“Yes, the five were Bloodhound members, but Jay is rehabilitating with us. She’s innocent,” I blurt.
“Unfortunately, that means nothing to us. She was there, and my people seek closure,” Dehlia says.
What theywantis to bring appeasement to their people, not justice. It’s exactly the kind of thing a governing entity would do—much like the council.
The king negotiates on my mate’s behalf. I’m not stupid enough to think it’s for me. He likes Jay, and I respect the hell out of him for recognizing her worth. It would be easier to hand her over if he wasn’t a man to keep his word. “If it’s closure you’re after, then surely another sacrifice would do?”
I watch the conversation eagerly, hoping they take his words seriously. I’d give anything else if it meant Jay will be safe. Whatever the cost, I could live with it because she is the only one I couldn’t be without.
“If the circumstances were different, perhaps. But our people saw Jay next to our fallen boy’s body. I fear she is the only person my coven will be satisfied receiving, unless you are willing to give us the other five,” Dehlia says. “We anticipated you would want to trade a life for a life, but if she is of importance to you, then we will accept the others.”
The king sighs and rubs the back of his neck. “My apologies. We took their crimes very seriously. I have already carried out their execution for you.”
Selene snaps, “That wasn’t your vengeance to give.”
The king remains calm as he’s reprimanded. “I understand.”
Selene paces, wiping a hand over her face in grave frustration. “Bloodhound has now taken two things from us,” Selene says.
“I am deeply sorry for the interruption in your affairs. How might I rectify this?”
Selene pinches the bridge of her nose. “He was our protégé, with a lineage that cannot be recovered.” She then paces.
Dehlia maintains her composure. She asks, “Areallof them dead?”
Sweat beads along my back as I observe their exchange.
“No,” the king says. “Jay, the woman you saw, is a rogue. She is still very much alive.”
Selene and Dehlia sigh with relief. “Well, then there you go, problem solved. We’ll take Jay. Our people and ancestors will be pleased.”
Nausea overwhelms me, and my wolf growls as bile rises inside me. I poke the king fiercely and persistently through the mindlink.
“Excuse us, ladies,” he says to them, then turns to me, snapping.“What do you want?”
I have to be diplomatic about this. The king responds better to logic than emotion.“Your Majesty, she’s perhaps one of the best fighters we’ve got. You and I both know the war with the rogues has been taxing, I’ve seen how she interacts with them, she has influence that could be useful. We could have peace.”
“It’s true, I’ve seen it,”Tyler says.
“He makes a good point,”Taya says.
“Being a good fighter isn’t enough reason to send the entire realm into war with the witches,”Sam says.
“Sam’s right.”
A lump hardens in my throat.“Then give them me.”
“What?”they all ask.
“I was there that night.”
“Oooh yeah, give them the mutt,”Sam says, enthused by the idea.
His Majesty shakes his head.“As much as I want to, his death is worth nothing to them.”
“Something’s not adding up. Why wouldn’t they want me? The same girl who alerted their coven saw me with Jay. Surely, in their eyes, a future alpha would be a more enticing offer than a rogue?”
“Because of your plans to pair off with their relative,”the king says.
