Page 34 of The Wolf's Captive
Taking a deep breath, I looked at Heather. “There’s a warlock who was banished many years ago. Now, I don’t know him well enough to know the full facts, so I’m not suggesting you comply with his request, but he does claim to know how to disconnect magical bonds.”
Heather frowned, her eyebrows pulled low. “Who is it?”
“Victor Roberts.”
Her gasp echoed around the room, drawing everyone’s attention. Her cheeks grew pink and her neck flushed. As she swallowed, I waited, completely curious about her reaction to the warlock’s name. Had there been something between them?
“I thought he was dead,” she whispered, wiping an eye. “You’ve seen him?”
I glanced at Malone, nodding when he did. I had to tread carefully now. If Victor had broken Heather’s heart, she may not take kindly to his request. And if he hadn’t broken her heart, she would probably still tell me to fuck off.
“We met in Paris. He’s offered to unlink us all from the werewolves in exchange for being allowed back home.”
Sighing, Heather bowed her head and fiddled with the folds of her skirt. “It’s been so long since I’ve even thought about him, I…”
She thrust up from the seat and started to pace the area behind the couch, the whole time wringing her hands together.
“Is that all the warlock wants?” Fredrick asked, draping his arm over one of the blonde haired women.
She nuzzled into him, clasping his knee with her dainty fingers. Aw, apparently the pair had found love in a hopeless place – shit, that song by Rhianna had been good.
Shaking myself of the tune that inevitably ran through my mind, I concentrated, watching Heather, even though I was answering Freddie.
“He’s heard there’s a vacancy at the top. He’s interested in the job, although I think we can persuade him to give up that idea.”
Snorting, Heather came to a stop in front of me. “And did he tell you why he was banished?”
Inclining my head, I glanced at Malone. I had told him that Victor had killed an alpha in an attempt to disconnect him from his mate and he’d been furious. Even now, his hands clenched into fists in his lap. He looked so out of place, trying hard to be nonchalant in the small chair. But the truth was, he was awkward, finding it hard not being the one in charge. I secretly liked being the domineering one.
“He told me that he accidentally killed an alpha werewolf when trying to disconnect him from his fated mate.”
Heather nodded as Fredrick snorted.
“So you want us to trust a man who killed someone?” he said.
Shrugging, I swallowed. “He claims to have perfected his spell now. I’m not saying we can trust him, I’m not. But…” Glancing at Malone, I fought the lump that came to my throat. “…for me, it’s worth a try.”
The others looked at Heather, watching their leader as she ran a hand through her light hair. They didn’t have the power to accept, even if they wanted to. Victor’s conditions were a harsh bargaining tool that Heather had to contend with.
Sighing, the leader turned to her people. “Do you want to take that risk?”
A couple of them nodded straight away, the girls clenching their hands into fists.
Frederick and his new flame stared at one another, clearly undecided. I didn’t blame them. They’d found one another, why would they risk their lives now?
The witches were a prideful kind. We wouldn’t accept having a werewolf familiar, even if it meant risking our lives. I got it, it was a close bond that only a pet or a lover could fulfil. That unconditional trust wasn’t easily given.
“I want to kill the bastards,” Freddie’s girlfriend said, “for murdering our familiars.”
Frederick nodded, his cheeks flushing red. As manly as he was, no witch or warlock could deny the devastation of losing a familiar.
“Very well.” Heather sighed as she turned to me. “Send word to Victor. We’ll arrange a meeting with the elders to discuss his offer.”
My heart flip-flopped as the others cried out, excitement filling the air. We were a little premature in allowing ourselves to get excited. However, it was the first real hope we’d had. Maybe, just maybe, we could get our lives back.
“There is a catch,” Heather interrupted our revelry. “The elders will want each of you, including you, Malone and Della, to pledge your allegiance to the Brighton Coven should they ever need you.”
Chapter Eleven