“I won’t let anything happen to you.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and touched his forehead to hers. “No matter what you decide about us—and I won’t pressure you—I’ll always protect you. With my life.”
* * *
Farren
Eli, Caitlin, and Tierney sat around an imposing dining room table with the book and their various notepads spread out over the dark wood. Farren had written down every single bit of nonsense Paddy had ever said to her, and she hoped once Peter brought his new mate down, they might find some answers.
If the woman truly had been the Thirteen’s captive for years, she’d have insight none of the rest of them could ever hope for.
“Farren.” Regulus appeared next to her, his refined voice devoid of all emotion. “The boy has woken.”
Her heart seized, and across the room, Eli’s head snapped up. It only took him a moment to understand what was going on, and he stood.
Waving him off, Farren steeled her face into a mask. She had to do this on her own, even though she was desperate to have her mate at her side. “Did he say anythin’?” she asked as she followed Regulus to the door leading to the basement of the west wing.
“He asked for you.” The vampire paused with his hand on the knob. “He is displeased with me.”
“I’d be displeased with ya’ too.” She peered up at Regulus, eyes narrowed. “What do I need to know?”
“He has fed. The scent of wolf blood is not one most of my kind enjoy, but there is no telling how this one will feel given his origins. He is restrained, and he will stay that way until I can determine whether the beast living inside him is also subject to a sire’s control.”
“Thatbeastis subject tomycontrol, ya’ bastard.” Farren wanted to shake the vampire, but if she tried, he could snap her neck before she even saw him move.
“Not at the moment. Perhaps not ever.” Regulus smoothed a hand over his shoulder-length black hair, a hint of regret creeping into his tone. “Most newly made vampires vacillate between bouts of self-loathing and self-imposed starvation and ravenous, unbridled hunger. Once they accept who and what they are, they cease to be a danger to those around them, but this process takes time. It is a sire’s responsibility to restrain their progeny when they cannot control themselves.”
“Ewan won’t hurt me.” Farren had to believe there was still something left of the boy. Some part of him that still recognized her as his alpha.
“In his human form? No. He will not. My control forbids it. But as a wolf? For all I know of the matter, I will have no control at all.” Regulus held Farren’s gaze, unblinking, and she barely resisted the urge to shudder at the complete lack of empathy in his eyes. “Do not attempt to release him. The restraints are not comfortable, but he is not in pain. The newly made are often so desperate to end their new existence, they will say and do anything to accomplish the task. Do not be swayed.”
“I’m still his alpha.”
“Perhaps, but I am his sire. That bond cannot be severed unless he chooses to meet the sun. I can force him to bend to my will in a way you never could. I am afraid, she-wolf, that I outrank you.”
“Ye’re a feckin’ areshole, Regulus.”
“I do not disagree with you.” The vampire nodded towards the stairs. “He is waiting. I will be close. And yes, I will hear every word you say. As the boy has heard every word we have said.”
Farren rubbed her hands on her thighs. “Right, then. Well, let’s get on with it.”
The basement was deathly silent. Vampires didn’tneedto breathe, strictly speaking, though Regulus had told her most chose to adopt the habit for the comfort of other beings.
As Farren reached the last step, though, a chain rattled. Shite. Ewan was a good man. Sweet. Loyal. With a sense of honor she’d always thought old fashioned. How could she have failed him like this? Let him be turned into a creature who’d forever walk in darkness?
Naked Edison bulbs hung from the ceiling, lending a comforting warm glow to the lavish space. To her left, Farren caught sight of an opulent bedroom with a king-sized bed made up with black sheets, slightly mussed, and a thick Persian rug over the fancy tile floors. Regulus wanted for nothing, and that brought her a small measure of comfort. Ewan would be cared for. At least physically.
Another rattle made Farren turn. “Shite.”
The young man stood against a stone wall, silver cuffs binding his wrists at his sides. A meter away, a lavish coffin lay open, deep gouges in the lining of the lid.
“Farren. Get me out of here. Ya’ know I’m no threat. That arse won’t listen.” His voice had taken on a hint of a lisp, and as he continued to struggle, his fangs peeked out, perching on his lower lip.
“I can’t, Ewan. Ya’ know that. Regulus would be here before I even started, and he’s yer sire.” Farren shoved her hands into her pockets so Ewan wouldn’t see her fingers trembling. His formerly green eyes had turned blood red, and his skin had paled to the color of alabaster.
“And ye’re my alpha!” he shouted. “I never wanted to be…this!” The man’s eyes shimmered, but rather than tears flowing from the corners, drops of blood trailed down his cheeks. “Please. I just want my life back.”
“Thisisyer life now. And it’s better than bein’ dead, luv. One of Glenna’s minions snapped yer neck. I couldn’t stop it. I let ya’ down so many times over the years, and this...I failed ya’. I’m so very sorry.”
“Did ya’ ask him to turn me?” The growl was half feral, and Ewan jerked the chains, sending a few bits of stone tumbling from the wall. “Ya’ had no right to do that!”
