Page 7 of The Reign of Blood

RAIDEN

Istare down at the filled seat, disgruntled by the efforts we have to go to, but it’s really no surprise, not when it comes down to it. Which is exactly why we were waiting in place. It doesn’t stop the irritation from coiling through me, though.

Fucker.

Not willing to waste any more time, I whip the sack off Cassian’s head and glare down at him.

Brody takes the signal, and his chants no longer fill the room as he releases his magical hold on the wolf.

“Was any of that actually necessary?” Cassian grunts, his hands balling in his lap, but he doesn’t make to get up even though he can move at will now.

Cocking a brow at him, I push back with a question of my own. “Were you making your way over here like my message said?”

His eyes narrow. “I think you know the answer to that.”

“Then it was necessary,” I explain with a shrug, which makes him scoff.

“To get whatyouwant?” he retorts, the bite clear in his tone.

I wave my hands out at either side, pointing toward Kryll to my left and Brody off to the right.

“To get what weallwant.”

His head twists, slowly peering around the room for the first time. He knows where he is. He’s been in my room enough times, and the two men present are our closest friends, so when he continues to search, I instantly understand what he’s hoping to set his eyes on.

“She’s not here.”

“What did you do to her?” His eyes darken as his jaw tics, his irritation rising to the surface as I grin.

“Ah, so youdocare.” I know I’m goading him, and I know it’s working.

“What. Did. You. Do?”

Sometimes it’s too fun. “Nothing,” I admit, and he rears his head back in confusion.

“Nothing?”

“What did you want me to do to her?” I push with a pointed look, and he bares his teeth.

“You’re the one who took her.” He’s right about that part. I can give him that, but he doesn’t need to know my motives. Yet. When all I offer him is a shrug, he sighs. “Why did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Take her.”

“Why not?” I shrug again, annoying him even more, but before he can try and chew my ear off, I redirect the conversation back to the point of this gathering. “You’re the one in the hot seat, Cass. You’re the one supposed to be answering questions here, not me.”

His eyebrows furrow in confusion. “About what?”

“Dumb doesn’t suit you, wolf.”

Brody clears his throat, garnering Cassian’s attention while I continue to stare at him. “He’s referring to everything that just happened on the Kenner compound, Cass.” His words are soft, but the confusion is still prominent.

One of us has to be the mediator; it’s only fitting it’s the mage that regularly helps us navigate our conflicts.

Cassian wipes a hand down his face, clearly trying to piece together a response. “I was heading home to give myself a minute to wrap my head around it all. So, I don’t know what you want me to give you right now when I have no clue myself.”

It makes sense, but this is also Cass. He can’t hide away for days when we have things we need to discuss right now.

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