“I can’t refuse to join a vampire House—violently—and then turn around and accept protection from the Pack. It’s hypocritical.”
“It’s practical.”
“It’s impossible.” We both looked back at Gabriel. “We cannot offer sanctuary to non-shifters.”
Connor stalked to the other side of the room, as if to burn off frustration. “That’s ridiculous.”
“That’s Pack.”
“She’s in trouble because of us.”
“And she doesn’t want sanctuary,” Gabriel said.
“She’s also in the room,” I said. “So stop talking about me like I’m not here. I’m in trouble because of something I did. I accept that, and I’ll figure out a way to deal with it.” I turned to Connor. “I appreciate the offer and the concern. But that’s not the way to resolve this.”
He growled, a low rumble of warning. If I’d been in a different place, and in the middle of a different discussion, I might have taken a step back. But I wasn’t in the mood to be handled or growled at.
“Growl at me again,” I said, taking a step closer.
“I’ll growl in my own territory if I feel like growling.”
“Children.”
We both looked at his father.
“Might I suggest you both take a break? You’ve had a long night.”
I couldn’t argue with that, so we said our goodbyes and made for the door—but stopped short at the new chyron that practically screamed from the bottom of the screen:atlanta vamps causing trouble in chicago?Above it, blurry figures moved in grainy footage of the fight.
Really, the chyron was about the best we could hope for. And I’d take it.
***
My relief lasted only until my arrival at the loft.
Lulu was gone, presumably at Mateo’s, and the apartment was dark and secure. Out of habit I turned on the wall screen when we went inside, to check the coverage again, and found the AAM had released its own statement. The précis: Chicago vampire breaks rules, refuses to accept due punishment. The statement was vague on details; they didn’t go so far as to say what rules I’d broken, probably because they didn’t want to kick up sympathy for me, or fear, given the reason for Carlie’s change.
The AAM would be waging this war in the media and on the ground, it seemed.
“Assholes,” Connor murmured.
“Yeah,” I said. “They are.” I was exhausted, and dawn was drawing ever closer. I wanted to sit down with him, sink into his arms, and let his nearness wash away the dregs of the night, of battle, of bloodshed. Of fighting a dozen vamps who’d flown across the country to detest me in person.
But I couldn’t do that yet. Not when I still had a call to make.
“I’ll be back,” I said, screen in hand as I looked toward my bedroom.
“Your parents?”
I nodded.
“You can call them out here.”
I put a hand on his chest, stretched up to kiss him. “Thank you.But I think for this first volley, I’d better handle them myself. But could you stay until I’m done? I might need an emotional support wolf by then.”
“Can I raid the fridge?”
“Only if you promise to eat the rest of the deviled eggs,” I said and made my way down the hall.