Chapter 9
AMRI
I ’m getting restless, checking yet another seemingly pointless room in the never-ending palace.
My search for Askari is starting to feel like a waste of time, time I don’t have.
Circe said one week, but who knows how quickly she will act.
I was hoping the Asiatic lion would be able to tell me where Bodi and Rian and their mates are hiding, or at the very least, get him to agree to send them a warning, but I can’t find the beta anywhere.
My beast paces inside my head, as anxious as I am. “Let’s just go to the Council. Surely they will stop Leonora and Circe from wiping out an entire coven.”
I pause, considering before answering my beast. “Circe isn’t Zodiac. And if Circe is questioned and gives up Leonora, the goddess will surely deny everything.”
“But we were in the room. We heard everything.”
I shake my head. “Our word against a goddess.”
My wolverine snaps her sharp teeth at me. “We are not just Zodiac; we are an enforcer. Our word holds weight. Our years of service mean something.”
I’d like to believe that, but …
There!
A flash of a limping shifter with tawny hair catches my eyes before they disappear around a corner.
I take off at a sprint. I’m very light on my feet, but it’s still odd how the spell keeps my running footsteps from making absolutely no noise as I chase after Askari.
Slowing to a pace that matches his, I follow him as he pushes through a pair of glass French doors.
Gravel crunches under his shoes as Askari takes a path leading through a space between two towering hedges.
I’m silent as I step into the garden after him.
Butterflies flit from bloom to bloom, bees buzz, and a gentle breeze carries the scent of roses and lavender.
As we turn yet another corner, a bird takes flight from where it was hidden in a sculpted tree.
Askari doesn’t even flinch, but I nearly jump out of my skin.
I take a breath, calming my nerves. Surely, we’re secluded enough that I can reveal myself.
I open my mouth, ready to whisper Askari’s name as I dig the stone out of my pocket, but then he pushes through a manicured arched hedge and quietly says, “Alpha?”
I freeze on the spot. Is Malik here?
I let go of the stone and wipe my hands down my pants, suddenly nervous for an entirely new reason.
My stomach does a little flip, but I do my best to ignore it as I follow Askari into the little area tucked away in this garden.
Shrubbery rises twice my height all around a grassy circle of space.
A stone bench sits right in the center, and on that bench sits my mate.
My breath hitches as I take Malik in. His black pants and long-sleeved grey shirt sit elegantly on his body, doing nothing to hide his impressive muscles.
He’s hunched over, forearms braced on knees, his long hair hiding his face.
But looking past his beauty, I see the sadness in his posture.
I ball my hands into fists to keep from going to him, sitting on that bench, and pulling his head into my lap to stroke his hair and tell him everything will be alright.
I can’t do any of that, for one, because he rejected me and my touch would be unwanted, and second, I have no idea if everything will be alright, and I’m not one to offer empty promises no matter how optimistic I may be.
Askari limps over to Malik and takes a seat right where I was imagining sitting. The beta leans his shoulder against Malik’s, not saying anything, just comforting, as if this is something they have done before … and often.
I grit my teeth against the emotion in my throat. I hate what Malik has endured … is enduring, but I’m eternally grateful he’s had Askari to lean on. I have the sudden urge to bake Askari a thank-you cake or something, even though I have absolutely no idea how to bake.
My beast lifts her snout. She scrunches her nose, her ears twitching, and then it hits me.
That scent …
Malik is aroused.
I tilt my head, considering the two males. Askari doesn’t carry the claim mark, and I didn’t get that vibe between them before, but I could have easily misread the relationship here.
Is this why Malik rejected our fate bond?
My beast shakes her head. “The beta is not affected by Malik in that way. His scent is calm, comforting, friendly. Not sexual.”
Then why …
My wolverine rears back, sneezing and pawing at her muzzle as she says, “A spell. ”
I’m so appalled, I take a step back in shock. Did Leonora really put a spell on Malik to keep him … aroused? Fuck!
My beast claws at my insides. “I’m going to kill her. Let’s go. Right now.”
I have half a mind to let my beast out and give it a try, but then Askari glances at Malik’s crotch, eyes filling with pity before he averts his gaze, dropping it to the ground with a sigh.
So, this has happened before. Godsdamn it. I’m going to march into the Council headquarters, demand a meeting with all twelve representatives, and?—
Askari’s voice is raspy with emotion as he whispers, “What can I do, Alpha?”
Malik shakes his head, sending his long hair waving, the ends trailing along the grass. “Nothing you can do. Nothing anyone can do until she decides to end the punishment. I tried … twice.”
A very selfish part of me wonders if he thought of me while ‘trying’.
Malik waves his hand in a half-hearted gesture to dismiss his current condition as he sits up.
Even though the males can’t see me, I’m tempted to cover my cheeks with my hands to hide my blush.
Malik is so fucking beautiful, it’s almost hard to breathe looking at him.
But resignation dims his usually brilliant green eyes, and that breaks my heart.
No one should have to live like this. The deities are supposed to protect their clan. This past year, my loyalty to the Council has wavered more and more. I understand the intent with which the Council was formed, but to close their eyes to this, refusing to do anything …
My beast thumps her tail. “We should quit.”
This isn’t the first time I’ve thought of leaving the Enforcers, but I’ve stayed, believing I could do more good from within. I chew on my lip, torn about what to do as my mate turns to face Askari.
Malik searches the beta’s eyes as if looking for something, an answer to a question unasked. Malik sits predator still, holding Askari’s gaze, and then he asks, “Are you absolutely sure?”
Askari’s eyes go wide, and his mouth drops open. His cheeks flush, and he blinks as if he can’t believe the words that just came out of Malik’s mouth. This feels too intimate for me to be a part of, especially without their knowledge, but I can’t leave before I finish what I came for.
Stars, I hate interrupting, but …
I reach into my pocket, fingering the stone, its warmth caressing my skin as I undo the spell and clear my throat. Askari jumps to his feet, growling as he stands in front of Malik, his body half-shifted in an instant, ready to defend.
Such a good beta.
Malik, however, doesn’t react other than dropping his gaze, staring at the spot where Askari was just sitting.
The beta throws up his arms with a tsk , his eyes rolling. “You’re still here?” Some of the initial fight leaves his muscles, but he doesn’t move from where he’s shielding Malik.
I hold up my hands in a gesture of peace as I say, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I was looking for you. I need help to warn …” I wave at Malik. “Well, you know.”
My mate doesn’t lift his head. He doesn’t meet my gaze.
And that stings more than it should, but I brush it off, because my hurt feelings don’t matter right now.
I go on, rushing my words to hide my emotions.
“My contact in the Council will hear about this, and I promise I’ll do my best to get them to push the Council into action.
But in the meantime, I need to warn the witches.
” Standing tall, I plant my hands on my hips as I look at Askari.
“Sadie, as acting coven leader, needs to know about this. Now. Circe said a week, but who knows when she’ll actually act. Where are they, Askari?”
The beta turns, angling his head slightly towards Malik while keeping half an eye on me as he asks, “What’s she talking about?”
A small smile tugs at Malik’s lips. He glances at Askari before dropping his gaze once more.
“I know something you don’t for once.” That smile slips away, and with a sigh, Malik stands.
Heat rolls off him, and I’m tempted to hold my breath to keep his mouth-watering scent out of my nose, but I end up taking a deep inhale instead.
Fuck.
Mailk ignores me completely, turning his green gaze to Askari and quickly explains what happened at the brunch.
Askari runs his hands through his mane of hair. “Okay. Okay. Shit. I’ll warn the brothers and their mates. You go do whatever it is you do for the Council.” He mumbles, “Though I doubt it’ll do any good.”
I want to bark at him that I’m trying my best, that he knows how the Council works, but I keep my mouth shut.
Escalating emotions won’t help. However, I can’t quite keep the smirk off my face as I raise a brow and say, “Surely you know you’ll be followed.
” I wave at the bruises on his face and nod at where he still favors one leg.
“After that beating, there’s no way Leonora is going to let you flounce around without putting eyes on you … if she hasn’t already.”
Askari raises a brow to match my expression. “First of all, I do not flounce. Second, yes, I’m aware she’ll have me followed, but I’m more than capable of shaking a tail.”
My eyes dip to his hip, and I can picture his tail swaying behind him. I can’t help but chuckle. “Yeah, I bet. ”
He rolls his eyes again. “That’s not what I meant?—”
I hold up a hand. “I know what you meant. It was a joke, Beta.”
His fangs descend, and a small snarl wrinkles his nose as he says, “Now is not the time to be joking. This is serious! Lives are on the line.”
I take a step towards him. “I know that, so why are you still here? Go warn them!”
Malik’s voice rumbles from behind Askari. “Lower your voices, both of you.”
He still hasn’t looked at me.
Askari fully turns to face Malik. He clasps his shoulder, dipping his head as he whispers, “I’ll be careful.”
Malik lowers his head, pressing his forehead to Askari’s. I drop my gaze, feeling like an intruder once more as Malik says, “Tell her where my brothers are. It’s safer if she goes. I won’t risk you.”
He’s right, but the fact that he has no problem sending me off into possible danger still stings.
Askari shakes his head. “Divide and conquer. Besides, while there, I can ask Sadie about that ingredient we need.”
With hands on hips, I huff. “Malik is right. It’s safer for me to go. There’s no chance of me being followed. Tell me where they are and what this ingredient is.”
Askari stalks over to me, actually poking me in the chest. “I said I’ll do it, wolverine. Just get out of here and scurry back to the Council.”
I smack his hand away with a threatening grin, but he just tsks and storms back to Malik’s side. Askari crosses his arms. “I’m going.”
I roll my eyes, but before my argument slips past my lips, Malik sighs, placing a hand on Askari’s shoulder. “Okay. But hurry. If you sent them to one of our places, Leonora threatened to burn them down one by one, and you know her threats are rarely idle.”
Askari’s eyes sharpen and he says, “Understood.”
Malik drops his hand from Askari’s shoulder, and the beta whirls around. He strides past me and murmurs, “Nosy wolverine.”
I grin at him, showing a bit of fang. “Catty lion.”
Askari lets loose a soft chuckle as he shakes his head. His tail whips out and smacks me on the arm, and I swipe a claw at him, but he playfully dodges as he leaves the little circle of seclusion here in the garden.
I turn back around, a small smile on my face, but it drops.
Malik and I are alone.