Page 62 of Dead End

“We lost Birdie when we didn’t even know the fight had begun. We lost Aite. We nearly lost Kane.” I heaved a sigh of regret. “When The Corporation shows up with the full extent of their power, we’re doomed.” Innocent lives would be lost. I couldn’t have that on my conscience.

“We have an entire guild of assassins,” Camryn said.

“Who are prohibited from killing on Fairhaven soil,” I reminded her. “I’ll not have the rules changed when it’s convenient for me.”

“We can still play defense,” Gun countered. “Accidental deaths…” He offered a nonchalant shrug. “They happen.”

“You’re the last one who should be saying that right now,” Camryn said in a harsh whisper.

Kane cleared his throat. “Lorelei has made her decision. This meeting is a courtesy, not an invitation to argue.”

Gun raised his head to look at me. “Isn’t there a chanceyour corporate buddies will use one of us as bait to draw you out?” Camryn stamped on his foot, prompting a scowl from Gun. “What? I’m only stating the obvious. If the whole point of fleeing is to protect us, it’s worth exploring the holes in that argument.”

Camryn groaned. “Gods, I hate Pragmatic Gun.”

“You won’t hate me when some goon from The Corporation turns up on your doorstep with a screwdriver and a warped sense of fun.”

“They won’t want to draw me out of the underworld,” I said. “They want me on the throne. They told me as much when I was in Paradise.” And if I’d just agreed to their terms, Unas wouldn’t have happened.”

Chief Garcia’s brows pinched together. “Why do they want you to rule?”

“They basically want puppet governments in all the realms. They planned to send me there with a shock collar and a list of requirements.”

“But if you’re going of your own volition and without their collar, how does that serve them?” the chief pressed.

“It doesn’t, but it keeps you all safe.”

“Won’t they just follow you there?” Leo asked.

“I expect them to try, but it’s much harder for them to infiltrate underworlds. That’s why they had to lure Anubis out of the Duat to capture him.”

“What about the crossroads?” Chief Garcia asked. “We still get the occasional roaming monster, and it isn’t like we have a large population of gods to pull from.”

West’s eyes locked on hers. “We’ve got this, Elena. Between the pack and local law enforcement, we can handle whatever comes through.”

“Can we put this to a vote?” Camryn looked around at the others. “Because I vote no.”

I shook my head. “This isn’t the guild. My decisions are my own.”

The muscle in Kane’s cheek twitched. “And with that, I think we should call an end to the meeting. Thank you all for coming.”

Nobody moved.

“You heard him.” Josie clapped her hands and urged the visitors to leave.

Kane gave her a pointed look. “You, too, Josephine.”

The vampire pursed her lips. “Can I hang around?”

“I’d prefer that you check on the club. Make sure Alessandro hasn’t made a mess of it.”

“When will you leave?” Gun asked.

“At first light.” I’d wait until tonight to send a crow with a message to The Corporation, making them aware of my decision. I hoped it would be enough.

West gave my hand a firm shake. “Then I’ll see you at the crossroads at daybreak.”

After more hugs and heartfelt exchanges than I’d ever experienced in a compressed timeframe, my visitors filed out the door in a single-file line.

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