Oath Sworn - K.N. Banet Page 0,66
was trying to remain impartial,” I explained. “While I tried not to be totally fatalistic to her, I was ready for an outcome in which she would go to a legal guardian and not a parent or other family.” I swallowed. “Now, even though they’ve taken her and tried to kill me, I am still trying to remain impartial. I’m not going to help you win this. I’m going to get your daughter back and keep her safe from all harm. That means once I have her again, I’m leaving with her until this settles.” I was lying to his face, but politically, it was the only thing I could have possibly said. I fully wanted him to win. I wanted to rip his opponents to pieces and feed on their corpses. I wanted to roll around their dead bodies like a fucking rabid animal. It wasn’t a feeling I was accustomed with, but I was growing more used to everything it flared in my chest.
But I had to watch my own back as best as I could.
He didn’t call out my lie. “And you recognize that working with me is probably the fastest way to finding her.”
“Sort of. I caught one of the other wolves last night. I didn’t hold him, but I had him deliver a message to the wolf he reported to. They failed to kill me and I was here to pick a fight for her again.”
“Why are you doing this?” He propped his elbow on the window and door, leaning on it. He was now watching me with an intensity that made me want to squirm.
“You’re the third person I’ve explained this to, but the others were werecats…” I huffed. “It could be considered a failure of my Duty that I let Carey get taken from me, but I like to think that’s only the case if I give up. I’m not giving up. There’s been a lot of Law-breaking around here. They started it. I’m going to continue to do what I swore I would do, even though the Laws will hang me for it.” I wanted to snarl about how they took something that belonged to me, but I wasn’t foolish enough to say that in front of her father. I wasn’t her mother or her sister, or even a friend. I was a werecat who promised to try and be all of those things and a body shield, and it would end when I gave her back to this man. It was still a bone I was choking on, but I would abide by it.
“That’s…honorable of you,” he said softly, nodding. “Very honorable, to put your Duty over your self-preservation.”
“If I was worried about self-preservation, I would have given her up to the first hunting party. Not get shot five times in less than a week,” I snapped, baring my teeth. “Older and wiser werecats have told me this is foolish. I made it clear to them…that I didn’t think so and there’s no other option in my mind.”
“I’m glad I sent her to you, then.” He extended a hand. “I haven’t properly introduced myself. I’m Heath Everson.”
“Jacky Leon. I prefer Jacky, by the way. Don’t call me Jacqueline.”
“Why not? It’s a pretty name,” he countered.
“Fine. Call me whatever you want.” I pulled my hand back, shaking my head.
“I will. I tend to do whatever I want without needing someone’s permission.” He smirked. “So, do you know anything else about what’s happening here in Dallas?”
“Um…Council Alpha Harrison of Atlanta gave me some small details,” I answered. “Things he thought could help me protect Carey and understand the situation and how dangerous it is. You really have wolves out there fighting over loyalty?”
“It was my idea, actually. Good way to weed out the weak traitors. My top twenty or so wolves are mostly on my side. We have a couple unaccounted for, but I’m certain they’re lying low, keeping their heads down until they think it’s safe to reach out. Even if they’re traitors, I overpower them.”
“How did this start?” I went back to crossing my arms, not wanting to think about how warm and calloused his hand had been. Reminded me of my late fiancé.
“I was working late. Sniper took a shot and hit me in the back, which is why we’ve been quiet, hiding. So I can heal and deal with the challenger properly, while figuring out who belongs to who. Shamus here found me and took me underground and into