“Yeah,” I reply. “I was raised in the Order.”
“How?” Victoria, who’s been quiet until just now, asks.
Deciding to go with the story I was told my entire life, I inhale. “The Russos were hunting the demons that killed my family. They found me and were afraid the demons would come back to finish the job, so they took me home with them to protect me.”
“That’s fucked up,” Delphi says. “They just kept you like a lost puppy? You didn’t have other family looking for you?”
I shrug. “Apparently not,” I go on, stomach tightening. Itisfucked up, and even more so when you know the real story.
“I’m sorry,” Delphi says. “I just can’t. How the hell does a witch end up in the Order? Once they realized you were a witch, they would have killed you. As a child, it would have been easy to do.” Larkin gives her a pointed look. “Oh come on. We all know the Order hates anyone who’s not fully human.”
I pick up my drink, giving myself a few seconds to consider my answer. No one needs to know my whole history, but I’m not ashamed, and sharing something personal is a good way to build trust. The wolves aren’t here by chance. They’re at this bar, in the same building as the VC is gathering, for a reason. The Malus vampires have been in control of the city for a very long time, but that doesn’t mean they will never be challenged.
“It’s kind of a long story.”
“I’ll make time for it,” Bazzel says and leans back. “She’s not the only one curious, and there’s been talk. It’s always best to hear it right from the source instead of trying to interpret all the rumors going around.”
“Oh, there’s rumors about me?” I chuckle and then take a drink, carefully planning my every move. I’ve been trained on how to connect with people, and know the subtle tricks of the trade to employ to help gain their trust. And right now, I need to make them think that I consider myself on the same level as them. They’re used to the vampires in this coalition acting all high and mighty—for good reason, I might add—but that telling someone you’re better than they are isn’t a good way to make a friend.
James raises his eyebrows. “You can imagine everyone’s shock when Xavier Malus of all people shows up at a coalition meeting with a human wife who turns out to be a witch. Witches and vampires don’t share a friendly history.”
“We don’t,” I say, and feel like an outsider. I am a witch, but I wasn’t raised like one and the history of my people is mostly unknown to me. But now’s not the time for crippling imposter syndrome. Everyone is staring at me, waiting for me to explain my origin story.
“Like I said, the Order was hunting the demons that killed my family. Vivian Russo told me when she found me, she knew I was in danger and wanted to protect me, and that they didn’t know my parents were witches too. The Order believed witches got their powers from making a deal with the devil or something, which isn’t true. We’re born with powers. There’s no way to gain them or even get rid of them.”
“I knew they spread lies like that,” Larkin chides. “The same way they say we can turn humans into wolves by a bite.”
“The scary thing is, most Order members believe the lies. But I know they’re spread only to perpetuate hate.”
“Okay, so obviously they were wrong,” Delphi says, pushing her red hair back. “You started showing powers or whatever happens when a witch comes of age. And they didn’t toss you to the curb.”
“No, they didn’t. They realized having powers made me a superior hunter.”
James holds up a hand. “So you’re telling us that you’re like a full-fledged demon hunting witch?”
“Yeah,” I answer. “And not to brag or anything, but I might hold the highest kill-count for someone my age.”
The waitress comes over with a tray of cheese fries, sweet potato tater tots, nachos, and platter of calabash-style seafood. Delphi wasn’t kidding when she said she ordered a lot of junk food.
“What game do you play?” the waitress asks me.
“Hollow Knight,” Delphi answers without missing a beat, thankfully, because I am not a gamer.
We dig into the food, dividing it up onto plates. I finish my drink and start to feel a little buzzed already. I haven’t eaten much before this and it’s been a while since I’ve had alcohol.
“Can I ask a question now?” I ask, picking up a fry and dipping it in cheese.
“You can, but I don’t know if I’ll answer,” Larkin replies with a playful smirk.
“What are five werewolves doing here, at this exact hotel that’s hosting a VC summit?”
The wolves all look at Larkin, not saying anything their pack master doesn’t want them to say.
“You’re a smart girl, Wren,” she starts. “There’s no reason to bullshit you, because I think we can be friends.”
“You want something from me.”
“I do. I want to talk to Xavier without the audience of the coalition.”
