Creon frowned at me and sat down. He crossed his legs under the table and met my gaze. He stared into me like I might back down and give him exactly what he wanted if he only looked into my soul long enough. I’d have gladly told him and the lovebirds what I’d been told, if I were allowed to.
“Is my son in danger?” he asked.
“Umm… You saw what happened at the bar, right? I think we’re all in danger right now. He’s not in danger from me, if that’s what you’re asking,” I said and took a long swallow of the chocolate milk.
“You smell like magic and a half-lie,” Creon said and pursed his lips. “I don’t like it.”
“Neither do I but things are what they are,” I sighed. “I was sort of tricked tonight. I’ll have to be more cautious about what I consume while I’m out of my body. I can’t believe I fell for that.”
“Fell for what?”
“I can’t say. Literally can’t say,” I told him. “But Dern was supposed to be my friend.”
“At the end of the day, almost everyone will betray you,” Creon said.
“I know,” I nodded. “I don’t think he believes he did. I think he has his own agenda and he’s more of who he really is as a dead wolf. The end justifies the means and all that good bullshit.”
“Is there anything I can do to help my son?” he asked me.
I opened my mouth and shut it again. A very smartassed part of me wanted to list out all the things I thought Crilus needed help with but my cousin would never forgive me for that.
“I think he needs his mate. I think he needs to believe he can have him,” I said and let out a long sigh of relief.
“We can say more than I thought we could,”my wolf chimed into my thoughts.
“I know. That’s why I’m here. I know he’s too old for me to chase after. I know he’s---”
“I’m older than him,” I grinned. “Preston and me both but my parents would show up too if we needed them and the other way around too.”
“You should tell your carrier about what the dead man did,” Creon said. “There’s not much that happens in the spirit world that he doesn’t eventually hear about but maybe he could help you.”
“I’m not so sure about that. Look, what I know won’t hurt Crilus either way. He just needs to believe in the bonds he chose to make in the Other World. He can practice doing that while I figure out what happened at the bar.”
“Be careful. I know you think you’re ten foot tall and spell proof but—”
“I think no such thing. I just happen to think I can’t let someone do that to my cousin’s place and get by with it,” I said and bit my lip.
“I think it’s sweet how you call him cousin.”
“You’re family,” I said. “It doesn’t matter what Uriel did. You’re family.”
“Thank you,” Creon squeezed my hand. “I’ll get you another glass of chocolate milk and then I think I’m going to find some place to lay down if you think you’ll be okay.”
“Thank you again for tonight,” I flashed him a sad smile. “I’m sorry for everything this must be bringing up.”
“I’d relive it every day if that was the only way my kids could be happy,” Creon shrugged. “You should get some rest too if you can.”
“I hope to,” I nodded.
Chapter Ten
Crilus
I waited until everyone else was asleep before I gently wiggled out of Pierce’s hold and tiptoed out of the room. I didn’t mind being held hostage in a room with a connected bathroom and a secret mini fridge behind one of the wall panels, but I needed to grab some blood pouches from the fridge. If Medwin had prepared as well as he normally did, there would be at least a few on hand for Pierce. If not, I’d call him and tell him to feed his guard. Part of me longed for him to throw me on the bed and sink his fangs into my neck or maybe my thigh. Anywhere he wanted really.
“Stop!”my crow warned.“We cannot risk getting aroused right now. He will smell it, wake up, and think we’ve flown the coop. Do not make him panic. This truce is fragile.”
He was right. Whatever white flag that waved between Pierce and I was easily stained. I couldn’t leave but I also refused to be his downfall. Sometimes love and kindness meant knowing when to stay away.
