Page 20 of Jace's Mate
She didn’t smell like spice.
Andspice—gods help him—was now the only scent that could satisfy the beast pacing inside him.
“I assume the veil is in place?”Jace asked, voice low.
Sorcia responded with a subtle shake of her head and closed her eyes.Lifting both hands, she whispered something to the air.A ripple passed through the room, and Jace felt it a moment later—the bubble of magic settling around them like a second skin.
She inhaled deeply, then tilted her head back and exhaled slowly.When her green eyes opened, they glittered.“Now we can talk.”The orb in the center of the table wiggled slightly, then settled down to almost stillness.
Viktor leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, impatience radiating from him.His dark hair gleamed under the dome of magic, his gaze hard.
“What’s going on?”he demanded.“You said you needed repair recommendations.We dropped everything to meet here.What’s so urgent?”
“My pack is under attack,” Jace replied, skipping the usual pleasantries.They didn’t have time—and besides, if anyone outside their triad and confidants discovered this alliance, there’d be hell to pay.
And not just political hell.
This threat wasn’t isolated.It feltbigger.
More insidious.
He studied both of them carefully.“Have either of you noticed anything unusual in your territories?”
Viktor’s jaw flexed.“Yes.Two humans were killed last week.The police are baffled.”
Jace’s brow lifted.
“Because of the condition of the bodies, the police are concerned,” Viktor clarified.“Law enforcement thinks it’s either a wild animal or a serial killer.But I’ve seen this before.Irecognizethe signs.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t someone from your clan?”Sorcia asked quietly.
Viktor ran a hand through his hair, frustration simmering.“No.I’m not sure.”
He sat back stiffly, fists clenched, the lines of his face tight with restrained fury.Vampires didn’t sweat—but Jace could practicallysmellthe tension coming off him.
“It’s possible,” Viktor admitted.“It could be a traitor within my ranks.But I’ll find them.And I’ll stop this.”
His voice dropped.“I just don’tthinkit’s one of mine.My people are thriving.We’ve got brokers managing investments, keeping everything running smooth.Everyone’s working for the good of the clan.I know of no reason anyone would want to shake up the status quo.”
“I agree,” Jace replied.“My pack numbers are growing.Thanks to your investment advice, we have more than enough funds.Everyone has a solid home and a job they enjoy.We take care of our own.”He exhaled slowly.“We’ve had rogues now and then, but nothing serious.No recent complaints…until one of my betas reported catching the scent of rogues nearby.”He paused, then explained, “Normally, rogues aren’t an issue.We find them, talk to them, discover if they need help or are just passing through.”His jaw tightened for a moment, then he leaned forward, “There’s something different about these scents.Plus, we can’t find them for some reason.That, plus the attacks on ships and business, make me think that something bigger is in the works.”
Both turned to Sorcia.
She nodded once, sharply.“I’ve felt it too.A disturbance.”Her voice was tight, eyes wary and the orb on the table vibrated slightly before settling again.“It’s powerful—and unfamiliar.But I know the magic of every witch in my coven.I can feel them, track them.None of them are using anything like what I’m sensing.”She hesitated.“Still…the sphaera is rippling.”She jerked her chin towards the orb.“So’s she.”
Jace gave a short nod.From what he’d pieced together, thesphaerawas some kind of atmospheric current, a river of magical energy that witches could read like wind patterns.Sorcia had once explained it as the magical version of how he could sense his pack—through scent, through air, through instinct.But this… this felt wrong.
“It’s dark,” she continued.“Dangerous.And no, no one’s been hurt—yet.But something is stirring.”
“Who do you think is behind the attacks?”Viktor asked, turning to Jace.
Jace shook his head.“I don’t know.”He stood, the tension vibrating through him as he paced the cramped space inside the magical dome.“But I have another problem, and I don’t know if it’s connected.If it is…” He dragged a hand down his face.“Then I’m in deeper trouble than I thought I was thirty minutes ago.”
Both of his allies sat up straighter.
“What’s going on?”Sorcia asked, voice crisp with concern.The orb, apparently loving gossip as much as anyone else, went very still.
Jace hesitated.“On the way in, I caught a scent.”The memory hit again—hard.His blood heated.His muscles tensed.Thatscent.He forced himself to breathe through it.
