Page 21 of Fire Touched

Maybe this was a bad idea. I turn to leave when the alpha’s booming voice startles me. ‘Come in, would you?’

Damn it. I push open the interior door and smooth my features. ‘Sorry, I was—’

‘Wondering if you should speak to me?’ Verron speculates. He nods, long beard dusting his desk. ‘It’s the mark of a good man—or woman—when they worry how their actions might affect others. It’s something leaders struggle with all the time.’ He waves me in. Feeling settled by his words, I draw further into the room. He gestures to one of the chairs before him. ‘Good,’ he clarifies, ‘but indecision in a leader can get wolves killed as well as a bite or a blade.’

I swallow. He has a way of making me nervous, I’ll give him that. All ideas of what to say have vanished from my mind.

He looks down at me, and for the first time in a long time, I actually feel small. ‘It seems your mate is more than she first appears. She’s of wolf and witch.’ Not a question.

‘Yes, she is.’ No point hiding it.

Verron nods thoughtfully. ‘A hybrid. Very intriguing. She could be quite powerful indeed. Can she control it?’

I refrain from saying, No, not really. In fact, she might accidently set your territory on fire, but she means well. ‘I’ve been teaching her,’ I say instead.

He doesn’t miss my dodge. ‘I see.’ He looks me over. ‘Why did you come to speak to me, Killian?’ His words are oddly soft, as though he wants to encourage a truthful answer.

I decide to provide just that. ‘I thought… I should come and thank you. For letting us stay. I know that decision wasn’t easy or uncomplicated.’

Verron inclines his head. Polite, but unsatisfied. ‘Go on.’

I huff a sigh. ‘I wondered if… we could be allies. I see no reason for Earth and Fire to be at odds.’

At that, though the rest of his face remains calm, anger lights his eyes. ‘Your father and I… There’s bad blood. Betrayal. What makes you think I’d be interested in an alliance?’

‘Because isn’t it better to have friends than enemies?’

Verron snorts. ‘Does this come from you, or your father?’

‘Me.’

‘Hmm.’ He raps the table, aggravated. ‘I think perhaps you just want someone to look after you and your band of young wayward wolves. You’ve already brought death and destruction down on us.’

I grit my teeth. So much for welcoming us. I close my eyes for a moment. Then open them. ‘You want to be allies with me. With my wayward wolves, for the same reason the first thing you asked about was Katherine’s powers. In an alliance, her powers, unrivalled in potential, could be yours. We would be friends. Fight with each other. You saw her yesterday. She took Julian down by herself.’

‘Unrivalled,’ he mutters dryly. ‘Indeed. She nearly got a blade to the chest for her trouble.’

I get to my feet, hands flat on his desk. ‘But she didn’t,’ I press. I can see it in his eyes, now. That curiosity, burning for whatever he thinks he’ll find in Katherine. Oh, I might offer an alliance, but not her. No, this is just to see how he reacts. He’ll never use her, get near her. No one will.

Verron chuckles without humour, a puff of air. ‘You think you’re clever, don’t you?’

I lean back and offer a smile. ‘I came here to thank you and ask for an alliance. That is all.’

At that moment, Prescott knocks—without waiting for an answer—and walks in. He pauses when he sees me. ‘Oh. Killian. I’m sorry, I didn’t realise you were here.’ He takes one look between us and pauses. ‘Everything okay, alpha?’

Verron shakes his head, exasperated. ‘You know, you might have a better head on your shoulders than your father, boy, but that doesn’t mean you know anything about leading.’

‘You’re right. All I have is love for my mate, and loyalty to my friends.’

Prescott smiles at that. ‘Pure of intent, if I’ve ever heard it.’ The Second pats my shoulder. ‘I just came from your guesthouse. Your mate is awake and wondering where you are, Killian. Oh,’ he adds, ‘and if you ask me, you should meet Elga.’

‘Who’s that?’

‘Our High Priestess. Katherine has already made her acquaintance. Actually, she’s rather taken with the young lady. I believe she can help Katherine with her powers. She knows to how to teach control.’

For a moment, hurt passes through me—that Katherine might need someone other than me to help her. Then I smile. I would be thrilled to meet someone else up to the task. ‘Where do I find her?’

‘Oh, you don’t. Elga finds you.’ Prescott smiles unnervingly.

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