Fuck. Elijah ran a hand through his hair. “Are you saying we have to stop all three of them?”
Echo turned to the others. “Elijah and I took out two of William’s highest-ranking officers. Something one of them said … it got me thinking.”
Fionn nodded at her to continue.
“He tried to bargain with me. In exchange for becoming his mate?—”
Elijah fought hard against the instinct to snarl in outrage. Ever since he and Echo had slept together, his possessiveness over the female had grown out of control. It was alarming and unsettling, and he hoped like hell its fierceness would soften over time.
He realized Echo had stopped talking and gave her a brittle nod to continue.
Surprisingly, it was the taciturn Kiyo who offered him a knowing, sympathetic smirk.
“Roark said he wasn’t interested in William’s vendetta against the fae. He wanted The Garm for its power and money and businesses. He suggested if we killed William, he’d drop the fae agenda.”
Conall leaned forward, gaze sharp. “And you think if we kill William, The Garm willnae retaliate? You think they’d rather claim his power for their own means?”
“I think William had three people in his inner circle. Two of them are dead and the other is me. The rest were just paid lackies. Some bought into William’s crap about Faerie, but most of those supernaturals work for him because of the moneyandbecause of the protection that comes with being in a criminal organization like The Garm. It’s not what it was. Most of the true believers are dead. I think if we take out William, the rest of TheGarm will be so busy fighting among themselves for leadership, it’ll give us space to take out Astra and the coven.”
Elijah stared at the woman at his side, pride now mingling with the territorialism. Christ, she was fierce and beautiful and?—
Her head whipped toward him like she’d sensed everything he was feeling. Her expression softened, and Elijah had to admit, he liked that he was one of the few people who provoked her tender side.
“We take out William first, then,” Kiyo said. “It’s a solid plan.”
“Do you think we should linger here while we plan an assault against William?” Thea covered Conall’s hand with hers and squeezed. “In case our presence draws the Blackwood Coven to the pack before we’re ready for them.”
Fionn gestured with a wave of his hand. “According to my sources, the Blackwoods are regrouping now that both Lincoln and Layton are dead. Bran has been trying to keep tabs on William. He’s on the move. Took a flight to Frankfurt and is holed up there in an airport hotel while it’s daylight. We should be more concerned about Astra tracking us here, but we’ll know if she does.” He looked to Niamh.
Niamh’s expression turned fierce. “I can sense Astra. During our confrontations, it was clear Astra had a particular connection with me. After my mating bond to Kiyo snapped into place, I realized I?—”
“Sorry for interrupting again,” Elijah apologized. “What do you mean the bond snapped into place?” He forced himself not to look at Echo as he asked.
Niamh’s fierceness softened. “A true-mate bond exists from the moment your mate enters this world. But it isn’t complete until the connection is solidified. Usually through sex. Then your scents become one.”
He and Echo turned to each other. They both knew their scents were as one.
Their bondhadsnapped into place when they had sex.
Elijah knew Echo didn’t want to discuss it, but his territorialism and need to claim this female as his rode him. He shifted in his seat in agitation.
“You were saying, Niamh?” Thea gently pulled the conversation back. “You can sense Astra now?”
“Yes. A new development, but a handy one. That’s how I knew how to find Elijah and Echo. I followed Astra. It does mean I’ll sense her coming. So we’re safe here for a day or so while we come up with a plan. William first. But I want to state something now and hope you’ll allow me this.”
Conall nodded. “Go on.”
“Astra won’t stop. Ever.” Sorrow crossed Niamh’s face. “Which means there is no other option but to kill her. And … she confessed to forcing an Irish coven to kill my brother, Ronan.”
Sympathy charged through Elijah as he remembered the Blackwoods had almost killed his parents.
“If Astra has to die … I want to be the one to do it. For Ronan.”
“The kill is yours,” Fionn agreed gruffly.
Rose nodded. “Absolutely.”
Thea and Conall exchanged a look, and Elijah realized the couple did this often, their bond so deep they didn’t even need words to communicate. Thea turned to Niamh. “It should be you, Niamh. But we’ll be there with you every step of the way.”
