His gaze lifted, surveyed. Busy street. People everywhere. Him acting like a damn fool, a thug who belonged in a local holding cell. Damn.
“Lucan?” Kresley asked tentatively, her hand lightly brushing his cheek. “Are you okay?”
His hands went to her shoulders, a question exploding from his lips before he could stop it. The lethal quality of his tone out of his control. “What were you doing with him?”
“I . . . what?” She frowned, looked confused. “Cullen? Did you get my message?” Her beautiful face paled. “I tried to call you. He gave me the book.” Her hands went to his wrists. "Lucan. I have the book.”
Book . . . Book. He didn’t care about the book. Later he’d care about the book. Much later. He wanted to kiss her, to claim her as his. He focused on the pounding of his heart as a distraction. Thump. Thump. Thump. He squeezed his eyes shut, reached deep into his senses, trying to focus on safety, not desire, not wild jealousy, ridiculous anger. “We need to get out of here.”
“Lucan—"
“No,” he said, his lashes snapping open. “I can’t talk now.” Lord-only-knew what she must see in his eyes. He forced his voice an octave lower. “We’ll talk. I promise. We’ll talk. About the book. About what happened today. About everything. Alone. In the hotel room, where you’ll be safe.” Talk. Not make love.
“I’m all for safe,” she agreed and took his hand, warmth sliding up his forearm, shoulders and chest. But oddly, he wasn’t out of control. If anything, he was calmer with each passing second.
In silent agreement, they started walking. Lucan weaved a path through the busy streets, straight for their cover hotel, the Embassy Suites. When they were about to enter the lobby, Kresley grabbed his arm. “I really think we're being followed.”
“I’m counting on it,” he said, and tugged her forward.
On the elevator, Lucan went up a level and then got off. “Is this where we're staying?” Kresley asked nervously.
“Not a chance,” Lucan responded, staying focused, alert, aware he still wasn’t fully himself.
“Okay, good,” she said in a sigh of relief.
He led her to the ice machine and found the service area, tipping a maid to look the other way. They took the service elevator to the basement and exited into a business area that had gone dark for the evening. Lucan could still feel the presence of wolves nearby; and judging from the way Kresley was looking all around, she did, too.
“Easy,” he said softly, squeezing her hand, amazed he could find any gentleness in himself considering the bite of darkness eating away at him. For Kresley though, he found it. And the look of appreciation she cast up at him added to his determination to get her to safety, to let her feel some peace.
Two more blocks and Lucan acted on the plan in his mind. He pulled Kresley into a gap between two buildings and waited. Several seconds passed and sure enough, a wolf passed by.
Lucan motioned for Kresley to stay put, having no desire for her to be in unnecessary danger, nor did he want her to see him kill. Though he knew she’d seen it before, tonight he was raw, brutal, without any sense of humanity. The instant he had Kresley’s agreement, Lucan darted forward, trailing his prey.
With the skill of a practiced warrior, he pursued the wolf; the anger he felt over Cullen was set free to kill an enemy. In a matter of moments, he’d come up on the wolf from behind, removed his short-handled blade and spun the wolf around – he slammed the blade into the wolf’s heart, every bit of anger over the night’s events in the thrust that sent the wolf crumbling to the ground dead.
Chest heaving, his dark side barely contained, Lucan looked up to find Kresley standing in the shadows watching. Shadows he was thankful for because he could only imagine what he must look like–angry, holding a knife, a dead Demon at his feet.
He felt her attention as he might a judge and jury. He wiped the knife clean on the wolf’s shirt and returned to Kresley’s side. As he neared, he dreaded what he might see in her face, dreaded the thought of seeing disgust or fear. Perhaps because he hated what he felt he’d become and didn’t want her to see the true depth of the darkness growing in his soul. But as he came face to face with her, he saw only relief in her face.
“Let’s go to that safe place,” she whispered.
If only he knew where that was.
He took her hand and led her to the Ritz Carlton, this time without delay. A place where the biggest danger of all was him – and the beast within him, the one that wanted her as much as he did.
***
The Fae Prince had wanted something from him that Cullen had hesitated to deliver because it required trust. Trust he’d previously reserved for his own kind –- the fact that he could no longer continue that practice struck an infuriated nerve. But tonight, Cullen was beginning to consider the deal the Prince had offered him. He would consider a lot to end the rebel uprising, which is exactly what the Prince was promising him.
He sat in a private room on the lower level of the Blue Smoke restaurant where the council meeting would soon convene. Cullen sat at a long, wooden table that could accommodate the dozen members of the council. For now there were only three of them at the table. The Prince, who sat directly across from Cullen, and Tara, an attractive brunette, the Wiccan member of the council, who sat between them, to his immediate left, at the head of the table.
Tara’s claim that she had critical information had resulted in the urgent message from the Prince; it was the sole reason he’d agreed to attend a second meeting. “I understand you have something to tell me,” Cullen said flatly, his gaze brushing her creamy complexion with appreciation despite the hardness in his voice and attitude. He was not convinced this was worth his time.
She cast him a pensive look, her beautiful hazel eyes latching onto his, probing. “I have a name for you. One of the rebel wolves.”
Cullen’s eyes riveted to the Prince, noting the finely etched tattoo of wings spread along the Fae’s cheeks and nose, then narrowed his eyes on the Fae’s. The Prince arched a brow in challenge, as if saying you doubted me?
“What is the name, Tara?” the Prince asked.
Cullen’s gaze shifted back to Tara as she answered, “Alexander.”
Cullen didn’t react outwardly, his face an indecipherable mask. But his blood pumped, his mind raced. Alexander was on his security team, next in charge below Nick. Had he doubted Nick for nothing? Was it always Alexander? “How do you know this?”“Tara has the unique ability to blend with the shadows for several minutes at a time,” the Prince stated.
Cullen’s arched a brow at Tara. “An interesting skill. Dangerous too, if misused.” The words were meant as a warning.
She pursed her lips. Nice lips. Full lips. “I’m quite aware of the risks, I assure you.” She didn’t wait for a reply. “As for Alexander. I’m sure you heard there was a Seer killed last night?”
He studied her closely, wondering why she intrigued him when he had no time, or inclination, to be intrigued. “I did.”
She quickly continued, “I was at the bar when it all went down. And I wasn’t the only one. The Hunter, as we have all come to know him, was there as well, along with a red-haired female. They went in to visit with the Seer, and the wolves attacked.” She shifted in her chair, tapped her well-manicured nails on the table. “One of the other wolves, not Alexander, was furious over the escape. He said killing the Hunter would have earned your trust again. That you were doubting him.”
Cullen balled his fist on his leg. Nick. She was talking about Nick. But he said nothing, he let Tara continue her story. “He beat Alexander and blamed him for the failure. He was definitely the one responsible for the rebel uprising.” Her eyes went to his hands, lingering on the ring, then lifted. They were a lovely violet shade, so unlike a Demon's. So very . . . human. “He spoke of the ring. Of wanting it so he could claim leadership of the pack.” She continued to hold his gaze. “He plans to destroy you.”
Cullen didn’t so much as blink, did not
feel fear. “I am not so easily destroyed."
“I believe you,” she said softly.
He did not miss the interest tingeing those violet eyes. Interest he would not be pursuing. Not when they were on the council together. “Do you know this rebel's name?” he asked, preparing for the blow of hearing Nick’s name from another, of openly confirming the betrayal. Instead, Tara sobered, shaking her head. “I should warn you that no one dares speak his name after he so easily killed the Seer. Seers are feared. This wolf did not fear her. That makes him look untouchable to many.”
“But not to you?”
She shook her head. “Not to me. Not to anyone in my coven. But then, we understand the Seer’s limitations in ways many others do not.”
He didn’t need the name, not really. He knew who it was. He knew it was Nick. Cullen tapped his foot under the desk, adrenaline rushing through his limbs. He wanted blood. He wanted the blood of his betrayer, the wolf he had considered a friend. And he wanted it now. With the threat of Adrian encroaching upon the pack, he had no time to waste.
Which meant he needed to be armed in every way possible. And there was still one other complication. His gaze shifted between Tara and the Prince. “Any idea who the Hunter is working for?”
“At first,” Tara said. “I thought it might be Adrian. But now, I’m not sure. He only seems to attack the rebel wolves. Why would Adrian stop the rebels from destroying the peaceful existence you’ve worked to create? And why kill the rebels who threaten to tear the pack apart from the inside out?”
Cullen wasn’t convinced Adrian wasn’t involved, and he wondered at the Prince’s silence. “The rebels are careless, breaking every code I’ve established for our protection. It could simply be that they are exposing themselves, thus becoming the targets.” He turned an expectant look on the Prince, his silence a growing point of unease.
Prince Risen responded under the scrutiny and he did so with a cold, hard truth that Cullen agreed with, “Adrian would not be selective in which wolves he killed,” he stated bluntly. “He simply wants you, and your entire pack, dead.” He glanced at Tara in a silent exchange before adding, “Tara and her coven are willing to offer their services to aid your efforts in defeating the rebels, as am I.”
Suspicion slashed through Cullen’s mind. The offer was generous in the midst of newly forming relationships. In the Demon world, rarely did anyone cover the other’s back, and he had to remind himself that neither of these two were Demons. Still, he questioned them, “Why would either of you be so eager to come to my aid?”
Prince Risen’s reply came quickly, “We need you to come out of this stronger than before.”
Need? “Again,” Cullen said, a bite of irritation in his tone this time, not one for mincing words, not one for games and hidden agendas. “Why?”
The Prince’s jaw clenched and unclenched, his gaze unwavering on Cullen’s face. “I’ve told you what I want,” he stated.
Cullen gave him a steely stare. “You want me to oversee the council.”
“As do I,” Tara said, surprising Cullen with her quick insertion. Everyone knew the coven preferred answering to their own kind. But then, didn’t they all?
He studied her a moment, then shifted his attention back to Risen. “Why me?” Cullen asked bluntly. If anything, his current situation made him look weak. He despised weakness.
Tara reinserted herself into the discussion, unaffected by Cullen’s focus on the Prince. “Every communication we’ve intercepted from the Underworld tells us Adrian wants to rule earth. That means eliminating anyone who will stand against him. He’s targeted the wolves because they are the largest, most established, population of Demons on earth.”
“And because he knows you will not answer to him,” the Prince added.
Cullen still wasn’t satisfied. This was all old news. “None of this tells me why you want me to rule the council.”
“Adrian is getting smarter,” the Prince offered. “He’s beginning to infiltrate humanity, allowing his Army to live among humans. The Knights of White have previously stood against them successfully. But a battlefield and swords will no longer be enough. This is a new war we face. We must unite to win.”
“It’s already started,” Tara stated, her tone bleak. “Beasts are among us. That’s why we must act quickly. Your pack could offer protection to the council and its followers. You already live among humans in great numbers. You could offer resources and protection we must have to face this and win.”
Cullen hadn’t missed the reference to the Knights of White. He’d known there was a reason that the Prince had given him that book after the last meeting, calling it a point of mutual interest. Just as he knew Tara and the Prince were holding back – they hadn’t told him everything–and Cullen was losing his patience. He had a traitor to go slay. He pinned the Prince in an accusing stare. “What aren’t you saying, Fae?”
Prince Risen’s lips twitched, as if he found the impatience amusing. “Very well,” he said with a heavy sigh. “I’ll be blunt since you seem to prefer this method of communication. The Demons on the council fear the Knights of White quite simply because they are quite effective at hunting and killing Demons. It matters not to them that the Knights are focused on Adrian’s army of Darkland Beasts. They kill Demons; they are the enemy. I, like Tara, believe we cannot defeat Adrian without their support.”
“The Knights are immortal,” Tara injected. “Killing them is difficult, but we know they are susceptible to fire. The ring you wear will represent security to the Demons on the council. Proof you represent a threat to the Knights, and can protect yourself, and those on the council, if need be.” “And you believe these Knights will consider a council of Demons?” Cullen inquired, skeptical at best.
Risen offered a quick nod. “We believe the Knights' leader must be persuaded to join our cause. The council accepting him is the issue. Your support of his involvement will be critical.”
So there it was, Cullen thought. The true motivation to seat him as leader. His ring. It always came back to the ring. Exactly why he would never take it off. “If I agree,” Cullen said, cautiously. “I will want full control. No one sits on this council who I don’t approve.” He was thinking specifically of one Demon he did not believe belonged on the council. He had to trust those he offered his protection. “That includes this leader for the Knights of White. I’ll want to meet him first, before I endorse his presence.”
“Expected,” the Prince said in agreement. “I’ll arrange a meeting.”
Cullen considered his options, his heels bouncing beneath the table, adrenaline ripe in his veins. He wanted Nick’s blood. “I will meet with this Knight leader simply because time is critical in our preparation to face Adrian. I will not, however, take on the council until I have my own house in order. I want the rebels dealt with first. The rest of the council is not to know any more than they already do.” He looked a fool enough.
Tara was quick to interject, “My coven is at your disposal, prepared to meet with you this very night to begin our work.” His nostrils flared as her eyes met his, a promise in their depths beyond the words spoken. “I am at your disposal.”
Cullen felt the flare of arousal despite his preference to stay unaffected. The little witch got to him, and he had no time for such folly. A scurry of activity sounded down the hall, and Cullen jerked his gaze to the door. Several familiar voices filtered through the air, council members that would soon join them. “We are stronger united,” Prince Rise said softly, urging him to make a decision.
Cullen took several seconds to respond, long enough to solidify this as the right choice in his mind. A choice he found remarkably clear. Progress sometimes meant change, change which many feared. That was why he’d left the Underworld and embraced earth as home, why he’d taught his pack to do the same. Yes. Change had served him well in the past. It was time to embrace it again. “Tonight, we begin.”
***
Hours later, Nick stood behind
a long table in the underground operation center for his rebels, listening to reports from Alexander of a Council of Demons ready to stand against Adrian. Beside Alexander, Jess stood, hands folded over his chest, displeased at Alexander’s success.
“And your source is who?” Nick asked Alexander.
“Bartender at the restaurant where the meetings are held,” Alexander replied, eager to earn his place back by Nick’s side. “Very protective of his sister.” In other words, Alexander had threatened her. His wolves had taken great pains to insert themselves in the city hotspots, to stick someone in their pocket in one way or another. In this case, threats against the bartender's sister. Alexander continued, “He said the group has met a couple of times. From what he’s pieced together, they are building a united front against Adrian. The strength in numbers concept.”
Nick almost laughed at that. The wolves were big enough and strong enough that every Demon race should be at their feet. They should stand next to Adrian, his protectors. That would please Adrian. Pleasing Adrian had rewards, such as power. Pleasing humans did nothing but waste energy. With him as leader of the wolves, they would be stronger. He would prove his value to Adrian when he took over the pack.
He considered his options. Tell Adrian of this council or wait – hold the piece of information as a card to be dealt later if needed. The Council’s destruction would be a way to gain favor with Adrian – when the time was right. First things first, the ring – the pack. It was time to cut liabilities and seize the reins. Time for Cullen to fall, before he became any more suspicious.
Which also brought up concerns of this Hunter killing his pack. Was he secretly working for Cullen? Did Cullen know more than he thought he did? Or perhaps this Council? He grimaced. It was time to use this Hunter and his Firestarter, and then dispose of them. They were two of the "liabilities" it was time to cut. He snapped back to the present, and a satisfied smile curled on his lips. Alexander and Jess stood at attention, waiting for him to speak. Waiting on him. Not Cullen. And they would have waited hours for his direction, standing there like puppets waiting to have their strings pulled. Damn, he loved this power.