Page 72 of Fae Devoted
“And who should be permanently removed from the playing board,” Anand said, a predatory gleam in his eyes.
“This is not a game.” Samuel’s tone was sharp, a low-pitched rumble increasing in volume in his chest. “The life of my Ca’anam is in grave danger and not just from the Elven Lord. Every perceived friend will become a potential foe once we reveal what Abby’s magic can do. Many of the leaders we contact will be foolish enough to believe eliminating my female will end the threat to our people the Fae represents, too short-sighted to realize it will merely postpone it.”
“If we have discerned anything about this particular Fae,” the queen said, “it is that his patience is infinite and his arrogance boundless. Lord Daimhín believes he is a god, and we should all kneel at his feet in worship. He will not stop until he rules over Earth’s realm once again.”
“Or we kill him,” Samuel stated, the gaze of his wolf fixed on the king.
“Or we kill him.” Remington’s own beast glittered in his eyes.
“I think we should adjourn for the rest of the day and meet again later tonight,” Lydia said into the ensuing silence. “We could all use the rest.”
After Tucker joined Samuel, they flew to the airport nearest Sault Ste. Marie then drove the short distance to the small tourist town and arrived at Remington’s building complex well before midnight; the sole land designated sovereign for the Fae Touched in Michigan was inside Detroit’s City Limits. It was now almost noon. And the phantom weight of so much iron ore in the vicinity seemed to be wearing on the queen.
“Perhaps we can persuade Patriarch DuPont to join us for this evening’s discussion?” Lady Rose smoothed the fabric of her pencil skirt over her knees.
“I was about to propose the exact same thing,” Lydia said. “Do you know Julien well then, milady?”
“Casual acquaintances.” She twisted her wide gold bracelet, placing it just so on her wrist.
“Yet, you’ve asked me to include the most powerful vampire in the ENC in a crucial meeting that may decide the fate of our world without first consulting hisking.” Remington lounged in his leather chair, one palm resting on his thigh, the other planted on the mahogany table, fingers drumming on the polished surface. “Care to explain why you’re willing to entrust a Dádhe you claim to barely know with this dangerous information?”
“He has been accommodating in helping one of my people find,” Lady Rose said, meeting the king’s gaze without blinking, “one of their people.”
Remington stared back, fingers tapping a slow rhythm.
The queen lifted a single eyebrow, offering no further explanation.
The king’s focus left the close-lipped vampire, swinging to Tucker. “Where is your she-wolf, beta? She wasn’t on the plane from Memphis, but then neither were you.”
Tucker maintained his relaxed stance by strength of will and nothing else.
“Did you think I wouldn’t hear about a pretty redheaded female searching for her mate in my territory? One who met with Mater Russo three nights ago along with a large Ferwyn male who fits your description?” Remington’s nostrils flared. “Or recognize the scent of a Clan Walker she-wolf on you? Tell me, Beta Tucker. Are you Dancing?”
“You left your female?” Anand’s lip curled.
“She is protected.” Tucker’s guttural reply rang hollow in his ears. He’d stranded Jo in the middle of nowhere and then closed off their bond. And he’d done it without discussing it with her first.
“I apologize for my beta’s…circumvention of protocol, but finding Jeremiah was something that couldn’t wait on bureaucratic paperwork. Clan Walker is willing to pay the standard bounty for the unavoidable insult,” Samuel offered while Tucker’s control slipped another notch, arms dropping to his sides and hands fisting.
“You’ll pay double the normal fee.” The king’s tone flat and final.
“Done.”
“Tell me where your she-wolf is, and I’ll send the Guard to pick her up.” Anand’s superior tone chafed like a sandblaster on raw skin.
Like hell you will.
“Wait.” Ethan rubbed his clean-shaven jaw. “Maybe it’d be better if Joh—Lieutenant Tucker’s female stays off the grid for a while longer. The odds the Fae is lurking in this area are small, but what about the Athair?”
“From what you’ve told us, they were after Beta Tucker…not a harmless she-wolf.” Anand spoke again. “And the pack would know if rogue vampires were in town.”
“That still leaves the local Untouched and Anwyll Colony, if—”
“Do not be a jobbernowl.” Lady Rose glowered at the young witch.
“A jobber…what?”
“Our girl may not be a trained warrior, but she is smart and resourceful, Ethan. I realize you do not know her well, but it is an insult to imply she cannot take care of herself. Have you forgotten Chess?”
