Duncan stepped closer but didn’t interfere.
Varu’s voice was soft when he said, “You knew Orion was missing, that the witch had bespelled him. You said nothing of this.”
The tension grew thick. Duncan put himself in front of his mate. Which reminded Orion, for some odd reason, of Kaia and how upset she’d be if Macy took harm.
Damn nymph.
He cleared his throat. “Varu, I can answer that.” He planted himself next to Duncan, putting two vampires between her and his patriarch. “She thought I might be compromised and worried you might stake me because of it.”
Varu rubbed his chin. “Still might.”
Fara elbowed him. “Stop it.” She turned to Orion. “Of course he won’t stake you. You’re family.”
“I was kidding.” The stare he shot Orion told him that no, Varu had not been playing around. “The truth is, we are Night Bloode, our own kin. We are made up of six different tribes, but that only means we bring diverse talents to the table, making us greater than other clans. I’m not my father. I do not believe in killing for the sake of bloode sport,” he directed to Macy. “I believe in protecting assets and fortifying our strengths. Destroying Orion makes no sense. Destroying you...” He looked Duncan in the eye and said, “also serves no purpose. But you will not keep secrets from me in the future, Macy.”
“No, Varu,” she said and bowed her head.
Duncan sighed. “It was my fault too. I knew something was going on but said nothing.”
Varu nodded. “Your job is to keep us aware of our enemies. And our Bloode Witch.” Varu gave a small grin then turned to Orion. “Did you deliberately betray our clan?”
“Hell no. I would have escaped the sea witch myself but had no chance to prove it. Kaia rescued me.”
“I need to talk to this Kaia.”
Hearing her name on Varu’s lips bothered him. “I’ll get her.”
“She’s at my dad’s.” Macy shot Orion a look. “I’ll bring her by tomorrow night, okay? In the meantime, I’ll talk to MEC about Pazuzu.”
“Good.” Varu opened his mouth to say something and paused, looking at Orion. “Tonight, we’re on a break. I think we’ve earned it.”
Khent scowled. “But the lycan—”
“He can keep.”
“Waste of my fucking time,” Khent said under his breath, continued to mumble, turned on his heel, and left.
Kraft whooped. “I’ll set up the games in the basement.” Rolf left with him.
Duncan and Macy shared a kiss before trailing the pair.
Shadow shifted in Orion’s arms but continued to purr against his chest.
Varu’s lips twitched at the sight. “Orion, I need a moment. Would you mind if Fara took your friend with her?”
Her eyes sparkled. “Oh, yes, please.”
Orion let her because Shadow liked her, and because Varu had asked. His kitten had a thing for fae creatures and happily climbed into Fara’s arms. They both watched as Fara walked away, presumably to join the others.
With everyone suddenly gone, only Orion and Varu remained in the kitchen.
“What’s wrong now?” Orion waited, pretending indifference when he was actually on edge. Varu felt much more powerful than he had before. A true master with not one butthreeBloode Stones at his disposal, he might very well be able to rule the Bloode Empire.
And destroy Orion pretty damn easily.
Varu pursed his lips. “I’m glad you’re back, even if you are annoying.”
“Thanks so much.”
