Astaggering fact about humans is how they ignore anything perceived as an inconvenience or a threat. It was something Kat couldn’t relate to in the Breed world. The occasional car would drive past them on the bridge, not even bothering to slow down. It seemed like the shorter someone’s lifespan was, the more they protected it, despite the cost to others.
So there they stood, on the side of a bridge at night for all the world to see, and yet no one was looking.
Vlad inched forward, his eyes ripe with malice. “Have you suddenly gone mute? What makes you think it was aringI gave to your father?”
“Because you don’t look like an anklet sort of guy, but I could be wrong. Where are my sister and father?”
“Where is my ring?”
Prince interjected with the obvious intention of keeping the situation under control. “We’re here for a reason. Why don’t you tell us what that reason is so we can cease all this unnecessary arguing?”
Vlad turned away from them and strolled toward the short wall. “How deep do you think that water is down there?” he asked conversationally.
Kat shot Prince a look of frustration, wanting to shove Vlad over the edge. “As deep as your compassion for others… so that would be pretty shallow.”
Vlad wrapped his fingers around one of the suspension cables. “I don’t know. Seems like you only need a few extra feet to drown.”
A small spark of blue light escaped his fingertips and a scream ruptured the silence below. Her blood chilled.
“Nadia!”
Prince caged her with his arms, and the fierce wind whipped at them like punishment. His body was tense behind hers, his alpha power radiating off him like the sun warming her skin. It wasn’t a calming energy, but one of rage, and she fed off that power. Kat reached beneath her shirt, ready to unsheathe her dagger and plunge it deep into Vlad’s black heart.
“Won’t do you any good, princess,” he said mockingly. “I can move much faster than you.” Vlad held a sharp blade in his hand, pressing it against a rope that was tethered to the cable. “The rope was up here before you arrived,” he said, tapping the cable. “Seems to have slipped, but she’s not going anywhere. The cable stops just below the wall, and it only takes one clean slice to send her on her way. She’s suspended by her ankles, and her arms are bound. She won’t be able to shift without breaking her wolf’s legs. Unless you want to find out how long your sister can hold her breath, I suggest you hand me my ring.”
“And I’m supposed to believe you’ll just let her go? I wasn’t born yesterday.”
“I’ll call off the bounty,” Prince interrupted. “And that includes the men I have creating roadblocks on the interstate. We’ll settle what’s between us another time, but I give you my word you’re free to go if you set down the knife.”
“And what of my ring!” he bellowed, holding up a fist.
“Once the woman is pulled to safety, we’ll make the trade.”
Vlad gripped the cable again, and Kat couldn’t be sure if he was sending a current of energy through it. “And what makes you think I can trust you won’t come after me? Do you evenhavethe ring with you?”
“I’ll go with you,” Prince said without hesitation.
Kat looked up at him in horror. Was a Packmaster really offering himself over as a sacrifice—risking his pack, his reputation, and his life… all for her? “You can’t… You have a pack to run. I’ll go.”
“I’m more valuable to him. There’s a score he’s wanted to settle with me for centuries,” he murmured before turning his attention to Vlad. “Take me as your hostage and I’ll ensure you not only get your ring but leave the city safely. Free the girl; I can’t trust you won’t cut that rope once you have the ring in your possession.”
Vlad drew in a heavy breath. “I never did like negotiators. It doesn’t always go your way, Prince. Now hand it over.”
Kat’s heart raced so erratically that she had to hold her breath for a second to steady it. Nadia’s life was hanging in the balance, and Kat refused to lose her sister over some cheap ring that meant nothing to her.
“Give it to him,” she said, her voice cracking.
Prince moved in front of her, blocking out everything else and locking eyes with her. His hair was pulled back—like it always was—and she realized how much she preferred him in his usual clothes. The cargo pants and plain shirt made him look out of form, as if he were dressing up for Halloween. He’d never been anything less than himself, and that was the way she wanted him.
“Are you sure about this?” he asked in a quiet voice. “It’s risky. Nothing comes that easy. He might do something drastic because he’s afraid we’ll chase after him.”
She placed the flats of her hands on his chest. “I don’t care. If he doesn’t keep his word, then I’m ready to fight to the death. I’ll do whatever it takes to save my sister’s life. I can’t quibble over a stupid ring. I know it gives us an advantage, but years ago I made a terrible decision that cost a man his life. I don’t want to make the same mistake again. That’s why I’m good at my job, Charming. I learn from my mistakes so I can make better choices. If he stabs me, then I’ll shift to heal and let my wolf go after him. Save my sister, no matter what happens.”
With a brisk nod, Prince turned around and reached in his leg pocket. He extended his arm—fist closed—and held Vlad’s undivided attention with the promise of the centuries-old ring enclosed in the palm of his hand.
“Let me see it,” Vlad said anxiously, a flicker of light sparking in his eyes.
Prince gracefully opened his hand and tilted it so the headlights shone on the gold ring with its ruby setting.
