Is Withers saying what it sounds like?
Grayson isn’t the only one looking at Nix’s stony face, and when he glances at Luca, he looks afraid. Whatever happened atCarnell’s has Nix pale, and combined, he and Luca smell like a burnt-out bakery.
“Attempted rape isn’t romantic, asshole. I’m sure your rotten evening was just what you deserved.”
Attempted rape?
Stomach turning, Grayson’s rage almost supersedes his iron control, but he forces his razor-sharp claws into his palms, and the pain brings him back before he blows their plan.
He isn’t the only one whose control is stretched to the limit. The scent of burnt black currants bursts in the small room, and Finn’s grip on the phone is so tight, the glass cracks in his hand.
They’re damned lucky the call doesn’t drop.
“Oh, but I heard you like it a little bit rough? Carnell was quite forthcoming. How does that make your alphas feel? Knowing that Carnell’s son—”
Grayson can’t listen to one more second without punching something or throwing up, or teleporting across Clearwater in search of Withers.
He’s sure his fury has colored his tone, but he somehow manages to keep his voice level, detached, and almost bored.
“Sorry to interrupt what I’m sure was going to be a riveting story, but I understand that you’ve been looking for me?”
“Well, there you are. I was wondering how long you were going to let your apprentice speak for you. I’d much rather make your acquaintance, sexy. Have you been hiding from little ole me? Makes me wonder why.”
His clamp on The Plain slips free, and Nix jerks at the sudden surge through their soul, but he stands firm, color in his cheeks and jaw clenched. He scrabbles for Grayson’s hand and reaches out for Luca with the other to ground him.
The Wolf hears the challenge in Withers’s tone. Added to the threats he’s made to Nix and Luca, he has had more than enough already—and they’re not even close to being done.
He’s only able to get the next words out after a deep breath, grounding himself with Nix’s touch.
“Avoid you? Why would I? I don’t even know who you are,” Grayson says, hoping he’s struck the right tone.
He looks at Gideon, and his mate’s mouth ticks up in approval.
There’s a loud crash on the other end of the line, and a small, muffled cry from Winnie. Nix jerks beside him, as if imagining Withers’s unique brand of cruelty being used against their new friends.
Grayson can’t think about them now; all his concentration is on keeping his magic from flying out along The Plain and trying to incinerate Withers—and probably himself—where he stands. Instead, he siphons his surplus power into the old stone floor, its millennia of Earth’s magic still humming beneath his feet.
Completely unaware of Grayson’s struggle, the fool continues, his voice dripping with conceit.
“Let me introduce myself, then. I’m the most powerful magic user in the world at the moment. I can find anyone, anywhere, and make them do whatever. The. Fuck. I. Want. Even you.”
Nix rolls his eyes and audibly snorts.
He’s reminding Grayson that Withers couldn’t make him do a damn thing—and besides, they’re hidden at The Guild under the world’s best wards.
Jay signals Finn to hand the phone to Grayson, and the two of them head out the still-open back door—hopefully to gather reinforcements and figure out how to rescue Winnie and Ansel.
Beside him, Gideon types a note into his phone.
Stalling, Grayson hums, “Mmm. I’m confused. I heard you lost your license to practice magic.”
It has to be a sore spot, even if they don’t know the details. Appearing before The Guild and losing any legitimacy he oncehad must have been a hard pill to swallow—especially with an ego the size of the Florida panhandle.
“Those fucking idiots wouldn’t know greatness if it walked their halls.” He chuckles. “And I did. I have an Affinity for Mind Manipulation, amongst other things—and not one of them knew. Not one.
“All that: Poor Aleksander has a Biometric Compass Affinity. How impractical; a small Talent for fire. Oh dear, how will he make his way in the world? Wah, wah, wah. Boo hoo hoo. So many bleeding hearts. I’m glad to be fucking done with them. On to bigger and better things, if you know what I mean?”
Grayson has an inkling of what he means.
