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“Nah, but we’ve scouted it. Different shifters have their own territories. Some stay close to home, some venture into the city. When we came to Roxburgh, we made a point of learning where they were, made introductions, that kind of thing. We didn’t want to fuck off the locals, but we needed them to know that we were here and not to be messed with. We didn’t go to the colony, but we met with Kefir, the Bat King.”
“What did you think of him?”
Relic shrugged. “He mainly spoke with War. The rest of us were below his notice.”
“So you’re saying he’s a douche bag?” Great.
“Most leaders are a bit douchy, Roe. It’s a prerequisite of the job.”
I smirked at him. “Are you saying you think Warrick’s a douche?”
“Nope. War’s the exception.” Relic was hyper-vigilant, searching the forest as we walked. “Your male’s gonna be seriously fucked off when he finds out about this, you know that, yeah?”
“Yep,” I said. “But right now, he’s in the middle of a full-blown mated male meltdown, and if he knew about this, he would have stopped me from coming. The way he was acting, I don’t think he’s above locking me in a room or tying me to a table leg to stop me from doing anything that he considers dangerous.”
Relic nodded. “Our boy’s been through it. Going from not giving that first fuck to where he is now must be a serious mind fuck.”
Guilt filled me again. “I know, and I want to help him through it, but I have to do this. I can’t sacrifice my coven for his peace of mind.”
“He’ll get over it eventually. Warrick struggled when his emotions kicked in, but he’s got a handle on it now. And Ronan and I will sort it all out in the pit.”
“What is it with you males and fighting? And Warrick’s as protective of Willow now as he’s ever been.”
Relic grinned. “Can’t see that changing. The way I see it, mating for a male is like having a fucking lobotomy, but he might be a little more reasonable in time.” He cracked his neck. “And fighting is a fast and effective way of getting over shit and blowing off steam.”
I rolled my eyes. “So what about you? Do you want to find your mate?” Relic was hard to read. He’d adjusted to the human world, and I got the feeling what he put out there and what he was thinking were two different things completely.
“Was hoping to get myself a hot witch, like War did, but all but one of you are spoken for, and Mags is too young. Though I like the female’s feisty attitude. Maybe I’ll give her a couple years then swoop in,” he said.
I snorted. “Well, that isn’t going to happen. Bram would remove your spleen with his bare hands if you so much as looked at her sideways.”
Relic grinned. “The boy needs to make a move or move over.”
I shook my head at him. He was joking, or at least I hoped he was. “God, you’re cocky.”
He threw me one of his flirty grins. “Got good reason to be.”
“If you say so.”
The grin slipped from his face, and he tilted his head back, scenting the air. “I smell bat, babe. Your old man’s close.”
Nerves fluttered to life in my belly. I searched the trees around us. “I don’t know if he’s got something to do with my task, or it’s someone at the colony, but my instincts are telling me I need to go there. Things could get dangerous.”
“I got you, Roe.”
I knew he did. Relic would keep me safe no matter the cost. “Thank you for agreeing to this. I know it’s asking a lot.”
“It’s all good, babe. I’m fucking hard to kill. Want you safe, same as Ronan does.” Relic grabbed my arm and tilted his head ahead.
I followed. Vesa was there waiting. He smiled when he saw me and strode over. “I was worried you were lost.”
I aimed my thumb at Relic. “My friend here is a hellhound, there was no chance of that happening.”
My father held out his hand. “Vesa, nice to meet you.”
Relic took it and shook but didn’t share his name or the sentiments. Instead, he scanned the area.
“Are you Rose’s mate?” Vesa asked.
