***
Both Staines and I hovered over Julia’s bed. The prognosis did not look good. Her face, normally rosy cheeked and beaming, looked drawn and haggard. And when she tried to speak, the words came out as nothing more than a hoarse whisper.
‘This might be,’ she croaked, ‘the shortest career span of any alpha in history.’
I gripped her hand and squeezed it. ‘Actually, there was a guy up in Manchester who only lasted three hours. A werehyena. He was so puffed up at his sudden advancement and focused on telling off a pair of wolves for staying out too long at a local nightclub that he didn’t look where he was going and fell into a manhole. Cracked his skull and died immediately.’
A faint smile crossed her lips. ‘Werehyenas are always the worst.’
‘They are. And you’re going to heal, Julia. It might take a bit of getting used to but you’ll get over this.’ Even to my own ears, my words rang hollow.
She shook her head. ‘Don’t sugarcoat it or treat me like a child, my Lord. I’m done. No pack can survive with an alpha who’s so weak she has to be wheeled around in a damn pushchair. Besides, the Voice is gone. I can feel it.’
I resisted the urge to shoot a look at Staines. ‘Right now that doesn’t matter,’ I told her. ‘All you need to focus on is getting better.’
‘Whoever controlled those beasts is still out there. That woman…’
‘We’ve secured the border. The mage is setting up a barrier spell that won’t keep out a strong Otherworlder for long. But it will give us enough time to be prepared if there’s another attack.’ I met her eyes. ‘We think it’s a demi-goddess who’s behind all this.’
The shock in her eyes was real. ‘Oh my goodness,’ she whispered. ‘How can we defeat someone that strong?’
‘Everyone can be defeated. We’re going to do this.’
‘I have no doubt.’ Her expression flickered. ‘You’re going to be an excellent Lord Alpha, you know, dear.’
I smiled. My own misgivings might be vast in that regard but I appreciated the sentiment. ‘Listen, Julia. We think this woman is after someone. Someone here in this pack. It’s the only reason we can think of for her to keep on sending attacks our way.’ I took a deep breath. ‘Mack wasn’t here when the attack began.’
Alarm rippled through her body and she tried to sit up. Fenewick tutted and gently pressed her shoulder back down. He threw me a dirty look.
Two more minutes, Doc, I promise.
He sniffed and started fussing with the bedcovers.
‘My Lord, Mackenzie would never do anything to harm anyone here.’
‘I think I get that,’ I said quietly. ‘She seems fiercely loyal.’
Julia’s eyes reflected pride. ‘She is.’
‘Can you think of any reason why she’d be the target?’
She didn’t answer. As much as I didn’t want to do it, I felt I had no choice. Calling up my Voice and using it to compel her, I forced the issue, repeating my question. Can you think of any reason?
No, my Lord.
I balled up my fists. Something still didn’t fit right. Julia, however, was getting weaker by the second and desperately needed to rest. I nodded at Fenewick and the three of us left the room.
‘You know that if she’s lost the Voice, that means there’ll be another new alpha here,’ Staines commented.
‘Yes,’ I sighed, ‘as if these people hadn’t already had enough turmoil and upheaval to deal with.’
‘The wolf, Tom, has signed on with us. So has his girlfriend. There are really only two other potential candidates.’
My jaw tensed. ‘Mack and Anton.’
‘Yes. And Mack has already defeated Anton. Of the two, she is clearly the stronger.’
But she was still just a kitten. She lacked the people skills and the experience to pull it off. Becoming alpha might be the making of her though, assuming she didn’t do anything foolhardy like getting herself killed at the hands of a demi-goddess. Responsibility came with considerable challenges but those who could rise to meet them often came out changed for the better as a result.
‘I suppose we’ll just have to let nature take its course,’ I said. ‘He hates her, you know. Anton. Every time he looks at her or even speaks of her, he’s barely able to hold back his spite.’
‘I’m not surprised,’ Staines answered drily. ‘She’s a crazy woman.’
‘No, not crazy, just…complex.’
He gave me a funny look. ‘Did you just purr?’
‘What? No!’
‘Methinks the Lord Alpha doth protest too much,’ Staines harrumphed. ‘Be careful, Lord Corrigan. That way danger lies.’
I couldn’t argue with that.
***
Feeling claustrophobic within the confines of the keep, I wandered outside to check on the perimeter, mulling over which shifters to select for our imminent invasion of the demi-goddess’s plane. Once we found the second portal, we could mount a double-pronged attack. But I’d also need to leave some strong defences back here in case it all went wrong.
I gnawed on the inside of my cheek as I strode round. They’d done a damn good job of repairs. I checked for weak spots and could find none. It was satisfying to see that they’d all worked together, both Cornish shifters and Brethren. I made a mental note to take time to praise everyone involved. Unfortunately, those positive thoughts vanished when I spotted Boran bounding over to me from the direction of the keep.
What is it? Is it Julia? Has there been any indication that another attack is imminent?
No, my Lord. It’s Mack.
My eyes suddenly narrowed. What?
We’ve been keeping well back. I’m sure she’s not noticed us.
But?
But she’s just sneaked into your office. Or the alpha’s office, whichever it is. Shall we go in?
I licked my lips. No. I’ll do it. She had to be snooping around for something. Anticipation uncurled inside me. Perhaps I was just about to find out what on earth was really going on.
Chapter Nineteen
Being a panther gave me certain cat-like skills that often came in handy – not least that I was able to tread very quietly. Mack was so intent on trying to force open the magically warded drawer in her ex-alpha’s desk that she didn’t even notice me. I was half-tempted just to watch her but I was far more inclined to confront her illegal actions. Perhaps I could then punish her accordingly. I ignored the frisson that ran through me at that thought and interrupted her, keeping my voice to a low growl.
‘Just what the fuck are you doing now?’
Her eyes widened in horror, guilt written all over her lovely face. She straightened up while something oddly akin to relief flashed in her eyes. Then she gave me a tiny smile, clearly attempting to appear as innocent as possible.
‘What does it look like I’m doing, my Lord? I am trying to find a way to open this drawer.’
At least she wasn’t trying to prevaricate. ‘And why exactly would you be doing that?’
‘Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it?’ she answered. ‘The fact that we keep being targeted for attack must mean that we have something that the blue woman wants. This is the only place that I can think of that is locked and where there might be something that John would have hidden away. If we can find it, then we might have a better chance of understanding what is happening and stopping it.’
‘An interesting conclusion, Kitten.’ I wondered whether I should tell her that we’d discovered that the blue woman, as she’d described her, was actually a demi-goddess. It might make her more circumspect in her actions. Right now, however, I was more curious as to her reasons for breaking into the desk alone. I may have been well aware of the existence of this drawer – and I should have made sure the mage opened it before now – but her surreptitious bid to force it open stirred my curiosity. ‘And why didn’t you think to mention this drawer to me before?’
‘First of all,’ Mack tossed her hair and started ticking off her fingers, ‘I couldn’
t find you. And I was pretty sure that you’d have your hands full dealing with the death rites. Second of all, if I’m wrong and there’s nothing in here apart from a couple of shifter girlie mags, then I’d look pretty stupid. And thirdly, you’ve already made it pretty clear that you don’t trust me. For all I know, you’d try to suggest that I planted whatever was in there myself.’
‘I see. I must beg to differ on one point, however.’
I waited for her to ask what that point was. There was something bizarrely enjoyable about watching her growing frustration. Eventually she could stand the suspense no longer.
‘And what would that be?’
I grinned. At least in some things she was predictable. ‘I think you’ll find, Kitten, that I do trust you.’ She looked sceptical at that. I didn’t particularly blame her. After all, I had on occasion thought she may have had something to do with the terrible events here. I wasn’t lying, however. I gave her a pointed look and continued. ‘And despite the fact that you’re the most annoying, unpredictable and difficult-to-control shifter I’ve ever come across, you do appear to have useful skills. I’m not sure I trust you enough to stay here in the countryside on your own before you manage to cause complete devastation. But I think that you’ve proven yourself enough for me to tell you that my offer to join me in London still stands.’ I leaned back, folding my arms and watching her reaction. I’d not mentioned the Brethren. If she didn’t want to join those ranks then that was fine. But I still wanted her to be where I could keep a close eye on her. She was just too damn infuriating to leave here in this quiet corner of England.
Mack looked slightly afraid. ‘Even though I might have deliberately engineered falling into a faerie ring so that I could be absent when the keep was attacked?’
‘Mmm, you’re going to have to tell me one day how you really did escape from that.’ Maybe one lazy Sunday morning over breakfast in bed.
‘I honestly have no idea, my Lord. Perhaps it was just an old ring and didn’t have much power left.’
She was telling the truth. I supposed it could have been an ancient and, as a result, weakened faerie ring that had entrapped her. ‘Yes, perhaps, Kitten, perhaps.’ I stretched out, linking my hands behind my head. When Mack’s eyes drifted to the bare skin suddenly exposed around my upper arms, I found it hard not to smile more broadly. Apparently she wasn’t immune to my charms after all.
‘Will you stop fucking calling me that?’ There was an audible hue of fury to her words. I was sure she was more angry at herself for being caught checking me out than anything I might have said, however.
‘What?’ I asked, goading her. I shouldn’t have done it but there was a part of me that couldn’t help it. The angrier she got, the more the yellow flecks in her eyes were enhanced. It gave her a particularly alluring edge. Not that she didn’t have that in spades already as it was, despite her prickly nature.
‘I am not a cat,’ she hissed. Like a cat. ‘I am a hamster. And my name is Mack, not Kitten.’
‘Well then, maybe I should just call you Hammy instead.’ I licked my lips.
‘Well then, maybe I’ll call you Pants,’ she snapped.
I laughed, about to suggest that she was welcome to check out my pants whenever she wanted. Instead, however, she interrupted in a considerably calmer tone of voice.
‘My Lord, perhaps you could help to open the drawer?’
She wasn’t afraid of a fight. She was, however, afraid of flirting. Unless it was just flirting with me that terrified her. Regardless, I acceded to her desire to change the subject. ‘As my Lady wishes.’
Mack stepped out from behind John’s desk. The space was tight and, as I moved to take her place, our bodies brushed together. A jolt of electricity ran through me. Mack flinched so I knew she’d felt something similar. Rather than enjoying the sensation, however, she quickly manoeuvred herself round to the door as if she was afraid I was about to pounce. I had no need or desire to force myself on anyone, let alone the feisty werehamster, but I had to admit that our close proximity was providing considerable temptation. She’d run a mile if I tried anything though. With regret, I bent down to look at the drawer.
To attempt to put her at ease, I acted ignorant. ‘Huh, this is a pretty powerful ward. Did John have magic skills?’
‘A few parlour tricks,’ she shrugged, ‘nothing like this. Not that I knew of, anyway.’
I made a show of reaching down to open it. The buzz of magic caused me to wince and jerk back. Mack seemed amused. She’d clearly been hoping I’d fail. An odd determination to show off rose up. There may have been a reason I’d left the magic well alone until now, but something about her presence was making me reckless. ‘Stand back,’ I told her.
I focused on the plain wood, trying to decide where the weakest spot would be. If Staines knew what I was doing, he’d have an absolute fit. Mack, however, was watching me with a mixture of horror and fascination. I rather liked being the object of her attention so I wasn’t going to back down now. It was about time she realised she wasn’t the only one around here with a bit of strength and power to boast about. Bunching my fingers together into a fist, I pulled back and prepared. Unless I wanted to end up dismembered, I was going to have to be fast. The little voice inside my head told me to forget this idiocy and get Floride to open the damn thing. I ignored the thought and instead slammed forward a hard punch, yanking my hand back as swiftly as I was able to avoid damaging myself too much. The wood splintered and there was a brief flash of blue magic signalling I’d actually managed to break through the ward, although even without the crackle of light, the agonising pain that was shooting up my arm would have told me that. Tiny dots danced in front of my eyes and I only just managed to avoid howling aloud. My hand was already starting to swell. Mack’s jaw dropped open.
Despite the effort it took, I laughed. I even managed to make it sound vaguely natural. ‘Impressed much, Kitten?’
‘Big deal,’ she said with studied insouciance before reaching over the desk to rummage around inside. I watched her carefully. She might not want to admit it, but she’d been awestruck. I’d seen it in her eyes and in the way her soft lips had fallen open. It made the pain almost worthwhile. When she was looking down, however, I took the moment to grimace and shake my fingers.
Mack pulled out an unmarked folder just as the outer door burst open and a red-faced Staines strode through, followed by the mage.
‘What in God’s name was that?’ he shouted.
‘Jeez,’ added Floride, ‘I think the whole keep felt that tremor. What did you do? Break through a…’ He stopped and stared at the desk. ‘You destroyed a level-five ward?’ He obviously thought that Mack had been the one to break it open because his glance flitted immediately to her. That was probably because it was far too foolish a thing for the Brethren Lord to have attempted.
‘My Lord Alpha, your hand,’ Staines said in alarmed concern.
‘It’s fine.’ I wasn’t entirely sure it was but I’d seen this stupid bravado through to this point – I may as well continue.
‘I’ll call the doctor.’
‘No. He has better things to be doing right now. Besides, I confess to a sudden curiosity at what the Cornish alpha was so keen to hide.’ I pointed down at the folder that Mack was still holding.
She followed my gaze, her face abruptly paling. ‘Er…’ She snapped it shut.
‘Something’s approaching the front,’ Floride interrupted before I could snatch the folder away.
Another attack already? My stomach lurched. ‘Shifter?’ I asked him, praying it was simply one of ours returning. There were guards and watchers set up everywhere. It seemed impossible that something could have slipped past the net.
‘I…uh…can’t tell.’
Staines growled, leaving in an instant. I snapped a look at Mack. If it was another attack and she was indeed the target, then it was imperative she stayed well away. ‘You will wait here,’ I ordered, without thinking about it.
; ‘My Lord,’ she smiled, although I could tell she was pissed off. She had to lose that damned chip on her shoulder if she wanted to stay alive.
I followed Staines out, feeling my heart rate start to pick up. I was only just realising how stupid my efforts to smash the ward had been. In fact, I was lucky I’d not come off worse. If this was another of the demi-goddess’s minions, then the entire keep would have been screwed if I’d been out of action because I’d wanted to look cool.
Staines took the left side of the door and I took the right.
Don’t shift yet, I told him. There was still the chance this was nothing more than a house call.
He nodded, while I put my hand on the doorknob and twisted it, jerking the door open so I had a clear line of sight.
Boran, where are you? I sent out.
The main driveway, he instantly replied. There’s a human approaching.
My entire body relaxed. The guards outside hadn’t failed. I raised my eyebrows at Staines. ‘Human,’ I grunted.
He exhaled loudly, meeting my eyes. Understanding passed between us. If this had been another attack, we would have been ill-equipped to handle it. We got lucky. At least that’s what I was thinking until I spotted just which human it was who’d decided to wander by.
‘What’s wrong?’ Staines asked, noting the glower on my face.