Page 100 of Rogue Wolf

“What if I said I’d let him go and let you touch the opal?”

“I’d say get your damn story straight,” she said.

“Tamaska…go…”

She ignored Kodiak, even though it hurt him. But Amdis was throwing everything out to see what stuck, what would bring her close. He’d gone from taunting Kodiak, to taunting her, to arguing and then flipping the script and claiming Kodiak was the one he wanted.

Maybe time was running out or he was getting impatient. But they were at a weird stand off so she pushed her questions.

“How do you plan to do that?” she asked. “I thought you’d already improved their lives after using it to help them tolerate sunlight.”

He jerked a little at that. It had only been a guess, but if she’d hit on a truth, maybe that meant her other theory was also correct, that he wanted to use the Blood Opal to turn her into an out-of-control wolf shifter and hunt down the Shadow Pack.

Maybe that’s why he needed her to touch him. It would make their bond strong and her psychosis worse…

“If only you’d seen what we did to your friend, and all the others who have come here searching for something beyond their reach. Instead, they’ve found us. They’ve discovered a new way of life. And, what can I say? We’re hungry for them and their blood.’

“So, what? You bleed out a human, and infuse the blood with the Blood Opal’s energy, then have one of your vampires drink it?

Is that going to happen to me? She shivered involuntarily.

“Ahhh, Kodiak, I see why you like this one. She’s a clever one. She’s worked it all out,” said Amdis.

“Stay away from her,” Kodiak said.

Amdis chuckled, a nasty sound. “It’s late for that.”

“Can I see it?” Tamaska asked, her heart pounding loud and clear. A dangerous, half-baked plan started to form.

“I hear that a lot, so you must be more specific. But it’s good to know you’ve got eyes for me, as we will be the winning side. As you know.”

“The Blood Opal.” She looked at him. “Please?”

Amdis couldn’t help himself. He reached inside his jacket pocket, drew out the Blood Opal, and held it up for her to see.

Even the room’s dim light was enough to catch the polished surface of the gem, reflecting its beauty. Tamaska’s breath caught in her throat. Such a stunning gem was worth well beyond seven figures.

If she touched him, then it would be bad, it seemed, but if she got him to do it, then…then maybe…

“Give it to me,” she said.

He shook his head. “Come and get it.”

It was time for it to return to her family. Better yet, to return to her—for good.

She held out her hand.

CHAPTER 26

Tamaska

She brought her hand up, right up, opened palm.

“Tamaska, no.”

She ignored Kodiak and put on a dreamy little smile, like she’d given in to the manipulations Amdis was trying to do to her.

He brought the opal down. Not quite touching.

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