Page 28 of Protection of the Pack

‘And he killed opponents?’

‘So I hear,’ Archie said soberly. ‘I never saw Mark fight, though he invited me to go with him to a black tourney and I went. It was during my … rebellious phase. I never told my father.’ His mouth turned down. ‘I regret that now. Dad would have kicked Mark out of the pack faster than you can say “loner”.’

I’d heard of loners. Lord Samuel had warned me early on what happened to werewolves who didn’t toe the pack line. Loners are wolves who’ve been exiled from their pack. Without pack protection, they don’t tend to last long in the Other and there are few repercussions if an unaffiliated wolf is killed, even with the Connection in place. Rumour has it that vampyrs still get together to hunt loners. Human hunting would be strictly punished, but lone-wolf hunting … the Connection turns a blind eye.

‘Anyone else in our pack go the tourneys?’

‘Not that I know of,’ Archie said, but he looked down and away evasively.

Before I could call him on it, there was a knock on the door and Ace Beckett popped his head round with an engaging smile. ‘Just wanted to check what time the hunt is,’ he said lightly. ‘I wouldn’t want to miss it.’

His eyes swept the office casually, but I couldn’t help feeling he was noting the windows and exits. His eyes lingered for too long on my filing cabinet and I made a note to ensure it was locked before I left the room.

Ace looked curiously at Archie and quirked an eyebrow at me. I ignored his unspoken enquiry; it was none of his business what I was discussing with Archie.

‘We’ll gather at 7pm,’ I said firmly.

‘Great. I’ll spread the word. We’ll be ready.’

‘Wonderful. I’ll see you later.’ I dismissed him and his eyes narrowed; he obviously wasn’t used to being sent away. He managed to dredge up a tight smile, turned on his heel and left, shutting the heavy door behind him. I was making friends everywhere I went these days.

Archie stood. ‘I’d better go,’ he muttered. ‘I’m going to Rosie’s to get a quick recharge before the hunt.’

‘Take someone with you. And Archie – we’re not done yet.’

He looked at me and looked away again. ‘I don’t know anything else. You’ll have to ask the others.’ He walked out without a backward glance.

I may be barking up the wrong tree, but I think young Archie knows more than he’s saying.

There was a heavy pause.Why would you bark at a tree?

I paused, flummoxed.It means I may be mistaken.

You would be mistaken if you barked at a tree,Esme muttered.Clearly you’d have had too much sun as a pup.

I didn’t touch that.I think Archie knows more than he’s telling us,I tried to explain.

Well, let’s pin him down until he tells us what he knows. If he doesn’t, we’ll rip his throat out.

That can be Plan B.

What’s Plan A?

We’ll watch him and see if he gives anything away.

We stalk him before we attack,she said in apparent understanding.

Something like that,I agreed. Sometimes conversing with Esme was like trying to work out a Rubik’s cube whilst wearing a blindfold.

Chapter 12

Igotatextfrom Jess:Joyce Evergreen is free to meet with you anytime. This afternoon if that works.

I answered in the affirmative and Jinx sent me the address of her dryad friend. I grabbed my car keys from my desk drawer and headed out. Maybe informal enquiries with the dryads would help clarify a few matters and cross one issue off my Mark list. I was killing this detective shit.

Joyce lived in a well-to-do area known as Gerrards Cross. The houses came with a million-pound price tag and offered an easy commute into London. Joyce’s was part of an estate; each house was the same and each house looked well-kept and clean. Lawns were mowed and their bushes well-tended. I snickered. Juvenile, I know.

What is amusing about cutting hedges?

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