Oath Sworn - K.N. Banet Page 0,29

when Carey showed up.”

“Thank you.” I let go of a breath I didn’t know I was holding. This couldn’t get worse, could it?

“Too bad Hasan has been missing for the last century. He knows the Law better than anyone and would be able to defend you the best if it needs to happen.” Lani sighed. “You might not have heard about him, but he was there when the Laws were written. He would know best what to do. Regretfully, he went missing when his youngest daughter died.”

I kept my mouth shut. I wasn’t the dead daughter. I was the next one he made. Hasan, by his own words, made many children over the centuries. Four sons and three daughters. Only one was dead, his previously youngest daughter. He was still in hiding, still refusing to interact with the rest of the supernatural world thanks to whatever happened. I didn't want to consider what would happen if people started finding out exactly who made me because it made me a sort of feline royalty. Not announcing who Changed me gave me a reputation, but it was one I was willing to live with. The royalty aspect of being Hasan's child wasn't one I was ready to deal with.

“You weren’t there?” I asked, changing the topic. I knew Lani was pretty old, but not exactly how old.

“I was in Africa at the time,” she answered, something wistful to the words. “Still human. I was Changed just after the Laws were written.”

“Ah.” That made her just over eight hundred years old. Now I had that answer. Werecats tended to get old, very few died under a hundred years of age, but most alive were also Changed after the Laws. That was because most before the Laws were killed in the war between the werewolves and werecats. “Stay safe, Lani.”

“You too, cub. I’ll get to work.” She hung up on me.

I shoved the phone back into my pocket, considering my options. I needed to find a motel or something, but nothing in a city center. Something off the beaten path where a fight wouldn’t risk innocent humans.

I got back into my hatchback and saw Carey still sleeping there, easing me just a little. My charge was safe for now and that helped crush the restlessness in me. I got us back on the road and stopped at the first gas station I could, jumping out without waking Carey.

I grabbed some snacks and drinks before going to the counter.

“Where’s the nearest motel?” I asked quickly, dumping everything on the counter. The human gave me a look that made me concerned. Did I miss some blood on my face? Was it in my teeth?

“Next door,” he answered.

“Oh!” I wasn’t expecting that answer. Sure enough, when I paid for the goodies and walked back out, I cursed my own tunnel vision and smirked. Perfect. It was a run-down little thing, not even one of the chains. No one would expect us to stay there. I got back into my hatchback and rolled into the adjoining parking lot, stopping in front of the main office. This time when I got out, I paid more attention to the world around me. I looked over the pine trees that seemed to run for miles and sighed. This was actually perfect. It was right off the highway, but there was nothing else around. It was a pit stop, a gas station and a motel. All one needed for a long drive and more secure than sleeping at a rest stop.

I left Carey in the passenger’s seat and walked into the office, stopping at the desk. There was no one there, so I dinged the bell. I chuckled as I heard someone jump in the office behind the desk. An older gentleman walked out and looked me over as I raised an eyebrow.

“I need a room, preferably on the first floor and not close to the office.”

“Not a hooker, are you?” He huffed, giving me a confused look.

“No. I just want to be able to listen to loud music without pissing people off.” I didn’t want anyone to hear me talking about a sensitive topic, and the place seemed deserted enough that the only person around was this guy. “Do you own the place?”

“Yup, and the gas station next door.” He was still eyeballing me pretty hard and I took a sniff of the air and bared my teeth.

“Damn it,” I muttered, shaking my head. “What’s a fae doing running a little