Page 65 of Savage Blood
I didn’t have to say a word for him to know what I was thinking. A sour taste coated the back of my tongue. We were still so in tune with each other.
Would that ever go away?
Probably not.
“I think it’s time I told them the truth,”I said into his mind.
Fane gripped my chin and forced me to meet his mismatched irises, the burn of his touch a hundred times more potent than Saint’s. “You know the risks, Teague. If you tell them, other demons could find out and attempt to take the amulet from Barric.”
A bitter laugh slipped out, and I covered it up with a cough, grabbing my water to sip it.“Barric is pretty much untouchable right now. His hideout is completely inaccessible to anyone outside of his psychotic Collective Nosterium—and me.”
“That doesn’t mean a worse creature, maybe a royal demon, can’t kill him and steal it when he leaves the manor,” Fane said. “He can’t stay there forever.”
I set my water down before my trembling hand could drop the glass.“With the other members protecting him, Roman’s magic, and the Infernal Sol, I’d say Barric is a serious threat. There aren’t many who could take him right now.”
And yet,Iwas supposed to.
Seeing the resolve in my expression, Fane hopped off the table and directed his snarl at me. “Don’t tell them about the Admordum Nexia Covenant. Knowing how close they might come to having a third of their species wiped out in one shot will only create panic.”
Although I hated to admit it, Fane was right.
“They’re drawings of the Infernal Sol,” I blurted, catching everyone’s attention. “It’s a powerful demon amulet that Barric has in his possession.”
Saint’s eyes widened as he realized my intent, but he squeezed my leg in encouragement. “I’m right here with you,” he whispered.
Fane mumbled a few insults at the young shifter before backing up and leaning against the tan wall, practically pouting.
Again, the big idiot shouldn’t have betrayed me.
“The amulet is hiding The Collective Nosterium, and it’s the reason they’re becoming unhinged—demonic, even.” When we first returned from the Underworld, I’d told the pack about the rituals and grotesque creatures the members transformed into. “That amulet is protecting Barric and making him nearly unstoppable.”
“How long have you known about this amulet?” Ari asked, his shoulders swelling as he sat taller in his seat.
“A while.” I stopped picking at the chocolate chip cookie and wiped my fingers on the napkin. “Coltrane has been seeking it for years, way before Barric even knew it existed.”
Camus laced his fingers together on the table, his knuckles showing white as he tried to keep his composure. He knew there was a lot more to the story. “What does all of this have to do with you? Why would Captain Coltrane be so obsessed with you?”
I choked back my anxiety and pushed forward.Just rip the fucking Band-Aid off.“Because before Barric had it, the Infernal Sol was mine.”
No one spoke as I purged my secrets all over the council meeting room, but the tension thickened with every word that dropped from my mouth. Saint released my knee and gripped my hand, giving me the courage to continue.
Fane remained posted on the wall, but his energy crackled around me, giving me his strength.
I really wanted to shove it back at him.
And also thank him for it.
“So that’s why I’m apparently the only person who can getthe damn thing off him,” I said before taking a shaky breath. “But I have to try to heal from the remaining piece poisoning me.”
The silence was unbearable as everyone let the information sink in. Fane wasn’t why I’d been super powerful and dangerous. The demon amulet was.
Did they think I was nothing now? Just an ordinary bitten shifter who wasn’t strong enough to save Hawk or defeat Barric?
“Don’t think like that,” Fane said. “Youarestrong enough.”
“Not right now.”
Camus slammed his fist against the table, rattling everyone’s drinks. “You knew this whole time what was happening with Barric’s inner circle and you kept it a secret? You knew what was wrong with my mate?”
