Compounding Traumas (Artemis University #6) - Erin R Flynn Page 0,17

valuable lives,” Claudia sneered. “Then again, there wasn’t a problem, but you simply killed for power, you murderer.”

“Why you—” Alec started, but I was focused on security.

“Try it, and I will kill you with a rune and risk the fallout,” I warned his people when a few looked to move on Claudia. “His slaughterfest killed one of her family. She is owed her moment to say what he deserves to get.”

They all gave me looks that they didn’t agree with that, but believed I would kill them, so they backed off.

“Take my deal, Alec, because I’m not sure you’ll get any crystals otherwise,” I pushed. “The hobgoblins have been asking to let the dragon castles fall as justice for what they suffered. The testimonies we hear are—they’re insanely cruel, and abuse doesn’t cover what they went through.

“I’m inclined to give it to them if real justice isn’t received as you promised, so you might want to start balancing priorities if you let certain families fall or your castle. If I wanted to be mean and start real trouble, I would offer crystals for the hobgoblins you got out of your area that don’t work for dragons.”

He chilled his attitude, almost looking pale at the idea. So he didn’t have the backing of other supe leaders in Australia. Interesting. Very interesting. I was learning a lot with this meeting. It almost made the hour wait worth it.

He snatched up the folder and quickly looked over the list, steam practically coming out of his ears when he saw how long it was. “I will handle this immediately. I could see a few falling through the cracks or being overlooked, but this is three fucking pages. You know where they are?”

I glanced at Claudia and nodded for her to handle that one.

“We’re not completely sure on all the locations, but we have confirmed they are in your area with more than one source to have them on that list. Mostly from hobgoblins visiting with those they worked for, so they weren’t always clear on locations, but they know who they saw.”

“I’ll take that help, and we can get them from there when we’re onsite.” He didn’t wait for her to answer, focusing on me and seeming as if he had a bad taste in his mouth. “I apologize. I thought we turned everyone over, and you were dicking us around because you hate me.”

“I keep my promises on all things, Alec, even when I hate people. I don’t play those sorts of games, but come at people head-on when they fuck with me. Don’t fuck with me, and I’ll do as I say.”

He gave a swift nod and pushed to his feet, leaving without another word. His people trailed after them, and we waited a few minutes until we were sure they were gone.

“I’m sorry,” Claudia whispered before I could speak.

I stood and went to her, hugging her, even if she was stiff and didn’t return it. “I knew you were going to do that. I wanted you to have that moment. I’m sorry I can’t get you more yet.”

“Yet?” she breathed, fear in her voice.

“One day, I’m going to take that fucker down if I make it that long. Or the ones I plan to help will.”

“Yeah, they would for sure,” she rasped, hugging me back. “Thanks, Tamsin.”

“You good?” I checked after several minutes.

“No, but that helps. Tremendously.”

Well that was something for sure.

I let her go and moved away, leaning my hip against the table. “You can come in, Geoff.”

The door opened, and the Alpha stepped in looking amused with several of his guards sharing the sentiment. “You rang?”

I smiled at him, knowing he was teasing me. “You picked up what we did, right? He’s in trouble.”

“Are you asking me as an Alpha who has people working for you or—”

“As a wolf who senses a lot and has a good heart, so he doesn’t want to see assholes in power and hurting supes,” I promised. “And off the record.”

“He’s in serious trouble. The distress coming off of him was real and thick,” he answered after a moment. “I don’t think he delayed to fuck with you, but it was something legit. He came through the portal flustered and worried, like he thought he blew this and you wouldn’t wait.”

“And we apologize for him walking right into the room you were using,” one of the guards said, his voice tight. “We had injured that came in at the same time, and he was