Broods Of Fenrir - By Coral Moore Page 0,57

came from behind the lodge. From the bundles of rope in Alice"s arms, he assumed she"d taken refuge in his shed. When she saw Gunni, she ran toward them.

Dagny walked up next to him, a shotgun cradled in the crook of her elbow. After an appraising glance, he flashed her a grin. He gave Fari one more kick to encourage obedience before turning away. “If this dumb shit moves, shoot him somewhere that hurts.”

Dagny raised the shotgun, leveled it at the center of Fari"s back, and gave a small nod.

Brand went to check on the other attacker, but when he approached, it was obvious the male was dead. The snow 159

around the prone form was turning brown with the drying blood. Gunni had scored either a skillful or a lucky hit, tearing open the male"s neck. The dead one had blond hair and was slight compared to Fari, likely not one of Björn"s sons.

“Your friend is on his way to the moon. I can"t believe Björn would send only his seventh son and some under-grown lackey to fetch me. What are you doing here?”

“Fifth,” Fari spat. “We were sent to collect the female.” Gunni said, “Björn called for a conclave. That"s why I came.” Alice stopped fussing over Gunni"s wounds and stared at him. Her face drew tight. “What do I have to do with that?” Gunni reached to take her hand. “Erik believes Björn is going to convince you to give evidence against Brand.” Alice"s eyes found Brand. “I never would.” Fari laughed. “Bold words for one who has never been subject to his attentions. Bigger wolves than you have begged to do what he asked.”

Dagny stepped forward and stomped on Fari"s hand.

“Shut up.”

Fari retracted his hand with a yelp, curling his injured fingers in toward his chest. “Stupid bitch.” Brand was on him in an instant, his knee pressed into the flailing male"s back. “Apologize before I get angry.” Fari spluttered for several seconds before he said anything coherent. “I meant no offense.” Leaning into his back, Brand increased the pressure and grabbed the nape of Fari"s neck in a tight hold. “The next time you refer to my mate as anything but „my lady" you will lose your head. Understood?”

Fari nodded. “Of course, my lord.” His Norse was badly accented and barely comprehensible with his face pressed into the snow, but the message came through nonetheless.

“Don"t offer me false respect now. The only reason you"re still alive is that I"m hoping to trade you to your sire in exchange for him backing off.”

160

“You might as well kill me now. Arn was his favorite.

He won"t give up a chance for vengeance for anything, least of all my life.”

Despite having every reason to pummel him, Brand eased up. His own sire had been none too fond of him, and he knew the sting of that rejection well enough. “Don"t give me any more trouble, and I won"t break any more ribs.” Fari nodded against the snow. “I understand.” He backed off. “Give me your right hand.” Fari complied, bending his arm behind him. “Alice, the rope?” She tossed the rope before returning her attention to Gunni"s injuries.

Brand tied Fari"s wrists behind his back and yanked him to his feet. He gestured to Dagny. “Don"t move, or she"s going to fill you with buckshot. Believe me, it stings.” He walked to where Gunni sat.

Alice knelt next to Gunni, her face set in a worried frown. She knotted another bandage around the wound in his leg, then looked up at Brand.

“Is he okay to travel?” Brand asked.

Her frown deepened, but before she could answer, Gunni spoke up. “I"m fine.”

Alice searched Brand"s face with her pale blue eyes.

“Where are we going?”

“You two are taking his car and going to Erik"s place in Wyoming.”

They looked at each other. “No, we aren"t,” Alice said.

Gunni nodded in agreement, a ghost of a smile touching his normally reserved features.

Brand grumbled. “Why is everyone in the fucking mood to defy me today?”

A cough came from Dagny, and he sent a glare in her direction. She had made it abundantly clear during their walk back that she wasn"t going to be sent away, and perhaps that had made him a bit more irritable than normal. Her eyes didn"t move from Fari, but the lifted corner of her mouth told him 161

what she thought of his outburst.

He brought his attention back to Gunni. “You take Alice and get the fuck out of here.” Gunni cleared his throat. “You"re going