who wants to continue on the legacy of the coalition, even if the leaders are dead. My goal remains the same. Shifters don’t deserve to live. They need to be exterminated like the pests they are. Then we’ll have the best, most powerful paranormals walking the earth, as it should be.”
“I don’t want to kill you, Caid. I really don’t.”
“And I don’t want to have to hunt down members of your pack and have them killed. Leave me alone and I’ll leave you and those you love the same.”
Ever since Caiden appeared and took me hostage, I’ve spent time reading his mind. Not everything is visible. There’s a strong block up protecting certain memories. No matter what I do, I can’t break it down. But there’s enough in his mind that I can see. And I know with certainty Caiden isn’t a killer. He hasn’t had to kill anyone. He had others do it for him. And while he does want to see shifters gone, he’s not the exterminator. That’s why he needs others who will take care of the dirty work for him.
I wish I knew what to say or do to get through to him. His brother is hurting. Cam would choose me over Caiden, but I never want him to have to do that. I want Caiden to come to his senses and realize how wrong what he’s doing is. And maybe there is something in his mind that changed him. He could have been brainwashed like Cam suggested. As much as no one on the team wants to involve the Verascues, it may be time to do so, at least where Caiden is concerned. See if Sol or Eloise can break down that wall.
“I’ll come for every member of this team,” Caiden states. There’s no malice in his tone. He’s calm. That’s more terrifying than if anger were bleeding through his words. The ones who are cold and calculating are who we have to watch out for.
Aries folds his arms over his chest. “You can try. We’re not easily taken down. You’re not the first nor will you be the last to come for us.”
“No, but I was part of the group who killed members of the Quivakond Pack. I can infiltrate anywhere. I can have anyone murdered. So maybe you should be on your best behavior and stop your little missions before you’re all dead. Then what would your mates think? They would miss you and have to raise your children by themselves.” There is truth in Caiden’s words, but right now it’s a threat. Not an action item.
He doesn’t have the beings he needs to carry out his plans. From what I’ve read in his mind, he’s searched high and low and no one is willing to join up with him. Since Caiden won’t kill anyone himself, the pack isn’t in danger. Yet. It could change in an instant, though.
Thay vibrates with magic as he stares at Caiden. It’s bleeding from him. The only thing stopping him from using it is me standing in front of his target. Camden’s brother or not, Thay wants to bring him down. Not necessarily kill him. Caiden needs to be stopped before he can gather a following.
“Leave me be and I’ll leave all of you and your packs the same. I vow it.”
“I don’t want your vow,” Cam growls. “I want my brother back. I want you to realize the nightmares you’ve caused. The wrong you’ve done. To atone for them.”
“That won’t happen,” Caiden states firmly. “I’m not changing my mind.”
Gunfire breaks out above our heads. The rapid rounds of multiple weapons.
“That’s my cue,” Caiden states. “I was the buyer not the facilitator. No need to get caught in the crossfire.”
He leans down. His hot breath puffs onto my neck then he drags his nose over my skin there. Bile rises up my throat as I tremble. I’m not easily frightened, but no one should touch another unless they want it. Caiden could take me from here. Teleport me from Cam. While I’ve been training with the team, I’ve never actively fought someone in the field. This is the first time. And I wasn’t involved in the pack war. I wasn’t allowed to fight. I can’t forget about my magic.
Cam growls. Tears spring to my eyes. Boots stomp on the floor above. The gunfire stops.
Caiden licks my neck. “I can understand what you see in him, Camden. He’s sweet with a little spice.” He hums and licks me