Page 15 of Revenge of the Blood Pack

So, I decide to clear that up right away. The worst thing a leader can do is make those working for him feel like they don’t have their trust. "I'm sure you can, but read it." He's going to argue, so I stop him before he can. "If you’re going to join this mission, you'll need to have read it."

He gives me a pointed look, then picks up the file and opens it. Instantly, his demeanor changes, and he leans back against the booth. His brows draw together, and I'm sure he's feeling the same way I did when I read the file. Horrified. Curious. Angry. Sad.

If it was just a book, it'd be good one. But because it really happened, it's the kind of thing that shakes your entire world and leaves you reeling. Changes your perspective so all you see are monsters in the shadows of your life, monsters you never realized were there.

Not that I can think about that. Not when I have a job to do.

While he's catching up, I order light food for us, aware that Asha is waiting for me and could get agitated with my continued absence. I get us both lightly cooked burgers and fries, the kind of carb-filled food shifters need on the regular, since we burn calories so quickly.

After a few minutes, the food arrives and I dig in, only realizing how hungry I am when the salty French fries hit my taste buds. Braxton, on the other hand, is eating one-handed, his gaze never lifting from the pages of the file, his eyes wide.

Finally, Braxton pauses in his reading and asks, "So our mission is to kill all the remaining members of the Blood Pack?"

I think of Asha and my answer comes easily, "No, we're to try to save any that we can... any of them who we're able to reason with. But, yes, the others we have orders to take out, if needed."

He looks a little relieved, which I'm glad about. Braxton was never the bloodthirsty sort, and I can't see him doing something he's ethically against, even with orders to do so. It's nice to see that hasn't changed about him.

"And how the hell are we supposed to find them before an attack? It seems like they're attacking all over the country. And by the time we reach them, they're gone." His question is a good one. The exact one the Enforcers have been struggling with.

I release a slow breath. "There hasn't been a perfect solution, but our team has the best chance of capturing the rest of the Blood Pack."

His gaze moves from the file, and he closes it while carefully setting it down. "Why?"

"It's off the record." Of course it is, or he would have read it in the file.

"Go on." He draws out the words, watching me too closely.

And I feel stupid. Stupidly protective. He's going to know in a few minutes anyway, so why am I hesitating? "I caught one of the members of the Blood Pack. She's... well, she's willing helping our team to track them down."

His brows lift so far that they disappear into his dark hair. "And is she crazed and dangerous?"

I shake my head. "Well, she can be dangerous for sure, but her goal is to reach her remaining pack members before the other Enforcers kill them all. She thinks she can talk to them, reason with them. And the Enforcers felt it was worth a shot."

"And how is she going to do any better at finding them than the rest of the Enforcers?" He looks like he's trying to put puzzle pieces together that just don't fit together.

I push my plate away, hesitate, then go for it. "It’s been suggested that her abilities could help us find them, but she'll need more than me to do it."

"Why?" Suspicion fills his voice.

I tug at my collar, then realize what I'm doing and stop. "Her powers are fueled by blood. And, well, if she experiments with them, she might need more than me to keep control over her. To keep her fueled."

It hits him. I see it. "You want a group of Enforcers to act as Feeders to some vampire mixed breed?" He’s shocked, but not quite outraged.

"The Enforcers said they'd never typically let you join them given whatever is in your military record, although they didn’t specify what, but felt this was an opportunity for you. An opportunity they don't plan to give again. Still, if you're not okay with this..."

He lifts a hand. "I didn't say that."

"And our mission will be dangerous. Literally, she'll lead us into the fire to deal with dangerous creatures that can kill us with ease."

To my surprise, he reaches for his burger and bites right into it. "Sounds good. So, I'll finish my burger, and then we'll go meet this dangerous Blood Mage."

I don't correct him, because I'm too damn surprised. Whatever my brother went through, whatever has him blacklisted from all government agencies, apparently, it’s enough that he’s willing to take on a job that might get him killed. A job where he’ll likely have to act as a Feeder to basically a vampire.

So, I have one more thing to add to my list of things to do: figure out what secrets my brother is hiding that made him agree so easily.

FIVE

Asha

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