“The mage you met yesterday. You must understand my position, Alpha Steele, having started a similar situation yourself. I have provided a safe haven for these people. I gave my word, and I will provide that service until my dying breath, which I realize might come very soon. I would not have invited you here had I known the risks you would pose. This is the first time I took a chance, and it turned out to be the wrong decision. I’ll lay down my life to try and make that right. It’s my job as an alpha.”
I put my hands on my hips. That sounded incredibly sincere. Shifters. When would they yank their heads out of the sand and stop being so naive? He was woefully unprepared for the likes of the Guild.
“Mirelda is actually Tilda Grange, correct?” Austin asked. “I want to make sure we’re talking about the same person.”
Drex hesitated, his gaze flicking to Sebastian.
“Our mages didn’t recognize her,” Austin said. “One of them took a picture of her yesterday and our technical person looked her up. Tilda is well known in the mage community. About as well-known as Elliot Graves, or so I’m given to understand. What our mages didn’t know, however, was that Tilda is still alive. They also didn’t know about the five-million-dollar price on her head, or that the Guild was hunting her. They certainly didn’t know, and maybe you don’t either, that the Guild has narrowed down the search to one rural mountain where their operatives keep disappearing.”
More than one shifter adjusted their positions, showing their unease. It was clear they did not know that.
Austin continued. “You are correct in that I will, and have, laid down my life to protect those in my territory. I will not, however, protect those who have spent most of their lives helping a corrupt organization do unspeakable things to innocent people. I certainly will not endanger an entire territory for such a person. Ignoring one bad apple can ruin an entire crop, and in this case, that apple will get you all killed.”
Drex stared at Austin for a long, silent moment. “And yet, you have the notorious Elliot Graves in your employ.”
“Elliot Graves has killed a great many, that is true. As have I. As has Jess. None of them were innocent, however. This is war, and he chose a side long before we joined his cause.Wejoinedhiscause. He is and has been working to tear down the organization that Tilda helped to thrive. An organization that tortured him and many others for money or power or their potions. That kills and steals and rules the magical community with violence and illegal activity, and an organization who helps Momar, someone who wishes to eradicate the entire shifter population.
“Elliot Graves and the Captain helped us protect my brother’s pack from Momar.Theywere the secret mage weapons on our side. Without them, I’d be dead, and my family and friends with me. Tell me, has Tilda warned you that the mages will siege this small pack, kill you all, and take her back? That’s what the enormous price on her head means. It’s how mages in general and the Guild, specifically, operate.”
Drex dropped his stoic demeanor. “I didn’t know about the price on her head, not that it matters,” he said with a sigh. “She mentioned that the Guild was after her. That it was a corrupt organization seeking to use her. I’ve built my pack to be top-heavy with fighters. We’re ready for them.”
I grimaced. The fighters on the porch were certainly tough and capable. Kingsley’s top crust wasn’t even as good. The onesgathered in the street, however, were less so, and there weren’t nearly enough of them to do what he was suggesting. They’d be overrun in a blink. Less.
“My god, woman, must you be so expressiveallthe time?” Drex asked with gritted teeth, shaking his head a little. His thread of humor cut through the tension.
Austin held up his hand. “I think it’s time we sit down for that chat. As you’ve clearly read in my mate’s demeanor, you don’t have nearly enough information, or power, for what you’re attempting. I also doubt you know the half of what Tilda has done. Less, probably. The people of this town have no idea. None. Niamh sampled the waters. I doubt they’d be so keen to have her here if they did. Neither do you know how mage society works. It’s best you face the facts if you want to save your pack from a terrible fate.”
“Keep the mages at your house until we ask for them,” Drex murmured to Vessa. “Take them out the side door and transport them through the woods. And keep the mages away from each other for now.”
“They’ll run,” she replied. “You know they will.”
Drex glanced at the tree line where the basajaunak waited. “They won’t get far. I think it’s important for them to have their say. We do not persecute here without first hearing both sides. I also think Alpha Steele is right. I’ve been operating with half the truth and a lack of knowledge about what we face. It’s time I rectify both.”
The mages were clearly one of his secrets. Hopefully, the others wouldn’t be as devastating.
12
Jessie
Drex’s expression was grim.“Alphas. Please, let’s go to the back garden. It’s beautiful and your people can watch from the trees or sky to ensure there aren’t any more surprises.”
I looked over at Tristan. “If those mages run, you bring them back and deliver them directly into the hands of Sebastian and Nessa.” I switched my focus to them. “If that happens, don’t hurt them. Don’t even speak to them. They’ll be judged, and I want to be there for it.”
They nodded, and I waited for Austin to take the lead. He did, and Drex stepped off the porch, leading us around the side of the house along a beautifully cultivated path with vibrant flowers, lush green bushes, and most importantly, a design to it all. Edgar needed to study this layout, not that it mattered with those horrible gnomes running around.
“Edgar needs to get rid of the blasted gnomes,” I murmured, slipping my hand into Austin’s. It felt like a lovely place for a lazy Sunday stroll. The sun peaked out of the clouds above.
“What’s that?” Drex half turned to glance back. He was showing us his back, a sign of trust. He was putting himself at our mercy.
“I was just admiring your yard and wishing our vampire gardener would take some notes.”
“He’s welcome to come through here any time.”
“If you knew him better, you wouldn’t extend that invite. Besides, it doesn’t really matter. We have this terrible gnome infestation. They’d ruin all the beauty by chasing us with whatever sharp objects they happened to grab.”
He glanced back again, this time a smile stretching across his face. His slate gray eyes danced with humor. “I didn’t know gnomes were sentient beings.”
“Ignorance is bliss, trust me. I wishIdidn’t know. Don’t even ask about the army of dolls. You’ll never sleep again.”
