“And what if trying to avoid your fate is what leads you to it? Haven’t you ever heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy?”

  “I’m afraid he’s right. I’ve seen it happen too many times to count.” She shakes her head. “For your sake, you should probably avoid me until you meet with the assembly. I’d say I’ll do my best to steer clear of you, too, but that’s not always up to me.” She offers a small half smile before turning and continuing down the street.

  I watch her until she turns the corner. There have been times when I’ve wished I were able to peek into the future. When things got lonely in foster care, I longed to know when the time would come where I would feel welcomed and loved. But if Dagny is any indication, knowing such things can be more curse than blessing.

  Brady starts up the street toward our quarters.

  I jog to catch up with him. “Thanks, by the way.”

  “For what?”

  I shrug. “Trying to save me from myself back there. I didn’t really think through the dangers of knowing my destiny.”

  He snorts. “I didn’t do it for you.”

  “Who did you do it for?”

  He stops in his tracks and glares. “Me. Whether I like it or not, right now, my future is pretty closely tied to yours. Since you took me hostage—”

  “You shouldn’t have tried to turn me in.”

  “—and brought me here with you and linked me to you, if something goes down, I’m going to be in the middle of it.”

  I suppress a pang of guilt. Is he right about his fate being tied to mine now? Of course not. He’ll see. We’ll let him go soon, and he can get back to his life. He’ll never have to think about me again.

  We’re almost to our quarters when a voice calls my name. Jack jogs to meet us from the same road Dagny turned down.

  He glances at Brady only briefly when he reaches us. “Told you he couldn’t leave the city.”

  “Not for lack of trying,” Brady says with false brightness.

  Jack ignores him, turning his back in a way that makes it clear he’s not invited into this conversation.

  Brady huffs and stalks the remaining distance to our quarters.

  Jack doesn’t speak until Brady’s inside. “Sawyer contacted me while I was out looking for Brady.”

  I nod, more than a little surprised the pack’s beta male was able to reach Jack through the sanctuary’s protections. “What did he say?”

  A muscle in his jaw jumps as he tries to keep his expression neutral. “The convocation has called a summit. About you.”

  The news hits me like a punch in the gut. I shouldn’t be surprised. The mystery is why it’s taken the governing body of the werewolves this long to meet to discuss me.

  “More specifically,” he continues, “they want to talk about the bounty. It’s not exactly against any law to put one out, but there needs to be a valid reason, and it’s usually a last resort. They’re going to rule whether it can stand.”

  I wait for him to go on. “Is this a good thing?”

  “I think they’ll side with us,” he says after a beat, but I can detect a trace of unease curling around the edges of his words.

  I touch his cheek and wait until he meets my eyes. “What do you really think?”

  A muscle in his jaw jumps. “Sawyer says there have been at least two packs sniffing around our territory since last night. Not individual wolves—squads ready for battle, if necessary. I’ve seen bounties put out on wolves before, but I’ve never seen a reaction like this. Typically, the wolf in question is trying to steal power from an alpha or has gone rogue and poses a threat to a pack—or threatens to expose us to the humans. Even then, the weres who go after the bounty wolf do their best to keep things civil and not interfere with other packs—even the pack that wolf came from.”

  A shiver courses down my spine. “But it’s different with me,” I murmur. “Because of what I am.”

  He takes my hand and squeezes it. “It’s natural to fear what you don’t understand. So we’ll make them understand. The convocation is fair. They’ll see the truth.”

  I want to believe what he’s saying, and I can tell by the fierce flash in his gunmetal blue eyes that he does too. I don’t want to imagine what the alternative is. As pack leaders, it isn’t as if we can stay in hiding here at the sanctuary forever. I’m sure things at the enclave will be fine without us in the short term, but I don’t know how it will survive with Jack for long. He’s been the alpha for longer than I’ve been alive. And if other packs start pressing in on our territory, Sawyer, Dakota, and Cecily will need him.

  “When’s the summit?” I ask, forcing what I hope is a light tone.

  “Day after tomorrow. Sawyer’s going to get me more details as they come in.”

  The corners of my mouth twitch. That’s the day we’re supposed to go before the assembly—the point after which Dagny’s oracle powers won’t affect me anymore. Either way—whether I stay or whether we leave this place—I’ll only have to avoid her until then. “I guess we won’t be here long after all, then, huh?”

  “The plan was always to be here just until we could sort things out.” He laces his fingers through mine and leads the way to our quarters.

  I wish I could express how much the simple action means to me. It’s difficult to put a precise label on what he is to me—what we are to each other. Soon after I turned, I learned each of us possesses one half of the same soul. We’re literally soul mates—which explains the intense pull I’ve felt toward him since we met. But it’s been hard for me to navigate our relationship. Part of me feels like we’ve known each other forever. Wanting to be near him, to touch him, to kiss him, is the most natural thing in the world. Except a large part of me is cautious. We didn’t know each other at all when these feelings began to manifest, so there was nothing to link them to. The more we’ve gotten to know one another, the more comfortable I’ve become, but something in me still holds out. I can only assume it’s because of all the years I spent in foster care. I put walls up and never allowed myself to get too attached because I never knew when I’d have to leave again.

  But when Jack takes my hand, when he sides with me despite the bounty, when he promises me things will work out, he chips away at those walls. He shows me the unconditional love I haven’t known since my father died.

  The word sends a pang through me. Love. I haven’t allowed myself to assign the word to Jack, but moments like this make me wonder if it isn’t just a matter of time.

  Brady has set up the table and sits on one of the chairs. He leans over his plate, a sandwich in his hands, and glances in our direction when Jack and I enter. His eyes dip to our joined hands and his lip curls.

  I’m caught between wanting to ignore him and wanting to confront him about his attitude, but before I can settle on either option, a shrill sound vibrates through the air. It’s at once familiar and alien, and it takes a moment to realize where it’s coming from.

  Attached to the wall to the left of the kitchen door opening is an old corded telephone. As it begins a second ring, Jack and I start toward it, but Brady is on his feet and has the handset pressed to his ear before we make it past the couches.

  “Hello?” Brady’s tone conveys far less confusion than I’m feeling. He snorts as he listens to the caller. “Yeah. I’ll let him know.” He hangs up and turns until he locks eyes with Jack. “That was Evelyn. Apparently your vampire friend has already gotten himself into trouble.”

  Chapter Ten

  Jack curses. “Ava, you stay here. I’ll go take care of it.”

  “I’m coming with you,” I say.

  He shakes his head. “If we both go, who’s going to stay to watch over him?”

  “You know I can hear you, right?” Brady grumbles.

  I point at him. “You can’t leave here while we’re gone.” I glance at Jack and smile. “See? Easy peasy.”

  Jack doesn’t quite suppress a smirk.

  We are outside before I realize Brady didn’t tell us where to go. I glance up and down the road for a hint, but Jack is walking in the opposite direction as the doors into the city. The wind shifts and I catch the scent that draws him. Evelyn is approaching.

  We meet her on the corner. She doesn’t say anything, she just turns and leads us back the way she came.

  As before, groups of people walk the streets in twos and threes. Their conversations quiet as they pass us, and I feel the weight of their glances. I can’t help wondering what they think of us. Will they spend the next couple of days conjecturing about what brought us here? Or can some of them sense why we came?

  Evelyn stops in front of a large brick building. She sweeps a hand toward it. “He’s in there.”

  I hesitate. Isn’t she coming in with us?

  Jack strides to the wooden double doors and opens the one on the right. I follow him over the threshold.

  The inside of the building is dim, and it takes my eyes a second to adjust. The room is open, with ceilings higher than those in a traditional building—maybe fifteen or twenty feet. Across the room, a lectern and a half-dozen chairs look down from a raised platform on rows and rows of wooden pews. The whole place reminds me of a church.

  But there’s no sign of Luke.

  Jack and I walk up the aisle. I strain my ears for any sounds that might give a hint as to where he is.

  An open door on the right-hand wall catches my eye. I tug Jack’s arm and nod toward it.

  We approach quietly. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Could this be some kind of trap? Maybe granting us entry into the sanctuary was a ruse. Perhaps they’ve been waiting for the right people to come to claim me and their bounty.

  No. I push the fear from my mind. That’s not the way the sanctuary works—even for me. I have to believe that.

  An authoritative voice floats through the door. “Please enter.”

  Jack and I exchange glances and I allow him to step through the door before me. Sitting behind a simple dark wooden desk is the old man who was with Evelyn outside the city gate when we arrived. He motions toward the two chairs in front of him. In a third sits Luke, who catches my eye and grins.

  “Brady said you were in trouble,” I say, taking the seat nearest to him.

  “Oh, I assure you he is,” says the man. He rests his elbows on the desktop and steeples his fingers.

  Luke’s shoulders shrug ever so slightly. “Cedrick here was just giving me the rundown of how things work here in the sanctuary. Apparently they don’t take too kindly to people asking questions.”

  “I assure you we have no problem with questions,” Cedrick says, surveying Luke coolly. “It’s petty crime we take issue with.”

  Jack rubs his forehead. “What did you do?” he mutters. “We haven’t even been here twelve hours.”

  Luke’s head bends forward, but his body doesn’t follow. For the first time, I wonder if he’s being held to the chair by some spell. “I was out doing what you asked,” Luke begins. “You know, making sure Brady didn’t get lost. But then I caught a smell. Blood, and lots of it.”

  Cedrick lifts his chin. “I’ve told you. We have a large population of vampires living in the sanctuary. It isn’t safe for them to leave to feed, so we bring blood in for them.”

  Luke nods. “I know. I found what your people left in the refrigerator for me. Now, I’ll be the first to admit animal blood isn’t my standard fare, but I’ve had to drink it on occasion through the years. All those snacks add up to an impressive list of critters I’ve tasted, but I still couldn’t identify what animal this blood came from.”

  I do my best to keep my face neutral. I thought the same thing when I drank some earlier. Part of me wondered if it didn’t taste so good because of the night I’d had, but now that I know Luke noticed something different too, I’m wondering again. I wonder where the blood came from, but I don’t want to join the conversation. If Cedrick doesn’t know what I am, I don’t want to tell him.

  “Did the blood satisfy your need?” Cedrick asks, his tone even.

  Luke’s eyebrows draw together. “Well, yeah, but—”

  “Then I can’t see why the matter concerns you.”

  Luke’s shoulders jerk again and a smile curves his lips. “What can I say? I’m curious.”

  Jack leans forward. “Yeah? Curiosity killed the cat.”

  Luke swivels his head, the corner of his mouth quirking upward. “But satisfaction brought it back. It’s the part of the saying you always forgot.”

  Jack stiffens. No one here knows the two of them are brothers, but here Luke is, speaking as though he’s known Jack for ages. My eyes flick to Cedrick, but the man’s expression hasn’t changed. It’s possible he hasn’t noticed Jack’s discomfort.

  I’m not sure what the big deal is. Even when members of our pack questioned why Luke was being trusted enough to be allowed passage on our land, Jack deflected. He put the entire explanation on Luke’s willingness to help me, not once mentioning their familial connection. I’m sure he has a reason for not wanting anyone to know, but I wish I knew what it was.

  Cedrick squares his shoulders. “I don’t know how long you intend to stay here. If you choose to live out your lives among us, I have no doubt your curious impulses will be curbed. But in the meantime, be aware that we do have holding cells for those who can’t abide by our rules.”

  Cedrick stands; we’ve been dismissed. Luke inhales sharply, and a moment later he springs to his feet. He shakes out his arms and legs before nodding to the door through which Jack and I entered. “Shall we?”

  Jack narrows his eyes, but he stands and starts toward the door. I allow Luke to pass in front of me and bring up the rear. I don’t want his curiosity getting the better of him again.

  Evelyn is no longer on the street when we exit, but Jack doesn’t speak until we’ve rounded the corner.

  “What on earth were you thinking?” Jack growls.

  Luke holds up his hands defensively. “I wasn’t going to take anything. I just wanted to poke around.”

  Jack clenches his jaw and stares resolutely forward.

  Luke turns to me. “Come on. Tell me I’m not alone here. There was something weird about that blood, right?”

  Although Jack has done everything he can to support me whenever my vampire side is mentioned, I still feel awkward discussing it around him. “You’re not wrong.”

  Luke turns back to Jack. “See? There’s something weird going on here.”

  Jack narrows his eyes. “I’m sure a lot is going on here that we don’t understand. Sanctuary cities are ruled and guarded by magic. But I don’t anticipate staying around long enough for it to really impact any of us. Do me a favor. Just drink your blood and be thankful they’re thoughtful enough to provide it.”

  Luke huffs. We walk the remaining distance to our quarters in silence.

  Brady has relocated from the table to the couch. He leans over the coffee table and studies the thousand or so puzzle pieces scattered there. I’m not sure where the puzzle came from, but I’m glad he found something to occupy himself. He doesn’t look up when we enter.

  No sooner has Jack closed the door behind us than Luke starts in again. “Cedrick said my curious impulses would be curbed if I stay here. Does that not creep anyone else out?”

  Jack exhales noisily as he settles on the couch across from Brady. “I think you could stand to be a little less curious.”

  Luke ignores the comment. “And I know it isn’t just criminals who come here, but there have to be some here, right? How come this place isn’t run by gangs? There’s got to be some pretty nasty people hiding out here.”

  “What’s your point?” I ask, running my fingers along the back of the couch Jack sits on. “Or are you just lamenting the city’s lack of criminal elements?”

  Luke throws up his hands. “You know what? Never mind. I think this place is creepy and you don’t. Whatever.”

  “No one’s asking you to stay.” There’s an edge to Jack’s voice I can’t quite identify. He’s not angry or even irritated. Still, I can’t shake the feeling he means something more than he’s saying.

  “You want me to go?” Bitterness laces Luke’s words. “Say the word and I’m out the door.” He lifts his chin, glaring. “Oh, that’s right. Perfect Jack would never kick me out. At least not in front of Ava. It’s bad manners.”

  “No one’s asking anyone to go,” I say, stepping toward him and holding up my hand. Would Jack really be so indifferent to Luke leaving? I thought the two had forged an alliance over the last couple of weeks because of their links to me. Luke is responsible for my vampire side and experiences the same kinds of protective impulses for me that I felt for Marisol. “We’re not going to be here much longer. Do you think you can deal with this place for the next couple of days?”

  He presses his lips together, but they twitch like he’s trying not to say something. After a beat, his shoulders relax and he exhales through his nostrils. “Are you sure about it just being a couple more days?”

  “Of course she is.” Brady’s eyes remain fixed on his puzzle. “That’s when the summit meets to decide whether or not the bounty on her is legit.”

  Jack and I exchange glances. “How do you know that?”

  Brady takes his time fitting two pieces together before looking up. “I got a message from my alpha. Don’t worry—I can’t respond. Something about this place fritzes communication on the way out for anyone lower than beta status. And after you go through the initiation, even alphas can’t get through anymore.”

  Jack raises an eyebrow. “Where’d you hear that?”

  “Maya,” I say, recalling the scantily clad dark-haired girl he spoke to earlier.

  Brady shrugs. “She was kind enough to let me know how things work around here. Didn’t know if you guys would bother.”

  Jack clenches his jaw. “I get this isn’t exactly a vacation for you, but I have every intention of letting you go back to your pack after the summit.”

  After the summit. I almost ask why not before, but the answer is obvious: he’s still a bargaining chip. I hate it, but I can’t deny it’s a necessity—at least for the time being. Whereas Jack could be seen as guilty by his association with me and Luke’s status as a vampire makes him expendable in the eyes of most weres, Brady is with us against his will. His presence might keep others from attacking us on our way to the summit.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24