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“Exactly,” Maxim says. “I hope I don’t need to tell you all of the things they said are lies. I would never hurt my father or your sister.”
“No, of course not,” I rush to assure him.
“I testified to as much to Christopher under the influence of a truth stone,” he says. “That’s how I got through to him, and he began to realize that he’s been lied to and…brainwashed, I suppose. Apparently, Bane has most of the Human Side shifter packs convinced that I’m the Shadow Prince and must be stopped at all costs. They’ve been working underground for years to prepare to take the tower and do away with me.” He glances my way. “And you, I suppose. If they decide you’re on my side. As of now, Kelley’s been telling them you’re a prisoner here, that I kidnapped you to force you into fulfilling the prophecy. She must want to spare you if she can.”
It feels like someone’s slipped a knife between my ribs.
But, of course, Maxim must be feeling even worse.
I rest a careful hand on his shoulder, “I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine what they’re thinking.”
“I imagine they’re thinking that lies and manipulation are the quickest way to get what they want,” he says, before adding in a softer voice, “Or maybe they’ve both lost their minds. That would be…easier.”
I bring my hand to his back, rubbing in gentle circles between his shoulder blades. “It would. I can’t imagine the Kelley I knew being a part of something like this.” I pause, my hand falling to my side as a possibility flits through my head. “Is it possible they’ve been deceived, too, maybe? That someone else is pulling the strings and…tricking them somehow?”
Maxim seems to consider that for a moment but then shakes his head. “I mean, maybe, but Bane should know better. He’s my brother. He knows who I am. Or he damned well should. I never even wanted to be Alpha. I grew up knowing the only way I would ever lead the pack is if something happened to my brother and I…” He swallows. “I fucking idolized him. I wouldn’t wish a head cold on him let alone death.”
My stomach balls into a knot. I want to say something to ease his pain, but I don’t have words for a situation like this. So, I just whisper, “I’m so sorry, Maxim. And I am on your side. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
He turns to me, hope and wariness warring in his gaze. “Really? Even after I’ve been more awful to you than…” His breath rushes out. “Well, anyone. You caught me at a bad time, when I was feeling protective of my people after Dad’s poisoning, but that doesn’t excuse all of it.”
“No, it doesn’t.” I cock my head, studying him, hope fluttering cautious wings in my chest. “But maybe we can start fresh? If you’re open to that, I am. It sounds like we could both use someone we can trust on our side.”
He nods, but his focus shifts to the floor as he mumbles, “I’d like that.”
My lips curve. “You sound pretty thrilled about it. Keep a lid on the enthusiasm, Thorn, or you’ll give me a big head.”
His lips twitch, but when his gaze returns to mine his isn’t smiling. “I’m sorry. It’s hard to be excited about anything right now. It all feels…dark. And like we’re running out of time.”
I frown. “Did the tiger, Christopher, tell you what they’re planning? Are they going to attack the tower again?”
“He didn’t have any information on that. Bane is being careful to keep the pieces of the puzzle separate, so that if any one person is captured, they won’t be able to be coerced into giving up the master plan,” he says. “But Christopher echoed what Maggie said, that it all hinges on the baby. That’s why Kelley stole a fertility object from our treasure room. Apparently, they’re having trouble conceiving.”
“Because you allegedly poisoned Kelley? Even though you haven’t seen her in years, and we all thought she and Bane were dead?”
“Correct.” His mouth twists into a crooked line. “Which is insane, of course, but they’re fixated on having a baby as quickly as possible. And that’s the only way I can see this ending without bloodshed—if it’s obvious to their followers that we conceived first.”
My head rears back, shock blanking my brain for a moment.
I suppose I shouldn’t be so surprised—it’s part of what we were discussing with Maggie earlier—but Maxim wasn’t on board with babies, or the prophecy, a few hours ago.
“B-but you don’t believe in the prophecy,” I stammer.
“At this point it doesn’t matter what I believe. Either we convince the crazy half of the shifter world that we’re the good guys or, at the very least, that fighting us is a pointless endeavor or…my brother murders me.” He motions to me. “Maybe murders both of us, if you truly intend to throw your lot in with me.” His forehead furrows as he adds in a softer voice, “You can still leave if you want. I’ll help you get out of the city. I won’t force you to marry me or bear my child, though…I confess there’s a part of me that wants to.”
I take a step back, lifting my hands in the universal sign for “stop the insanity.” “Okay, did I miss something somewhere? Didn’t we just decide to start fresh and work together? Like…two minutes ago?”
“We did,” he says, “but my people still come first. If the only way to protect them from my brother is to make sure you’re pregnant with my baby…”
My blood going cold, I drop my arms and curl my fingers into fists at my side. “You wouldn’t dare. Not after… Not after what you know happened with Pax.”
To his credit, a truly miserable expression twists his handsome features, and he sounds tortured as he says, “I don’t know, Willow. If we’re going to be partners, then I owe you the truth and…” His breath rushes out. “I don’t fucking know. And I hope you won’t force me to find out. A fertility specialist will be here first thing in the morning. She’ll chart your moon cycle and see when you’ll be fertile and…we’ll go from there.”
I glare at him through slitted eyes. “And if I decide I’m not ready to get pregnant and toss an innocent baby into the middle of this insanity? If I think we should do more research and try to find a way to help these people see the truth without rushing into something so serious? What then?”
His jaw muscles tense again. “Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s a realistic option. It could take months or even years to get through to these people. Do you know how hard it is to deprogram someone once they’ve joined a cult? It’s practically impossible. Their entire identity and community becomes wrapped up in that belief. If it proves untrue, their entire world falls apart.”
“But the truth is the truth,” I insist. “And the truth has power. We can start with getting your dad to tell these people that you didn’t poison him.”
