Андреа Кремер - Nightshade

“You’re welcome.” Emile leaned against the wall near Efron. “Good evening, mistress, young master.”

“Thank you for coming, Emile,” Lumine said, stirring her tea. “I know a meeting like this is somewhat unprecedented.”

My mother returned with drinks for Emile and Efron. She glanced around the room, pursing her lips. “I’ll get more chairs.”

“Aren’t you going to sit on my lap?” Emile said, downing his drink in one gulp. I stared at him, but Efron laughed heartily while Logan snickered.

Lumine’s mouth turned down, disapproving, but she continued to sip her tea.

“I’ll just bring the bottle,” my mother murmured when Emile thrust his empty glass at her, and went back to the kitchen.

I helped her carry the kitchen chairs into the living room, settling near Ren and wondering what the hell was going on.

“It’s a shame Stephen isn’t here,” Lumine began.

“Yeah, a damn shame.” Emile snorted, lounging in his seat. “It’s been a few years since we’ve had a good fight.”

“Easy, friend,” Efron said. “We need both packs on this. You’ll have to set your prejudices aside for the time being.”

“What’s happened?” Naomi asked, handing Emile a bottle of scotch.

“We think something has gone wrong up at Haldis,” Lumine said. “We may have delayed putting the new pack out too long.”

I fixed my expression into what I hoped was a blank stare while horror curled at the base of my spine. They do know!

“We haven’t seen anything on patrols,” Naomi said.

“The problem occurred within the cavern itself,” Lumine continued. “One of the last lines of defense may have been taken out, but we can’t be certain without an investigation. Logan?”

But they don’t know everything. How soon will they put all the pieces together?

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.”