone to lie.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“It doesn’t matter. He has a witness,” he glared. “Don’t you understand? Blood must be paid for those two murders. It is the Pack Law.”
A shiver of dread ran through her, and she took a step back. She’d never seen Barrett this angry.
“I need to be alone, Ava. Before this starts.” He looked at her. “Go back with Granny and the girls.”
Dread settled in her stomach like an anchor. Barrett couldn’t save Jaxon. Jaxon was going to die.
“Okay. I’ll go back.” She nodded and started down the path. She glanced over her shoulder as he disappeared back into the woods.
She turned around and followed him.
She couldn’t let him face this alone.
She had to do something.
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Should we wait on Ava?” Catty asked Granny and then froze.
Coming up in front of them were the Louisiana Assassins and a very familiar female.
A female that Catty hated with a vengeance.
Ella. The Witch of Yazoo City.
“Keep moving, female” the Guardian named James growled, but Catty wasn’t having it.
Ella spotted her and her eyes widened. She quickly recovered, fixed a smirk on her face, and stopped.
“Well, you’re looking well, Kitten.” Ella tossed her red hair over her shoulder and smirked.
“The name’s Catty, you psychotic bitch.” Catty lunged, but one of the Assassins stepped in front of the witch, blocking Catty. The Mississippi Guardian James, held Catty back.
“Back off, female.” The large Assassin, she believed Brutus was his name, glared at her.
“You gonna make me, asshole?” Catty shook off James’s hold. Her hands curled into fists. “I have a score to settle with that bitch. She put a sword through my chest, and I intend to pay her back.”
“Not tonight you won’t,” Brutus said. He looked from her to the other women. “She’s under the protection of Edward Boudier. She is a witness for him in the Tribunal.”
Granny shoved her way past both the Mississippi Guardians and stepped up to Brutus. She shoved her bony finger in his chest and growled. “If she’s on his side, then she must be a liar. I know Jaxon and he would never murder anyone… without a damn good cause.” She lifted her chin to make her point.
“Lady, I don’t know who you are, but you better get that finger out of my chest,” Brutus growled.
Catty stepped up beside Granny. “If you so much as lay one finger on her, I’ll rip your fucking head off.”
“Language, Catty,” Granny chided. “Besides, if anyone is going to rip heads, it will be me.”
“You won’t touch these females, Brutus. Barrett has ordered us to make sure they get back to their car unharmed.” Michael, the Mississippi Guardian, stepped up beside them. He narrowed his gaze on
Brutus. “You three males could use some manners when it comes to talking to a lady.”
Brutus growled.
Catty looked past him to the one who looked familiar. Very familiar.
Her chest tightened when he met her gaze.
“You should know your brother is finally healed from what Boudier did to him. I can’t imagine staying loyal to a Pack Master who tried to have your brother skinned alive. But then again, you are nothing like Lucien. You won’t ever be half the male he is.” Catty turned and headed down the trail. If she’d stayed any longer, she would have shifted into wolf and torn Ella’s throat out.
Then she would have gone after Lorcan.
* * *
Ella watched as the group of females headed down the trail.
“Sounds like you make friends super easy,” Lorcan said.
“Sounds like you need to shut the fuck up.” Ella gritted her teeth and wrapped her leather jacket tighter around her. “Boudier said he was going to meet with me before the Tribunal, so I suggest you three pretty boys get to moving. I’m sure he doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
Brutus ignored her and kept walking. Brutus never said anything other than a grunt or two. Killian didn’t make eye contact. He’d probably heard about her powers of glamor and didn’t want to get caught under her control. She didn’t tell him that he didn’t need to worry. She could only glamour humans.
She squeezed her eyes shut and sucked in a deep breath. She could feel her power fading, and she knew she was going to have to spill some blood soon to keep from being sucked back into the cemetery where she was cursed to spend all eternity.
She cut her eyes at Lorcan. While all the Assassins were eye candy, Loran was pretty hot. Even she had to admit that. Plus, he had a smart-ass mouth. She appreciated a man who could verbally spar with her.
They continued up the trail and then turned off into the woods. They walked a further until they came to a break in the trees. She saw a small, rusted trailer sitting under a tree. It was large enough to carry a motorcycle, and judging from the dust and weeds growing up around it, it had long been abandoned.
