Knox’s eyebrow arches. “You’re interfering with a Council investigation, Mr. Underwood. I’d advise against it.”
“And I’d advise against trying to take my mate into custody without probable cause.”
“Your mate.” Knox scoffs. “How touching. Unfortunately, the bonds of a pack do not supersede Council authority. She willcome with me, or I will summon enforcement to collect her. By force, if that’s what it takes.”
The air around us crackles with the magic this guy is packing. A supernatural dick-measuring contest. I feel my wolves preparing to fight, feel the violence building in all of them, ready to explode.
This is going to end badly.
“That won’t be necessary.”
The voice comes from behind us. Cold and absolutely furious.
Villeneuve steps out of the mansion’s back entrance like he’s just walked through a portal. His expression is carved from a solid block of ice, and his eyes…
His eyes are green.
Not dark, like they usually are in his human form. Not the ancient, knowing black that makes students check their homework twice before they turn it in. These eyes are burning emerald and bright, and one look into them makes Knox take an involuntary step backward.
His dragon is close to the surface.
“Professor Villeneuve.” Knox’s voice has lost some of its smugness. “You do seem to be quite intimately involved in this matter.”
It’s a challenge, there’s no mistaking that.
“This matter is taking place on university grounds.Myuniversity.Myjurisdiction.” Villeneuve moves to stand between me and the lich, flanked by the pack. “You have no right to be here without my authorization.”
“I have Council authority?—”
“Your Council authority ends atmywards.” Villeneuve’s voice sends tremors through the ground at my feet, frigid enough to freeze lava. “Which you bypassed without permission. That alone is grounds for a formal complaint.”
Knox’s jaw tightens. “The investigation has been mismanaged. There are concerns at the highest levels about favoritism. About certain parties protecting Ms. Cook from scrutiny she clearly deserves.”
“And who raised these ‘concerns’?” Villeneuve tilts his head slightly. “The Starbridge family, perhaps? The same family whose heir is currently wanted for assault, necromancy, illegal magical containment of a werewolf, and conspiracy against the Council itself?”
Knox’s face goes blank. Clearly, Villeneuve hit a nerve.
AVillenerve.
Gods, I’ve been spending too much time with Sean. Whatever is wrong with him is starting to infect me.
“You’re intimately connected with the Starbridge coven, are you not, Mr. Warner?” Villeneuve continues. “I believe your sister married into the family. Second cousin to Kyle himself, if I’m not mistaken.”
“That has no bearing on?—”
“It haseverybearing.” Villeneuve’s voice drops to something dangerous and he stalks forward with such ferocity Knox actually staggers back. “You come ontomyterritory. You threatenmypeople. You attempt to take custody of an individual undermyprotection, citing an investigation that you clearly have a personal stake in corrupting. And you expect me to simply allow it? You test my patience, lich.”
“Damn,” Sean whispers. “Bro’s gotpresence.”
Rowan elbows him in the ribs, but doesn’t take his eyes off Villeneuve.
Sean is right, though. If there was any part of me left that had trouble reconciling the calm and collected professor with the ruthless, possessive dragon I know him to be, it’s gone now.
“She’s not under your protection in any way that matters to a Council investigation,” Knox says, recovering. “She’s a Bonded to these wolves, nothing more.”
Villeneuve goes still.
The air around him changes. I feel it through the bond, chaotic energy singing between us like a live wire. Something ancient and terrible is rising behind his carefully crafted mask.
