“I didn’t say you were.” His voice is careful. “I said it could be destabilizing. There’s a difference.”
“She’s not going,” Killian says flatly.
“Agreed,” Villeneuve adds.
I stare at them both.
They’re on the same page. The alpha wolf who wants to protect me from everything and the ancient dragon who apparently also wants to protect me from everything, unified in their opposition.
This isnothow I wanted them to get along. A real monkey’s paw situation I’ve got on my fucking hands here.
“You two agreeing about something is extremely unsettling,” I say. “Just so you know.”
“Noted,” Villeneuve says.
“Broken clocks and all that,” Killian grumbles.
Sean looks at the one above the fireplace in confusion, clearly unaware of the saying.
I take a breath, summoning patience I don’t have.
“Look,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “I understand why you’re both worried. I do. But sitting here waiting for Vyse tomaybefind something isn’t a plan. It’s just hoping. And hope isn’t going to save Killian.”
Killian winces. He’s an alpha, so the fact that there’s anyone out there who might be hunting me is already driving him crazy. The fact that I want to go out there to track that person down is probably even more maddening.
“I lived in that mansion for years,” I continue. “I know every room, every hidden space, every weird quirk of the architecture. I know where Kyle kept his important documents and where the werewolf was being held. The Council sent in investigators who’ve never set foot in that place before. They wouldn’t know what to look for.”
Micah clears his throat from the couch. “She’s got a point.”
“Team Storm!” Sean says, throwing up his fists like we’re at a football game.
“Stay out of this,” Killian growls at him.
“No, seriously.” Micah stands, adjusting his glasses. “Regina knows that mansion better than anyone. If there’s something there that could help us, she’s the most likely person to find it. And it’s not like she’d be alone.”
Sean nods in agreement. “Plus, the Council already cleared the place, right? And we’ve got a fire-breathing dragon on our side now.”
Villeneuve looks at him sideways. “You are entirely too interested in fire, Mr. Brewer.”
I turn to Rowan, giving him my most hopeful look, and he sighs.
“I’m on the fence,” he says carefully. “I don’t like it, but… they have a point. Right now, it’s just an empty building.”
“It’s an empty building connected to people who want to drag her back to Kyle,” Killian counters.
“Kyle’s gone,” I say. “Probably being held captive by the same necromancer we’re trying to hunt down. The rest of the coven is either dead or in Council custody. There’s no one left to drag me anywhere.”
Villeneuve is watching me with that unreadable expression of his. I can feel him wavering, even though he’s shielding his thoughts through the bond. He’s a little too good at that.
Then again, I didn’t even know it existed until recently.
“The mansion is warded,” he says finally. “Council containment protocols. You wouldn’t be able to enter without authorization.”
“So get me authorization.”
His lips twitch. “You assume I have that kind of influence.”
“You’re an ancient dragon who’s been manipulating supernatural politics for eight centuries. If you can’t get one little authorization cleared, I’ll eat my grimoire.”
