Corrigan Fire Bloodfire - Helen Harper Page 0,31

every time I come near you, there appear to be some anomalies in your story.’

‘What do you mean?’ Mack suddenly sounded nervous.

I went for broke. ‘You told me, very clearly I might add, that your nickname is Red because you wear red clothes.’

‘Yeah? What of it?’

‘Your boyfriend, well the pack one at least, not the human, told me quite categorically that it was because it was a private joke between the two of you. That when you are, er – how shall I put this delicately – intimate with him, you blush a particularly attractive pink colour.’ I smiled. ‘And then, your charming little friend who fought first told me that it was because you have a fiery temper. Which doesn’t surprise me in the least, I have to say. What does surprise me is that at the very least two members of this pack have lied to me. And I will not condone that sort of attitude. Now I could compel them – and you – to tell me the truth, but I’d rather have it voluntarily from you.’

She gazed at me in resignation. ‘My hair is red. I dyed it. That’s it.’

‘I see,’ I said. Even if I hadn’t already had an inkling about her hair, I could tell she was actually telling the truth. It had taken a bloody long time to get there though. ‘And why would you do that?’

She shrugged. ‘I wanted a change. Girl’s prerogative.’

‘That still doesn’t explain why your friends – and you – lied about it.’

‘It’s, uh, a sore point, to be honest. I’d rather not talk about it.’

Looking for more honesty, I softened my voice. ‘You can trust me.’

‘I’ve, um, always hated the colour. I was teased about it mercilessly when I was a kid and I’ve been trying to forget that I’m ginger. My friends understand that.’

Damn it. She had reverted back to dishonesty again. ‘To the point where they would lie to the Lord Alpha about it to protect your delicate sensibilities?’

‘They’re good friends,’ she sniffed.

‘So, let me see if I can get this straight. You’ve lied about your hair, you’ve lied about the wolf to the human, and the human to the wolf. Can anything that you say be trusted?’

She marched on, not even daring to look in my direction. ‘I’ve been under a lot of pressure lately. John was…he was…dear to me. If I’ve lied to anyone, it’s only so I can find out what happened to him.’

‘I could compel you to tell me everything.’ I didn’t want to do it but I was starting to think I’d have to if I was ever going to get anywhere with her.

She licked her lips. ‘I suppose you could, yes. That’s much what I’d expect from the leader of the Brethren, use brute force to get what you want. Are you going to?’

I avoided answering her question. Probably because I wasn’t entirely sure of my answer yet. ‘You don’t seem to have much regard for us.’ Given our reputation when Brady was Lord Alpha, I was saddened, but not surprised. ‘It doesn’t matter though,’ I continued. ‘I have no doubt that you’ll tell me the whole truth eventually, one way or another.’ I’d make her do it, sooner or later.

‘You are only here for another twenty-four hours,’ she pointed out.

I laughed. Now that I knew there was a woman like Mack in the world, I was pretty certain I wouldn’t forget her. I’d be back here again, even if I had to make up a reason for doing so. ‘Yes, but I somehow think our paths will cross again.’

She gulped audibly just as I was starting to wonder who was more crazy – me or her?

Chapter Ten

Virtually the moment I stepped back over the threshold of the keep, Staines moved in and leaned towards me.

‘There’s a problem in London,’ he said, keeping his voice low to avoid being overheard. A worried frown etched his face and I could feel my stomach dropping. The last thing I needed right now was to have to deal with troublesome issues in the capital as well as Cornwall.

I jerked my head in the direction of the office and started walking. Is it urgent?

He nodded imperceptibly, keeping stride with me. I closed the door behind us and he immediately rubbed his forehead, deep lines etched into his brow. ‘Four of our shifters were attacked last night.’

‘Brethren?’

‘Yes.’ Staines’ expression was grim. ‘Two are dead. One is in intensive care. The fourth is talking but only