CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Refuse the mate-claim. Jaycee stared at him in shock, but Brice wasn’t joking. He studied her with brown eyes that were completely serious. Concerned, even.

Jaycee held back the hot words that tripped to her mouth. Who the hell are you to tell a Shifter not to mate? What do you know about me and Dimitri?

She curled her fingers on the tabletop, resisting the urge to lunge at him, claws extended. She was fast, but he was a bear—strong, deadly.

“Why?” she managed to ask.

Brice’s gaze held sympathy. “We need you, and Shifter women like you. In the wild, we didn’t produce many cubs, as you know. I don’t want to see that happen again. As a free female in my group you would be able to choose your mates—two or three—to have as many cubs as you could from different fathers. To strengthen the gene pool. We should have been doing this as soon as we went into Shiftertowns, given the unevenness in gender populations.”

“What about the mate bond?” The question slipped out before Jaycee could stop it. “The binding between two true mates? The Goddess gave us that.”

“I know.” Brice nodded patiently. “Mate bonds still happen. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have more cubs with other males. If you choose a mate from among my Shifters, they’ll understand.”

“Dimitri won’t,” Jaycee said with conviction.

Dimitri had always been possessive of Jaycee. Even when they’d been close friends but friends only, and they had seen other people, Dimitri had considered Jaycee his special companion. The friend he went to before all others. The lover who’d shared the first taste of sex with him after their Transitions. The woman he always sought.

“Dimitri will come to understand,” Brice said. “He’s a good man. A good Lupine, I should say.” He gave her the ghost of a smile. “I imagine he’ll be happy with the woman who chooses him. That doesn’t mean you two can’t still have a relationship.”

“What if I choose Dimitri as my mate?” Jaycee asked. “What if I don’t want to change anything?”

“I hope you don’t choose him,” Brice said. “I would like to see you mate with Felines, to strengthen those lines. Strong Felines are a huge asset.”

Jaycee sat back, letting herself smile. “Now I know you’re shitting me. A bear saying Felines are wonderful?”

“I’m a leader,” Brice answered without humor. “I do what’s good for my clan. Whether I think bears are best or not isn’t the issue.”

Jaycee tried to remind herself of the mission. She was a tracker—this was her job. She should tell Brice that sure, she’d refuse the mate-claim, the very thing she’d been telling herself to do since Dimitri had made it. She simply hadn’t had the right chance, a way to let Dimitri down easy.

Not that Dimitri would stay down. He’d already told her that.

But Brice’s demand stirred something visceral inside Jaycee, a need to keep hold of Dimitri by any means necessary. Life without Dimitri in it would be . . . empty, colorless, wearisome. Watching him go to another woman, even for their cover, would kill her.

Brice had to guess what she was thinking. He leaned closer still. “It would have to be sincere, Jaycee. In front of witnesses. No lying to me.”

Shit. Jaycee might have talked herself into a pretense at a refusal, she and Dimitri telling Brice she’d done it. But in front of witnesses . . . Rituals with witnesses were binding. Jaycee might lie when she said she refused, but her answer would be taken as truth by all other Shifters. It would make no difference that she crossed her fingers behind her back. In the eyes of Shifters, the mate-claim would be broken.

“If you don’t want to do this, I can’t force you,” Brice was saying. “I also can’t let you into my group. The others follow my ideas—you must as well. If not”—he spread his hands and leaned back in his chair—“then go back to Dylan and tell him all about us. And tell him that if he wants to know what I’m up to so much, he should come and ask me.” He took a sip of beer.

“I don’t work for Dylan,” Jaycee snapped. Not a lie—she worked for Kendrick. If Dylan had asked her and Dimitri to investigate without Kendrick’s endorsement, she’d have told Dylan to stick it.

Brice blinked at her vehemence. He knew she spoke the truth—he’d scent it as well as hear it.

“I have to admit, I’m surprised,” he said. “Tell you what—you talk it over with Dimitri. If he understands, if you both agree, then we can work something out. You’re a unique woman, Jaycee. Dimitri’s a unique man. Who else has a red wolf in his group?” He grinned.

Kendrick, Jaycee thought but didn’t say.

Brice stood up. “I’d love to have you both. If you and Dimitri can come to an understanding, we’ll get you initiated as soon as possible. Oh, don’t worry.” His amusement deepened. “The initiation is nothing more intense than the usual Shifter ceremonies. No exchange of blood or bodily fluids of any kind. No tests. Just the Goddess letting us know you belong to her, and a party afterward.”

So, I don’t belong to the Goddess already? Jaycee thought. Glad to know I wasted all those prayers and burned offerings my entire life.

Brice noticed her disgruntled look, which seemed to please him for some reason. He held out a hand to help her to her feet.

A commotion began at the top of the stairs. Shifters had gathered there and now surrounded someone Jaycee couldn’t see. Not Dimitri—his red head towered above the crowd, his gaze on whatever had caught their attention.

“Ah,” Brice said, squeezing Jaycee’s hand. “Let me show you how we deal with true spies in our midst.”

Jaycee’s heart went cold for a second, but Brice’s focus was for the crowd of Shifters. He wasn’t talking about her or Dimitri.

He kept hold of Jaycee’s hand and pulled her with him to the stairs. On the top step, looking alarmed at the hostile Shifters facing him, was Ben.

“Hey,” Ben said, sending Brice a worried glance as he approached. “What’s up?”

The Shifters blocking Ben’s way reached out and yanked him into their midst. Brice let Jaycee go as he wove his way through his Shifters, took handfuls of Ben’s shirt, and lifted him high.

“Who are you?” Brice demanded.

Ben stared down at him in astonishment. “I told you. My name’s Ben. I sometimes go by Gil. I’m the last of my kind. Creature of the Goddess.”

“Not quite.” Brice’s voice was calm, cold. The Shifters around him fell silent. Below, the music pounded on, the crowd downstairs unaware of the drama high above them.

“You were expelled from Faerie,” Brice said sternly. “You are the last of creatures who were evil, a far cry from the Goddess’s chosen. You plotted with demons against Shifters.”

Something dangerous flashed in Ben’s eyes. He didn’t seem to worry that he was held up in Brice’s big hands, perilously near the edge of the balcony.

“Base slander,” Ben said. “That rumor’s been going around for a thousand or so years, long before you were born. You have evidence?”

Jaycee slipped through the crowd to Dimitri. He turned his head to see her at his side, his eyes holding a warning glance.

Brice’s look was flat as he gazed up at Ben, no forgiveness in his eyes. “You and your people sided with the dokk alfar, the dark Fae,” he said. “Abominations. They fought the high Fae, if you remember. You targeted the Battle Beasts, the Shifters, who fought at the high Fae’s command. Shifters were killed, or caught and tortured.”

“Beg to differ,” Ben said, brows lowering.

Jaycee didn’t know much about what Ben was. She expected him to change into something or lash out with magic, at least break Brice’s hold. Ben was strong—she’d seen Shifters back down from him when he did little more than stare at them.

“I can smell lies,” Brice said. “I can smell the stink of demons on you. Why have you come here? To torture more Shifters?”

Ben didn’t struggle. “I can see someone’s filled your head with fairy stories. Excuse the pun.”

What was Ben doing? Jaycee reached for Dimitri’s hand, and he closed his fingers hard around hers. Why didn’t Ben defend himself instead of making feeble jokes? Brice’s Shifters were angry, ready to tear him apart.

Jaycee took a step forward, but Dimitri tightened his grip and held her back. Jaycee understood his concern—if they interfered, they might be attacked as well—but Jaycee couldn’t stand here and let Shifters kill Ben.

“It’s been a long time coming, hasn’t it?” Brice said, his tone fierce. His hands became the razor-sharp claws of a grizzly. “This is what happens to friends of the dokk alfar, who torment the Battle Beasts.”

He lifted Ben still higher; then, with a savage snarl, Brice hurled Ben over the balcony. Ben pedaled his arms and legs in midair, then sailed down two stories to land on the hard floor, in the middle of the dancing crowd.

*   *   *

Dimitri heard Jaycee’s shriek, but it was lost in the Shifters’ collective howls, and the screams of the people below. Jaycee started forward, but Dimitri dragged her back.

“Let go of me,” she told him, anguish in her eyes.

Dimitri shook his head. If Ben was dead, there was nothing they could do. With the mood of the Shifters up here, they might end up following him the same way if they expressed concern.

Brice had to be insane. Dealing with a perceived enemy was one thing, but to do it in a club whose outer door was monitored by Shifter Bureau was suicide. Did he want every Shifter in here to be tranqued and caged?

Jaycee went still under Dimitri’s touch, but he felt her distress. They considered Ben a friend, a brother in arms, even if they didn’t know much about him. They’d fought together. Kendrick trusted him, and so did Dylan.

Dimitri kept hold of Jaycee but managed to get them to the wrought-iron railing around the balcony. Jaycee clutched it as they both peered over.

Confusion reigned below. Groupies were screaming, Shifters swearing and shouting. The human employees were trying to calm people down, to prevent the soldiers on attachment to Shifter Bureau from storming inside. Dimitri saw the Lupine bouncer, Angus, move to stand by the main door as though ready to keep Shifter Bureau out himself.

In the middle of the floor, where Ben had fallen, was . . . nothing. Dimitri scanned the tiled dance floor and the area around it, looking for Ben’s body, or blood, or people he’d fallen on, but he saw no sign of any trauma. Shifters and humans milled about in confusion, their collective daze heightened by the liquor being consumed. Ben had completely disappeared.

Dimitri exchanged a glance with Jaycee. Her brown-gold eyes were worried, but she said nothing.

Brice didn’t seem to notice that Ben had vanished. He laughed, his face relaxing into its good-natured lines. “That was fun. Let’s have another round. On me!”

The Shifters cheered. Below, the screaming ceased and nervous laughter began. The wave of relief of the Shifters on the lower floors reached Dimitri. Brice had played a trick, they must think, but nothing terrible had actually happened.

Jaycee tugged Dimitri down to speak into his ear. “Why isn’t he worried about Shifter Bureau?”

Dimitri shrugged. “Maybe he’s got the local b-branch in his pocket. Or he knows that Angus guy will k-keep them out.”

“Angus didn’t like Brice, I thought.”

“Might be p-pretending,” Dimitri answered.

“I want to go,” Jaycee said. She looked upset, and not only about Ben. “I need to talk to you.”

“Yeah—what was B-Brice getting cozy with you about in the c-corner?”

Jaycee only frowned, motioning to the stairs.

Brice approached them before Dimitri could argue with her. “I agree—you should go,” he said—Shifters had good hearing. “Come back here tomorrow, and let me know what you decided. Dimitri.” He put an arm around Dimitri’s shoulder. “Jaycee.” He wrapped his other arm around her. “I think we’ll make a good team.” He hugged them tightly, then released them. “Go on now.”

He gave Jaycee a meaningful look before turning back to his followers and raising his hands high. They cheered.

Casey, Dimitri noticed, looked unhappy, but his mate, Maeve, shouted for Brice. She made her way toward Brice, her body swaying in invitation.

Dimitri towed Jaycee to the stairs. He picked his way down, steadying Jaycee, though he knew she’d never fall. Jaycee steadied Dimitri in return.

When they reached the ground floor, Dimitri scanned the club once more but found no sign of Ben. He’d completely disappeared.

Angus moved to intercept them as they made their way toward the shadowy door through which they’d entered. “I take it you’ll need to go out the back way.”

“If Shifter B-bureau is at the front d-door still, then yeah.”

Angus gave Dimitri a sharp eye. “Brice has done this before,” he said.

Jaycee looked startled. “Done what? Dumped someone off the balcony? Why is he allowed in here?”

“He has the human manager coerced. Why do you think?”

“What happened to the p-person he tossed off?” Dimitri asked.

“A Shifter,” Angus said. “I recovered. Eventually.”

“You tried to join Brice’s group?” Jaycee asked in surprise.

Angus snorted, his eyes flicking to Shifter white. “Fuck that. I was doing my job as bouncer, trying to kick him out. I told him dickheads like him weren’t welcome. He and his best friends tossed me down. I thought the bar’s owner would have him arrested, but no. Brice and the owner have an understanding.” He growled in Lupine disgust.

“Why do you still work here?” Jaycee asked. “If the owner doesn’t mind if his bouncers are dropped from three stories up?”

“To keep an eye on Brice,” Angus answered without pause. “And I need the money, sweet thing. Have a cub to take care of.” He glowered at Dimitri. “If you two join him, don’t talk to me anymore. I don’t want to drown in shit.”

With that, he stalked toward the back, leading them to the safe passage out.

*   *   *

The ride back to the house was silent and uneasy. Jaycee had kept an eye out for Ben as they’d walked back through the hot crowd to Dimitri’s motorcycle, but neither she nor Dimitri had spotted him, dead or alive.

Jaycee hoped like hell they’d find him at Jasmine’s house, but when they walked in—the door obligingly opening for them—the house was dark and empty.

“He’s some k-kind of magical c-creature,” Dimitri said, trying to sound reassuring. “He probably magic-ed his way out.”

“Why was Brice so angry with him anyway?” Jaycee asked as she dumped her helmet on the hall table, along with the fake Collar she’d pulled off. “Brice knows Dylan asked us to spy on him, but he threw Ben over the balcony, not us.”

Dimitri shook his head. He looked up the dark staircase as though trying to decide whether to ascend it.

The floors were still dirty from the storm, grit beneath Jaycee’s boots. Jasmine would have to get a cleaning service in here before the tourists were let in again.

“Dimitri,” Jaycee began. Her throat hurt, and she couldn’t make the words come out.

“What?” Dimitri asked absently, studying the dark chandelier above them.

Jaycee took a breath and continued in a rush. “Brice doesn’t want us back until I refuse your mate-claim.”

Dimitri dragged his attention from the shadowy upper floors and fixed it on Jaycee. His gray eyes were stark in the dim light, the wolf in him looking out.

“What?” The word was hard.

Jaycee outlined what Brice had told her—the need for females to take several mates to strengthen the bloodstock, like cattle. Brice hadn’t actually said that, but Jaycee knew that was what he meant.

When she finished, Dimitri stood absolutely still. “Asshole,” he bit out. “Did he tell you one of the mates had to be him?”

“No.” Jaycee shook her head. “He said mates would be my choice, and didn’t mention himself.”

“Good,” he said quietly. “’Cause I would have killed him.”

Every word was pronounced clearly. No stammering, no caveats—Dimitri hadn’t said, I might have had to kill him or I would have thought about killing him. He meant, literally, that Brice would be one dead bear if he had instructed Jaycee to mate with him.

“I’m not doing it,” Jaycee said swiftly. “Not for him. Not for a job. I’m telling Kendrick it’s off.”

She started for the stairs, ready to run up to her room and make the call, but Dimitri blocked her way. He gazed down at her, his gray stare holding her in place.

“You can refuse, Jase.”

Jaycee blinked up at him, unsure she’d heard him right. “What?”

“Brice is right that it’s your ch-choice. You’ve n-never said yes or no. I don’t give a shit what you tell B-Brice. I only give a shit what you tell me. So which is it?”