Page 59 of Under a Wicked Moon
“They’re not wolves,” she muttered. “They’re also notyours.”
Slate said, “You’ve been imprisoned for God knows how long and likely indoctrinated into whatever training they’ve been doing at those facilities. Don’t give me the raised eyebrows, Roman. I’m intelligence, and I know everything.”
He might know things, but he was human. Sociopathic, sure. Narcissistic as well, yes. But he wasn’t superior to them. Ky wondered if he had the same technology that was in the prisons, the earpieces that prevented the brothers from successfully using voice coercion. Why not test it?
Ky smoothed out his voice, trying it out. “Why are we here?”
Slate frowned but didn’t rush to answer, as he should’ve if compelled by the voice coercion.
It hadn’t worked. To resist coercion meant either he wasn’t human—unlikely—or he had the earpiece tech. Ky darted a glance at Roman whose face remained impassive, but his shoulder muscles tensed.
Roman asked. “Since you’re obviously aware of those facilities and our retrieval of Ky, can you explain to me which of you two idiots came up with the brilliant plan to release the Curmsun Disc into the world again?”
“What?” Gerard seemed surprised, but it didn’t come off as genuine as it should have. “It’s locked away.” He shook his head. “I didn’t…”
“Do you know what it does, Slate? You know what’s required to stop it?” Roman cast a glance between each human.
“We no longer need these guys. I should have all three of you executed right here,” Slate said.
Roman chuckled, low, dark, and scary. “You think a couple of brainwashed lycans who are little better than bulked-up bodyguards can deal with the disc? You think you have it all figured out, huh?” He flashed his terrifying smile. “You’re delusional, Slate.”
Ky compressed his lips against a smile. “He doesn’t know what we actually do, does he, Gerard? Does he think we’re just lycans?”
For a brief instant, insecurity flashed in Slate’s eyes.
“You need magic to stop the disc,” Roman said. “You do know that lycans are against magic, right? That they forbid it and have done so for almost two centuries? That means ninety-nine percent of living lycans know nothing about it. They won’t be able to find or convince a witch to help you and possibly give up her life to contain that disc again. Hell, I’m not even sure if there are any witches left in the world who could pull it off, since the last one incinerated herself to help us. She believed so much in containing the disc that she gave her life. It’s that bad.”
“You think all we have are lycans?” Slate blurted.
Gotcha. Proof of involvement.
Hold on a sec. They’d captured other nonhumans? They controlled others? What kind?
Roman pointed a finger at Gerard. “You fucked up. Big time. You have one job. One. That’s to keep those items safe and not let assholes like that one”—he pointed at Slate—“use you to make the world worse.Hehas become a paranormal terrorist.Heis the one who threatens all of us. And now, undoubtedly, he’s going to use all in his power to try to destroy us, since we may be the only ones who can stop him.”
Slate’s face flickered with irritation. “You’ve been replaced…upgraded.”
“Does that mean the king is rescinding the curse? Are you free to be his representative and speak for him?” Roman asked it without an ounce of emotion, because they already knew the answer was a resounding no to both questions. They were the ultimate weapon, older and more skilled than any other lycan in existence. To own that power was something no monarch would ever relinquish. It kept the Crown one inch of power above the government, even above this slick asshole who thought he understood the world. Roman held up his wrist, banded by the curse’s tattoo. “Or maybe you have the power to free us, Gerard?”
Gerard seemed to turn inward and remained silent.
“Do it,” Roman said. “Let us go. Do you think we want anything to do with going after the disc again or those brainwashed lycans? Do you think we give two fucks about you or your plans? Go, destroy the world for all we care. We would gladly disappear and leave you humans to try to clean up your own messes. We do this shit only because of this goddamned curse.”
That was a lie but worth discovering if they’d be freed. Keeping the world safe was in their core, and they would always fight for those who couldn’t. Going after the disc was inevitable, even if it was a pain in the ass.
Slate’s mouth scrunched into a sour line. “His Majesty likes the thought of owning you.”
“You can’t do it? You don’t speak for him.” Roman shrugged. “Figured you’re still a peon.”
“Gerard, leave us.” Slate pointed at the elevator.
Interesting.
“Sir, my job is to know exactly what’s going on with them at all times while they’re in the UK. With all due respect, I can’t leave.” Gerard held his ground. Good for him, even though he was about to get kicked out.
“You report to me. I will replace you if you don’t follow orders.” Slate made a shooing motion with his hand to encourage Gerard to get moving.
“The king won’t replace me. You promised—”
