Zack’s mortal days were behind him. He needed to focus on his immortal nights. Straying from Seamus wasn’t the answer. He couldn’t keep his eyes on someone out of sight.
Finally, Zack brought his head up and relaxed into the seat. “If you want my trust, you won’t harm Takashi after I tell you everything.”
“I won’t promise that until I know what he’s done,” Seamus said. “If he’s been acting against?—”
“What he’s done has brought to light a conspiracy,” Zack replied. “And I don’t need your promise, because if you take what I say and use it as an excuse to hurt him, then I will know that every word you have told me was a fucking lie.”
Seamus stilled, and then a small smile of pride crossed his lips. He motioned for Zack to speak.
“Roger didn’t disappear willingly from your coven,” Zack said. “He doesn’t know this yet, but Nell worked out a deal with an Unseelie to put him in a coma. I was the one to wake him backin August. Yes, we began to plot your demise from the moment I met him. But he wasn’t very … driven.”
“Acting on violent impulses has never been Roger’s strong suit, until recently perhaps.” Seamus sipped his wine.
Zack swirled his in his glass. “Right. So Nell’s had it out for your coven for a while. I mean, we’re talking a decades-long plan.”
“One you foiled,” Seamus said.
Zack nodded.
“Mm, and now that you’re my sireling, she wants you dead because it would weaken me and therefore make me easier to kill,” Seamus continued.
Surprised, Zack sat up a little more and frowned at him. “How did you?—”
“It’s a common enough conceit. She’s not the only one trying. Why do you think we’re having the debut party? Everyone who wants my coven for themselves will see who else is thinking of doing the same thing. They’ll learn who they need to eliminate for their own plans to succeed, which should keep them preoccupied for a decade or so. At least long enough you’re your strengths will grow.” Seamus chuckled once under his breath. “Using Roger, though, that was clever of her.”
“I thought high school was full of drama,” Zack grumbled.
“Throw enough sentient minds together, and there will always be dramatics.”
Zack snorted and then took a tiny sip of his wine. It tingled on the tip of his tongue. The taste of rich berries filled his mouth, and the calm of a long winter night washed over him. Voicing the problem plaguing his mind had helped; this particular blend of fey wine soothed him further.
“Why did you think I’d be angry about that?” Seamus said.
“Because of how Takashi found out.” Zack focused his inner eye on Seamus, keeping his senses peeled for any sign that hewas angry. “He made a deal with Anton when he turned Katie. A brand-new phone for the girl.”
“Ooo, he is more diabolical than I gave him credit for,” Seamus said with another laugh.
“You sound pleased.”
“When Takashi came here in the 1920s, he was cute, but meek. He has grown in the last hundred years.” Seamus tapped his wineglass and set it down. Then he leaned on the armrest closer to Zack. “Do you trust that he’s as loyal to you as he claims? Or will he conspire with Nell?”
“He was horrified at her command.”
“You’re certain?”
Zack took a long drink of his wine and sat it down. “He fed me a little of his blood so that I wouldn’t doubt him. He loves me.”
Seamus touched Zack’s shoulder and squeezed him comfortingly. “That’s good.”
“What are we going to do about Nell?” Zack whispered. “If she has her way …”
“She’s a problem for another night, sweet boy.” Seamus stood, taking his glass with him. He squeezed Zack’s shoulder and leaned down to kiss the top of his head. “Take your glass and the bottle, go see if your lover’s awake enough to enjoy the wine with you.”
The weight of the journal on his lap bothered Zack. All of his former hopes and dreams and problems were written out in the leather book his mortal sister had given him. But he had been reborn. He was different, now. Not the scared, angry boy. Confused, out of his depths, but that wasn’t the same at all.
He lifted it up for Seamus to take. “Could this belong to the library?”
Seamus took it back. “I think it’d be a fine addition. Now come along inside.”
