Corrigan Fire Bloodfire - Helen Harper Page 0,63

Mack was being brazen about continuing her relationship with the wolf, or she was simply using him to get rid of the human. The former suggested a heart made of stone and the latter suggested she was simply trying to be kind.

I waited until the policeman had left, hurt reflected in his posture and his words. Then I spoke. ‘That was fast work.’

Mack dropped her arm from Tom as if it burned her and whirled around. ‘I was just doing what you asked, my Lord.’

I looked at Tom and then at her. ‘Whatever you say. Better get some rest. It’s late and we need everyone rested in case there’s another attack tomorrow.’

‘And what if there’s one tonight?’

I sighed. Trust went both ways. ‘I have watchers all over the keep. Do not presume to tell me my job, Miss Mackenzie.’

I turned and started walking up the stairs. I needed some damned shuteye.

‘What the hell is wrong with you, my Lord?’ Staines muttered as he followed me. ‘Sleep with the girl and be done with it. You can’t let her affect how you treat other people.’

I gnawed on my cheek. Mack may very well bounce from man to man but I had a troubling ache inside that my own feelings concerning her had very little to do with mere lust.

Chapter Twenty

I circled round the second portal, eyeing its shimmering light speculatively. The last few dregs of the sunlight filtering in through the canopy of green above made it appear a harmless, almost pretty, thing to behold, entirely belying the fact that the hellhounds that had caused so much pain and anguish had bounded out from this very point. Despite their animalistic nature, they’d taken time to cover their tracks, suggesting intelligence either on their part or from the demi-goddess pulling their strings. She hadn’t counted on the pack’s ability to scent out a trail, however. We weren’t as incapable as she seemed to believe.

‘What’s the plan, my Lord? Do we go in?’

I turned to the eager werebadger beside me. ‘No. We have no idea what could be waiting for us on the other side. We need to be careful.’ And, I thought silently, ensure that no-one else ends up as another name on the Wall. ‘We’ll send in two teams simultaneously to check the lay of the land, one through this portal and one through the other one. They’ll be under strict instruction not to engage in any combat. They’ll need to stay hidden so we can maintain the element of surprise. Today will be about reconnaissance. Nothing more.’

I sensed – and understood – his disappointment. But this was a powerful Otherworld being we were dealing with. Recklessness would not aid our cause.

He bowed. ‘As my Lord commands.’

I mentally sifted through the Brethren shifters who were in attendance. There were several strong trackers amongst them. My own skills in that arena weren’t bad but there were others who were better. As much as it galled me, it made sense to leave the initial foray into the demi-goddess’s plane to the best. Dusk was already falling. In another few minutes, darkness would be enveloping the entire county. That didn’t mean much in terms of the portal, of course. It could be any time of day on the other side. Still, I’d let everyone rest up and send the teams in at dawn. That would give us time to boost the guards around both areas. I’d also need the mage to unbind the portal on the beach and goodness knew how long that would take.

I located Staines. Where’s Floride?

Hovering around outside the keep, my Lord. He was chatting with your Mackenzie.

My eyes narrowed. Was this yet another conquest of hers? She went through men faster than I went through sweatpants. I dismissed the surge of irritation I felt.

Good. Keep him there. I’m heading back.

Leaving the werebadger with a few others, I started picking my way along the narrow, worn path. I was tempted to take advantage of being outside and alone to shift and release some of my pent-up energy. It was definitely a damn sight easier to have a bit of fun in Cornwall than it was in London. Then a suspicious thought struck me and I halted in my tracks.

Staines, where exactly were Mack and Floride when they were talking?

He answered instantly. In the garden. They went into a shed for a minute or two then came back out again. It's only Floride who's hanging around now though.

The shed where the black