Page 40 of Blades and Bone

Ann huffed as if that was Hamish’s biggest mistake.

“You should have told me what the note Garrick passed said. Your loyalties are questionable.” How was he supposed to trust Hamish when he’d proven at every opportunity that he was untrustworthy?

Hamish glanced up at him, eyebrows pinched together in question. “How could I when you and your family might be behind the poisoning? You aren’t sick, and neither is your sister.”

“My sister is your matriarch, and you would do well to remember that.” Brodie drew in a breath and sought calm because it was far too tempting to tell Ann that her offering was no longer acceptable.

“Blood was promised, and we will take what has been delivered.” Ann’s fangs were once again visible.

It took Brodie a couple of seconds to realize that she meant Hamish, and a couple more for him to realize he couldn’t step in and say no.

Hamish paled as he realized what Ann meant. He glanced at Brodie as if he could do something, which of course, he couldn’t. The Ashbys had caused the offence, and it was up to them to make amends…and Hamish was no longer a Reid even though he was behaving like one.

“Ann?” Brodie stood and motioned for her to take the first bite.

Hamish’s head swiveled as he silently asked for help. Brodie placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned in, even though he was aware everyone in the room would be able to hear what he said. “You will offer yourself quietly, and we will discuss this further at home.”

“I was trying to help.”

“And you are, by showing you are the lowest Ashby, and letting your blood calm choppy waters.” He gave Hamish’s shoulder a firm squeeze that would have made a human flinch. Hamish didn’t move.

Ann walked around the table, grabbed a fistful of Hamish’s dark curls, and turned his head to the side so she could bite his neck, taking the first drink.

Hamish grunted and closed his eyes. Garrick was next, though he and the other male Reids bit the wrist. No one was being gentle. Vivian bit the other side of Hamish’s neck. Then it was his turn. He bit the other wrist, pretending that he didn’t care that Hamish’s blood wasn’t sweet with lust. That his heart was beating fast with fear, not desire.

Vivian’s bodyguard was last.

Hamish sat there, eyes closed. Silent, if he could block them all out.

The bites weren’t bleeding, but they were red and raw. He couldn’t walk around looking like he’d been mauled by vampires, but that was a problem for later.

Fangs were still lowered, and distrust was thick in the air.

They needed to be working on the Orlan and unaffiliated issues, not Hamish and not the poisoner.

He wanted to take Hamish home and make sure he was okay.

No one was getting what they wanted today.

Brodie glared at Garrick, hating the man who had put Hamish up to this and put him in danger instead of facing the problem head-on. “We are agreed that there is a spy in the resort, potentially more than one, because I would not just send one. I think it is probably safe to assume that the Orlans have gotten to some of the unaffiliated.”

“If we are to believe you.” Ann lifted her eyebrows.

“We have nothing to gain by attacking you,” Vivian said. “However, the Orlans have everything to gain. If the other families form an alliance with the sole aim of stopping them, we stand a chance of preventing their takeover and unwanted European interference.”

Brodie rested his elbows on the table and his chin on his hands. “Before we proceed any further. I want to know why Hamish was selected. It wasn’t just because he was your nephew, because you have a lot of them.”

It wasn’t Ann who answered, but Garrick. “Because of me. I was given a direct order to leave a human reporter I had started a relationship with on an Orlan property, and I ignored it. I told Hamish he could walk away, but he volunteered to go with me. He was chosen in part to punish me, as we’re close, but also because he is now viewed as a liability for not following orders. He should have let me go and reported what I was doing.”

It did not surprise Brodie at all that Hamish had disobeyed.

“So you gave us your liability.” Vivian crossed her arms. “That is hardly an offering in good faith.

“Hamish is young, and he follows his heart. He wanted to help me. He wanted to help today. He has been punished.” Garrick was still defending his nephew.

“That is no longer your decision,” Brodie said softly.

Garrick curled his lip, baring his fangs.