Magic Misled (Lizzie Grace #7) - Keri Arthur Page 0,65

whole council and some sort of blessing that traditionally could not be viewed by outsiders.

As the door closed, a somewhat familiar voice behind me said, “Lizzie?”

I turned. A pretty red-haired wolf dressed in black stood several feet away, an odd, almost apprehensive look on her face. It took me a moment to place her—she was a semi-regular customer at the café and had come into the reservation a few months ago as part of the werewolf exchange program. If memory served me correctly, she was staying at the O’Connor compound.

“Fawn,” I said with a smile. “We haven’t seen you for a few days—everything okay?”

Her smile didn’t quite reach her blue eyes. “Yes, I’ve just been busy at work. I hate to interrupt your night like this, but Karleen asked me to guide you to a private room. She wishes to speak to you.”

It was pretty obvious it had been an order rather than a request, and that certainly explained Fawn’s uneasiness. “Isn’t she in the private chambers with Aiden?”

“Her part ends in a few minutes. Please, follow me.”

I briefly considered not doing so, but, in truth, I had no desire to get Fawn into trouble or spoil Aiden’s night by publicly brawling with his mother. That sort of thing was probably best done in private.

I took a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter and resisted the urge to gulp it down and grab another. I might have come prepared for a fight, but now that it was nigh, ice was forming in my veins.

Fawn led me into a small antechamber close to the entrance. The room was decidedly warm thanks to the log fire that burned gently in one corner. Several comfy-looking leather chairs were dotted about, and a French door opened out onto the front balcony.

The red-haired wolf motioned toward one of the chairs and gave me an uncertain smile. “Would you like another drink? Something to eat, perhaps?”

I smiled, despite the gathering tension. “I’m fine, Fawn, but thanks.”

She nodded. “I’m sure she won’t be long.”

And I was sure the bitch would probably make me wait as long as she possibly could. Once Fawn had left, I moved across to the wood burner, placing the flute of champagne on the mantelpiece before hitching up my dress and warming my butt. It wasn’t elegant, but I didn’t really care. I wasn’t about to face the O’Connor dragon with ice running through my veins.

The minutes ticked by. Threads of wild magic began to slip into the room, tiny threads of silver that didn’t venture near me and yet whose presence gave me strength. I wouldn’t ever use it against Karleen, but it was at least a visible reminder that—Aiden aside—at least one of the O’Connor clan was on my side.

My butt eventually grew too warm, and I stepped away from the fire. As the hem of my dress fell back down to the floor, the door opened, and one half of the alpha pair that ruled the O’Connor pack stepped in.

I retrieved my champagne and gave her a pleasant smile. “What can I do for you, Karleen?”

She closed the door, then walked into the middle of the room, the storm in her eyes still belying her serene expression. “I came to give you some information and advice.”

“Indeed?” I nonchalantly took a sip of champagne. “How lovely of you. Of course, I can’t promise to take said advice, but I am willing to give you the courtesy of listening.”

She smiled. It was an unholy thing to behold. Don’t poke the wolf too much, whispered a voice that sounded an awful lot like Katie, otherwise she might just attack, consequences be damned.

I can defend myself. Whether that was said to reassure Katie or myself, I wasn’t entirely sure. I took another drink. Sparks danced across my fingers—a showy reminder to my foe that I was not without defenses.

“It is never wise to ignore the words of an alpha, young woman.”

“But as you’ve been so keen to remind me, I’m not a wolf, am I? Therefore, you may advise me, but I may choose to ignore it.”

“There are always consequences for doing so.” She took another step closer. With Katie’s presence in the room further enhancing my senses, I could not only smell the thick waves of her fury but also feel it vibrating across my skin. “Are you willing to risk such a cost?”

“Are you?” I replied evenly. “Katie may be this reservation’s guardian, but I am the means