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“Oh, we’re all very serious here.” He looked at me, tapped the handle of the knife holstered on his belt. “Of course, there’s no need for Obsideo if you’d rather the vamp stand up before the clan, the coven.”
Enough of this,I thought, and put a hand on my katana. But Connor’s hand was on my arm.
“She doesn’t submit to you,” he said, the words nearly a growl. “Do it.”
Cash smiled meanly. “If you insist. The elders of the Northwood Clan claim Obsideo.”
Magic shimmered in the air, thickening it, warping it. It was hard to breathe, and I had to work to stop my rising panic—andmy monster’s—as my lungs constricted. Connor’s fingers tightened on my arm.
“Breathe slowly,” he said quietly. “The air is fine; you’re just feeling the magic.”
But my vision was dimming, narrowing, little sparks of light flashing around the edges.
Cash grinned mirthlessly. “Your vampire doesn’t like obligation magic.”
Monster and I both moved forward, and this time it took both Connor and Alexei to hold me back.
“Let me go,” I managed, struggling against them, and didn’t much care this time if my eyes had silvered or gone red. Didn’t much care if they saw exactly how much of an outsider I really was. I caught Georgia’s concerned glance, looked away. I didn’t want pity now. I wanted to fight. I wanted air unspoiled by magic, and honest battle with blood and steel. Not this farce.
Then the magic snapped into place around me—and I could breathe again. I sucked in air, and as I stopped struggling, felt Connor’s fingers loosen.
Obligation magic was a bitch, I thought, as I forced my heart to slow, sent the monster down again.
The magic couldn’t compel me; this was shifter magic, and as Connor had pointed out, the Pack had no authority over a vampire. But if I guessed correctly, it would tie him to the clan until the “crisis” was resolved. I noted the glimmer in Miranda’s eyes, wondered if she could keep him forever and give herself a clear path to Apex.
“You’re all right?” Connor asked.
I nodded, for form, because this wasn’t the time or the place to get into it. But I wasn’t all right. I was pissed. I hadn’t been planning to give in to this farce masquerading as justice. They knew damn well that I’d had to change Carlie, that the “extenuating circumstances” demanded it. So it was ludicrous that he wasputting himself in danger—handing himself over to the clan—on my behalf. And it was insulting. I could handle myself, especially against Cash, whom I hadn’t yet seen fight his own battles.
“You’re obligated,” Cash said.
“I’m obligated,” Connor agreed, and turned to walk out.
I followed close behind, because Connor Keene and I were going to have some words.
SEVENTEEN
I managed to wait until we’d marched back to the cabin and stepped inside before turning furious eyes to Connor.
“I’m going to just... stay outside,” Alexei said, right before I slammed the door closed.
I was seething, rage fountaining so hot I felt my blood might actually boil. Even the monster was angry, and I let it be. Let it rise to the surface, through insult mixed with the residual guilt about what I’d done the night before.
“What the hell was that?” I asked.
“Elisa—” He held up a hand.
“No,” I said, pointing at him. “It’s my turn to speak. First of all, you’ve barely talked to me since last night. You think I don’t know what you’re thinking? That you’re angry I hurt Carlie? That I hurt someone you loved? And that you finally saw me for the monster that I am?”
Anger flashed in his eyes.
“And second,” I said quickly, afraid to give him time to respond, “I fight my own damn battles. I do not need someone stepping in front of me, and certainly not a damn shifter. I don’t need someone agreeing to be tied to this clan, which can go straight to hell as far as I’m concerned. And I don’t need you stuck in Grand Bay, Minnesota, for the rest of eternity because you think I can’t handle myself. Why the hell would you consent to that?”
“Do you want me to answer you, or are you going to keep ranting?”
I could actually feel my lip curl. I stepped closer to him. “Oh, I’m just getting started.”
His eyes went hot in response. “Then let me respond to the first volley,” he said. “First of all, my feelings don’t just switch off and on like a damn flashlight. That’s insulting to both of us. I’ve seen you in human form, and I’ve seen you as a vampire. I’ve seen your monster, and I’ve seen you fight. I’ve also seen you snort milk out of your nose.”
