Corrigan Fire Bloodfire - Helen Harper Page 0,65

as you know, my Lord,’ she said, shuffling backwards, ‘the portal is closed. Even if I wished to make such a foolish move, I would be unable to do so.’

I folded my arms, staring at her as if to dare her to tell the truth while checking up on the status of the wizard. Staines, have you located Floride yet?

He’s gone into the bathroom and locked the door.

Then damn well break it down.

Mack blinked at me. ‘I couldn’t sleep, alright?’ There was a rebellious note to her words that caused the other two to suck in breath. Perhaps they could learn something about not blindly following the pack hierarchy. Not that I needed more shifters like Mack to have to worry about though. ‘I thought I’d just come out for a walk,’ she continued, ‘and maybe bring your servants, sorry – guards, something to drink to keep their spirits up.’

‘I apologise, my Lord,’ interrupted the werefox in sudden panic. ‘We didn’t think there would be any harm in accepting her offer of a drink.’

Mack’s snide reference to ‘servants’ annoyed me. So did the suggestion that they needed my damned permission to quench their thirst. ‘You are permitted to fucking drink if you need to.’

The guards cowered at my harsh tone. Damning myself, Mack and the pair of them, I scowled. You’re the Brethren, I instructed. You don’t need to act submissive.

I’m sorry, my Lord, the werefox began, just as there was an odd beep and the air was filled with a sudden hum. Faint purple light danced across the dark sand.

Staines! I yelled.

Mack twisted round, sand spraying up from the ground as she flung herself towards the portal. I lunged in her direction, only just managing to grab a hank of her hair as it flew out behind her. She yanked her head, pulling away. I roared at her to halt, springing after her fleeing body. My fingers were scant inches away from her when she pushed into the portal and disappeared. Half a beat later, the purple shimmers indicating it was open flipped off like a light and I was barrelling through nothing more than air, landing on the soft sand on the opposite side of the gateway. And Mack was gone.

My Lord Corrigan, Staines answered in belated panic, he did something. We couldn’t stop him…

I know, I growled back. Tell him to open the damn portal again. I could still reach her. I’d drag her back kicking and screaming. Then I’d lock her up and throw away the damn key.

I pivoted round, brushing the particles of sand from my trousers. The two guards were open-mouthed, staring from me to the portal in horror. Then there was an odd crackle and it started to hum again. But instead of re-opening, it vanished, leaving me with balled up fists and a well of deep frustration and worry.

***

The moment I returned to the keep and spotted Floride hunched miserably in a chair, I grabbed him by his lapels and yanked him to his feet. ‘Did the Arch-Mage tell you to re-open the portal?’ I snarled.

He shook his head vigorously.

‘Did I tell you to do it?’

He dropped his eyes. ‘No, dude.’

‘Then,’ I said, barely able to avoid shaking him as violently as I could, ‘why in hell did you?’

He sucked in a deep breath, gathering courage from somewhere. ‘Mack thought she could do something about Iabartu.’

‘Who the hell is Iabartu?’

‘The…the…woman who killed her alpha,’ he stammered.

‘The demi-goddess?’ I said slowly.

‘Yes,’ he squeaked.

‘You know who she is?’

His eyes opened as wide as saucers. ‘Uh…’

‘Let me guess. Mack found out her identity.’

The look on Floride’s face was answer enough.

‘Why didn’t she tell me?’

‘I don’t know!’

He was lying. Tightening my grip on his shirt, my face twisted. ‘Is it Mack that this Iabartu wants?’

He nodded.

‘Why?’ I was aware that I was shouting but I no longer cared.

Floride flinched. ‘I don’t know.’

Disgusted, I dropped him. He collapsed back into the chair. Mack was only a werehamster. It didn’t matter how strong and powerful she was, she’d never be a match for an actual demi-goddess, regardless of the reasons why this Iabartu wanted her in the first place.

I turned to Staines, the expression on my face apparently quelling whatever he’d been about to say. ‘Find out everything you can about Iabartu.’

He bowed, no doubt gallingly aware that if he’d reached the mage in time we wouldn’t have this problem now.

‘My Lord,’ coughed Anton from behind.

I flicked a glance round towards him. ‘Yes?’

‘The demi-goddess – Iabartu – wants