Page 93 of Catch a Tiger

Vix

“Ialready told you not to kill Valentina,” the alpha snapped, pissed as hell by the sound of it. “Can someone please fucking explain why this is such a problem?”

The raven in question shifted flawlessly, landing on her human feet. Far from Rune. “Tell the outsiders and I’ll report you to the Enclave.”

How veryinteresting.

“That’s the raven without a collective. She belongs to the alpha’s cub. Or so they say.”

Vix felt Kenji pull out his gun, pointing it between Valentina’s eyes and smiled.

“Why did you call me, Vixen?”

“I need permission, Guardian.”

Valentina’stskwas music to her ears.

“You know I can’t do that.” Kenji smiled slightly. “Technically.”

“There are exceptions.”

“Are they going to join the collective then?”

Unlikely, but it didn’t really matter. “I need permission.”

Kenji sighed. “They’d be your responsibility. If anyone finds out, you know the price.”

“Execution,” Valentina stated, almost sounding bored despite the topic. “They’d remove your wings and drag you into the sky before dropping you ten thousand feet above the earth. Seems far too risky if you ask me.”

Vix felt a thrill go through her when Rune dove for Valentina, proving he’d do exactly as he’d said and then some – even going against the alpha’s wishes.

He was perfect.

“I accept the price,” Vix murmured as she watched her tiger full of secrets reach for the raven and miss when she side-stepped into the shadow realm.

But then, the most curious thing happened.

Rune’s hand dipped into that glittering darkness and ripped the raven from it with a roar that vibrated through the universe, both of them dripping in shadows that dissipated the moment they touched the light of the morning sun.

Her tiger pinned the raven to the ground and held her there, claws on her throat as he waited for Vix’s decision.

“I like him,” Kenji leaned over to whisper.

“Me too.”

“All right, I give you permission. Just don’t make me regret it.” Kenji pointed his gun at the alpha then, the rising sun glinting off the metal. “The reason this is such a fucking problem is because that raven doesn’t belong to a collective.”

“That’s the only part I do understand,” Samuel growled.

She could just imagine him crossing his arms over his chest, and she hid her smirk in Kenji’s shoulder, right hand loose with the sword dangling from her fingertips.

“I doubt this would ever have been a problem for you if you’d left her where she was.” Kenji’s grip on her tightened as his irritation rose. “But Vix is a raven. She belongs to the TombstoneCollective, and this other raven you’re housing doesn’t belong to anyone. Whether she bought out her contract or she’s a deserter, it doesn’t matter.”

“Kenji.” Vix covered his mouth with her hand and glared up at him. “I saidIwould take responsibility.”

He slipped his gun in the holster with a sigh and pulled her hand away from his face. “And I promised I’d take responsibility foryou, didn’t I? What kind of father would I be if I let you endanger yourself like an idiot?”

Covering his mouth with both of her hands couldn’t put those words back, but she almost hoped…Vix felt the weight of all three tigers focus on him then and knew it was too late.

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