“They needed it,” Diesel said, leaning back in his chair. “That Deryn isn’t going to give a fuck what the Pack Council or the wiry old shaman says; he wants your land.”
Wolfe nodded. “Interesting that the claim he’s making is for the Hollow and not Stonefang,” he said.
“Why? The Hollow is stronger. Isn’t it?” I asked, and when all three of their gazes landed on mine, the same lookof surprise mirrored on their faces, I knew I’d maybe insulted them. “What have I missed?”
Wolfe exchanged a look with Diesel before he spoke. “The Hollow isn’t the only land that holds something beneath it,” he began. “Surely you know that? You were sealed into Stonefang when Diesel left.”
“Yes, right.” I hadn’t forgotten, but I hadn’t put two and two together. “I never”—I cleared my throat—“I never felt Stonefang the way I do the Hollow.”
“You wouldn’t,” Diesel said, leaning back like we were having a casual conversation. “You only just started to feel the Hollow. Your pregnancy helps, but before, when you were at Stonefang, you hadn’t completed the mate bond. You were aware, like you know when rain is going to come, but you weren’taware.”
Killian was frowning. “That is a shit analogy. Everyone knows when it’s going to rain.”
Diesel rolled his eyes. “Fine. She now knows at which point the first raindrop will fall, better?”
Killian’s look was sullen. “I’d be better if you kept your mouth shut when it mattered and let the alpha do the talking.”
“The alpha was getting ready to kill the head Pack Council member.” Diesel sniffed. “You should be thanking me for saving his ass. Again.”
“You could have been killed!” Killian snapped.
Diesel was on his feet. “And I wasn’t because?—”
“Could you both stop?” Wolfe said to them, he didn’t even raise his voice. “I’m trying to listen, and your bickering is annoying me.” He glanced at me. “And someone find someone here that can make Rowen some tea?”
Killian ducked his head outside and I heard him talk to one of our pack, who stood guard outside. “And test it first!” he added as he came back in.
“You think they’d poison my tea?” I asked him, only half-joking.
“I think you’d be a fool to think they wouldn’t,” he grumbled as he sat back down with a sigh. “This whole place gives me the creeps.”
“It was a place of power once.”
We were all on our feet and turning, looking at the shaman in disbelief.
“How the fuck did you get in?” Diesel growled looking behind him and seeing no obvious sign of entry.
The shaman snorted. “If I told you all my secrets, you’d be bored with my company.” He took the seat that Killian had been in. “Did I hear someone mention tea?”
“I’ll get you tea,” Killian mumbled, looking thoroughly thrown by the last few moments. “I need more tea,” he said to whoever was closest.
I looked over at Wolfe, my eyes widening as he watched the shaman with a mix of curiosity and hostility. “Why are you not in the chamber?” Wolfe asked.
The shaman shrugged. “Not really bothered with what they have to say.” He kicked his legs out in front of him as he sat, drawing my attention to the fact that the shaman’s feet didn’t touch the floor.
“They’re deciding if I’m a threat,” Wolfe told him.
“Bah.” The shaman grinned. “They know you’re a threat; they’re just deciding if you’re a threat tothem.”
“That’s what I said,” Wolfe growled. “What do you want?”
I should have warned my husband not to speak so rudely, but this whole thing was grating on my last nerve, and I just wanted to go home.
“I want what they want, actually,” the shaman said, “but with less grabbing, deceit, and bloodshed.”
“Which means what?” I asked him, leaning forward.
“It means I want the Hollow secure. I want the land to be held by shifters, but the shifters it chooses. Not them.”
