“We can’t go around owning everyone’s scent or it gets convoluted, but when I woke up, something wasn’t right.When my switch is flipped, I can still see what’s going on; I just don’t have any control.I’ve never blacked out.I wanted to own the scent before I lost it—before someone else got theirs mixed in with it.Whoever pinned this on me, I’m gonna find them.”
“From here?Even if someone’s smell was on you, what does that prove?How am I supposed to fix this?”
“On that note…” Lucian moved his legs aside and sat with one leg drawn up.“Maybe it’ll make this whole thing easier on you if I tell you my secret.Then you won’t have to feel all that guilt.”
“Guilt?”
He sniffed loudly, suggesting he could smell my emotions.“This wasn’t your fault.I know how it looks, and if I go down for killing that prick, I don’t want you thinking I’m some great guy you couldn’t save.I thought for a minute maybe I could prove myself a worthy male, but maybe I’ll never be that guy.”
“If you want to tell me you’re an international spy, I don’t want to hear it.”
He touched the back of his head and grimaced.“This is something I should’ve said from the beginning, but I was afraid of what you’d think of me.I was afraid Deacon would tell you because he knows.But now I don’t give a shit.I’m tired of being afraid.”
“Then tell me.”
After Lucian openedup about his kindred spirit rejecting him, I ruminated in stunned silence.One concern I’d had about us was that he would one day find his kindred spirit.Anyone who settled with a Chitah knew the risks if their soulmate came along.While I should’ve been relieved that she had rejected him, it angered me.
I was angry that someone thought he wasn’t good enough.Angry that he had carried that shame in his wounded heart.But I also understood that she had forged a life for herself before he came along.
Even though we weren’t soulmates, knowing that Lucian chose to love me felt more meaningful than any magical love match.He could’ve gone the rest of his life rejecting love, but he’d opened his heart to me.
Right now he had bigger issues to contend with than his love life.When different Breeds were involved in a murder, we had to notify their respective Councils.Because the victim was a Mage, the ruling would go to the Mageri, who oversaw all Mage matters.They would locate Marcus’s Creator—the one who made him immortal.His Creator would decide what punishment he deemed fair.If they couldn’t find him or he was dead, the Mageri would make the ruling.
I reached through the cold bars and twined my fingers with his.Even though my thoughts were on his future, Lucian’s were on his past.“I’m sorry.You could’ve told me about her.”
“If I’m not good enough for the one I was born to love, I’m not worth your tears.”
“That’s not true.”
“You know, I actually thought I had a shot.If this had never happened…”
My fingers traced the black band he always wore around his left index finger.“Does this mean anything?”
“It doesn’t have anything to do with Mae, if that’s what you’re asking.I just wear it because I’m the dark one.”
“The dark one?Have mercy.You act like you’re Lucifer himself.”I withdrew my hand.“This is quite the predicament.If you’re keeping details about the crime from me, now’s the time to come clean.I can’t help you unless you’re honest.”
“I told you everything.”
I believed him.
Had it been a skirmish in a parking lot, I could ask for lenience on his charges.But since he had made a public declaration that he was going to kill Marcus and put him in the ground, that made this premeditated murder.
As a Councilwoman, I had a duty.But as his lover, my heart said otherwise.I loved this man, and the idea of anyone deciding his fate enraged my inner animal.
Yet a haunting question gnawed at me: Would I have accepted his offer to court me after weighing my options?My father would’ve been disappointed since Deacon had won him over.But Lucian and I were compatible on so many levels, and he respected me in a way other men didn’t.What we had together was intuitive and natural.
I stood and released a sigh.“I’ll do what I can, but I can only do so much.If you remember anything else—even if you don’t think it means anything—tell me or one of the other Councilmen.”
The door opened.I looked across my right shoulder as the guard stepped in.
Tak ducked beneath the doorframe and scanned the hallway before making his way toward me.“Councilwoman,” he said, greeting me with a curt nod.This wasn’t the Tak I’d come to know at recent parties.He glared at Lucian, who then stood.“Don’t say anything else until we talk.”
His Packmaster had the right to counsel, so I gave an emotionless smile and left them alone.While I waited in the quiet lobby, grasping the scope of Lucian’s crime, I received a text message.
Henry
Are you free tonight?I’m about to make reservations at Dragonfly’s and would love if you joined me
