Nightshade (33 page)

Logan turned to Ren and me. “You won’t be going to school tomorrow. I need the new pack to check out the area around the cavern and just inside the entrance. Don’t venture too far inside—you’ll know if you’ve disturbed her.”

“Her?” I repeated, trying to mask my astonishment.

“Unlike you, this beast is something of a pet.” Logan smiled. “A very deadly pet that keeps the cave protected. Should anything slip past our faithful Guardians, that is.”

“Will it attack us?” Ren asked.

“Without a doubt,” Logan said. “That’s why you make your observations and report back to me. She doesn’t leave her lair. If you see her alive, just go; she won’t pursue you beyond the mouth of the cave. If something has happened to her, we must find out how. Split your group. Send a few wolves to check the cave. The others should examine the perimeter to find out who or what has been near Haldis. We need to know if the Searchers have gotten close.”

“What is she?” Ren asked. His grip on my hand had tightened.

“I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise,” Logan said. “She’s quite spectacular.”

I returned Ren’s hard grip but only so I wouldn’t shudder. I had to be one of the wolves that searched the cave. In fact, I had to be the only wolf. Otherwise . . . I couldn’t think about otherwise.

“And you want us to go tomorrow?” I asked, making sure to keep my voice steady.

“Yes,” Logan said. “We must act now. If the Searchers have broken through our defenses, we need to make changes immediately.”

“I’ll call the pack when I get home,” Ren said, looking at me. “Okay, Calla?”

Before I could answer, Emile scowled. “You don’t need her permission, boy.”

“There’s nothing wrong with manners, Emile,” Lumine chided. “Calla has been a fine leader of the young Nightshades. Ren is wise to ask her opinion.”

Emile muttered something into his glass and Efron snickered.

“It’s fine,” I said. “Call them.” I’d figure out how to get myself on the cave patrol tomorrow.

“We’ll meet at first light, then?” he asked, squeezing my hand. “At the base trail?”

I nodded.

Lumine rose, smoothing her skirt. “Excellent. Your first trial. Don’t disappoint us.”

“Never,” Ren murmured.

“Very good.” Efron smiled. “We’ll bid you good night, then.”

“Thank you for the tea, Naomi,” Lumine said. “Your hostessing never fails to impress.”

“Mistress.” My mother gave a little curtsy.

Logan paused in front of us on his way to the door. “Good hunting.”

The wraiths floated soundlessly after them. The front door banged shut and Ren stood up, but Emile poured himself another drink. He extended the bottle to my mother.

“For old times’ sake?”

“No, thank you,” she said.

“Are we staying?” Ren frowned, looking from his father to my mother.

“It hardly seems polite to leave two lovely ladies on their own, seeing how Stephen can’t be here to watch over them.” Emile wandered to my mother’s side, letting his fingers slide through her hair. She paled but didn’t move.

“We can take care of ourselves,” I snapped.

“Not like a man could,” he said, fingers moving from my mother’s hair to trace her jawline. “Naomi, what nonsense have you been filling that girl’s head with? She’s not about to give my boy trouble, now, is she?”

“She will be a fine mate,” she said. “Deserving of your son.”

I stared at her, not understanding why she didn’t shove him away. I knew how strong my mother was; she might not be able to take Emile in a fight, but she could certainly fend him off.

“Fine indeed. Just like her mother, I suppose. You’re a good girl, Naomi. You know your place. I’ve always thought it a shame we weren’t better friends.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, but I could see her hands trembling.

“The night is young,” Emile continued, leaning down so his lips touched her ear. “And full of possibility. We could make up for lost time.”

“How dare you!” I was on my feet. “Get away from her!”

Emile whirled on me, snarling. “Renier, take your little bitch upstairs!”

“I’m not going anywhere!” Only Ren’s grip on my shoulders kept me from flying at Emile.

“Father, we should go; it’s late and we’re overstaying our welcome,” Ren said quietly. “Stephen will be coming off patrol soon.”

“I suppose he will, won’t he?” Emile’s smile was like the light of an oncoming train. “I really should pay my respects.”

“I have a lot of homework to get done and I still have to call the pack about tomorrow’s run to Haldis,” Ren added. “I’d prefer to go now. Please.”

“I don’t know where you get your work ethic, boy.” Emile finished his drink, slamming the glass down on the arm of my mother’s chair. “It’s been a pleasure, Naomi.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Ren didn’t look at me when he spoke, following his father out the front door.

I watched as my mother stood up, straightening her blouse.

“Well, we’d better get this cleaned up.” She began collecting glasses, placing them on the tea tray.

“Mom,” I said. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”

“Whatever do you mean, dear?”

“Why did you let Emile do that to you?”

“He’s an alpha male, Calla.” She didn’t meet my eyes as she continued to tidy the living room. “It’s simply their way.”

“Dad isn’t like that!”

“No,” she replied, lifting the tray. I followed her into the kitchen. “But Efron and Lumine prefer different characteristics in their leaders. Lumine encourages a stoic approach and of course—”

“Finesse,” I finished. “How could I forget?”

She offered me a flat smile. “Efron thinks it’s better to have alphas who use . . . a firmer hand.”

“Is that what you call it?” I snarled. “Because I’d say Efron and Emile are both leches!”

“Don’t be vile, Calla,” she snapped. “It’s unbecoming.”

“Are you going to tell Dad?” I asked.

She piled dishes into the sink. “Of course not. He hates Emile enough, and you heard our masters say that cooperation is of vital importance right now. We can’t have the men tearing at each other while we’re trying to set up new defenses. They’re so silly that way.”

“Silly?! No one besides Dad is allowed to touch you!”

“No
inferior
man can touch me. This was about rival alphas. Something you’ll hopefully never have to live with. Emile will take any chance he has to challenge your father. He’s always wanted to prove he’s the dominant alpha of the two packs. It’s only gotten worse since Corinne was killed.”

“But—”

She turned on me, holding up her hand. “Leave it, Calla. It’s over.”

“So this is what finesse is?” I couldn’t hold back my outrage. “Acting like a whore for any man who visits your parlor?”

I was on the floor before I realized she’d hit me. My cheek throbbed from the blow.

“Listen very carefully, Calla.” My mother stood over me, her fist still clenched. “I said it once, and I don’t want to explain myself again. Emile is not any man. He is the Bane alpha. You cannot cross an alpha male, even when you belong to another. You risk your own life to do so. Do you understand me?”

Still dazed, I couldn’t speak.

“Do you understand me?” I’d never seen such a hard look in her eyes.

“Yes, Mother,” I whispered.

“You must be tired.” She rearranged her face into a picture of kindness. “Once I’ve finished here, I’ll make you some chamomile tea and draw you a bubble bath. You have a big day tomorrow.”

I nodded, numbly climbing the stairs. Ansel’s door was shut, music blasting from within. My mother must have sent him upstairs when the Keepers arrived.
He didn’t hear any of that.

I thought about knocking but headed for my own room instead, letting my baby brother keep his dreams about romance and true love a little longer. I closed the door and started to cry, wondering how much time I had before my mother would appear with tea and when the Keepers would discover how far my betrayal had gone.

“YOU CAN’T ALL GO TO THE CAVE.” I PACED
along the base of the steep slope. My packmates had pleading eyes locked on me. We were still waiting for the Banes to arrive. The bare light of dawn made the earth shimmer in rusty hues that reminded me of Haldis. I shivered, knowing that the mysterious object was the reason for this patrol and that none of my packmates shared that secret. None of them could go to the cave. They’d know I’d been there and with another wolf. I was desperate to keep them away.

“But Logan has some horrible pet in there!” Fey exclaimed. “It’s not fair if we don’t all get to see it. I’ll bet it’s monsterific!”

“Did you really just say ‘monsterific’?” Bryn asked, garnering a stony expression from Fey. They’d been bickering more and more since the night at Burnout.

“This is not about fair, it’s about our orders,” I said. Their grumbling set my teeth on edge. “Just take it up with Ren when he gets here.”

And I’ll make sure Ren sends
me
to the cave.

A rustling in the underbrush announced the Banes’ arrival. Five wolves emerged; seeing that we were still in human form, they shifted one by one. Ren last.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“My pack is more interested in sightseeing than doing their jobs,” I said.

“That’s not what—” Fey began.

“Shut up, Fey,” I snarled. Last night’s visit from the Keepers and Ren’s father had pushed me well past my normal line of tolerance.

Ren began to laugh, waving at the rest of his pack. “Don’t worry, Lily. The thing in the cave is all this lot will talk about too.”

“Perfect,” I muttered. “Why don’t I just go up there? The patrol route is more important anyway. We really need to know what’s been sneaking around the slope behind our backs.”

“Calla’s right.” Ren raised his voice. “The patrol is much more important than whatever is in the cave.”

A few of them grumbled, only to be silenced by Ren’s growl.

“Which is why I’ll be going to the cave myself,” he continued.

“But—” I tried to hide my panic.

“I’m not saying this more than once.” Ren ignored me. “Calla looks for evidence of the Searchers along the cavern perimeter. Bryn, Ansel, you’re with me—we’re heading to the cave. The rest of you, do what Calla tells you, and if I hear complaints, you’ll answer to me. We’ll catch up with you after we’ve checked the cave and finish the patrol together.”

No one spoke. I bit back my own startled response.
Bryn and Ansel?
I didn’t understand why he’d take two of my packmates and not his own. At least I’d be able to talk to them afterward.

For their own parts, Bryn and Ansel looked stunned but followed suit when Ren shifted into wolf form. I did the same and the rest of the pack focused on me, though Dax glanced at Ren once, looking forlorn.

This is how it goes.
I shared my thoughts with my assigned group. Even if my fear outweighed my strength, I still had to act like an alpha.
Sweeps in widening circles, starting with the inner perimeter, then moving south. Mason, Nev, Sabine, and I will take the east-west route. Dax, Fey, Cosette, you run west-east. We’ll minimize overlap while covering maximum ground. Any questions?
I felt a little guilty for snapping at Fey earlier and hoped putting her with Dax would make up for it.

They lowered their muzzles in compliance.
Good. Get going.

Fey took the lead with Dax and Cosette following her up the western route.

I was about to lead Mason and Nev up the slope when Ren’s voice entered my mind.

What is it?
I halted, ears flicking back and forth. It was clear he was sending his voice only to me.

And then his voice was gone. What was he going to find in there?

No dawdling.
Fear and frustration drove me to nip at Mason’s heels, but I let Nev and Sabine hear the thought too.
Let’s go.

Hey!
he protested.
We were waiting for you.

That’s no excuse.
I wagged my tail, wishing I could feel anything besides the twisting of my stomach.

I told you, man,
Nev crooned.
I always knew she was a tyrant.

Sabine sat quietly, waiting for her orders. I wondered what she was thinking.

Nev and Mason’s laughter filled my mind as we raced up the hill, playfully biting at each other’s flanks, flying past each other to take the lead. But the joy of running free had been sapped from my limbs.