Chapter 18
Chapter
Eighteen
“Slow down,” I say at the same time Theo asks, “What do you mean?”
Delphi lets out a ragged breath. “Two kids from our pack overdosed today and the pack is demanding justice. Most still believe Xavier is bringing the drugs into the city.”
“I told you he wasn’t,” I rush out and she just shakes her head.
“Another kid swears they got these drugs from a vampire.”
“Oh my,” Mabel exclaims. “We wouldn’t do that. We like this city.”
“Look, I don’t care what is true at this point,” Delphi says. “You have to come with me and convince them or else this won’t end well.”
“For you,” Theo adds pointedly.
“I know,” Delphi says, and the look in her eyes is all I need to know she’s aware the Malus family would rip her pack to shreds.
Xavier, Theo, and Zeke are the oldest vampires in the area and are a formidable group to go up against on their own.
Factor in the other vampires Xavier has made over the years, plus there is a large vampire population in the area who is loyal to the Malus family.
“What can I do to help?” I ask.
“You convinced the Crown Alpha before, you can do it again,” Delphi says. “I think she still believes you, but the pack needs to hear it. They won’t strike unless the order is given and our alpha cannot appear weak.”
“How did you know we were here?” Theo asks.
“Mabel posted about coming here,” Delphi tells us. “And then went live from this location. I started driving as soon as I saw it.”
“Maybe you should go easy on the live videos for a while,” Zeke suggests softly. “That’s twice in a row someone found you from your social media.”
“It never was a problem before,” Mabel states innocently, but I don’t have time to feel bad about it. It’s not directly my fault, I know, but Larissa never would have even known who she was if it wasn’t for my involvement in the Malus family.
“We can worry about that later,” I say, also not caring that I’m pissing off Theo. He’s used to being in charge, but he’s never dealt with me before, and I was literally brought up to do this. Well, not exactly this. “What should I do?” I ask Delphi.
“Come with me, meet with our alpha, and talk to the pack. Tell them exactly what you told me and if anything, we can buy some time. I love my pack so I’ll admit what they are all too proud to admit.
Vampires are stronger and faster than wolves.
Even if we were evenly matched in number, we wouldn’t win a fight.
There are more vampires than wolves in Mecklenburg County. And…and I believe you.”
“Okay,” I say with a nod. “I’ll come with you.”
“No,” Theo replies and grabs my wrist. “Think about it, Wren: this could easily be a trap.”
“But it also couldn’t be. And I have a feeling I should go.”
“Come with me then,” Delphi says, sounding desperate. “Just, uh, stay in the car. I’m taking a risk here. I wouldn’t unless it was necessary.”
“Where are we going?”
“Crown Alpha is getting some of the elders together now at my house, and I’m not far. That’s how I was able to get here so fast,” she says and then looks at Theo. “I’m literally inviting you to my house, does that make you trust me?”
“No, it doesn’t,” Theo says shortly.
“I suppose that’s fair,” Delphi says back.
“It’s not like we can’t find where you live,” Zeke interjects.
“Also fair,” Delphi says. “We all know you have a big house about twenty-five minutes from downtown Charlotte in Davidson and it was custom-built to have light-tight windows. My ex-brother-in-law did construction on it, so I know.”
“That’s great and all,” Theo starts. “But it still doesn’t make me feel any better about quite literally throwing a member of my family to the wolves.”
Mabel elbows me and turns. “See, I told you he doesn’t hate you.”
I just smile and shake my head. “I’m going to go outside and call Xavier.”
“I’ll come with you,” Delphi says.
“So will I.” Theo smooths out his shirt and gets to his feet, motioning for me to go ahead of him.
I pull my phone from my purse as I walk outside, noticing for the first time that Delphi is barefoot.
We’re in town, and it’s a beautiful summer night.
There are a lot of people walking about.
I cross the street as I call Xavier, finding a quiet spot under a tree in the grassy area that divides the street.
“Wren,” he answers on the second ring. “Is everything all right?”
“TBD on that. How far are you from Huntersville?”
“Half an hour, what’s going on?”
“Are you somewhere safe to talk?” I ask, knowing any vampire around him would be able to hear our conversation.
“Yes. What is going on, Wren?”
“The wolves are mad. Delphi showed up at the bar and said two kids in their pack overdosed and died and supposedly a vampire sold them the drugs. They’re all mad and suspect you.
Larkin needs me to tell them what I told her last night to try and keep them from attacking.
I have a really strong feeling that I should go. ”
“Where are you going?”
“Delphi’s house. She said she’s nearby.”
“She is,” Xavier replies. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Do not go anywhere, Wren.”
“You said you’re half an hour away.”
“I’ll drive fast.”
“Don’t get in an accident.”
“I’ll survive,” he says.
“A human you hit won’t. What if we don’t have twenty minutes? I can do things on my own. I’m capable.”
“I know you are. This isn’t just about your safety.
It’s about politics. We need to be united.
It’s the whole reason I—” He cuts off, but I know what he was going to say, and the words make my heart skip a beat.
It’s the whole reason I married you. It’s not a surprise.
It’s a fact. Neither one of us knew each other at all when we signed those marriage papers.
As Theo pointed out, we haven’t known each other long, and the thought that maybe I’m falling for Xavier but he’s not falling for me terrifies me.
Having my heart broken again is scarier than any demon or any werewolf-vampire war. Logically, it doesn’t make sense. Yet it doesn’t cause the sting of rejection any less.
“Yeah, I get it,” I snap and let out a huff. “We need to keep up appearances because that’s all that matters.”
“Wren,” he says, deep voice rattling through the phone. “You know you matter to me. Right now, I need you to listen. I’m already on my way and will meet you at the entrance to the neighborhood.”
“Okay,” I say, not wanting to argue. “I’ll see you soon.
” I end the call and close my eyes for a few seconds, wishing I had one of my brothers here to discuss this with.
I hate being told what to do almost as much as I hate being underestimated.
While I understand the politics, it doesn’t make me like it.
Yes, this could end very badly for me. I can hold my own, but taking out a pack of wolves would be rather difficult, to say the least. But more than anything, I don’t want to waste time we might not have just so it doesn’t look like Xavier sent his wife to do his bidding.
If we make it out unscathed tonight, I will argue that dividing and conquering is just as powerful of a move as walking in together.
“What did my brother say?” Theo asks when I go back to the sidewalk where he, Zeke, Mabel and Delphi are standing.
“He wants me to wait so we can go together,” I answer.
“That’s a terrible idea,” Delphi says. “The pack already blames him. If he shows up, it’ll anger everyone even more. And they’re much less likely to believe anything you do with him next to you. He could have told you exactly what to say.”
“Witches can’t be held spellbound,” I tell her. “Which is probably something else I’d have to convince them of because judging by the look on your face that wasn’t common knowledge among other supes.”
“No, I had no idea. Cool. And unfair. Also, why?”
“I don’t know,” I answer with a shrug. “But I agree with you.”
“The pack will not meet with vampires,” Delphi says, looking at Theo.
“Wren is the best chance we have to keep things from escalating.” She brings her hands together, pleading.
“It wouldn’t stop at our pack. If we make a move against you, everyone in the coalition will know why.
Xavier will be blamed for breaking a rule he put into place. ”
“Zeke,” I say before Theo has a chance to respond. “Remember how you said you owe me?”
“Yeah,” he says, confused as to why I’m bringing this up.
“Consider this me cashing in that favor.” I raise my hand, fingers going to Theo’s forehead. “Somnum.” He fights against the sleeping spell for a couple of seconds, and my heart is in my throat. But then the magic takes over and he slowly collapses to the ground.
“Holy shit,” Delphi says.
“I didn’t know if that would work on a vampire,” I confess.
“Wren,” Mabel starts, shaking her head. “You better hurry. He’ll wake up soon.”
I meet her eyes, thankful she’s not trying to talk me out of it. If the color could drain out of Zeke’s face, it would. But he’s already dead and pale and is standing there, looking at Theo with shock on his face. Bending down, I get Theo’s keys from his pocket.
“You didn’t drive, did you?” I ask Delphi, eyeing her bare feet again.
“Nope. I shifted and ran.”
“With your dress on?” Mabel asks.
“I carried it.”
“Oh, interesting. Good luck, Wren. Please don’t die.”
“I won’t,” I promise Mabel. “I’m sorry I had to leave early.”
“Come on,” Delphi urges and we take off, hurrying to the SUV.
“You’re going to have to direct me.”
“Go straight and turn right at the next light.”
“Okay.” I press my foot on the gas, accelerating as fast as I can without getting pulled over.
“That spell was pretty badass. I’ve never met a witch before. There aren’t many in the area, probably because there are so many vampires. Or maybe they’re closer to New Orleans because it’s like a magical city?”
“I don’t really know,” I tell her. “The Order wasn’t too keen on letting me know more than I needed to about witches.”
“That’s so fucked up.”
“I know.” I inhale as I slow to a stop, glancing in the rearview mirror to see if Theo woke up yet. The thought of a seven hundred year old vampire racing after me is terrifying.
“Thanks for trusting me,” Delphi says somewhat awkwardly.
“My gut is telling me I should. And recently I’ve been trying to listen to it more.
” I tap my fingers on the steering wheel, waiting for the light to change.
I press on the gas as soon as it does, holding my breath as we make it down another block.
We’re out of the downtown area now and I risk going faster.
It doesn’t take long to get to Delphi’s neighborhood, and I’m taken aback when I pull up to a gate.
“Three-seven-four-two,” she tells me and I punch in a code.
“You didn’t strike me as the HOA kind,” I say, slowing as soon as we’re through the gate.
She shrugs. “I wasn’t. My ex-husband insisted we move here. Thankfully, I got the house in the divorce. He couldn’t have afforded it either. He’s a teacher and I’m a pediatrician.”
“Really?” I don’t mean to sound so surprised. “I wouldn’t have guessed that.”
“Not all werewolves are backwoods or poor, you know.”
“That’s not why,” I say and pull over. “You just look young.”
“Oh. It’s werewolf genes, I guess. I’m thirty-four. But, uh, why are you stopping?”
“I need to call Xavier.” I put the SUV in park and take in a steadying breath, getting my phone from my purse. He answers on the first ring this time. “Don’t be mad,” I start.
“So you’re going to do something that’ll make me mad?” he replies.
“Probably. Larkin only wants to meet with me. I cast a sleeping spell on Theo and I’m here. You sent me as a delegate or whatever because you know I can handle shit. You wouldn’t have married someone who couldn’t.”
“Wren, no. You could—”
“Please, trust me.” Wincing, I end the call. “Okay, where to?”
“Straight.” Delphi doesn’t take her eyes off me as we drive in silence. The street curves and all the houses in here are big and impressive, looking like she’s not the only doctor in this neighborhood. “The blue house on the right.”
I pull into the driveway, parking behind several other cars. Hurrying, I put the SUV in park, kill the engine, and get out. We rush up the sidewalk and into the house. Right away, the energy hits me, making me feel sick.
Delphi’s house is a fancy open-concept ranch. There’s a sitting room to my right, with a cute navy blue, velvet sofa and well-stocked bookshelves. The living room is directly in front of us, and it opens into a large kitchen. Larkin and several other wolves are seated at the dining room table.
“You brought a witch?” a man snarls, eyes glowing yellow.
“Not just any witch,” Larkin starts, smirking as she gets to her feet. “Meet Florence Malus, Xavier’s wife.”
Oh shit. I just walked into a fucking trap.