Page 42 of Her Eternal Mate

“Fine,” Will said, calming down a bit. He headed to his home. As I followed him, I realized that the pattern he had mentioned earlier was right. Whenever we left Fiddler’s Green for some vacation time, something terrible happened in our absence. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was fate’s way of telling us that we belonged perpetually in Fiddler’s Green. Could fate be so cruel as to condemn me to a place I yearned to escape?

“Do you know a way to get in touch with the Clandestine Order?” I asked once we were inside the house.

“Yes. I have Rogelio’s phone number,” Will said, taking out his phone.

“That snarky emissary?” I asked.

“Yeah. Do you want to talk to him? I’m feeling all hotheaded right now. I’m not sure if it would be very wise if I talked to him. I’d end up screaming at him or something like that,” Will said, handing me the phone.

“Fine. You just rest. Go into the bedroom and lie down. I’ll make you something to eat. Don’t worry, Will. We’re all here with you.”

He went into the bedroom and closed the door behind him. I wanted to find out what was going on in his head and even contemplated using our bond to prod around in his mind, but that felt like an invasion of his privacy. Instead, I dialed Rogelio’s number.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Wilhelm Grimm,” Rogelio said, picking up immediately after the first ring.

“It isn’t, as a matter of fact,” I said. “I’m his mate, Alexis Richards.”

“That’s strange. Why are you contacting me on his phone?”

“Because we have something to show you. Something that concerns the Clandestine Order. Will you come by?” I asked.

“Miss Richards, I am not one to make house calls like a delivery boy. I am a very busy person employed by the Clandestine Order, and as such, have several responsibilities,” Rogelio said.

“Yeah, yeah, I get how important you are, man. Just come down here? Otherwise, your bosses will be pissed that you let something this big fly under your radar,” I said.

“What is it?”

“Werewolves. We were attacked by more than a dozen werewolves. And we have their bodies to show for it. I’d appreciate it if you came down and analyzed this situation on your own. Because if we take the matter into our hands, you and your precious bosses will get your panties in a bunch,” I said.

“Mind how you talk about the Clandestine Order, Miss Richards. You are bordering on blasphemy,” Rogelio said.

“Are you coming or what?”

There was a long pause on the phone, after which Rogelio finally said, “I’ll be there in a few hours.”

As I waited for Rogelio to arrive, I thought it best to leave Will alone for some time. I understood what he was going through. In his way, he was blaming himself right now for all this. He thought that if he hadn’t allowed himself to be captured by Edward Beckett, none of this would have happened. He needed to rationalize his thoughts for some time.

If he would calm down, I’d finally tell him that Maliha had given me Blair’s location. Maybe then we could go there and confront him together.

***

Rogelio arrived exactly five hours later. He came in a Rolls Royce, unlike last time. As he got out of his car, he took his sweet time looking around and being ceremonious.

Will was in a hurry to take him to the stables.

“Come. Follow me,” Will said, leading him to the stables.

“What? And no manners? Will I not be even offered something to drink?” Rogelio said, scoffing loudly to show his disdain.

“You can drink all the wine you want after I’ve shown you what I need to show you,” Will said sternly.

“My, my, what a temper on this one,” Rogelio said, looking at me. Today, he was wearing a beige assortment of clothes. He had even matched his cane with his coat and boots. Now more than ever, he looked like a character out of some high-fantasy anime.

“Let’s not concern ourselves with Will’s temper right now. We have much more important things to discuss,” I said, scoffing back at him.

When at last, we were at the stables, Will waved his hand and pointed at the pile of corpses.

“What am I supposed to be looking at?” Rogelio asked, taking off his spectacles.

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