“Do you want to witness the death of everyone you hold dear? Would you like to see the slow, violent torture of your human detective friends? Your foolish vampire-hunting sidekicks?” At my surprised face he smiled coldly. “Yes, don’t think I didn’t know about your training exercises with Shane and Nolan. If you think there’s anything you do I don’t know about, you can put that thought out of your mind right now. I know your every move, Secret. Every borrowed breath you take. Whatever you do and wherever you go, I know. ”
Well…that was unnerving.
“And if I know, others can know. There will be those who see the werewolf you love and consider him fair game in luring you out. And do you think one wolf can withstand a half-dozen vampires?” Sig arched a brow, silently demanding I respond to his question, though he knew the answer as well as I did.
“No. ”
“No what?”
“No. Desmond couldn’t defend himself against six vampires. ”
“If you stay, it will mean his death. Desmond, Mercedes, Tyler, Nolan, Shane. The other wolves you care about. Anyone you’ve ever met is at risk. Do you want them to end up like Brigit?”
There were no harsher words he could have chosen. I didn’t need to be reminded of my blame in Brigit’s death. I knew perfectly well she’d been murdered because of me, and of course I didn’t want anyone else to suffer her fate.
It was a cruel way for him to make his point, but it worked. I sat down in the large wooden throne that served as my Tribunal seat and raked my hands through my wind-tangled curls. “Where do you want me to go?” I asked, conceding his victory.
“We can’t just spirit you away into the night without a reason. The elders would find it suspicious, as would Juan Carlos. And I can’t have you out in the wild without protection. ”
“Send Holden with me. ”
“A fine job he’s done thus far,” Sig scoffed.
“He would die to protect me, and you know it. ”
“It isn’t his dedication I question. It’s his ability to protect you from yourself when necessary. Holden is far too willing to let you risk your own life when you think it’s appropriate. While I believe he’ll defend you against external forces, I don’t know if I can make him realize your greatest enemy is often yourself. ”
“I think Holden is well aware of how poor my decision-making s
kills are. ”
“If that’s meant to convince me, it is a poor argument. ”
“Well, if you’d tell me where you want to send me, maybe I can make a better suggestion. ”
“You’ll be going to Los Angeles under the guise of performing a personal request for me. The elders won’t ask questions, and though Juan Carlos will want to know, I’ll impress upon him the importance of having someone I trust look in on my children. ”
“Your…children?”
“Yes. You’ll be going to the West Coast Council to ensure my offspring are all in good health. I’ve received reports one of my line has been proving…difficult for them, and you will act in my stead to put him right. ”
“One of your kids is being bad, and you’re sending me to babysit?”
“Not one of my direct offspring. I haven’t sired a new vampire in some fifty years. No, this vampire is still new—he’s been with us less than a quarter century. An unfortunate situation, really. He went a little mad upon his turning, and he’s had trouble adjusting. I sired his maker, Theo, but it’s a decision I now regret I’m afraid to say. Such a mess. ” Sig sat in the chair next to me and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I’ve been meaning to look into it for years, but it seems to be coming to a head, and now there’s discussion of putting him down. Without his sire there, it falls to me to care for him, and now by extension it falls to you. ”
“Great. So I get kicked out of my city to go keep your nutcase vampire grandson from getting killed by his own council? Is that about the gist of it?”
“I have a feeling you are the perfect person for the job. ”
“I’m thrilled. Can’t wait. ” I put mock enthusiasm into my words and pumped my fist in the air.
Sig was giving me a strange look, and I didn’t think it had anything to do with my reaction. His usual cool smile was gone, and there was something like concern on his face.
“What?” I dropped my hand back to my lap.
“I hope I’m not making a mistake,” he said.
“Have you ever made a mistake?”