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“She seems very nice.” Alec grunts a response and lifts the teapot.
“Just sugar? Is my memory correct?” I nod and eye the old sorcerer in front of me. With a heavy sigh, he finally acknowledges the obvious. “She’s quite nice. I enjoy her company.”
“I think she enjoys yours as well.” His eyes dart to the door with longing before he clears his throat and passes me a teacup with its accompanying saucer.
The porcelain clinks and it doesn’t escape me that the dainty dishes look completely out of place in my callused hands.
“Your message was very vague. What is it that you need, old friend?”
His blunt response and dismissal of the conversation regarding the woman seems forced. I’m not sure why he seems so touchy about discussing her further. He’s the leader of the Authority. The most powerful man I know, human or otherwise. Not because his magic is so much greater than that of the others, but because of his connections.
If he wants something, he’s given it withoutquestion. I consider asking about the girl, but instead I move on to business. If he wanted to confide in me, he would. Besides, I hate to interfere. Still, the agreeable air seems dampened since she left and I don’t care for the change.
“I wish you wouldn’t call me that. I’m not nearly as old as you.” He chuckles, knowing it’s all in good humor. I almost smile at the sorcerer, but with the heavy situation weighing down on my shoulders, my body stays stiff. “Do you have somewhere more private we could speak?” He tilts his head and opens a drawer to pull out a notepad. A pen flies from the drawer and into his open hand before he scribbles something on a sheet of paper.
Away from meddling ears?
I nod my head once, maintaining eye contact while I set the teacup down on the desk.
“Of course. Let’s head to the woods, shall we?” He snaps his fingers and the world blurs for only a moment before I’m sitting in the same comfortable chair, my hands still wrapped around the armrests, but in front of me is a babbling creek.
The morning light filters through the leaves onto the damp ground as a gentle wind passes. The shadeof a large oak tree grants us privacy. It’s a calm place that brings back memories.
I knew he’d bring us here. It’s where we used to meet when I was younger. Back when I relied on him to get my footing as Alpha of my territory. Back when I struggled and worried I had made too many mistakes, and that I would fail my pack.
As I swallow down the recollections, a branch crunches under Alec’s tread. “You didn’t bring your chair,” I comment. My head whirls for the span of a slow blink and then I feel settled once again. As if the world hadn’t vanished and reappeared with the snap of his fingers.
“I have a feeling I’ll be needing to stand.” I get up from my seat to join him. We stand side by side watching the water flow over the small rocks. “Which one is it?”
“Which one?” I know what he’s hinting at, but I’d rather he say it.
“Which one didn’t you want to hear?” His hands are fisted and the balmy air around us stirs with irritation.
“Natalia.” I answer honestly.
“Why is that?” His eyes darken, as does the sky. His anger isn’t directed at me but I have to remindmyself of that as I continue. I’m aware I’m one of a handful whom Alec shows this side to. The emotional, the part of him not ruled by logic. He doesn’t need to hide in a cloud of comfort around me. He knows that. The sunless sky and chilled breeze are oddly comforting.
He echoes what stirs inside of me.
“What do you know about the blood you sell to the covens?” I’m relying on the last words of a dead man, but I have no doubt there’s truth in what he said. And I trust Veronica’s word.
“What blood?” Genuine confusion laces his question.
My fists clench at his ignorance. How the hell could they be conducting business right under his nose without him knowing? A tic in my jaw spasms with anger.
“The blood she’s pushing on the covens.” My hard words come out low, reflecting my disappointment with him. The clouds turn dark gray and thunder rumbles in the distance.
“She isn’t—”
“She is,” I say, cutting him off, and the seriousness of the accusation stretches between us.
He scowls and cracks his neck. The wind picks upand the water of the creek seems to heat, the steam rising.
“How did she get that by you?” I stare at him with disbelief. Alec is not a force to be taunted and that’s exactly what Natalia’s doing. It’s not wise of her, yet she’s getting away with it.
“Things have been distracting me lately.” He slowly regains his composure as he closes his eyes and controls his breathing. His fingers flex, the clouds slowly parting to reveal the sun again and the simmering water cools.
“Things? What kind ofthings?” He glances at me before settling his eyes back upon the free-flowing water. Whatever is bothering him needs to be taken care of immediately. His position as head of the Authority is one that many covet, and they would all kill to have his place. He’s all too aware of that fact, as many have tried before.
