"If you didn't know I was coming, what are you doing here?" I asked, changing the subject.
Caroline jerked her chin in the direction of her pack. Ice blue eyes met mine. The wolves' alpha would never be considered traditionally handsome. He was much too rough around the edges for that, but he had a certain magnetism to him.
Right now, muscular forearms crossed over his chest as he gave us his full attention. With only a look, Brax made it clear that Caroline wasn't without backup.
"The wolves are hoping to negotiate with the barrow's new Lord over hunting rights," she said.
"Wise." Sofia glided toward me and my friend. Tonight, she had left the overly formal dress behind, settling on black, skin tight pants and a calfskin jacket the color of fall. Her hair was bound in a complicated knot and her makeup expertly applied.
Caroline cast her a glance. "We think so."
"I thought the pack had their own lands," I said.
Caroline nodded. "We do, but there's always the possibility of humans trespassing and shooting one of us. Hunting season especially is particularly bad. Brax hopes the Lord will open the wild parts of the barrow to us on full moon nights."
"There's precedence," Liam said. "Many of the barrows in my old country had such treaties with the local packs."
"Of course, there is always something given in return," Sofia said.
Caroline lifted a shoulder. "That's what we're here to find out."
Magic crackled in the night, painting visible lines of power.
I stiffened, Sofia and Liam doing the same seconds later.
"What is it?" Caroline whispered, picking up on my tension.
Without me having to say anything, she went on the alert, already searching our surroundings.
"Something is coming," I said softly.
Something big. Something deadly.
Nathan touched my arm and squeezed. "Careful."
The reason for the warning was clear seconds later as Sofia cast a contemplative look in my direction.
People couldn't know about my little magic seeing ability. I'd become a pawn and tool in the political backstabbing of creatures I had no hope of fighting.
Only a few people knew. Liam, of course. Thomas. Connor had probably guessed because I'd had to lift the enchantment on him. And Nathan, who I told so he could start trusting himself again.
There were others who I suspected had put the pieces together. None of those people were vampire matriarchs. I hoped to keep it that way.
"It'd be best if you head back to Brax," Liam told Caroline.
She hesitated, glancing at me. I nodded. He was probably right.
"Fine, but if you need me—" Caroline didn't finish.
"I'll send up the secret flare."
Caroline's lips firmed. With a reluctance that was obvious, Caroline headed over to where Brax waited, two other wolves at his side.
"Secret?" Liam said, his breath tickling my sensitive ear. "Sounds interesting."
I sent him a look. "Only the chosen few know what goes into that secret."
"And I'm not one of the few?"
