Page 88 of Bitter Discord

Lifting my hand, I hit the wood three times, knowing both werecats inside would hear it.

32

CHAPTER THRITY-TWO

“Visitors? At this hour? I wonder who…”

I clearly heard the confusion of the male I didn’t know. Something about it sounded off, a little excited, a little worried, and immensely curious.

Stepping back, I left two feet between me and the door in case someone got violent. It was just out of reach to give me a chance to get away if someone lunged but close enough not to show distrust or fear.

Body language was important, so I relaxed, trying to stand casually, hoping I projected confidence. I was confident, but it wasn’t nonchalant the way Jabari or Zuri could be. I had to work to get to their level of easily projecting power and was certain I wasn’t even close, even at my best.

Footsteps drew closer to the door, then stopped just on the other side. I figured they were looking through the peephole. This was the most dangerous moment. If they shot me through the door, there would be nothing I could do.

“Wow,” the male whispered. The locks were undone, and the door opened. “Jacqueline, daughter of Hasan. What a surprise. Aren’t you supposed to be staying in some swanky mansion in the rich part of the city?”

“I am,” I confirmed, taking his relaxed attitude as a chance to really look at the man. The picture had been just that—a picture. His face was severe in the light, more severe and angled than the picture had made him seem. His eyes were a bit too open naturally, not a sign of his surprise because he had barely any emotion on his face. His voice and expression just didn’t match. “I was until I found out there was an unidentified werecat loitering around my city. I mean no harm. I just felt I needed to introduce myself, considering you’re here, and I don’t know your name.”

“I’m William, son of a dead man who doesn’t matter,” he said, smiling, but it didn’t reach his eyes, and that disturbed me. “Why don’t you come in?”

“Sure.” I walked in as he held the door open wider, on guard as I looked around, waiting for anyone to jump out and attack me.

“So, just an introduction, hm? Care for a drink?”

“No, thank you. I was really hoping you would tell me what brought you to my city.” I looked around to find Lonan sitting on the couch in the small living room at the front of the house, looking ill at ease. He was genuinely surprised to see me, with not even the tiniest bit of heat in his stare. I inhaled slowly and caught his scent. Something was worrying him, and I wasn’t sure if the surprise and hope were supposed to go together.

“What do you mean? You’re hosting a gathering,” he said as though I was a child.

I raised an eyebrow, daring him to try it again.

“You haven’t attended,” I pointed out, a bit snappy. “I’m sure my sister and I would have noticed your attendance, considering we welcomed every attendee at the front door.”

“Of course, of course. I was shy, you see. I don’t go out much and tend not to talk to other werecats often. I’ve been getting my news through the grapevine. I was going to introduce myself before the end of the week. With everything that’s happened, I decided to find Lonan. He came here with me to catch up.”

“How did you find us?” Lonan asked, his voice a bit too tight.

“Easy. I pretty much know everything happening in Dallas tonight. I have all my bases covered.” I watched him but kept my body turned to William, tracking the unknown werecat through the corner of my eye as he poured drinks and moved around the small kitchen on the other side of the entryway. “You didn’t want the BSA tracking you, so I found an alternative and let you leave.”

“Ah.” Lonan nodded. “Your family taught you well. I should have been smarter and realized you or your sister had an idea of how to track me if I left.”

“You have a nasty temper that clouds your judgment. It was easy to play you.”

“Yeah…” Lonan swallowed and started to stand. “I think—”

“Sit down,” William snarled viciously, his back toward us, from his place in the kitchen, and Lonan fell back onto the couch. “We’re not done talking, Lonan.”

“You can’t be serious, William. A member of the ruling family is here. Your game is over...” Lonan seemed terrified.

“It’s over when I say it’s over,” William continued, turning to us. He looked toward a window before meeting my stare. “You should tell your werewolf he needs to back off. If I run, none of them will ever find me.”

“Yeah, I noticed I can smell Lonan now,” I said softly. That much had been clear when William had opened the door, but I had been too focused on not getting attacked to really consider it. “Strong Talent.”

“Isn’t it?” William smiled as he walked back toward the living room. “Tell your werewolf to back off,Jacky. Nothing is going on in here. Just a shy werecat who reached out to a friend to figure out what happened that caused them all to stay in the mansion last night.”

The problem with not being able to smell him was worse than I had expected. I couldn’t pick up his emotions, no one could track him, and I had no ability to smell if he lied. The lying part was the least of them because he was making it clear what his intentions were. He wasn’t really trying to lie, but I wished I knew his emotional state. Was he angry and covering it with a humored smile? Was he insane or unstable? Or did he feel as though he was completely in charge?

There was one bad sign. Lonan was scared enough to follow his orders, and that was bad. Lonan could take me in a fight with ease. He had centuries of power and experience. I was rough and tumble, able to scrap and win, but I knew some would win without trying. Lonan gave me that vibe.

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