Page 32 of The Thief

With that, Bear slammed the purple door and headed downstairs. He summoned Tak and Lakota to join him on the back deck, where they relaxed in the folding chairs.

Tak slapped his arm and then brushed his hand over it. “I had an uncle who used to think mosquitos were enemies from a past life, coming back to haunt you.”

“You must have made a lot of enemies,” Lakota remarked, crossing his foot over his knee. “We might need one of those bug zappers.”

Tak pulled his hair forward and unraveled his braid. “What did Atticus say?”

Bear’s skin warmed in the stagnant evening air. “He confirmed Salem’s suspicion that a Vampire did a partial memory wipe. I supervised while he charmed her. But there’s something else you should know.”

“Oh?”

“It’s not my place to say, but it needs to be said. Mercy’s scared. Right before she came to Storybook, some guy recognized her.”

“What did he say?”

“He tried to kidnap Mercy and take her back to his Creator. He didn’t mention Argento by name, but I think it’s him. We’ll find out soon enough.”

“Did she get any information from the Learner?”

“Not before she killed him.”

Tak swung his gaze up, his alpha energy palpable. “Why did she kill him?”

“Why else would a tiny woman like her kill a man? He threatened her, and she panicked.”

Lakota laced his fingers over his stomach and frowned. “How the hell did she kill a Mage? They’re not easy to take down, and we’ve all seen her wolf.”

“The weapon she used was only supposed to paralyze, but it killed him by accident.”

Everyone turned to look when Catcher shot across the yard like a streak of lightning.

Tak finally stretched out his legs and tapped his boots together. “She needs to call this Mage and find out more. Speculation gives me a headache.”

Choosing his words carefully, Bear asked, “Remember what you said about our pasts not mattering, about us having a chance to start over?”

Tak jerked his chin up. “I don’t speak lies. This pack is my second chance. Hope is my second chance.”

“Is it fair to judge her for defending herself? Especially without knowing what he was after?”

“Sometimes we fuck up our first chances in life. That being said, there are limits. While I care about each of you, the pack always comes first.” He gave a pensive sigh. “I don’t believe Mercy is capable of being malicious. As her Packmaster, I can offer more protection than if she were a rogue.” He slapped his hands on his thighs. “We can’t deal with a problem unless we know what it is, so keep me updated.”

Catcher streaked by in the opposite direction.

Lakota chuckled. “Someone’s got the zoomies.”

Tak swatted his arm again. “I appreciate your honesty, Bear. I’m pleased to see my pack looking out for one another. No one is stabbing anyone in the back and burying the body.”

Lakota raised his eyebrows. “Exactly what was going on in your tribe that I should know about?”

“It only happened once. Needless to say, my father was displeased.” Tak flashed a playful grin and then gazed at the stars. “Tell me, brother, does your woman make you take bubble baths?”

Lakota cracked a smile. “What?”

“Hope wants me to soak in bubbles tonight before our trip. This is not something my people do.”

Lakota locked his fingers behind his head. “Oh really? Because I seem to remember your people shoving us into a bathroom with a gigantic tub.”

Tak rose from his chair. “Yes, but we use natural oils. Not all these foamy bubbles that look like a rabid animal drooled in the water. And it smells like candy.” He folded the chair, then leaned it against the wall. “I don’t want your father asking why I smell like cherries.”

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