Lucien slowly makes his way down the stairs, looking more like he’s entering a party and he’s the guest of honor, than a powerful warlock.
“Everything has worked the way it should’ve, my dear.” He wraps an arm around Terrin. “We’re here to help.”
I’m in front of the duo a heartbeat later. “I will kill you.”
He scoffs. “Is that any way to talk to someone who is trying to help?”
“You’re not trying to help anyone but you. You sent Cyrus on a wild goose chase and gave me to Aurora.” I turn to Gideon. “You don’t actually believe him, do you?”
Large hands raise in front of the alpha’s face. “Violet, there are things you don’t understand…” Gideon starts.
“You can’t be serious?” I interrupt. I turn toward Simon. “You were there. He used a spell on you and Stella.” I slam my hands against the wall. “Am I the only one capable of seeing this?”
“Stop,” Terrin whispers, holding his hand toward me. At his word, my body relaxes, the anger that consumed me is gone, and I feel more relaxed than I’vefelt since being human. My forehead wrinkles as I stare at the immortal child. “Sit down,” he continues.
My body reacts to his command, completely out of my control. I move to an empty chair, lowering myself to it. “What’s happening?” I ask whoever can answer.
“Terrin,” Lucien answers. “He’s controlling you with his words. It’s the reason he must be protected and the reason Callum is here.”
Simon moves to my side, wrapping an arm around my arm. “Terrin has the ability to control even the strongest mind.”
“Did you know?” I ask the wolf I thought was my friend.
“No,” he answers quickly.
“Only a few, other than the people in this room, are aware of Terrin’s abilities,” Lucien answers. “I’m sorry for what happened to you, Violet. It was never my intention to harm you or Cyrus, but I was left without any other choice.”
“Why?” I ask the obvious question. “What does he mean to you?”
Lucien smiles. “That is information for another day, dear one.” He turns toward the boy. “For now, he is to be kept safe at any cost.”
My mind is screaming a rebuttal, but the calmness I feel from Terrin won’t allow me to speak it aloud. “How is this possible?” I turn toward Terrin. “Are there more like you?”
“There have been rumors of others throughout thecenturies. Immortal children with supernatural powers. Callum has been around long enough to know more than most. We will never know the exact source of his existence nor is it our priority. Our job is to protect the boy, not to ask questions.” Lucien motions toward the immortal child. “Terrin’s powers in the hands of the wrong person could turn the world as we know it upside down.”
“Tell me the plan to get Cyrus,” I repeat, ignoring the dramatic implications.
Simon smiles, wrapping his hand around mine. “There’s where the irony comes in. Terrin has agreed to help.”
TWENTY-ONE
that was pointless
The next fewminutes are spent discussing a plan. A plan that involves Harrison, along with a few vampires whose names I don’t recognize, in the New Orleans area.
Gideon has spoken to the Alpha of New Orleans, James St. James. I resist the temptation to laugh at his name, who agreed to send several of his best lycan to help. Being new to the vampire world, I’m by no means an expert on vampire politics. However, I’ve been here long enough to realize that nothing comes without restitution in the paranormal community. As long as I’m not the restitution, I’m good with whatever.
“We’re leaving in thirty minutes,” Gideon announces.
“The boy and I will ride separately,” Lucien says, turning every eye in the room toward them.
“That’s not the plan,” Simon reminds him. “Theplan we just discussed included you and Terrin on the train with us. Were you not listening?” From the tone of Simon’s voice, it’s clear he’s not happy with the warlock, which strangely relaxes me.
Lucien looks around the room. “I understand, yet I have already made arrangements.”
“What about Terrin?” Stella asks.
“We willbe there,” the warlock answers quickly.
