“This is anoutrage!”
Ethan and I are in Xander’s study, watching Stasio and Holden as they rail at Xander. Stasio, in particular, has lost his stiff composure entirely.
“Your guard did this.” He steps toward Xander, teeth bared. “He escorted my daughter into the garden and attacked her. Your healer says he might’ve killed her if she hadn’t defended herself.”
Xander squares his shoulders, impervious to Stasio’s fury. “My guard would not have attacked anyone unprovoked.”
“Are you suggesting that sheaskedfor this?” Stasio steps up to Xander and I have to get between them.
This is such a mess.When we found Haron, she was barely conscious. I had to carry her to Olcan while shouting orders at the other guards to search the grounds. In the moment, I had automatically assumed that an intruder had come and overpowered Jayme.
By the time I got her to infirmary, though, Haron managed to tell me that it was Jayme who attacked her. Lying on the bed, she held up a bloodied hand and said, “I was able to stop him before— before he . . .”
Now, as I try to maintain some separation between the Shaman and the Alpha, I’m still confused. What the hell would possess Jayme to do this? Ican’tbelieve he would throw away his life like this. It just doesn’t make sense.
“Please, Elder,” I turn to Stasio. “Calm yourself. We are investigating—”
“There is no investigating to be done.” Holden emerges from behind his father. “My sister was attacked, and it was that guard of yours that did it. You commanded him to show her around the garden, so this is moreyourfault than anyone else’s.”
It’s as though Holden’s words relit the fire in Stasio. The next thing I know, he’s slapping my arm away. “I willnotbe calm,” he says through gritted teeth. “My child was almost murdered tonight.”
“But she wasn’t,” Xander says, “because the Commander of my Guard was able to get to her in time—” Stasio scoffs at the wordsmy Guard. “Elder, I appreciate your anger. I truly do. And I am telling you, as sworn Alpha of this pack, this incident will not go unanswered. You have my vow on that.”
Stasio stands there, grinding his teeth as he glares over my head at him. “Once upon a time, our people trusted yours to protect one of our daughters,” he says. “We all know how that ended. Let this not be a repeat of those events.”
The hair on the back of my neck stands up. Even Ethan and Thea stiffen on the couch. The threat in those words is unmistakable. Xander’s blue, silver-ringed eyes darken.
“We invited you here to foster peace, Elder,” he says, his voice a low growl.
“There will be no peace as long as my daughter’s attacker is allowed to roam free,” Stasio answers. “So, whatever your investigation uncovers, there must be justice for Haron, or I will see this place cursed for all eternity.”
Xander’s eyes narrow. “You will have justice,” he says. “On that, I swear.”
Stasio nods, seemingly satisfied. “Your vow is your bond, Alpha.” And with that, he turns to leave with Holden in tow. As the door opens, one of the guards outside peeks in, and Xander nods to him, commanding him to escort our guests.
Once they’re gone, he closes his eyes and sighs, pressing his fingers to the bridge of his nose.
Thea says, “Do we really believe Jayme did this?”
Xander doesn’t speak, so I say, “No, of course not. There must be some explanation.” I look at Xander, who gives me an impatient glare. “Jayme didn’t do this, my Lord. He wouldn’t throw away all his hard work to do something this vile—”
“That doesn’t matter, Rhiannon. Not right now.”
I glare back at him. “Of course it matters—”
“Did you not see the Elder just now? His daughter was attacked by one ofus. Right now, that is the only thing that matters to him. If I don’t act immediately, everything we have worked for up to this point will have been for nothing.”
I can’t believe what he’s implying. “My Lord—”
“There is nothing more to discuss. Jayme must be taken into custody.Now.If not, this summit ends, and so does our chance at peace.”
We all go silent. My heart pounds in my ears. Xander takes in a deep breath, then says, “Go to Jayme yourself. Maybe if it’s you who does it, he’ll go willingly.”
There’s no resistance in me left to give. Nothing in Xander’s face suggests he takes any pleasure in this. He adds, “Please, Rhiannon. Don’t fight me on this.”
“I understand, My Lord.” Without another word, I leave. Footsteps follow me a few seconds later. It’s Ethan, of course.
“You’re not really going to arrest him, are you?” he asks, and I scoff. “Okay, but hear me out a second. I think there’s something else going on here.”
