Ryder and Damien were both studying each other now, their ancient friendship allowing them to communicate without words. But then Ryder’s attention went to Willow, his gaze softening.
After a beat, he smiled. “My mate accepts. My progeny accepts. So I guess I accept, too. But I have a condition.”
Khalid merely arched a brow, seeming to wait for that condition.
“You leave Emine here and escort us personally. If something happens to me, Damien, or my mate, your pet dies.”
All signs of Khalid’s amusement fled. “No.”
“Then I decline yourchallenge,” Ryder returned.
Khalid studied Ryder for a long moment, his turquoise irises glittering in the candlelight. “I have a counteroffer.”
Ryder leaned back in his chair, a lazy grin tugging at his lips. “I’m listening.”
“I’ll remain here with Emine while Cedric and Lily give you and Damien a tour of Blood City.” His gaze bounced around thetable. “We’ll spend a few days reviewing everything you know and develop an approach for the next Blood Alliance meeting.”
“What kind of an approach?” Jace asked. “What do you intend to achieve?”
“Change,” he answered without hesitation. “Which should be relatively easy to accomplish once we show the alphas the experiments Lilith was running on the lycans. I also doubt many of our brethren will be thrilled by the experiments involving the Blessed Ones.”
A few grunts of agreement sounded at the table.
“But to share all of that, we’ll need proof of her antics.” His gaze landed on Cam. “Which is why you’ll need to provide details and schematics of Lilith’s underground. I have information on several of her former bunkers, but nothing from the labs beneath the former Vatican.”
Cam stared back at him, saying nothing.
But I heard him calculating a response in his mind.
If Cane’s locked up somewhere, it could be beneficial to have powerful royals on our side.
A darker part of him whispered,It’ll also be interesting to see how this game between Ryder and Khalid ends. Maybe Khalid will kill Ryder. Or vice versa.
That would be a waste of royal blood,his practical side replied dryly.We might need them to help us find Cane.
A low growl followed that thought, his annoyance mounting over the possibility of what might be happening to his brother.
What the fuck did Lilith do? She was his progeny. What the hell was she thinking?he demanded, the words meant for himself and not for me.
But I responded anyway.She was a selfish bitch who wanted to destroy humanity. She wasn’t thinking about anything other than her endgame.
Which had unfortunately been robust and thorough, as evidenced by what she’d done to Cam. And how her work was still being carried out, despite her death.
“Willow comes with me,” Ryder said, his negotiation with Khalid ongoing.
“Fine. Your pet can tag along with you and Damien,” Khalid agreed. “Do we?—”
“Mymate,” Ryder interjected. “I may call her ‘pet’ lovingly, but you will refer to her as mymate.”
Khalid considered him for a beat. “Then you will refer to Emine as my dragoness.”
“Fine.”
“Fine,” Khalid echoed. “Do we have a deal?”
“Yes. When do we leave?” Ryder asked, his tone still holding an edge to it.
“Whenever you’d like,” Khalid told him. “The jet’s ready for you.”
