Corrigan Fire Bloodfire - Helen Harper Page 0,54

it wasn’t just the werehamster herself who acted in a confounding manner; it was anyone in this damn county who had anything to do with her.

She left a phone message. Everything in Trevathorn is clear.

I took an authoritarian stance. After Staines’ recriminations, I didn’t feel I had much choice. She should be here.

I can send someone…

Forget it. I didn’t mean to sound quite so short with her but this wasn’t the time for any petty rebellions, no matter who they came from. Maybe I should drag Mack kicking and screaming to London with me so I could teach her some manners. I smiled slightly at the thought then focused on the matter in hand.

‘This has been a black day. A day of grief and pain and blood. But it was one battle against one monster. Because you worked together and co-operated, you injured it and sent it running for cover to whichever hole it came from.’ I dropped my voice until it was almost a whisper. It would be a damn sight more effective than shouting. ‘Now look at you. Brethren to one side.’ I pointed at the cluster. ‘Cornish pack to the other. We are as one. We should be as one. Today you all fought as one. The losses may have been Brethren but Cornwall had already lost John. We are all in pain.’ Several of the shifters dropped their heads. ‘But we are not victims!’ I snarled, suddenly speaking louder. They jerked their eyes back up again. ‘We are the pack. Brethren or not, we are strong. We have potential and power that the mages and the Fae and the bloodsucking damn vampires can only dream of. Because we’re cohesive. We work together. And we are going to damned well work together to find whoever is responsible for all this.’

I noted the mage, Floride, hovering to the side. I wondered whether he was insulted that I’d effectively relegated him and his kind to the sidelines. His expression still seemed vaguely amiable though. I raised up my right hand and pointed at him. ‘Mage Floride is going to find out everything he can about what’s on the other side of that portal. He has bound it for now. We are safe for now. But when we know enough, we will go to that place, wherever it may be, and we will take the fight to them.’

I straightened my shoulders and looked each and every individual in the eye. ‘Be strong. Because one way or another, we will overcome. We are the pack,’ I repeated.

Staines gave me a nod of approval. Despite my concerns about the fighting ability of the vast majority of the Cornish pack, I could see a fire had been lit in all their eyes. Satisfaction filled me. Then, bizarrely, applause started. I couldn’t tell who began it but once they had, others took it up until the whole room was clapping. The noise grew thunderous and there were cheers and whistles.

I smiled grimly and used the Voice to speak to Staines. It’s going to take more than a pretty speech and a standing ovation to win the day.

Perhaps. But it’s a start, my Lord.

Unwilling to risk overdoing it, I turned on my heel to walk out. I wanted to go to the beach to see the damn portal for myself. There was someone I had to take care of first though.

Where the fuck are you?

Mack didn’t immediately answer but I was taken aback by the sudden – and very unexpected – feeling of delight that emanated from her. Then the front door of the keep burst open with an almighty crash, the oak splintering, and all hell broke loose.

I barely had any time to react before a massive beast launched itself at me, jaws snapping. There were at least three others bounding into the keep. As I twisted left to avoid the creature’s vicious teeth, I shifted into my werepanther form in an explosion of fur and flying material, and landed on all fours. Shrieks and screams came from behind me as the other intruders launched themselves deeper in. My own assailant leaped towards me so I flung myself up and met it in mid air. Our bodies collided and my shoulder jarred. Whatever it was, it stank of rotting meat. We both crashed heavily to the ground and I heard the thing whine.

Pulling myself out from underneath its heavy body, I aimed for its flank, swiping my claws deep into its flesh. It howled