“That Mage climbed high to conceal his scent,” Matteo said. “If these people want to protect their land, they should build tree stands outside the perimeter. Someone high enough to see or smell trouble.”
Matteo had solid ideas, but he was emotionally disconnected from the idea of pursuing anything meaningful in life. His last kiss with Blue hadn’t escaped my mind, and while he might have been shunning everyone because of an emotional trauma, maybe he was a lost soul who just needed a purpose in life.
Hell, don’t we all?
“You should think about offering your services here. They could use someone with your expertise. You know these woods better than anyone. You could protect the groups who come and go.”
He swallowed a mouthful of bread. “And why would I do that?”
I folded my arms across the table. “Because despite your surly attitude, I think you care about what happens to children.”
“No one is offering me any job, and I’m not here to beg for one.”
“You could escort them yourself, or maybe you could just give them better ideas on how to secure this place.”
He set down the heel of bread. “In exchange for what? Money means nothing to me.”
“Take it from me, finding a purpose in life can pull you out of hell. Isn’t that better than money? I spent a long time in hell, so I know what it’s like. You think you don’t need anyone, and maybe you don’t. But that’s not what it’s about. It’s who needs you. Think of all the kids you could help. I don’t know you very well, but you stuck your neck out for us. I’m sorry about the whole kiss thing, but maybe I can give you advice.”
“And what advice is that, Mage?”
I felt my father’s wisdom filling me up. “Don’t sit around waiting for life to get better. Breathing isn’t enough. I don’t know anything about your past and your woman, but what do you think she’d say if she knew you were living alone in the woods? What do you think she’d want you to do if given the chance to help innocent children? I can’t tell you what path to take. I don’t even know half the time if I’m on the right path. But you need to choose something instead of sitting on your ass, growing tomatoes.”
I stood up and turned my back.
“Raven?”
I caught the railing and looked back.
“You’re a fierce woman with a fiery heart. Don’t ever let that Vampire change you.”
I half smiled. “He’s the one who brings it out in me.”
Chapter 30
Earlier that day.
“We go,”Switch said decidedly.
Wyatt stood up from the dining table and huffed. Since when did these guys think they called the shots? “Hold your ponies. You have an obligation to guard the property. The only place you go is two steps behind Hunter.”
“He’s got a point.” Crush twisted a small rubber band around his grey goatee. “You need to protect that boy. Kids come first. Always.”
Switch folded his arms on the table. “You put a tracking device in her shoe. How can you just sit here when you know exactly where she is?”
Wyatt knew Switch had good intentions, but tough shit if he didn’t like the plan. “Look, we appreciate all your help. But when it comes to making countermoves, you don’t get to make those decisions.Idon’t make those decisions,” he said, pointing to his chest. “Maybe you’retop dogaround the packs, but that doesn’t mean you call the shots when it comes to Keystone.”
Switch leaned back in his chair. “Boy, if you make air quotes one more time, I’m going to snip off those fingers.”
“Boy?” Wyatt bristled at the remark. “My name’s Wyatt Blessing, and I was born in 1803. If anyone here’s a boy, it’s you.”
“Boys hide in their castle while men fight battles.”
Wyatt kicked over a chair. “It’s not my choice! You think I like having my hands tied? But what happens if you take off and they bust in here and slaughter everyone, including the kid. Huh? You gonna feel like a hero? What the immortal hell do you expect me to do?”
Crush casually sipped his coffee. “Calm your ass down—the both of you—and we’ll figure something out. You’re both right. He can’t call the shots any more than you could in a pack, Switch. Wyatt, you’ve got exact coordinates on your friend. Switch has a point. How much time before they find that little device on her? Let’s put our heads together.”
Wyatt returned to his seat across from Crush. He didn’t like having this decision on his shoulders.
