Page 81 of Father of the Wolf

“Do you have any evidence that you were poisoned and not simply responding to the ritual and failing the test?” Ella asked carefully.

Athair could feel her fear and anger at the injustice that might result. “I do not. I have only my own knowledge of what is in my heart. I had no reason to hurt any of the clan we had approached, in hopes of building an association.”

“I have evidence,” Hope said, interrupting Athair. “I drew blood from Athair when he was ill. It should contain the poison, wouldn’t it?”

“Lies!” Bequlf shouted. “She lies for him.”

“You accuse the next Keeper of impeding justice between the clans?” Ella asked clearly.

“No, I do not. I am accusing Athair’s mate of lying to protect him. She should never be given the chance to be Keeper. She is not impartial to the clans. All tradition states that the Keeper must remain apart from the clan to maintain honesty in the Keeper records. She will never be able to report as a neutral party. I make a claim of improper bonding and request the council be called to pass judgment.”

“The council has already been called. The accusation can be heard when they arrive,” Ella said in a calm voice.

“What?” Bequlf shot to his feet. “If the council has already been contacted then this meeting is only a pretense of justice! You have no right to call yourself our Keeper with this lack of honesty.”

Dàn stood up, as did the others, to face Bequlf’s rage on an even footing. Belquavir tried to calm Bequlf and seemed upset over his maligning of Ella. The scene was playing out as he had envisioned, but he felt as if it were occurring in slow motion. Dàn knew what was coming and needed to be prepared for it. He concentrated on centering his energies even as he watched the drama playing out before him.

“Careful, boy.” Belquavir said quietly to Bequlf as he pulled his nephew away from Ella. Bequlf fingered the knife at his side, as if for reassurance. Hope stepped to Ella’s side and placed herself between her grandmother and Bequlf.

Sandulfr joined Belquavir in attempting to calm Bequlf. “Isn’t this what you wanted? The charges can be heard by the council. Justice can be done.” Sandulfr placed his large body in front of Bequlf, as if hoping his imposing presence would draw Bequlf’s attention.

It worked.

“You have been in league with them the whole time!” Bequlf bellowed. “You let them enter Lakeside. You threatened me for seeking information from the young ones. You joined them and pushed for this meeting. You have betrayed your own clan.”

Before Sandulfr could reply, Bequlf drew his knife and slashed at him. The attack caught Sandulfr unprepared, and the blade cut deeply into his forearm. The next swing would have been fatal, except Athair grabbed Bequlf’s arm and twisted the weapon from his grip.

Athair took the knife and held it to Bequlf’s throat while he gripped Bequlf’s arm behind his back. Bequlf snarled and raged, sounding more demented than Athair had under the influence of poison.

“Calm yourself, or I will be facing a murder charge.” Athair said quietly.

Instantly, and unnaturally, Bequlf relaxed in Athair’s arms.

Dàn knew this was a magical skill Athair possessed. He had learned the technique when Molach and Romach had colic shortly after coming into his care. Usually, the recipient went to sleep immediately, but Bequlf only calmed enough to regain a semblance of control.

But it wasn’t going to last.

“You will regret this,” Bequlf threatened. “Perhaps I should let your lady pay your debts.” He stared coldly at Hope, who was close but not within reach.

Athair tightened his grip on Bequlf.

Dàn knew Athair was tempted to end the conflict with a single slash of the knife. But he wasn’t the kind of man who would take a life lightly. Now, if Sgrios were in his place, the situation would have a very different ending.

“I see the first thing you did for her was heal her scars,” Bequlf snarled. “I would have, too. Looking at them would have made any relationship, even just sex, impossible.”

“You would be wise to stop talking.” Athair moved the knife ever so slightly, drawing a fine line of blood across Bequlf’s throat.

Bequlf’s voice dropped lower. “When I saw her scarred body, I made up my mind to kill her and take her flesh. Perhaps I still will.”

Dàn shuddered at the thought of this monster on the loose. He chose to kill and eat human flesh. That he existed was beyond Dàn’s understanding. How could anyone become so evil?

Bequlf smiled at Hope. “And I must thank you for the delivery meal last night. You may have gotten the pizza, but what I got was much tastier. Perfect for the carnivore in me.”

“Oh my god.” Hope gasped. “Jimmy.”

“You knew him? That is even better.” Bequlf licked his lips, as if remembering a fond taste.

The moment had arrived. Dàn centered his powers as Bequlf slid his free hand under his jacket. In one swift movement, two of his men grabbed Athair. Bequlf pulled out a gun and shoved himself away from his captor, sustaining only a tiny nick to his neck.

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