Corrigan Fire Bloodfire - Helen Harper Page 0,10

and appointing a new alpha, as is our responsibility. We will hold evaluations and interviews with every single pack member to ensure the appropriate alpha is chosen.’

The woman’s expression twisted in a sudden flash of rage. I watched her carefully.

‘And we also extend you an invitation. The best and the brightest among you may join us, come to London and become part of the Brethren, the shapeshifter elite. We have spaces for new recruits. This is your opportunity to join in the battle to keep all of this world, not just Cornwall, safe from all harm.’

Almost to a man, the Cornish pack gasped. It was an unusual opportunity we were providing, even though shifters were usually allowed to switch packs in the event of an alpha’s passing. While some of them looked thrilled and others terrified, the brown-haired woman appeared almost calculating. Interesting. In the search for potential murder suspects, I was certain I’d found one. I couldn’t even tell what manner of shifter she was. Predator certainly, but she didn’t seem to have the look of a socially inclined werewolf. I’d have said weretiger but her posture somehow lacked their usual element of grace. I watched her eyes travel along each Brethren member, assessing each of us in the same way I was assessing her. When her gaze moved and met mine, there was the briefest flash of panic and she immediately ducked her head down.

Julia stepped forward with a perfunctory smile. ‘I will show you to our guest quarters.’

We filed out and were led up a stone staircase complete with an extremely shabby-looking carpet. I almost tripped on one spot where the fabric had worn through and received a vaguely amused glance from the shifter behind me who then took particular care to avoid it. It was clear the Cornish keep, while spotlessly clean and tidy, was in dire need of a make-over. I made a mental note to check on their allotted funds from the Brethren bank accounts. If we could justify spending money on expensive cars, we could certainly do more to help out the rural packs. When Julia pointed out the dorms the majority of the shifters occupied, I felt secretly appalled. I could say little on the matter, however, when we were taking up an entire floor of bedrooms for the duration of our visit.

‘I imagine you will want this one,’ she said to me drily, and gestured to a large room on the left which was clearly their most opulent.

Rather than maintaining the fiction that I was just another Brethren grunt, I inclined my head and thanked her. ‘How many shifters do you actually have?’

‘Thirty-nine,’ she replied automatically. Then her face clouded. ‘Thirty-eight now.’

I smiled at her in sympathy. ‘He deserved better.’

Her answering look was grim. ‘He did.’

‘Once we’ve dropped off our bags, I’d appreciate it if someone could show us the site where he died.’

She nodded. ‘I’ll have it seen to.’ She met my eyes. ‘It was a monster that did this. Not one of us.’

I was gentle. ‘We need to investigate every angle. Starting tomorrow, I’d like to assess everyone. Not just in physical bouts. I need to speak to each shifter individually.’

She stiffened. ‘I’m not sure…’

I wasn’t about to brook any argument. ‘It must be done.’

Julia looked troubled but she didn’t protest any further. ‘I will make the necessary arrangements.’

‘Thank you. With only seventy-two hours, it is also best if you and I meet as quickly as possible to arrange the alpha initiation.’

She nodded.

Tonight?

She jerked. Yes, my Lord Alpha. We can meet before dinner.

I held her gaze, using the full weight of my ability to compel her. Tell the truth. Is there any chance a shifter could have done this?

No. Her eyes and her Voice were clear.

I watched as she turned and left, in some haste to get away. Boyne sidled up to me.

‘Do you think she’s the one, Lord Corrigan? She stands to benefit the most from his death, after all.’

I was certain even without using compulsion on her that Julia didn’t have a murderous bone in her body. ‘No. Besides, if any of these shifters were involved, they probably couldn’t have acted alone. It’s not an easy task to kill and eviscerate someone without being harmed yourself in the process.’

‘His intestines. Were they really…’

I gestured down at my bag. ‘I can show you the photos of the scene if you really want to know.’

He paled. ‘No, it’s alright, my Lord.’

‘In that case,’ I instructed, ‘you need to stay