by Chloe Neill
“Rules are rules for a reason,” Cash said. “I’d have thought the Apex’s son would have realized that. Pack law rules here. And Pack law is inviolate, isn’t it?”
Connor didn’t answer, so Cash looked at me.
“We have a process here. Mechanisms for justice.”
Connor lifted his brows. “A process good enough for Elisa, but not the members of your own clan?”
“Members of our clan didn’t make an unwilling vampire.” He looked at me. “Your crimes will be heard by the clan elders, the coven, the violation of our rules considered.”
My stare was flat. I wasn’t naive enough to believe I’d get a fair hearing with Cash and Everett serving as two-thirds of the jury.
“A ruling will be made,” Cash continued, “and punishment will be decided. And administered.”
“Elisa’s not within your jurisdiction,” Connor said, his voice all business now. “She isn’t Pack.”
Connor saw the trap a moment too late. The frank admission that his romantic interest wasn’t like him, wasn’t like his family, wasn’t like his Pack. And, more important, that she was an outsider whom Connor had brought into sensitive clan discussions.
Miranda’s smile grew wider.
“She isn’t Pack,” Cash repeated. “And yet here she is, accompanying you into clan territory.” He looked at me. “You have a choice. She submits to our jurisdiction and the hearing, or we can decide her fate without your input. Your choice.”
“Have you lost your damn mind?” Georgia’s voice was loud, cutting through the noisy crowd and silencing it. “The clan is destroying itself from the inside. Someone is killing our members, assaulting humans, and you want to bring down the wrath of the Pack and Cadogan House on us because that girl saved Carlie’s life? I thought we were here to give them a talking-to, not to ensure our damn annihilation.”
“You’re soft because you’re family,” Everett said. “I don’t think you need to be part of this discussion.”
“Then let’s all thank the gods nobody asked you. Somebody with some goddamn sense needs to be in this discussion.” She looked at Cash. “I will not agree to mutually assured destruction.”
“You’re outvoted,” Cash said. “It’s time we take a stand.”
Her brows flew up. “Against the Pack?”
“Against those who disrespect our rules and threaten our way of life,” Cash said.
“Against the Apex’s son?” Georgia persisted.
Cash’s gaze flicked to Miranda, whose expression had gone intense. And I guessed Cash hadn’t come to this little plan on his own. Miranda, who wanted Connor—and maybe the Pack even more now—had made her first real move.
After a moment, Cash looked at me. “Do you want your say, or don’t you?”
I told Connor I’d trust him, but I wanted my say. We were going to have some very serious words about treating humans as collateral damage and the clan’s total absence of authority over me. And if words weren’t enough, I’d speak with steel.
I opened my mouth—and was interrupted.
“I forgot to mention,” Cash said. “If she isn’t comfortable agreeing to our terms, I’d be happy to invoke Obsideo.”
That wasn’t a term I knew, and I glanced at Connor to see if he understood. Given his furious expression, I guessed he did.
“What is Obsideo?” Ronan asked, brow furrowed.
Cash’s smile was thin. “Would you like to explain it, Connor, since you’re our resident Pack expert?”
“Archaic Pack law,” Connor threw out, without looking at Ronan. “In a time of crisis, Pack members can summon a representative of the Apex. That rep is obliged to show up and assist in the resolution of the crisis.” His eyes darkened. “And they’re obliged to stay until the crisis is resolved.” He turned his gaze toward Miranda, nailed her with a glance.
“Magically tied,” she said, and her smile was reptilian. “And so handy that you’re already here.”
Connor looked back at Cash, and his voice was cold and hard as flint. “Obsideo isn’t a game.”
“Oh, we’re all very serious here.” He looked at me, tapped the handle of the knife holstered on his belt. “Of course, there’s no need for Obsideo if you’d rather the vamp stand up before the clan, the coven.”
Enough of this, I thought, and put a hand on my katana. But Connor’s hand was on my arm.
“She doesn’t submit to you,” he said, the words nearly a growl. “Do it.”
Cash smiled meanly. “If you insist. The elders of the Northwood Clan claim Obsideo.”
Magic shimmered in the air, thickening it, warping it. It was hard to breathe, and I had to work to stop my rising panic—and my monster’s—as my lungs constricted. Connor’s fingers tightened on my arm.
“Breathe slowly,” he said quietly. “The air is fine; you’re just feeling the magic.”
But my vision was dimming, narrowing, little sparks of light flashing around the edges.
Cash grinned mirthlessly. “Your vampire doesn’t like obligation magic.”
Monster and I both moved forward, and this time it took both Connor and Alexei to hold me back.
“Let me go,” I managed, struggling against them, and didn’t much care this time if my eyes had silvered or gone red. Didn’t much care if they saw exactly how much of an outsider I really was. I caught Georgia’s concerned glance, looked away. I didn’t want pity now. I wanted to fight. I wanted air unspoiled by magic, and honest battle with blood and steel. Not this farce.
Then the magic snapped into place around me—and I could breathe again. I sucked in air, and as I stopped struggling, felt Connor’s fingers loosen.
Obligation magic was a bitch, I thought, as I forced my heart to slow, sent the monster down again.
The magic couldn’t compel me; this was shifter magic, and as Connor had pointed out, the Pack had no authority over a vampire. But if I guessed correctly, it would tie him to the clan until the “crisis” was resolved. I noted the glimmer in Miranda’s eyes, wondered if she could keep him forever and give herself a clear path to Apex.
“You’re all right?” Connor asked.
I nodded, for form, because this wasn’t the time or the place to get into it. But I wasn’t all right. I was pissed. I hadn’t been planning to give in to this farce masquerading as justice. They knew damn well that I’d had to change Carlie, that the “extenuating circumstances” demanded it. So it was ludicrous that he was putting himself in danger—handing himself over to the clan—on my behalf. And it was insulting. I could handle myself, especially against Cash, whom I hadn’t yet seen fight his own battles.
“You’re obligated,” Cash said.
“I’m obligated,” Connor agreed, and turned to walk out.
I followed close behind, because Connor Keene and I were going to have some words.
SEVENTEEN
I managed to wait until we’d marched back to the cabin and stepped inside before turning furious eyes to Connor.
“I’m going to just . . . stay outside,” Alexei said, right before I slammed the door closed.
I was seething, rage fountaining so hot I felt my blood might actually boil. Even the monster was angry, and I let it be. Let it rise to the surface, through insult mixed with the residual guilt about what I’d done the night before.
“What the hell was that?” I asked.
“Elisa—” He held up a hand.
“No,” I said, pointing at him. “It’s my turn to speak. First of all, you’ve barely talked to me since last night. You think I don’t know what you’re thinking? That you’re angry I hurt Carlie? That I hurt someone you loved? And that you finally saw me for the monster that I am?”
Anger flashed in his eyes.
“And second,” I said quickly, afraid to give him time to respond, “I fight my own damn battles. I do no
t need someone stepping in front of me, and certainly not a damn shifter. I don’t need someone agreeing to be tied to this clan, which can go straight to hell as far as I’m concerned. And I don’t need you stuck in Grand Bay, Minnesota, for the rest of eternity because you think I can’t handle myself. Why the hell would you consent to that?”
“Do you want me to answer you, or are you going to keep ranting?”
I could actually feel my lip curl. I stepped closer to him. “Oh, I’m just getting started.”
His eyes went hot in response. “Then let me respond to the first volley,” he said. “First of all, my feelings don’t just switch off and on like a damn flashlight. That’s insulting to both of us. I’ve seen you in human form, and I’ve seen you as a vampire. I’ve seen your monster, and I’ve seen you fight. I’ve also seen you snort milk out of your nose.”
“I was ten,” I countered.
“Maybe so, but it’s imprinted on my memory. All those things are part of you. And I don’t take issue with any of them.” He moved a step closer so there was only a breath of space between us. “You saved the life of a girl I’ve known since she was a child. But for you, she’d be dead.”
I stared at him. “I thought . . . after you saw me with her . . . after what I’d done . . .”
“No,” he said, the word so simple, so honest, that it loosened the grip of fear around my heart. “And as for last night . . . I’ve been trying to outthink Cash—to figure out what he might do, how he might try to milk this situation, and how to keep you safe from it. I’m sorry that put distance between us.” He put his hands on his hips. “I guess I didn’t handle the threat to you very well.”
“I guess you didn’t,” I said, still trying to grapple with the new understanding. “I get that you’re alpha, Connor. But so am I. I can fight my own battles. I like fighting my own battles.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “You didn’t argue when I helped you with the fairies.”
“Helped,” I emphasized. “This wasn’t helping. This was jumping in front of me and taking the hit yourself—not just because of Carlie, but because you’re in line for the throne.”
“He wouldn’t have stopped with you,” Connor said. “He’s ignoring the destruction of his clan by members of his clan, because he’s decided we’re the enemies.”
“Because of Miranda.”
“Partly,” he said. “And partly because he prefers to believe it. The alternative is admitting what he’s allowed the clan to become. He’s dishonorable, Lis. He’d have called Obsideo even if you’d bested him. I’d prefer you not get hurt along the way.”
I lifted my chin. “That wasn’t your choice to make.”
His gaze bored into me, as if he could see past skin and bone and straight into my soul, into the core of me. “There was no choice. Do you think I would let them lay one finger on you?”
The question was quiet, intense.
“Miranda—,” I began, but he shook his head.
“Do you think I wouldn’t go to war for you?”
I simply had no words, didn’t know what words could be spoken in response to something so staggering.
His eyes turned stormy. “You are a very interesting package, Elisa Sullivan. Even if it took me twenty years to realize it. Last night, you had a hard choice to make, and you made it. You saved Carlie, even though you knew it was breaking the rules, would be risky for her, would be risky for me.” A corner of his mouth nearly lifted. “I can only imagine the mental debate before you did the deed.”
“There were a lot of considerations,” I said quietly.
This time, his smile was big and genuine. “You did the right thing,” he said, and the dregs of the tension slipped away. “But there’s nothing right about what’s happening here. They’re using you because you’re here, because you’re a convenient lightning rod. And that’s wrong. Their problems are my burdens, not yours.”
I saw the misery in his eyes. He’d managed to hide most of it, but he was disappointed in his people, in the chaos they’d allowed, and the pain they’d inflicted.
“You’re wrong about one thing,” I said. “You aren’t here alone, so you don’t have to bear the burdens alone. And not just because we’re . . .”
“We’re?” he prompted with a crooked smile.
“Dating?” I offered hesitantly.
“Oh, at least,” he said, that grin widening.
“Not just because of that,” I said. “I changed Carlie, and I take responsibility for that. I’m used to fighting my own battles, and I know you are, too. And you did help me with the fairies. So let me help you here.” I took his hand, squeezed it. “This isn’t a fight you have to win on your own.”
I distinctly heard an “Aww” from the patio. “And I’m pretty sure Alexei is eavesdropping, and he also has your back.”
“I’m not eavesdropping” came the voice from the patio. “But yes on the back thing.”
I just shook my head.
Connor watched me consideringly for a moment. “Don’t underestimate how much they’re intimidated by you, Elisa.”
“Well, now you’re just flirting with me.”
His smile was sly. “You’re a trained and powerful Supernatural from a trained and powerful—and wealthy—family. You have power because of your strength and your origins. They can’t muster that kind of power. Just look around the resort if you want evidence of that.”
“You might as well have described yourself,” I said.
“Also part of the problem,” he admitted. “We are privileged. They’ll use that against us if they can.”
“And the fact that I’m an outsider,” I said.
“You aren’t Pack,” he said, tipping up my chin. “But I have no illusions about that, and no concerns. If this trip proves anything, it’s that the clan needs fresh eyes. And a good airing out.”
Which is why he hadn’t worried about admitting my otherness in front of the clan.
He rubbed a thumb across my lips, looked down at me with eyes of melting blue. “No concerns,” he said again, and his eyes drifted shut, his lashes dark crescents against his skin, and moved his mouth across mine.
He kissed me, magic flaring between us, hot and bright. . . .
I grabbed a lock of his hair—and took his mouth. His hands came around me immediately, pulled me against the warm line of his body, every ounce of him toned and taut. His mouth was insistent, demanding, and I met his advance, sliding hands through his hair, and pulling him closer until he groaned with a hunger I knew was as wild as my own.
He deepened the kiss, lips and tongue skilled and tempting.
His hands slid along my waist, my ribs, and then he cupped my breast, and I nearly gasped, shocked by magic and pleasure and still, in some part of me, the fact that Connor Keene was the one providing it.
“Lis,” he said, voice ragged and astounded, and I was relieved that I wasn’t the only one staggered by the heat. His thumb circling, arousing. I heard myself moan, and then he turned, twisting so my back hit the wall, his free hand cradled behind my head.
That was alpha—power and will tempered by compassion—and all that power was focused on me, on desire and arousal, and for a moment, I thought I might actually catch fire. . . .
And then someone pounded on the door.
Connor growled low in his chest. When the pounding echoed again, he swore. “Just a minute,” he called out.
Breathing ragged, he leaned his forehead against mine, took one breath, then another, working to regain his composure, giving me time to find mine. “The Yellowstone Caldera had better have opened up,” he called out, “or I’m going to have words with whoever that is.”
He stepped backward, ran a hand through the hair I’d tousled, and looked at me with eyes that gleamed like sapphires, his smile cocky. “We’re going to finish this.”
“Oh, most certainly we are.”
He walked toward the door.
“And you were joking about the Yellowstone Caldera, right? We have millions of years before that happens?”
His snort didn’t make me feel better.
Connor paused at the closed door, rolled his shoulders, settled himself. Then he opened it to reveal Traeger and, wearing a grim expression, Alexei behind him.
“This had better be damn important,” Connor said, his tone a challenge.
“Apparently Traeger has things to tell you,” Alexei said. “About what happened.”
Connor muttered a curse before stepping aside, giving me an apologetic look as he opened the door wider. “Come in,” he said, “and start talking.”
* * *
* * *
Traeger sat at the table, fingers knitted together, hair flopping over his forehead. He looked more harried now than he had at the cabin. There were circles beneath his eyes, and his skin was sallow and drawn.
“You want something to drink?” I asked Traeger.
He looked up at me, frowning as if surprised by the question, and shook his head. “No. I’m fine.”
Connor pulled out a chair on the other side of the table and sat down. Alexei stood in the corner, glowering.
“Is it true about the shutters?” Traeger asked. “That the creatures messed with them?”
Connor’s expression didn’t change, and I gave him credit for that. “Yes. The creatures, or one of them, tried to tear them off and expose Elisa to sunlight.”
Traeger swore, pushed his hands through his hair. “I think I know why this is happening. Or some of it. Maybe who.”
“Start at the beginning,” Connor said as I took the seat beside him.
“Paisley and I, like you said, were dating. We were having fun. Hanging out. Talking. She came back from the woods one night in wolf form; I was going to meet her afterward. And I saw him waiting at the edge of the woods, kind of pacing. Like he was waiting for her, too.”
“Loren,” I guessed. “You’re talking about Loren.”
