Weregirl (21 page)

Caine snorts, crossing his arms over his chest. “I understand now the weakness in our race,” he says, full of spite and scorn. “Being led by a werewolf who won’t follow through with his own laws to appease other races.”

I pounce on him, but Oleksander is quicker, pulling me back, snarling in my ear. I stand down, though Caine’s grin and wink almost does me in.

“Our days of being controlled and led by others are over,” Oleksander says to Caine. “And that includes being bullied by other weres. I may have welcomed you and your pack to join the wereguard, but that does not give you the right to challenge my word. Unless you plan to fight me for the throne.” Caine doesn’t comment. My grandfather lets me go and turns to Sebastian with a grim expression. “But Caine is correct about one thing. The boy is a revenant and, according to our law, must pay the price for his infection.” I gape at him while he goes on. “While there was a chance the witches might heal him, that option is no longer on the table. And by creating a vampire out of him, we have no idea what kind of new race we could be giving form to if he has both werewolf revenant and vampire abilities.” I hadn’t thought of that, but it seemed a terrible excuse to let Sage die. “For that reason alone, though your offer is kind, I must refuse.”

Sebastian bows to my grandfather, though his blue eyes never leave mine. “Understood, Your Majesty.”

I jerk my arm free from Oleksander’s grip. “Excuses and platitudes,” I snap, forgetting we’re in public, that others are there to witness me speak out against my king. “You just want this to go away.”

My grandfather roars at me, the air vibrating with the volume of his voice. “And had you done your duty,” he bellows, “we wouldn’t be standing here. You, Sharlotta, have brought this on us. And you will bear the guilt of that boy’s death for the rest of your life.”

I turn and storm out, his words echoing in my head, hating him for reminding me this is all my fault.

***

The forest calls me, the swiftness of my paws over the dead leaves carrying me into the dark. I pant out my anger into the fresh air while with each step my resolve deepens. I am no princess, no potential queen. I am a failure and meant only to follow where others lead. But I can’t step back and take a supporting role just yet.

I have to save Sage first, and then face the consequences of my actions.

The white wolf appears, running at my side, her tail striking my leg as she comes close enough to brush against me. I come to a halt, letting the mist of my exhale carry up from my muzzle into the chill air. She stops, sitting on her haunches, looking up at me with her wise and quiet eyes. She knows something is troubling me, I feel it in her and as her alpha joins her, I know he senses it, too.

I sink to my knees before them, shifting to human, holding out my hands. They come to me, sitting before me, leaning in as I reach out and touch them. The white wolf licks my cheek, the big alpha groaning softly as I scratch his ear.

“My friends,” I say softly into their fur. “I’m going away for a while.” Maybe forever. I have no idea how this will end up, where I will end up. But I have to try, even if it means sentencing myself to death to do it.

The alpha chuffs, but the white wolf doesn’t react aside from holding my gaze.

“I have to save him, you understand.” I stroke their fur in a slow rhythm, the contact comforting. “Grandfather is right—this is my fault. And I have to make it right if I can.” I look up at the rising moon appearing over top of the trees. “The answer has to be in California. Where Caine and his people came from.”

The white wolf whines at Caine’s name, nudging me with her nose.

“You don’t like him, either.” I soothe her with a scratch on her jaw. “I’m sure I’m right about him. But I need proof to make this work. And to save Sage.”

How much do they understand? I want to believe they are far smarter than we think they are.

“Talking to your pets, Charlotte?” I spin, swift and furious, to find Caine watching me. How did I miss his approach? The white wolf and alpha both bristle, snarling at him but he ignores them, circling me slowly, naked in the chill air. “How sentimental. I’ll be sure to beat that out of you when we have the opportunity for a corrective lesson.” His teeth flash as I snarl at him. “Andre told me you are a terrible student. I’ll be sure to be extra firm with you.”

“I’ll kill you before I let you touch me.” My werewolf wants to return, but I hold human form, putting myself between the wolves and Caine despite their aggression. I don’t want him to harm them.

“I’m not some weak-minded witch,” Caine says, voice lowering and vibrating with need. “I’m one of your own kind. I know just how much you can take. The edges of your sanity. And I will enjoy taking you there over and over again, until I break you.”

Maybe I should be afraid, but I pay no attention to his threats. Let him think he has power over me while I explore his magic, the feeling of him. For future reference. If I’m going to find the one who made him—and I’m sure now he’s a revenant, more than ever—I will need to remember how his magic tastes. Sour, bitter, corrupt, but familiar as the dead bodies in Femke’s morgue.

Do I dare call him out? Not yet. No one will believe me without proof. California and his maker are my only hope to defeat Caine and to save Sage.

Caine is closing the distance between us, but I hold my ground. The two wolves snap and snarl, trying to lunge at him. He laughs at them, comes to a halt only a few feet from me.

“Shall we begin your training right now?”

A shiver of disgust traces the length of my spine, just as the air beside me parts and Syd steps through. She takes one look at Caine and winces, turning her head.

“Dude,” she says. “Where are your damned clothes? Yikes.”

He snarls at her and Syd rolls her eyes back. “Mind your own business, witch.”

She hits him hard with a bolt of energy, casually, knocking him on his ass. “That’s maji to you,” she says. “Now, beat it before I decide to take an interest.”

Caine leaves, shifting into werewolf form. But he locks eyes with me one last time, mind ripping through me.

You’re mine
, he snarls in my head.

Go to hell
. I watch him go before turning to face my friend. I’m sad to notice the two wolves are long gone.

“He’s a douche,” Syd says. “Tell me you’re going to do something permanent to him?”

I nod, slumping a little. “Eventually.”

“Good. Oh, my demon suggests dismemberment, but it’s up to you.” Syd tries to grin but it fades in the face of my stoicism. “Charlotte, give me a break, here. I’m trying.”

“I know.” I manage a shrug. “I’m sorry, I don’t have much to give right now.”

She lets out a heavy breath. “Fair enough. Listen, I’m off to get Max.” She reaches for the veil she didn’t quite let close. “Maybe he and the drach can manage something. And, if not, I was thinking about Demonicon.”

I frown at her. “Demonicon?”

“If you have to run.” She doesn’t seem all that upset about the idea. “We know you can exist there. Maybe Sage can, too. Meems will be more than happy to help.”

I hadn’t thought of that. Though the odd creature I became when I crossed to the demon plane made me shudder.

“Thank you.” At least I knew she wasn’t quitting on me. Made me feel worse about what I was about to do.

“Anything for you.” Syd hugs me quickly. “Meanwhile, Lula and Phon are hard at it, researching. We’ll find an answer, Charlotte. But keep me posted. If Sage shifts, I can be here in an eyeblink and take the two of you to safety.”

I nod for the last time, mute. I will not have her put herself or her coven at risk for me. But I’m grateful for her, none the less. This is my mistake and mine to fix.

Syd leaves, but I’m not alone. I feel him lurking, watching and finally sigh and turn toward the dark trees where he hides. “Come talk to me, Piers,” I say.

He emerges, longcoat catching in the brambles. He swears softly before jerking his hem free and coming to my side. Piers’s face is sad, his hurt clear on his face though he does try to hide it behind his usual swagger.

“So a normal, huh?”

I shrug. “It’s a long story.”

Piers jams his hands into his pockets. “I bet.”

“Thank you for being here for me.” I mean every word.

“I’m sorry things turned out this way.” Piers pauses before going on. “Don’t do anything stupid, please. Promise me.”

I’m terrible at lying so I don’t say anything. That’s all the answer he needs. Desperation crosses his face before he sighs and hugs me. Then leaves me alone in the quiet forest.

It’s best this way.

***

It’s a relief to see two new guards standing watch over Sage. Though I would have loved a chance to fight Roman, I would have hated to hurt Maks. As it is, these wereguards are both my grandfather’s and they fall before they understand I’m there to take them out.

Perhaps they are unable to comprehend I’m willing to risk everything for a normal. Certainly, such a decision would be beyond them. And that is my advantage.

They fall with barely a sigh. I ease them aside and hurry to Sage’s door where he stands, staring at me in horror.

“Like you’ve never taken anyone down before.” The lock gives way under my magic, though I feel a subtle pull at it and curse myself for not being more careful. Of course the way is warded. Now I have less time than I hoped to get us out of here.

“Those were death blows,” he says, stepping outside the door and into the hall, right hand gingerly covering his left shoulder and the bite there.

“These are werewolves,” I say, pulling on him, further into the dungeon. I know a back way out, found it as a girl, though I’m certain no one else is aware of the exit. “Death blows barely put them under.”

He hesitates as I try to encourage him to hurry. “Charlotte,” he says, pain in his voice and not the physical kind. “We can’t do this.”

“You’d rather die?” I huff impatiently, jerking harder on him until he staggers forward a step.

“You’ll be giving up everything.” He resists me again. “Your family, your place. And I’ll likely turn into a soulless creature who will try to kill you and infect others.” Sage begins to back away. “I’d rather die clean than go through that.”

Stubborn, willful… I pause and draw a breath. It’s part of what I love about him, after all. “I may have a way to change all that,” I say, “and if you’ll stop screwing around, we can find out if I’m right.”

“And if you’re wrong?” He won’t budge while I feel wereguards heading our way, know my grandfather—though I’ve blocked him from my mind—is well aware Sage is free.

“I’ve already promised someone I care about I’ll kill you personally.” I stare into his eyes for a long moment before he finally nods.

We’re too late. The wereguards will be on us in seconds. This was all for nothing. But I can’t bring myself to blame Sage for his questions—he wouldn’t be the man I loved if he didn’t put others first and his own safety second.

And then a black tunnel opens and Piers appears, face tight with anger but his hands reaching for me.

“You’re an idiot,” my sorcerer friend snaps as Sage gapes. “Get in.”

I spin at the sound of footsteps behind me. “They’ll know you helped.” Now I’m the stubborn one.

“Let them.” Piers shoves me firmly between my shoulder blades, the propulsion pushing me into the black, Sage’s hand in mine. I gasp into the darkness, emerging a moment later into the cold night. Sage shivers and not just from the chill, staring at Piers like he’s a devil risen to take his soul.

“What the hell was that?”

We both ignore him as I push Piers hard, anger rising against him though none of this is his fault. “You should have stayed out of this.”

“You’re not going to make it alone.” His grim anger is new, a side of Piers I’ve never seen. He refuses to look at Sage and I feel his hurt lingering. “I knew you were going to try this. Do you think I’m the only one?”

A wolf howls in the distance and I catch my bearings. We’re not far from the palace. They will be hunting us now.

“You can still go back.” His words plead with me though I can tell from the set of his shoulders he knows I’m not going anywhere but far from here. “Charlotte, you’ll be a fugitive, without support. Hunted. No longer heir. You’re throwing away the future.”

Sage looks guilty as hell, but I don’t care. “I know,” I say, calm and settled. I’ve made my choice. The familiar feeling of being on a chosen path helps me relax into what I need to do.

Piers curses softly, turns from me, hands pushing back his long hair. When he returns to face me, his scowl is gone, angular face settled into a sad smile.

“You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t go your own way.” He hesitates before pulling me into his arms and kissing me. I kiss him back, though I’m acutely aware of Sage watching us. When Piers releases me, he whispers over my parted mouth. “This is the end of us, too.”

I nod. “I’m sorry.”

Piers clears his throat and backs away before fixing Sage with narrowed eyes. “If anything happens to her because of you…”

Sage finishes for him. “I’ll never forgive myself.”

Piers nods sharply. “Fine, you idiots,” he says. “Where am I taking you?”

I catch the scent of Caine, Viveca and Roman carried on the wind bending the tops of the trees. “Wherever you do,” I say, “it has to be now.”

The last thing I see as I step into the next black tunnel, a glance over my shoulder, is Caine’s furious face as the dark engulfs me and carries me away.

***

I feel Piers leave me, magic slamming into him.
Charlotte!
His mental voice is full of panic.
Hold on!
 

My own anxiety grips me, but I needn’t have worried. The other end appears a second later, the remnants of Piers’s power pushing us through. Sage and I crash land on a bed, the scents and feeling telling me we’re in a hostel. The occupant of the bed we land on cries out, reaching for a light, but Sage and I are already running while I send a thank you to Piers for his help while I desperately hope he’s okay.