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“Was that an earthquake?” she asked, each word shaking more than the last.
“I think it’s an animal,” Bibi said. Her voice was rough, like she was on the verge of a shift.
I shouldn’t have brought them here. I didn’t fear humans, but—
Flame flickered against the wall, and a face I never thought I’d see again came into view.
Hannah screamed.
Predictably, Leif just laughed. “You could’ve been king. Instead, you’re content to let this tiny human bring you to your knees. Didn’t think I’d have to save your ass anymore, but it looks like I showed up just in time to do it.”
“You touch her and we’re not brothers anymore.” I couldn’t believe my eyes. My ears. That voice that had been taunting me had a body, and I still thought this could be a nightmare. But Armand had proven himself very much real, and more than that, a threat.
Whatever my brother had planned would make those ancient wolves seem like day-old pups.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve considered ourselves kin, wouldn’t you say? Since you ignored my warnings, and now I see you’ve been keeping secrets from me. But one thing never changed. You need me more than I need you.” Leif stepped forward. “I’m looking for the Scepter, Lars. I’m pretty sure you know where it is. Before you refuse to help me, just know I won’t be afraid to make an example out of you and your pretty human.”
eighteen
Lars
Leif’s glare was fixed on Hannah, lips slightly parted like he was thinking about what she would taste like. I meant what I said. If he laid a finger on her, he’d find out just how much things had changed since the last we’d seen each other.
I didn’t dare take my eyes off him with Hannah this close. She was safely in my arms, her body tense with a tremble my brother wouldn’t miss. My mate was trying to be brave, but the scent of her fear had to be dancing in his nostrils.
“How long have you been here?” I asked.
“Since you got way too comfortable with humans. I was starting to wonder if you’d fallen into their pathetic little traps. I should be the one asking questions. Where were you, Lars, leaving our valley unguarded?”
“I think it’s way past time we introduced ourselves.” Bibi sauntered forward and offered her hand. “I’m Bibi le Bonnet. Wolf shifter.”
Leif stared at her hand and didn’t take it. “You’re different.”
She waved the hand that he ignored. “I could say the same about you. But around here, we’ve learned to celebrate what makes us unique, instead of letting our hearts grow heavy with hate.”
“You didn’t answer my question,” Leif rumbled.
“I don’t recall you asking one.” Bibi was not letting this ancient beast ruffle her feathers.
Until now, I’d thought of myself that way. It wasn’t just the clothes and the camera crew that had changed me. It was being a witness to time as it became history. I wasn’t sure how long Leif had actually been back here, but the fact that he’d been gone a long time was obvious.
What brought him back? Had his own curse dissolved with the discovery of the ancient relics too?
Hannah let out a sigh. “She’s a drag queen.”
Leif’s eyes widened. “Queen? You rule this valley? Where is your king? Is it that wolf who can’t take his eyes off you? This is my land, and I will challenge him.”
“Let’s get things straight, shall we? I don’t need anyone to fight my battles for me. Something tells me you’ve just woken up from a long nap, because otherwise you’d know that. My reputation in these mountains is flawless. But since you asked, this is Hugo. He’s a fierce protector of everyone in this pack. Not that there’s any reason for this discussion to turn violent.” Bibi flashed her signature smile. Her lips were purple, along with her eyebrows, which had glitter in them. I could guarantee that was something my brother had never seen before, since I was still learning the lingo. I could thank the forums for a lot of it. “And for the record, I prefer the term fairy dragmother.”
“What does that mean?” Leif asked.
This was huge, that he was even entertaining this conversation. The Leif of long ago would have never negotiated with anyone who preferred their human form over the animal form like Bibi, nor would he have tolerated a human so close to me.
Either my brother had softened, or he wanted us to let our guards down so he could strike.
“A fairy dragmother is someone who’s always looking out for you. She sees what you can’t. What makes you amazing, or what could make you even more amazing. I help my contestants be strong and brave and take chances in order to have the life of their dreams. What do you do?”
“I keep order in this kingdom.” He growled. Ah, that was a much more familiar tone.
