Blown Away (Rogues Shifter Series Book 4) (14 page)

CHAPTER NINE

The pack meeting was held in a room that was a cross between a theatre, a small arena and a restaurant. It was fairly large, with rows of seats, benches and tables in graduated levels set out in a letter ‘U’ shape with a small stage at the open end of the ‘U’. On the ground level, in front of the stage was a cleared out area with a wooden floor: great for dancing or maybe even fighting. On the stage were a couple of tables and some chairs, the two in the middle looking just a little too much like thrones for my taste. Garrett and I were led on stage to sit behind the table to the right of the ‘thrones
’. Liam followed us up, taking the chair next to Garrett and Sash moved into place behind us as he had at last night’s meeting. We weren’t taking any chances with anyone’s safety, including our own. The rest of our team sat to our right, not actually on the stage but in the closest chairs and tables to our location. We could always converse mentally with the fae sisters and Garrett’s nest if there was trouble, and they could tell the shifters what was going on.

As the wolves were filing in, I leaned over to Garrett and sent,
“Feels like we’re at court.”

“Let’s hope the guillotine isn’t set up in the back yard.”

“Cute. I’m already nervous and that wasn’t helpful.”
Garrett snorted out a laugh.
“What?”
I was annoyed that he didn’t take me seriously.
“There’s a witch and a sorcerer in the pack.”

“I wouldn’t stress too much, mon petite demon.”

“I don’t know how to use those powers yet.”
I looked around at all the wolves staring at me and
Garrett
. “There’re at least fifty male wolves here.”

“Yes but we have three fae warriors. Alone, they could take out fifty wolves.”

He looked serious. I shrugged
. “Okay, but I want Karl. You can have Jake and Quentin.”

“What will the rest of the team do? Question the survivors?”

“Good, we have a plan.”
Kaera and Brina started to laugh, then leaned over to talk to the rest. Apparently, Garrett was letting the three fae hear my nervous banter.
“You’re paying for this later.”
I'd sent that message only to him.

He took my hand and gave me a flirty grin just as Quentin, Katrina, Gabriel, Karl, Jake and Sharon walked in. Of course the Alpha and his mate took the central 'thrones' and Karl, Gabriel and Sharon sat at the table on their left. Jake st
ood silently to Quentin’s left.

Liam sent to us,
“There's a block on the lines to keep us from accessing the energy. I’ll take care of it.”

“Let me try first.”
I pushed the energy of my aura toward the block, the way Isaiah had shown me, and after only a minute of untwisting the puzzle pieces of someone else’s spell, the magic opened to us again. The block was of mediocre strength, set in place by someone with only a small amount of skill. Compared to Kennet’s steel door, this was a block made of oak tag.

“Jacqueline, that was expertly done.”
I leaned forward to smile at Liam, noticing when I twisted back that Katrina and Karl were scowling at me. I smiled sweetly in their direction.

Food and wine was served to Quentin and Katrina and then to us by young females who spoke very softly when they spoke at all. After we were served, food and beverages were brought out to everyone else in the arena. Garrett only took a glass of red wine, but I was happy to see a nice piece of prime rib and plenty of side dishes. Unblocking the lines had given me an appetite.

Quentin nodded to us, then stood. The large room instantly grew quiet. “The Los Altos pack would like to welcome Garrett Cuvier and his mate Jacqueline Crawford Cuvier, along with three representatives of the Fae Seelie Court, his team of shifters and his nest of vampires. We’re pleased to have all of you as guests at our monthly pack meeting and we’re anxious to hear any news you might have regarding our missing boys later in the evening. Right now, we have some pack business to take care of, so please sit back and enjoy your meal.” Karl stood quickly and jumped off the edge of the stage, landing gracefully and moving toward the center of the floor.

One female wolf was led out onto the area directly in front of the stage by two large male weres. She was bruised and bloody and was thrown down onto her knees in front of Quentin. “You’ve been accused and found guilty of theft, lying to your Alpha and the Pack and attempted escape. Your sentence will be carried out tonight in front of your pack and our guests. Jake, please continue.”

Jake motioned to the two guards to move in behind the female. “Do you admit your guilt?" She nodded. "Speak up so everyone can hear you."

"I am guilty of all charges."

"Do you submit to our justice?” he asked. She nodded and started to tremble. One of the guards held her around her waist, pinning one arm tightly against her body. Jake said, "Extend your left arm." She lifted it shakily, so the other wolf stepped up to hold it steady, supporting her elbow.

I was surprised to see Jake, who was their enforcer, step back and Karl move forward. As he walked toward the female, Karl allowed his steel grey gaze to take in every single pack member, making sure that each one of them was watching. He leaned down and whispered something in her ear and she nodded again as tears raced down her cheeks.

“What is this? Some power play?”

“Much more I’m afraid, my love. This is one of the females who lied to Liam and Heinrich.”

Liam sent to us.
“Yes, Clarissa Bernard. This is a warning to us and probably to the couple that I interviewed as well.”

I felt my shoulders sag. They’d followed us to her house so they knew we suspected that she had information about the boys.
“This is our fault.”

“No.
This is Quentin’s decision. Or perhaps Karl’s. You don't have to watch."

"I think I do. None of us can appear weak."
He placed his hand over mine on the table, but didn't make any other gesture which might suggest that this was upsetting us.

The wolves had grown very quiet as Karl pulled out a Katana from the sheath on his belt and turned slowly in a circle to look at the crowd. “Shall I dispense justice on Clarissa Bernard, who betrayed the Pack with her actions?”

An all male roar went up from the benches and chairs around the stadium. “Yes!” They screamed. Karl's eyes locked on mine for a moment, erasing all doubts as to what this was really all about. Then as quickly as any vamp, Karl spun and brought down the blade to sever Clarrisa’s left hand from her arm in one clean cut above her wrist. Blood spurted out onto the floor as she screamed and then collapsed. More wolves appeared to take her away on a stretcher, hopefully to stop the bleeding and stitch up the dreadful wound. Karl picked up the grisly hand and held it out, showing the crowd the results of defying their alpha and his powerful son. The wolves on the benches were cheering and eating their meals with gusto, as if nothing strange or unusual had happened at all. Katrina, Sharon and Gabriel held their expressions neutral, with some effort, I noticed, while Quentin, Jake and Karl were grinning.

Although the food smelled delicious, I’d lost my appetite. I wanted to get up and leave, but I knew that we had to behave as if this violent act had no affect on us. Garrett had draped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer so I leaned into him. He smiled and passed me a glass of wine so I took a few sips and noticed that Quentin was watching my reaction. I straightened up
and forced myself to smile at him. “Is the food unsatisfactory, Jackie?” he asked.

“It’s delicious
, thank you.” I took a bite of the bloody prime rib, chewed and swallowed, trying to look as content as I could manage. Garrett gave my hand a squeeze and stood, walking the few feet over to Quentin and Katrina for a word regarding the rest of the meeting.

I played with my food for a few seconds, not really able to force down another mouthful. That girl lost
her hand, which meant that in wolf form, she wouldn’t be able to hunt. I heard a noise and looked up. Karl was standing in front of me, his bloody Katana back in the sheath at his belt. “I hope that you weren’t upset. Punishments take place at pack meetings.”

“I’m sorry to hear that you have so many pack members trying to leave.”

“Our pack is content here.” He frowned.

“Yes, it seems like such a happy environment, especially for the missing young men and their families.” I made no effort to hide my sarcasm.

He ignored my jibe and looked at Sinc who was seated on the side talking to Kaera. “Sinclair was once content here.”

“Until your dad threw her out.”

“He was required by law. Only weres are permitted to live here.”

I pulled up some magic, letting him see how easy it was for me. His eyes
widened slightly. “And witches. And sorcerers.”

Frowning, he looked around to see if
anyone had overheard me. “We are wolves.”

“You're also part of the alpha's family.
”

He stared at me for a moment, taking my measure. “Did you know that Sinclair and Gabriel were promised to each other?”

“I wasn’t sure, but I’m not surprised.”

“He’s the heir, but he’s never chosen a mate because he still wants
her
.” He turned to look in her direction. "She is lovely."

“A
relationship between them isn’t possible, right? She’s only a shifter, like me.” My voice dripped with the scorn I felt.

“Oh, no, nothing like you. Your aura pulsates with magic.
Cheetah and healer and—and something else?” His eyes grew suddenly wider. He took a step backward.

“Not a wolf, Karl.”
My cold tone was in stark contrast to the hot fury I felt for this sadistic asshole. I was tempted to let my eyes flash orange. Fortunately, my common sense stepped up in the nick of time.

He whisper
ed in a voice tight with excitement, ignoring my anger and lost in his own fantasy. “Perhaps a new alpha will emerge. He would need strong allies and he'd be very generous to his supporters. Especially those who helped him take what should rightfully be his.” He glanced at his father and brother with bitter hatred etched across his face.

When he turned back toward me, his eyes burned dark with lust, not for physical pleasure, but f
or power. He was the second son—not the heir—and yet twice as powerful as the alpha himself. However, Quentin had his pack behind him and Karl had only his magic and perhaps his mother. There were too many for him to overcome on his own, even with his dark spells.

I pulled in more magic, sat up straighter and asked again, “Where are the boys, Karl, and why have you taken them?” He only smiled and leaned in closer, pulling in more magic as he did.

Suddenly Liam was standing next to me, his eyes a golden fire. “Back away, sorcerer. Your magic smells tainted. Are you using the blood of the kidnapped boys?” He'd spoken in a whisper, only loud enough for the three of us to hear, but there was nothing friendly in his tone.

Karl’s eyes locked with Liam’s for a moment, their aversion to each other obvious, but when he turned back to me he was all smiles. “Forgive me if I frightened you into calling your little half-elf. I meant you no harm.” He held out his hand in a gesture of friendship but I didn’t take it. The
re was something so horribly sick about him. “As you prefer…” He backed away several steps, then turned and took his seat again.

“You will stay away from this one.”
It wasn’t a request. Liam rarely gave me direct orders but his eyes had remained locked on Karl, who was ignoring us and talking to Sharon.

“Yes, I will.
I feel it too. He's crazy.”
Liam didn’t move away when Garrett returned.

I repeated my conversation to Garrett and then Liam sent to both of us.
“I advise you to send Jacqueline home with Brina.  Brina can return here when Farrell arrives at your house to act as Jackie’s guard.  Karl is more dangerous than you know and I feel he will not ask again for an alliance. That door has been closed, so now he will attack because he thinks he has no other option. We're too close to discovering what's going on, although I fear that he's keeping the boys to use them for his blood spells.”

I shook my head.
“I’m not leaving. I’ll stay away from Karl because he creeps me out, but you need me here to find them, now more than ever.”

“This is not a good time to be stubborn.”

“Liam, I’m protected by you and the sisters. I’ll be fine.”

We both turned to Garrett who hadn’t said a word.  He was thinking quietly, weighing what we’d told him with what he’d observed on his own.
“If Karl is so dangerous, then perhaps we should all leave. I can hand the case over to Aaron along with the evidence we've gathered so far. On the other hand, Karl trying to coerce us into joining his side indicates that he has little support and is working on his own. Without the pack behind him, I don't see him as much of a threat.

"
Liam, I don’t wish to ignore your advice, but I think we can stick with the investigation for at least two more days. I’d like the boys to get home safely. Jackie's right, we need her skills. Bring in Farrell or anyone else as extra backup if you feel there’s a need: however many fae you feel are necessary.”
Liam didn't look happy but it wasn’t his decision to make.