Андреа Кремер - Nightshade

“What is it?”

“I’ve been thinking.” He zipped and unzipped his coat, clearly nervous. “Haldis. We need to know what it is.”

I looked at his pocket, where the strange object was tucked away. “The library isn’t safe. The Searchers clearly were watching us there before that ambush.”

I shuddered, rubbing my arms.

“I’m sorry, I know it’s cold,” he said, green eyes darkening, full of wariness even as he watched me shiver. “But I need to be able to read your facial expressions. I’m not great at wolf body language yet.”

“Why do you need to know what my facial expressions are?” I started to walk toward him, stopping when he backed off.

“’Cause you’re not going to like this plan, and I need to know if you’re going to attack me. So I can get out of the way.”

I laughed, but his face was serious.

“You think I’m going to attack you?” I regarded him curiously.

He drew a slow breath.

“So we need to do research, right?”

I grimaced and nodded.

“But the public library is out, and so is our school library . . .”

“Yep.” My interest grew as his expression became calculating.

Shay backed as far from me as he could without having to shout for me to hear him.

“This must be some plan,” I muttered.

“Just promise you’ll listen to the whole idea before you lose your temper.” His eyes darted toward the trail that led back to the parking lot, as if to gauge how much time it would take for him to make a run to his truck.

My lips curled into a dangerous smile. “I promise.”

“Great.” He didn’t sound convinced at all. “What if we could get all the Keepers’ information from the source?”

“The source?”

“Their books.”

I frowned. “I’m not following you.”

He squared his shoulders. “We need to use the library at Rowan Estate.”

It was no longer the wind that made me shudder. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

“You know I’m not.”

“I am not going to Rowan Estate.”

“Why not?”

“I can’t believe you’re even suggesting this!”

He inched toward me. “Listen, Calla. My uncle travels constantly; he’s never home. We won’t get caught, and we need the information that’s in the library. I don’t think The War of All Against All is the only book he didn’t want me to see.”

“Which is exactly why it’s too dangerous for us to snoop around there,” I countered.

“Bosque doesn’t know I can pick the lock to the library,” he said. “I’m always alone. The staff only come to clean on Tuesdays and Sundays. We won’t go on Tuesday, and you patrol on Sunday anyway. No one would know if we did our research there on the other days.”

“I don’t know—”

“Logan said you’re supposed to hang out with me, right?” Shay interjected.

“Yes, but . . .”

“Don’t you think it would seem more suspicious if I never invited you over to my house?”

“Maybe.” I frowned.

He was grinning. “Definitely.”

“You’re not going to drop this, are you?”

“Nope.”

I sighed.

“So what’s the verdict?” he asked.

“I guess I’d better get my list out,” I said. “It looks like I’m about to add another forbidden act.”

“That’s my girl.”

“Alpha.”

“Whatever.”

TWENTY-FOUR

WE GOT THROUGH SHAY’S FIRST DAY AT school since turning without incident, except for one close call in Big Ideas. As soon as Ren walked into class, Shay tensed up, the shadow of his wolf form sliding over his shoulders, making him bristle. I’d anticipated his reaction and glared at him until he settled down. By the end of the school day I almost shared Shay’s confidence that our expedition to Haldis would remain our secret, but my optimism was short-lived.

I knew something was wrong as soon as I walked through the front door. The air stung my nostrils and I coughed out the wraiths’ stench. I considered heading for the back door so I wouldn’t have to pass the kitchen, but the thought came a moment too late.

“That must be our girl now.” Oh God, they know. This is it.

My heart skipped a beat. That voice had never been in my house before. When I walked into the living room, the Keeper was sitting in my father’s leather chair, smiling at me.

“We’ve been waiting for you, Calla,” Efron Bane said. “You’re a busy girl to come home this late. And on a school night. I hope you’re not getting into trouble.”

He wasn’t alone. In addition to the wraiths that swirled behind his shoulders, Logan and Lumine sat on the couch. Why are they all here? I tried to think about anything but turning Shay, not wanting them to sense my fear.

“I’ve been following orders.” I glanced at Logan, who nodded. “Like you asked.”

“Yes, so I’ve heard,” he said. “Our Ren thinks you’ve taken your orders a little too seriously.”

Am I going to have to give up time with Shay because Ren is jealous? “If I misunderstood—” I began.

“No, no. I know you’re the soul of innocence, dear Calla.” Logan laughed. “Ren’s hackles raise at the thought of any other male getting near you. But that’s who he is, nothing more. Keep up the good work with our boy.”

“Yes, Logan,” I murmured.

“Here we are,” my mother chirped, carrying a silver tray loaded with a tea service and miniature scones. “Welcome home, Calla. You’ll notice we have guests. Your father is out on patrol, of course.”

I nodded. My mother poured the tea. Maybe they hadn’t figured out their spider had been killed after all. But if they weren’t here to punish me, what was this visit about?

A car door slammed outside.

“That makes our company,” Lumine said, selecting a porcelain cup. More company?

There was a knock at the door.

“Calla, would you please get that while I serve tea?” I watched my mother’s nervous movements with growing anxiety. Who else could be coming?

I went to the door, letting it swing open to reveal two men. One I knew well, the other I’d only heard talk of. Talk that hadn’t been favorable.

“This must be Calla.” Ren’s father took his time looking me up and down. “Well, at least they aren’t giving you a horse face for a mate, boy. She’s not half bad, is she?”

I couldn’t help it; I snarled at him, showing my teeth.

He laughed, glancing at Ren. “And she’s got spirit. That’s good. Breaking her in will be all the more fun.”

Ren didn’t respond, keeping his eyes on our doormat. Emile Laroche shoved past me into the living room, taking in his surroundings like he was casing our house. It was a good thing my father was on patrol. I was trying so hard not to gape at the elder Bane alpha that I barely noticed when Ren came to my side, kissing my forehead in greeting.

“Nice to see you,” he murmured, taking my hand.

I mumbled my hello, still staring at Ren’s father. I’d never met Emile Laroche; until the recent melding of the young wolves, Nightshades and Banes had stayed clear of each other. The Bane alpha bore little resemblance to his son. Where Ren was strong but lithe, Emile was squat and broad, thick muscles straining against his clothes. Unlike Ren’s dark hair and eyes, Emile’s hair resembled matted straw, his eyes the pale blue of a frozen stream.

“Naomi!” Emile barked, grinning at my mother. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

“Emile.” Naomi kept her eyes downcast. “Can I offer you something to drink?”

“Something stronger than that,” he said, pointing at the tea.

“Of course.” She hurried toward the kitchen.

“For me as well,” Efron called after her before smiling at Emile. “Good man.”