“Dante, is this true?” she pleaded. “Daddy was a Purist?”
“Yes,” Dante replied. “I didn’t want you to know what he’d done and how he shamed our family.” His features softened. “I’m sorry, Marianna.”
“The only thing you should be sorry about is mating with that thing,” Artimus spat.
A bone-shattering roar ripped through the room, silencing everyone.
Richard had shifted into his lion and stood on the platform, looming largely over the room. His magnificent mane framed his glowing blue eyes, and his muscular, feline body covered in tawny fur dwarfed the woman sitting next to him.
No one moved.
I will not tolerate further outbursts. Richard scanned the room, his head moving almost imperceptibly as his powerful voice touched their collective minds. I have long suspected that there was dissension on the Council, but I prayed I was wrong. If our race is going to survive, we must embrace this evolutionary change, or we will die out. Pure-blooded Amoveo mates seem to be fewer and fewer with each generation, and if we do not learn to adapt, then it will be our undoing. He sat on his haunches, and his long tail curled around him. I will ask this question only once. Is there anyone else on this Council who shares the same opinion as Artimus?
“I am not alone.” Artimus stood and whispered the ancient language. The chair behind him vanished as he shimmered and turned into the most enormous grizzly bear that Layla had ever seen. Artimus stood on his hind legs, swiped his massive, clawed paws outward, and bellowed into the air. We will not allow you to muddy our ancient bloodlines and permit the destruction of our people.
In a rush of static electricity the room erupted with roars, growls, screeches, and the haunting howl of a wolf as the rest of the Purists revealed themselves in a chorus of dissent. William, Dante, and Malcolm pulled their mates into their arms and looked around in horror. Artimus was most definitely not alone.
In addition to Artimus, both members of the Falcon and Eagle Clans screeched their objections, the females from the Coyote and Arctic Wolf Clans both growled down at them, hackles raised with clear disdain, as did the male representatives from the Fox, Tiger, and Panther Clans. The last to shift was the female representative from the Lion Clan, the one who’d been shooting Layla daggers from the moment she’d walked in.
The tension was dangerously high as the Council members still in their human form stood to face the others. Layla glanced at the Vasullus family members, and to her surprise, they remained seated and oddly calm amid the anxious situation.
Richard jumped to his feet and snarled at the lioness next to him. Traitor. His voice rumbled low and menacing.
Veronica growled and crouched low, with her tail switching behind her. You are the traitor, she hissed. What kind of a leader allows his people to destroy themselves and knowingly weakens their race? If it were up to you, we’d all breed with humans, until we were nothing more than they are—weak and pathetic.
Your time is over, Richard, Artimus bellowed. The true believers, the pure-blooded Amoveo, follow me now. You can keep the half-breeds and your theories of evolution, because the only one who is going to be extinct around here is you.
William’s body tensed, and just when Layla thought that it was going to be World War III and fur was going to fly, the Purists uttered the ancient language and vanished into thin air.
***
William’s heart thundered in his chest as he held Layla’s shaking form in his arms. She was spooked, and he couldn’t blame her. Dante and Malcolm clung tightly to their mates as well and exchanged concerned looks with William. The arena had gone hauntingly quiet, and the sight of the abandoned platforms made his heart sink. Only half the Council members remained.
Richard shimmered, shifted to his human form, and cursed loudly. William watched as his wife, Salinda, who was heavy with child, went to his side and wrapped her arms lovingly around him, sobbing against his chest. Her fellow Tiger Clan member had left with Artimus and the others. William didn’t know what was worse. The Amoveo divided as a whole or the clear division within the clans themselves.
“Your Highness.” It was David Vasullus who finally broke the silence. “You should know that you have the full support of the Vasullus family.” His somber gaze wandered over them. “We know what it’s like to lose our mates or to not find them at all. You three men are lucky to have found your other halves. Hybrid or pure-blood… a mate is not a gift to be squandered.”
The elderly woman next to him stood and linked her arm through his. “I always thought Artimus was a troublemaker,” she said through sympathetic pale blue eyes. “I know this is difficult, Your Highness, but it’s better this way.”
“Better, Georgina?” Richard asked incredulously, while he cradled his wife in the crook of his arm. “The Council has dissolved, and it looks like we have a civil war on our hands. How on earth is this better?”
“At least now, our enemies are out in the open.” Layla’s voice cut into the conversation, and William looked at her with pride. “The lines have been drawn, and it’s time for people to choose a side. No more hiding or wondering where people stand.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Georgina said with a wink to Layla. “She’s right, Your Highness. It’s much easier to fight the enemy if you know who they are.”
Bianca stepped down from the platform and made her way to William and Layla, who stiffened at her approach. He touched her mind with his. It’s going to be alright.
“I’m so sorry, Layla.” Bianca’s light brown eyes were filled with sadness. “I wish there had been another way, but at the time it seemed like the right thing to do. I hope you’ll forgive me and your father for keeping you in the dark for so long.”
Layla said nothing but shrugged.
“He loved you, you know.” Bianca smiled, and one large tear rolled down her face before she could brush it away. “More than anything, he wanted to keep you safe long enough to find your mate, so you could explore your full strength and know true happiness.” She flicked a glance at William. “I’m so glad that he found you.”
William’s throat tightened with emotion, and he brushed his hand down Layla’s back. She was here, but for how long? Would she ever truly give herself to him and be his mate in the true fashion of the Amoveo, or would she refuse?
“Bianca.” Layla stilled in his arms, and he watched as Bianca braced herself for what Layla was going to say. “I have to thank you for bringing me to Rosie’s farm. I’m still not convinced that lying and hiding things the way you did was right.” She let out a slow breath and stuffed her hand in the pocket of her jeans. “But the truth is, for all the lack of control I’ve had over my life, the craziness and uncertainty… growing up on the farm with Raife and Tati really was a gift. So thank you for that.”
“You are welcome.” Bianca turned to Richard and bowed her head. “Your Highness, if it’s alright with you, Michael and I would like to go back to our clan and inform them of the latest developments.”
“Yes,” Richard said evenly. He gazed upon the remaining loyal Amoveo solemnly. “All of you must spread the word to your clans. Purist or Loyalist. Now is the time to decide which side of the fence you are on. Loyalists will always have my protection, and if anyone is threatened, they can seek refuge here at the ranch with Salinda and me.” His mouth set in a grim line. “Go now, and I expect a report from each of you by the end of the week as to how your clans respond.”
“As you wish,” Bianca said with a deep curtsy. She turned to Layla. “I do hope you’ll allow me to stay in touch with you.” She smiled. “I would like to get to know my niece.”
“Sure.” Layla gave a curt nod. “I guess you’re the only blood relative I have left.”
“That’s hardly the case. We have a large family, and I would love for you to meet them.”
“Yeah,
well, I wonder if they’ll all be as eager to meet me,” Layla said skeptically. “It wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility that some of the Cheetah Clan members are Purists.”
Bianca’s face fell. “I—well—I’d never think it was possible, but after what we all just witnessed, I suppose anything is possible. Either way, I hope you’ll let me know when you and William are ready to meet the others.”
“The future is up to Layla,” he said smoothly and cleared his throat. He wasn’t exaggerating. He was leaving all of it up to her and would not under any circumstances make the move to bind them together until she told him that’s what she wanted. “Safe journey home.”
Static filled the air as Bianca and the remaining Council members vanished—except for one—Marianna.
Dante’s sister stepped down from the platform, and her eyes were latched firmly onto her brother and Kerry. Her dark wavy hair spilled over her narrow shoulders, and she nibbled nervously on her lower lip.
“Our father died because of all of this,” she said through a shaking breath. She looked around at all of them but lingered on each of the women. “Everything is falling apart, Dante. Our mother is dying, and she’ll be just like one of them soon,” she said with a nod to the Vasullus.
“I know this is difficult,” Dante said gently.
“You don’t know anything.” Her voice shook with anger. “All you care about is her.” She pointed accusingly at Kerry. “I don’t want any part of this. None of it. Do you hear me?” Her eyes shifted to glittering black diamonds. “I’m going back to New York, and you know what? I don’t care if I ever find a mate. Not if it means dealing with shit like this. You can all go straight to hell—just keep me out of it.” She uttered the ancient language and disappeared.
“I guess I won’t be having Christmas with her,” Kerry mumbled.
“She’ll come around.” Dante kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back reassuringly. “I’ll have Pete keep an eye on her and make sure she stays out of trouble.”
“Oh, that’ll work,” Kerry said with pure sarcasm. “He’s an ex-cop, and he’s human. She’s not going to want to have him around for a second.”
“That’s probably a good idea, Dante.” Richard and Salinda stepped down from the platform hand in hand. “Marianna was the other Bear Clan Council member, and something tells me that Artimus is going to do his best to get her to join his cause.” His sad eyes examined everyone in the group. “I have a sinking suspicion Artimus won’t like the fact that she didn’t leave with him and declare her allegiance to the Purists.”
“Pete was instrumental in helping defeat the Purists in New Orleans,” William explained to Layla. “He’s one of few humans who know about us, and he’s considered part of the Vasullus family now, just as Rosie will be.”
“We need to come up with a plan,” Richard said to the group grimly. “You can be assured that Artimus and his followers have one, and they won’t stop until they’ve wiped out anyone who disagrees with their philosophy. I’d feel better if we had more information about some of the other hybrids. I fear that finding and exterminating them will be his first move.”
Layla raised her hand. “Excuse me, but I may have something that could be of use.” All eyes landed on her as she removed the worn leather diary from the inside pocket of her coat. William hadn’t a clue that she’d brought it with her, and he wondered what else she was keeping to herself.
Are you sure Raife and Tatiana will be alright with this, Layla? William whispered along the edges of her mind. Layla simply nodded and kept her attention on Richard. Raife is the one who suggested it.
“Raife and Tatiana’s mom kept a diary about her courtship with their father. I didn’t think there was anything of use, but last night Raife showed me something.”
William’s brow furrowed as he watched her gently open the frayed book to the inside of the back cover. With extreme care, she peeled back the fabric lining, gently pulled out a yellowed, folded paper, and handed it to Richard.
The tension in the room was thick enough to choke on.
“It’s a list.” She glanced from Richard to William. “A list of Amoveo men who had hybrid children. At least that’s what we think it is. Both of our fathers are on it, as well as Kerry and Samantha’s, and there are five other names.”
“These men are all dead.” Richard read the list, his face a mask of concentration. “Most of them were killed by the Caedo.”
“At least that’s what we’ve been led to believe,” Malcolm said somberly. “Perhaps the Caedo have been responsible for far less than they’ve been given credit for.”
“And in case you all forgot, until very recently, my father wasn’t dead,” Kerry chimed in. “He was living as a human—Vasullus—but my mother was killed by the Purists.” She sighed heavily and put her head on Dante’s shoulder. “At least, that’s what we were told.”
“We have to find them,” Salinda whispered and clung tighter to her husband. She looked at the rest of them through sorrowful eyes. “We have to find their children—the other hybrids—before Artimus does.”
“What do these numbers and letters next to their names mean?” Richard squinted and looked closely at the faded ink.
“Raife thinks that they may be the number of children they had, and the letters look like abbreviations for states. Raife and Tati have an MD and the number two next to their father’s name—they were raised in Maryland, and there are two of them. Kerry and Samantha have RI and the number one by their father’s names—they were raised in Rhode Island, and both were only children.”
“Thank you for sharing this with us, Layla. You’ll have to extend my gratitude to your siblings for sharing such a personal thing with us.” Richard took her hands in his and kissed them with the regality one would expect from a prince. “It gives us a solid place to start.”
Layla’s energy waves pulsed with pride and satisfaction, which had William feeling relieved. She smiled, and he could tell that she felt a new kinship and sense of belonging to their people. Even if she never chose to bond with him, he knew she’d have the protection of the prince. As long as she was safe… that was all that mattered.
“I think we should go back to the house, take stock of the situation, and get a game plan. We need to have a better idea of how much divisiveness we have within the clans themselves,” Richard said.
Everyone nodded. They had gotten some answers, and most of their enemies had revealed themselves, but the future of their race remained unclear. William glanced over his shoulder to the empty arena below. He couldn’t help but wonder if this was the beginning of the end.
Chapter 18
The fresh smell of something baking wafted through the old farmhouse and made William’s stomach rumble as he threw the few items he had with him into a small duffel bag. The others had left last night when they got back from the ranch. Malcolm was eager to get his pregnant wife back home and out of harm’s way. Dante and Kerry left for New York to try and get Marianna to listen to reason, but based on what he knew of her, that was going to be no easy task. She hadn’t chosen a side, which meant she was fair game for Artimus and the Purists.
He looked around the quaint room, and his gaze lingered on the bed he’d shared so briefly with Layla. Images of her soft, sexy body writhing in ecstasy beneath his flooded his mind, but he squashed the memories quickly, knowing that to linger would only make things worse. William closed the door to the room but couldn’t shut the door on his feelings, although Layla seemed to have had no problem doing it.
He came into the kitchen to find Sylvia puttering away and fussing over Raife, who was scarfing down what looked like a delicious breakfast of pancakes and bacon. The two seemed to have picked up where they left off all those years ago, and he did his best to squelch the jealousy that reared its ugly head.
Sylvia, coffee pot in hand
, smiled shyly at William. “Can I get you a cup before you leave?”
“No,” he said. “Have you seen Layla this morning? I have to be going, but I’d like to say good-bye.”
“You’re really leaving? Just like that, huh?” Raife looked at him through narrowed eyes and swallowed the food in his mouth. “Layla’s not here. She split with her camera early this morning.”
William’s jaw clenched. She left? She knew he was leaving this morning and hadn’t even come back to say good-bye. He didn’t want to get into a pissing match with Raife, but the truth was that he didn’t think he’d be able to keep his emotions in check.
“Where is Rosie?”
Raife shook his head. “She’s in the living room, resting.”
“Thank you.”
“Hey, bird boy,” Raife called after him. “I never figured you for a quitter.”
William stopped dead in his tracks as anger, frustration, and desperation clawed at him. “I’m not the one who quit,” he said without turning around. “Layla cornered the market on that.”
Bag in hand, William found Rosie bundled up on the couch, reading a magazine in front of a crackling fire. She had the color back in her cheeks, and aside from a large bandage on her head and a sling on her arm, she looked like herself again. Richard had sent an Amoveo healer to visit Rosie in the hospital, and needless to say, her speedy recovery baffled the human doctors.
“Are you gonna stand there starin’ at me all day, or are you gonna come in here and talk to me?” She didn’t even look up from her magazine.
“I came to say good-bye.” William rounded the end of the couch and gave a cursory glance to the chair that he and Layla had enjoyed so much. He cleared his throat and turned his full attention to Rosie. “I’m going back to Richard’s ranch in Montana. I’ll be staying there for a time, while we try and sort things out. We still have several other hybrids to find.”
“I see.” Rosie placed the magazine on her lap and peered at him over the edge of her glasses. “Where I come from, we call that running away.” Rosie waved him off. “Bye-bye.”
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