“Sure, we’ll spend a few days with you. Unless you want to bring her to Hope?”
Ventry’s sigh echoed down the phone. “Sadly, I have responsibilities I must attend to here, but I will need to come and see my father soon. There is much he needs to know about.”
“Yeah, I can only imagine, my friend. Noon tomorrow, then?”
After Ventry had cut our call, I lengthened my stride. I’d been gone for less than an hour, but even that felt too long. I’d forced myself to leave the tavern after I’d sat and watched them until Shannon sent me a glare that meant she was going to kick myarse if I didn’t stop. I knew she could look after herself, but she was a human in a Fae world, and she was worth a lot of money to the shits willing to sell her to the highest bidder.
Every Fae in this village would have sensed my magic just as I could sense their fear when I approached them. I didn’t hide it, allowing it to rise in my eyes, but there was no accounting for stupidity—in any race. I had seen so much selfishness and greed in my life that nothing surprised me anymore.
My forward momentum stuttered as that oily feeling of being watched crept over my skin again. The hair on the back of my neck rose. This felt different than before. It was thicker, as if whatever it was had become braver. It was close.
I cracked my neck, my wolf hovering just under my skin. “I know you’re there,” I said, keeping my tone light while hiding my fury at being stalked. I was a predator, not prey. “Show yourself and state your business with me. Remain a coward, and when I catch you, your death will be long and painful.”
A cold laugh echoed around the woods. It was neither overtly male nor female, but it was enough to make me tense.
“You will not kill me, for your future is now set. And it isn’t with your human whore. The world is about to change, and even the spawn of the cursed king can’t stop it.”
Its laugh faded as I thrust my wolf forward and charged towards the village. The cursed king was how the Fae referred to Ventry’s father. Ventris was unable to return here because of a curse, but what he had to do with my stalker was more than I could unpack right then, not when my heart thundered, fear and rage infecting every cell in my body. I snarled and pushed harder, slamming through the undergrowth. My paws kicked up loose earth as I charged around the side of the tavern, only to skid to an abrupt halt. Breath heaved in and out of my lungs as I focused through my rage on the male who stood in the centre ofthe square. His hateful mouth curled into a satisfied sneer as he held a blade to my mate’s throat.
“Hello, son.”
Chapter 21
Shannon.
Even though I didn’t show that I was paying the slightest bit of attention, from the corner of my eye, I watched Stone finish his ale and stalk away from the tavern. He hesitated, looking back, his face tight, before he disappeared around the back of the building. I swallowed hard and resisted the urge to run after him. I missed him already, merely because he was out of sight.
Urgh, why was I being so needy? No matter my feelings for Stone, I had to remain self-sufficient. I believed him when he said he was mine. I really did. And I sure as fuck loved him. I had for so long it was scary, but since I’d admitted it to myself, that gnawing need to be close to him, to feel his fangs sink into my neck as our wolf spirits merged was overwhelming. Every damned morning when I woke, and his scent flooded my senses, I wanted to beg him to do it. Yet, despite everything, there was still a scared part of me that worried about what the future would hold for us.
I wasn’t stupid, I knew I’d fucked up big time with Connor. He’d lost trust in me. Everyone had. And that was entirely on me. The problem was that Stone was Connor’s third in command, and Owen had a family to care for now. They both needed him. Fuck, the shifter race needed him. His magic made him far more powerful than most. And he was one of the best strategists and warriors Connor had. He was also their family. If I didn’t go back, Stone would have to choose between his life with his Shadow Sentinel family and me. I bit my bottom lip, pulling at the soft skin until I tasted blood. I wasn’t convinced he’d choose me, and more importantly, I didn’t want him to give up his family or his life for me.
“Hey, are you okay?”
I jumped at Vina’s question, totally lost in my thoughts. Forcing a smile was an effort. I should have been used to acting okay after all this time, but I was clearly out of practice. “Yep, just fine.” I wasn’t, though. I was far from it. Realising that I wanted Stone in my life beyond anything else was petrifying, especially when I wasn’t sure if I could go back to my old life. Pretending to be something I wasn’t was exhausting.
Her smile seemed almost as forced as mine, and I didn’t like how her eyes kept shifting to the forest. It was as if she was looking for someone. I might not be the Alpha I pretended to be, but I was an experienced field agent for the SBI. I could easily spot a nervous—or deceitful person. Fae scents were unfamiliar to me, but even I could smell a difference in the air around her, and even if I couldn’t, the tiny beads of sweat coating her upper lip were a surefire sign something wasn’t right. I was very aware I was a ‘human’ in a world where such a thing was sought after and sold for a high price. I’d never longed for a rescue before, but I suddenly wished I hadn’t glared at Stone to make him leave, not when all I wanted was for him to come back.
Vina wiped her hands down her skirt and smiled wider. “Oh, that’s good, you seemed a little distracted.”
Keeping my smile in place, I shook my head. “Nah, I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s only to be expected if you’re not well?” The question in her voice was unmistakable, but there was no way I was telling her what my ‘illness’ had been. Let her believe I was weak. I didn’t dislike Edvina but my wolf felt the same as me, neither of us trusted her.
I shrugged. “Yeah, it’s been nice to come here with Stone and have time to rest without any pressure.”
She smiled a little too enthusiastically. “Oh, I can imagine how much ‘recovering’ you’ve been doing with such a powerful male. After all, he must be a very demanding master, especially as he’s…” She cut her words short, a flush staining her cheeks before quickly spinning away.
My eyes narrowed. “He’s what?”
“Oh, you know, a shifter, as well as Fae. Although, some Fae think it’s a travesty that Fae magic can be stained with such a thing. I don't, obviously. I mean, Gwen was my friend, and she loved him and everything. I was happy when she got out of this dead-end village. Though I didn’t realise she’d died because of h…” Her face paled as if she realised her nervous babbling had dropped her in even more hot water.
I raised my brows, face impassive. “Because of what?” What the fuck was going on in her head? She obviously wasn’t as okay with me being here as she'd pretended. Fuck, I should have realised it. Maybe now was a good time to leave.
She waved her hand dismissively and gave me an overly bright smile. “Oh, nothing. Ignore me. I just miss my friend, that’s all. It gets lonely here. Hopefully, I’ll be able to leave soon.”
I’d have asked her about that if she hadn’t turned away and started immediately talking with Rosie.
Rosie was a quiet, shy child who didn’t interact much with the others, but I hadn’t missed how she seemed to watch and take in far more than any of them. Her big grey eyes held mine, and she slowly and deliberately looked to my right, to the square, before looking back at me. I followed her gaze.
