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“If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance.”
–George Bernard Shaw–
Elisandra
I’m debating how much to pester my new boyfriend, when he throws his head back on the couch and waves me over weakly. I rush to his side, but hesitate, afraid I’ll hurt him more. “Is there anything I can do? How bad does it hurt?”
Finn grimaces, his emerald gaze filled with pain. “Like I got run over by an angry horse – which, I was.”
“Isn’t there something that can be done? I mean, you’re a werewolf...” I trail off, not wanting to say something stupid.
“My system’s not like Dom’s or Tristan’s,” Finn says. “They have healing already in their body. All Dom has to do is shift from one form to another, and it takes care of his wounds. Tristan’s saliva, on the other hand, can close any cut in the blink of an eye.”
“And you?” I’m kind of afraid to hear the answer, but I perch on the edge of the sofa nonetheless, careful not to rattle him.
“I heal like a regular human if away from home. The only thing that can speed it up is magic or a full moon.”
Biting my lip, I ask, “Should I call Dani?”
“Naw, just stay with me.”
He opens his arms and I go in willingly, resting my head on his chest. He takes a deep inhale, then asks, “What’s on your mind?”
There’s no point in denying it, when he can read me so easily. “You mentioned home... And earlier, an exile. What happened?”
Finn sighs, and it feels like the entirety of his body releases pent up tension. Then he coughs, winces and shifts a bit, before settling back. “A lifetime ago, I was a lawyer in Ireland – to humans. I left behind my pack, of which I was alpha, to chase justice for humans.”
“That’s admirable. What pushed you to it?”
“Many things, chief among all was the childhood I had. The neighbourhood I grew up in was strictly faoladh, which was great for creating long lasting relationship and growing up fully aware of my powers. Then, when I was but a teenager, a government raid took most of the people away. I later found out they’d been surveilling us for months, and imprisoned my kin to run experiments on them. The rest of my pack went into hiding, far from human cities, and chose seclusion so that we could survive.”
I bite my lip, hesitating. “So... How, exactly, did that make you want to be a knight in shining armor for humans?”
Finn laughs – a dry, humorless chuckle. “It didn’t. On the contrary, I wanted revenge, and worked towards it with all my might. As part of my plan, I used to go at night in human neighbourhoods and wreak havoc. Key cars, puncture tires, scare people, the like. And then, my damn faoladh senses got in the way.”
“How so?”
“Despite my thirst for vengeance, and my back–then hate for humans, I started catching whiffs of their emotions. Their pain, loss, love... It changed my perception of them. My nightly inquisitions turned into curiosity and I spied on them, learning all that I could. More than once, I intervened in muggings or situations about to go wrong, because my nature wouldn’t let someone suffer – couldn’t.”
He shrugs, completely unaware of how amazing that is to hear. “In the end, I went from thinking humans were the scum of the earth to seeing them as a weaker species, in dire need of protecting.”
I tilt my head back to give him a look. “That hasn’t changed much.”
Finn has the grace to look sheepish. “I didn’t mean to come across as overprotective, love. It just... You bring it out in me, more than most.”
I snuggle closer, breathing in his scent. “It’s okay.” A beat later, I ask, “And the exile?”
Finn snorts. “I was young, had graduated with flying colors and didn’t give a shit about money or whose feathers I ruffled. Turns out, I stepped on someone’s rather scaly toes.”
I think back to Tytus and some of the things he told me when we were at his mansion, about other creatures that exist. “Do you mean a dragon?”
“Yeah, we call them dragan back home. Well, this particular one – Ciaran Loughey – was a tycoon with money. I butted heads with him over a case, and when it didn’t go my way, I followed my own type of justice.”
There’s an underlying pain in his words that makes me think it’s not as easy as he just summarized. So I tilt my head back, meeting his gaze, and wait. After a beat, Finn whispers the full story.
“He owned this jewelry chain, see, and decided to use a cheap security company. I later found out it was because he planned to have an easy burglary, in order to get the insurance money. See, dragans love gold. Ciaran, more than most. He didn’t care who got hurt in the process. One day, there was a heist, and this lady was killed. She left behind a husband, three kids. It was her case I took.”
He pauses. “I involved my pack, too, and Ciaran went after them – my beta, specifically.” His voice goes hoarse, his eyes glassy. “Ronan was the best friend I’d had growing up, and losing him unhinged something in me. When Ciaran won the case, he made it a point to also kill the human father, leaving the kids orphans. Since I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing, I sought the bastard out. So, you see, my pride really got in the way there.”
“Is that how you got exiled?”
Finn nods, his eyes faraway. “Ciaran left me a choice. To leave of my own accord, and my family and pack would be fine. Or stay, and he would burn them to the ground. I couldn’t risk their lives, not after Ronan, so I left.”
I’m silent for a long time in his arms. The way he talks about Ireland, about his kin, leaves me the impression he’d return, if it were possible. With this thing started between us, it makes me scared – I don’t want to lose him.
You’re pathetic, she says.
Go away! I’d been alone in my head for the longest time, and now that she’s back, it makes me tense. Finn’s arm around me tightens in reassurance.
If you really think he’d stick around for you, when he’s obviously got loads elsewhere to live for, you’re sadder than I thought.
She goes silent after, but her words have the intended effect. My mind won’t shut off, weighing the options – the risks.
“Do you miss it?” A few tiny questions won’t hurt anyone.
Finn laughs bitterly. “Oh, love, you have no idea. That country is in my blood, my very soul. Every breath away is agony.” Then he meets my eyes. “But so is every breath away from you.”
His meaning is clear – he wouldn’t leave me. But I’m unable to keep my mouth shut, my heart hammering against my chest. “What if you had a chance to go back?”
Finn doesn’t give me an easy answer, for which I’m grateful. “I love Ireland, darling. But much as I feel torn being away, I couldn’t leave you here, either. You saw what that week apart did to us.” He pauses, frowning. “Did Tytus tell you...?”
I blush. “Yeah, he mentioned something about us being more tied than we originally thought, or realized. How did you figure it out?”
“Ileana told me.”
“Ah.” Makes sense Dom’s godmother would intervene again. “Why do you think she’s so interested in us?”
He shrugs. “Who knows? She seems to have taken a liking to us, maybe because we’re Dom’s pack, maybe because she feels our loneliness. We each gave up something in order to end up where we are now, and that kind of thing leaves a mark.”
“That makes sense, I guess.” Chewing on my bottom lip for a bit, I debate on saying more, but Finn moves his head towards me, silently asking me to continue. “Don’t you think it’s weird, this whole...thing, between us?”
Can I tell him about the mating process, and the fire?
She’s way too quick to offer her opinion. Oh, I’d love to see his face.
“Naw, love.” One hand lifts to cup my cheek, thumb caressing my skin. “I think we’re right where we are meant to be – with each other.” He lifts up then enough to brush his lips against mine, before dropping back to the couch pillows with a groan. “Now come here, I need to rest some.”
I snuggle deeper into him, and we fall asleep.
Finn
Morning comes too damn soon, and thankfully Dom drives over to pick us up. As I wait for Elle to shower and get ready, my buddy meets my gaze. “Did you tell her about your exile?”
“Yeah.”
“What about what the púca told you, about Ciaran?”
I sigh. “It’s all conjecture at this point, and I’ve got no way to sort it. Not until this púca gobshite is done and over with. What’s the point in worrying her more?”
“You sure that’s the best option?”
“Aye,” I glance up the stairs. “I need to get this deal with the púca out of the way, it’s like a damn sword hanging above my head. Once it’s over, we’ll be able to talk more. I’m thankful at least the creature came after me, and not my family.”
“Why do you think that is?”
I frown at him, not having thought about it. Dom shrugs. “I only mean, when those vrykolakas killings were happening here, I had a sense there was something more happening. Turns out, Radu was behind it all and targeted me on purpose. What if there’s more to this than you understand?”
I run a hand over my face. “I don’t know, mate, but it’s making me damn knackered just thinking about it.”
Elle shows up then, and they help me in the car. I’m still bruised and sore and full of cuts under my shirt, but at least I can move. The drive over is silent, broken only by Dom constantly revving the engine. By the time we get out, I’m thankful to still be in one piece.
They help me inside, where Lucas is already with Lucrezia. A heavy duffel bag peeks out from behind her desk – it must be the púca’s payment.
One look at me, and we move to his office, leaving Luz at the front. I may be injured, but these damn senses of mine catch the first whiff of trouble. Trying to move my arm from around Dom's shoulders only leads to almost falling on my face.
“What are you doing, man? Stand still,” he mutters, then turns to Lucas.
At the same time, the back door to Lucas’ office opens and Tristan and Dani run through, panting. Lucas stands to attention, frowning. He opens his mouth, but Dani beats him to it.
“They're coming!”
“Who?”
“The Reapers.” Her gaze goes past Lucas, to Dom. “Where's Luz?”
I taste Dom's panic, and he shrugs me off. “Tristan, take over.” Then he's off, bellowing through the hallway for his beloved. We stand in tense silence, waiting to see if he'll return with her – he does. Not that it helps his antsy mood.
Lucas waits until Luz is settled in a chair, Dominic standing behind her, to speak. “Enough waiting. What’s this about the Reapers?”
Tristan steps forward. “We were patrolling all night through the woods, hoping to catch their scent again. Tytus was helping with the skies. When we got his signal that he’d spotted some, Dani camouflaged us and we managed to get pretty damn close.”
Pulling her dirty blonde hair in a ponytail, Dani says, “Cade wasn’t around, presumably with the Fiona. But the other two were talking about their plan. They intend to destroy us, wipe us out.”
“It'll mean no more competition for this town,” Tristan says. “And then they intend to bring back someone who can have their back. But they need Elle to do so.” His somber chocolate eyes settle on my girlfriend, and soon enough everyone’s staring at her.
A slight tremor goes through Elle, under my other arm. “Why me? Who are they bringing back?”
“Declan. And they need you, because of your blood tie to him, same as Tytus.” Dani gives her a look filled with sympathy, then she takes a step towards Lucas. “We can’t hesitate about this. It's time to mobilize our efforts. I can place a spell around Luz, and–”
“I'm not leaving Dom.”
“Lucrezia...” Elle whispers her name, and I taste her fear. I'd be scared, too.
Dani shakes her head. “You can't be here when they come, you'll be their first victim! Then Dom will lose his head, and that’ll be the beginning of our unravelling. Dom, tell her!”
He clenches his jaw, then kneels in front of Lucrezia. As they speak in whispered tones, Dani moves to me. She draws a rune in the air and its cooling effect washes over me. One by one, my wounds start healing. Though my clothes are a mess, I can breathe easier, and move accordingly. I stop leaning on Elle and Tristan, and instead wrap my arm around my girl.
“Lucas, I have a better proposition,” I say. “Let's meet the Reapers head–on, all four of us. Send the girls into protection first.”
He narrows his eyes, considering my suggestion. Dani steps in front of him, already clenching her fists, frustration coating the air around her. “Like hell you're going to leave us behind! You need my magic to fight them.”
Lucas' eyes glitter, and I know he's not appreciating the hit to his ego. “Need you? Highly doubtful, cara. This pack prevailed without magic quite well before you joined it.”
Dani scowls. Before she can talk, Tristan moves by her side, meeting his alpha's gaze. “She's right, though. And before you say anything else, listen to the rest of what we saw. The witch with them... She gave the Reapers magical powers. They were fooling around with them all through the night. Same like Dani's family used to have.”
“And is there a reason you didn’t wake me up in the middle of the night to tell me, and instead waited until the last minute?”
Dani growls low. “We were trying to find out when they’ll attack, Lucas! Would you quit being so stubborn already?”
Lucas is quiet, his features darkening. Dani chooses to press on. “Our only advantage is the Reapers don't fully know how to use the magic, and Fiona didn't get a chance to tell them before Cade was all up in arms and high on the power. But we have to press the advantage by moving now, else they’ll come here and too many innocents can get injured.”
Deadly silence reigns on the room, until Lucas looks towards Dom and Luz. They're both standing now. I can tell he's thinking, gathering all the facts, but knowing him, he'll do exactly as he wishes – nothing more, nothing else. When he speaks, it's not what I expect at all.
“I will go meet the Reapers...with Lucrezia.”
Dom's anger flares, permeating the air. My gaze locks with Tristan. Watch him. He's on a tight leash with Lucas. He nods, and I'm glad he grasped my warning.
“Me?” Lucrezia whispers. Then she clears her throat, and glances up at Dom. Whatever she sees in his face makes her soften in response, trying to appear braver than she’s feeling. “I’ll be okay.”
“No,” he says through gritted teeth. “Lucas is doing this to prove a point. And I'm not about to let you get in the middle of this!”
“Think what you will,” Lucas says, “but I'm not speaking out of pride. Lucrezia has to come with me, because she alone can pause the Reapers in their tracks.”
“And how, pray tell, will she do that?” They're about to get to punches, I can taste it. But then the real reason behind Lucas' idea hits me.
“You want to use her as bait, don't you?”
He looks over his shoulder, eyes narrowed. “Not bait, as I don't intend to let them harm a single hair on her head. I do, however, know that her presence alone will unfocus them. And while they’ll be busy hurling insults and being distracted with the tasty morsel in front of them, the rest of you can close in from behind. They won’t feel you coming, not with a dose of Dani’s camouflage. They’ll have too much magic running through their veins.”
His glare settles on Dani. “Tell him that’s true.”
She meets Dominic’s eye, and nods – not that it calms him down. A low snarl escapes him, and he takes a step forward. “And how do you propose to protect my mate from any magical attacks while she's by your side?”
Lucas is silent at that.
“He can't,” Dani answers for him. “If they try something and fail because of a barrier I put in place, they'll know something's up.”
“And they won't think the same if the alpha and a human go meet them, without a pack?”
“Not if they believe she's my mate,” Lucas smirks.
Luz practically pales at the suggestion, and Dominic growls loud enough to shake the walls.
“Enough of this crap, Lucas!” Tristan intervenes. “While we debate this senseless idea, they're getting closer. We need to move, now!”
“I'm not letting her in danger!”
While Dom is busy arguing with Tristan, so inflamed he’s ready to snap, Lucrezia sneaks past them, to me. “Watch over him, please,” she whispers. Then she walks the remaining steps to Lucas. “I'll come with you.”
Her voice, though barely above a whisper, stops Dom and Tristan's squabbling.
“Lucrezia!” Dom's roar makes her glance back, and her lower lip trembles. But she still stands strong.
“If it's the least I can do to protect you guys, then so be it.”
Dani's gaze is filled with respect, and Elle's tears fall on my chest. None of them try to stop her, because they’ve been in the same situation – with Tristan, and me. So I narrow my eyes on Lucas, hoping he reads my warning instead. “Watch over her.”
“You focus on ending your business with the púca, Irish. I’ve got this.” Then he offers his hand to Lucrezia and leaves through the same door Dani and Tristan had entered. Dominic’s curses follow them out, and I turn my attention to him.
Elisandra
“Poor Dom,” I whisper, watching Dani and Tristan walk away with Dom. It took both of them to hold him back from chasing after Luz, then they walked him away to cool off. So it's just me and my boyfriend left, trying to make sense of it all.
Finn snaps out of his thoughts, shaking his head. “Lucas shouldn’t have done this. I have a bad feeling about the whole thing.” He meets my gaze. “And I think it’s high time we call Tytus.”
He hands me his phone, and I dial the number pre–programmed in. After what Dani and Tristan just told us, I expect him to be eager to join us for the fight. Instead, what I get is his usual indifferent drawl.
“Yes?”
“The Reapers are on the move. Lucas just went to meet them now, and we’re going to try to corner them in. I think it might help if you provide aerial support.”
Tytus snorts in the phone. “And are you planning to accept your magic, and join me, while I’m at it?”
My gaze falls to my hands, and I clench them in fists. “Maybe next time. I don’t want to be another distraction.”
His voice is odd when he speaks again. “What do you mean, another?”
“Lucrezia went with Lucas. She wanted to help and he thought she’d be a good distraction for the Reapers.... Tytus?”
There’s a slamming of something, a roar, and then the line goes eerily quiet. I meet Finn’s gaze. “I don’t think he liked that last part.”
Finn nods. “Good. We need him in this, and I don’t care what motivates him to join.”
He kisses me quick, pulling me against him, and for a moment I lose myself. His lips are too damn sinful, and the power in his grip has me feeling all kinds of things.
When he pulls away, it takes me a moment of dazed blinking to gather my thoughts. “Something just struck me... Finn, how will they get Luz out of there once the battle starts?”
He's closing up shop, but stops in his movements as if struck by lightning. “I have an idea, and we only need to make one quick pit stop. Wait here.”
He sneaks back in, and comes out with a heavy duffel bag, which he throws in the backseat of his truck. I follow inside, Finn takes the driver’s seat, and soon we’re back on the road.
“Is that the púca's payment?”
Finn grins. “Aye, it is. With this, I may be able to convince it to give me something in return.”
I bite my lip, recalling how just the day before the creature had trampled him to death. “What makes you think he’d be willing to negotiate?”
“Because, it’s a trickster. Plus, if I’m right about this, it won’t be able to deny me.”
“Why not?”
“Something Dom said earlier. That maybe this is happening for more of a reason than just money.”
“But isn't it a risk?”
“It is, and if it fails, you're going to keep the keys to the truck and get Luz out of there as soon as the fight starts. Take her to their house, and wait for me there.”
I nod, hoping my friend will still be in one piece. But more than that, my heartbeat quickens at the thought of Finn in danger – again.
∞ ♦ ∞
It doesn’t take much to call the púca, apparently. Once we’re parked somewhere on the side of a dirt road, Finn gets out of the car, duffel bag in hand, and heads into the woods. I follow him at a distance, so I don’t intervene with whatever he’s got to do.
He comes to an abrupt stop, and whistles low. “Thought you were eager for your cut, púca. Or have you gone into hiding?” His voice is low, close to a growl.
Something shifts in the forest, fast as the wind, and then everything comes to an eerie standstill. Majestic as always, the púca walks out of the darkened woods.
Finn lifts the duffel back, unzips it to show the cash, then throws it at its feet. “Your payment.”
The púca snorts. “How kind of you.” Then it pauses. “I suppose this finishes our business.”
“Good. Because I have a favor to ask.”
“That is not how this works, foolish wolf.” The creature digs its nose in the bag, and huffs out puffs of breath. As they envelop the money, something weird happens. It crinkles and... vanished into thin air.
“What just happened?” I bite my lip the moment after the question escapes me, not having meant to draw attention.
The púca lifts its red, glowing eyes, assessing me. I recall what Finn told me, about how I was able to push it away last time. Gulping, I hope that won’t be necessary again.
I’m more than happy to take over, she offers.
Ignoring her, I refuse to blink, and the púca finally straightens up.
“I accept the payment. You may consider your debt erased.”
He turns to leave, and I hear Finn mutter, “You asked for the hard way.”
Then he runs past me and hops on the horse's back.
This wasn’t part of the plan!
I’m torn between going after him, and keeping my distance, but the choice is made for me.
The púca rears its head, bucking and trying to throw him off. “You think you can tame me?” Its voice vibrates with rage, and it makes me back away, further into the comfort of the woods.
Undaunted, Finn bends his upper body over it, and grabs onto its mane, his fists white–knuckled from the force he’s exerting holding it. “Enough!”
“This earns you no favors with me!” The creature keeps going, angrily trying to get Finn off its back. If it succeeds, I have no doubt he’ll be flying into a tree and cracking his skull open.
Undaunted, Finn bends over it, completely stretched out over its back. Then he unclenches one hand from the mane, and puts it around on the side of its massive neck. He breathes in and out, impossibly calm when my heart is beating so wildly for his life.
The púca bunches, kicks, neighs like crazy. But still Finn holds on, closing his eyes and concentrating. Then something happens – the hairs at the back of my neck stand to attention, and it seems like mist itself creeps in the meadow.
The creature stills, tilting its head further to the side, as though listening. Finn murmurs something, his lips moving, but I’m too far to hear what he says. Then, to my bemused gaze, the púca freezes completely.
Finn
Éist liom, is mise do thiarna agus do mháistir.
You will listen to me, I am your lord and master.
The púca freezes under my clenched muscles, breathing heavily. One eye I can see is rolling heavily. “How....did you find out?”
I smirk, but don’t relinquish my grip. “A good friend of mine pointed out that coincidences don’t just happen around us. And they don’t, do they?”
A soft neigh escapes it, a shake of the head, but it no longer tries to throw me off. “The money is not the only reason you followed me here. Whether you’re using it for yourself – or whatever the story is – I know it’s not about that, or the debt that I owe you. Rather, because it’s what you’ve always done, keeping an eye on the alpha of the last faoladh clan.” I pause, my heartbeat quickening. “Isn’t that right?”
The púca tries to glare at me, but when I don’t flinch, it tilts its head to the side in silent acquiescence. “Aye, it is.”
“And the reason you have done so, is because of our mark. The half-crescent moon on my shoulder I’ve had since birth. It brands me as, what, exactly? Because whatever it is, it was enough to get you to cross oceans.”
“The mark is your past – your ancestor’s past.”
I blink, and it’s my turn to tilt my head to the side. “What are you going on about?”
“The High King of Ireland, who tamed me eons ago...”
I snort. “If you’re about to tell me some story about my royal lineage, forget it.”
“Not royal,” the púca says. “Because in truth, it was not the king himself who tamed me, but his knight. It is his lineage you have inherited, wolf.”
The news makes my jaw grow slack in surprise. “I suppose I should not be surprised at the history books getting it wrong.”
A snort escapes the creature, then its mucled body still underneath me. “Indeed. For what it is worth, you...are alone in your gifts, faoladh.”
“I am,” I whisper back. “You chose the wrong wolf to mess with.”
I slide off its back, and face it with my back ramrod straight. Lucas doesn’t have to know I went back on my promise never to use my alpha lineage.
The púca relents, kneeling to the ground and bowing its head. I feel its honesty in the gesture, and Elle’s surprise. I had almost forgotten she was there. And then the púca says, “Very well, my liege. What is it you command?”
A slow grin tugs at my lips as I watch it. “You had a hand in making it harder for us to find the Reapers, and put this to an end earlier. So, you will help us now.” I move closer, whispering instructions in its ear.
The púca steps backwards and nods, then it leaves in a trot. Elle inches closer to me, slides her hand in mine and looks at me with new eyes. “'What was that?”
“That, my precious, was the púca submitting to me.”
One day, maybe I’ll explain to her exactly what I mean. If ever I fully understand it, too. Meanwhile, we head back to the car and drive out to meet the Reapers.