“Councilor, this is unusual?—”
“Listen to me, Ridge.” Her tone drops. “This is important. Do not tell anyone about this call. Not even Magma. This stays strictly between you and me. Are we clear?”
I don’t like it one bit.
“You’re asking me to keep this from my own commanding officer.”
“Yes. If anyone in your office asks where you are going, tell them you are visiting the next family on your list and that you may be back late.”
My beast, who has been quiet in me all afternoon, lifts his head.
“I don’t like this.”
“Neither do I, but here we are.”
“What’s going on?”
“I would not be asking it of you if I had any other choice. I cannot divulge anything more on this line. When you arrive at the Stones, you and I will speak, and then you can decide what you do with what I tell you. Until then, I need you to trust me.”
“And if I say no?”
“It’s an order.”
I huff out a breath. “I trust Magma with my life. I don’t like going behind his back, even if it is an order from a Council member.”
“If you turn me down, I will have to find someone else who will agree, and I will be sorry I asked you, and you will not hear from me again on this matter. But Iamasking you, Ridge. Please come. Hear me out. Please.”
I look back toward the house. Through the front window, I can see Coral on the couch, her hand still resting on her belly.
“Okay,” I agree.
She pushes out a heavy breath. “Thank you.”
The line cuts.
I stand at the gate with the phone in my hand and the sun on the back of my neck and the slow, low coil of my dragon stirring under my ribs.
I have served this Council for many years. Nine of them on the frontlines. In all that time, no Councilor has ever asked me to meet them off the books.
Reed is always strictly above board.
Something is going down.
Then again, we are in troubled times.
I put the phone in my pocket and go back inside.
Coral looks up when I come in. Whatever is on my face must show, because hers changes.
“You have to leave.”
“I do. I’m sorry, Coral. Duty calls, and it cannot wait. Someone from my office will arrange a sit-down with you for tomorrow. You have my number.” I glance at the card on the coffee table.
She nods. Her eyes fill again, but she holds back the tears.
“Thank you for coming. It means a great deal.”
“I’ll be back to see you at the funeral…unless you need me sooner.” I dip my head once, and I let myself out.
In the SUV, I sit with my hands on the wheel and the engine off. I will have to make time to see the other four families.
Then I start the engine.
My beast is awake under my skin now. What is going on? Why can’t Magma know about it?
I hate this.
I pull out into the road and press my foot down on the accelerator.
