Page 334 of Primal Bonds

Adric fingered the smartphone. Durable and waterproof, one side of the quartz had been ground down to mirror-smoothness so the user could access the technology. “You’ll be able to make enough for every adult in the clan?”

“Absolutely. With enough left over to start selling them to other clans.”

“Impressive.” Adric included the entire team in his nod of approval. “Keep up the good work.”

Zuri and Marjani arrived as the meeting broke up. The four of them climbed down the ladder to the war room, a chamber carved out of the bedrock that had been magically soundproofed so they could speak freely, even refer to the fae by name.

They took seats around the round table that Adric had carved himself from a massive slab of granite. He looked around at his three remaining lieutenants. “You know why you’re here. Dion do Rio came looking for me last night, seriously pissed off. A wolf trespassed on his territory—a large brown wolf.”

“Luc.” Marjani’s face remained expressionless, but Adric scented her distress. She’d probably always feel guilty that Luc had accepted Blaer’s geas to save her.

The wolf had loved her since they were both teenagers. The problem was, she’d never felt the same way.

Adric nodded grimly. “That’s my guess. And if he’s here, then so’s Lady Blaer.”

“But why would she send him to Rock Run?” his sister asked.

Zuri’s jaw hardened. “To piss off both clans, of course. If she’s really lucky, she’ll set off a war between us and Rock Run.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time a night fae tried that,” Jace muttered.

Adric exhaled and came to his feet. He felt like he was banishing Luc all over again, but Zuri was right. His lieutenants needed to know the full story about what had happened in Delaware.

“What I say next doesn’t leave this room.” He waited until the other three nodded before continuing, “It was Luc who tracked me to Lewes. He brought Blaer and another fae—a male—straight to the B&B. They came in after midnight and tore the place apart. It was sheer luck that I got out of there with my hide intact. And Rosana do Rio, too. You may as well know she was with me.”

Marjani drew a sharp breath.

“Yeah,” Adric said. “He’s not to be trusted. He’s completely under that fae bitch’s control. We have to consider him one of them.”

Zuri’s dark brows lowered. “Fuck, Ric. You should’ve told us this immediately.”

“Maybe. But there was a minute, right at the end. Luc and the fae were in the parking lot, and I was on the other side of the fence. I know Luc scented me. He could’ve fingered me then, but he didn’t.” Adric lifted his shoulders, let them drop. “I didn’t want the whole clan to know.”

Zuri swore. “He knows everything we do. The location of our dens, the Factory. Our secret tunnels. He even knows about this room.”

“He can’t get through the ward,” Adric said. “Any of our wards. I made sure of that when I expelled him from the clan. But—"

“—he could bring Blaer to the Factory,” Marjani said. “Or even your den. He might not be able to bring her inside, but all they have to do is wait outside for you to show up. And Blaer knows the secret incantation. If she gets close enough, she doesn’t even have to force you to accept her geas. She can control you through your quartz.”

Adric growled. “Let her fucking try. I was this close to her.” He held up his index finger and thumb, the pads almost touching. “This close. But I had to let her go. Luc would’ve fought me and given her time to ’port out. And I would’ve had to kill him.”

“Plus, you had Rosana to think about,” said Marjani. “You did the only thing you could. But you can’t let Blaer get that close again.” She toyed with the smooth ivory handle of one of her daggers.

None of them paid it any mind. Marjani’s blades were as much a part of her as her claws.

She scowled. “I don’t like this. You have to increase your security.”

“Jani. I can take care of myself.”

By tomorrow, it wouldn’t matter anyway. He’d be on his way to Virginia. But no one—especially his sister—could know that.

A small whetstone appeared in Marjani’s other hand. She began sharpening the already keen-edged iron blade. “We could buy you a protection charm.”

“We don’t have the money, and you know it.”

“But—”

“No. The best defense is to eliminate the threat.”

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