Dark Wolf (Spirit Wild) - By Kate Douglas Page 0,33

of Aldo’s spell slid away.

At least the old bastard looked rattled. He raised his head and glared at Sebastian. “Don’t ever lay your hands on me again.”

Drawing deep breaths, Sebastian stood tall and ground out his own threat. “Then watch your mouth, old man. Do not speak of her that way.”

“I could kill you, you know.” Aldo folded his arms across his chest and studied Sebastian as if he were some sort of insect. Power radiated from him, shimmering about the room.

Power but no aura.

Sebastian clenched his jaw. His father probably could kill him. He wished he had a better idea of the man’s basic nature, though he knew his magic was strong. How the hell the old bastard managed to hide a feature so intrinsic to a soul as an aura was frustrating as hell.

“You probably could kill me. But you won’t.” Probably not the smartest thing he could say.

“You’re right.” Aldo smiled. “I have plans for you. You are my sole heir, after all. Heir to more than mere wealth.”

Shivers raced along Sebastian’s spine.

Aldo walked over to the counter and pulled out the coffee grinder and fresh beans. “So, how did the reception go? Did you have a good time?”

Just like that, he switched off the wizardly display of power and was suddenly Sebastian’s loving and concerned father, interested in his son’s night out.

Sebastian refused to react. Instead, he brushed off his tuxedo slacks and walked across the kitchen to stand in front of the large window. He’d had enough coffee, and he really wanted to put some space between the two of them. “You already seem to know all the details,” he said, staring at the pewter sky. “In fact, I have a few questions for you.”

Aldo was suddenly standing beside him at the window. Sebastian hadn’t heard the man move.

“I always loved this view,” Aldo said. “San Francisco has its own kind of energy, but it’s stronger near the water. Do you feel the magic?”

“I always feel the magic.” Sebastian turned and stared at his father. “I felt something else last night. A sharp blast of power using my brain as a conduit. It would take a powerful mage to wield that kind of energy.”

“What kind is that?”

“The kind that can do harm. The kind that went straight for Lily Cheval and knocked her unconscious.” Sebastian watched for a sign, any flicker of emotion that would tell him his father was connected.

“Interesting. And who do you think was responsible?”

Bastard. “The same one who did something to my mind later so that I lost at least half an hour while running as a wolf. Lost all sense of who I was, who Lily was. My lack of attention almost got us killed.”

That seemed to set the old man back a bit. “What do you mean? What happened?”

“You tell me. Lily and I were hunting as wolves. Next thing I know, I’ve got her cornered in a cavern on Mount Tam, trying to rape her.”

Aldo’s eyebrows lifted. Then he frowned. “You mean you didn’t?”

Sebastian took a step back, an instinctual need to put space between himself and the man. “You sound disappointed. Of course I didn’t. I don’t rape women, but two other wolves showed up, intent on fighting. Or rape. I’m not really sure. We didn’t stand around and chat. They must have been rogue Chanku, because they were obviously intelligent, but the threat of the two males snapped me out of whatever had taken control.”

Nodding, Aldo glanced away. “I see.”

“No, father dear. I think I finally see.” And why hadn’t he, before now? How in the hell could he have been so stupid? “It was you. You somehow got past my shields at the reception. You’re the one who hurt her. And later, when I thought the wolf had taken over, it wasn’t my wolf nature at all. Again, it was you, wasn’t it?”

“Oh, Sebastian.” He sighed, and his condescending tone made Seb’s jaw ache from clenching. “You give me far too much credit. I’m strong, but controlling your mind from a distance ? That’s impossible. Not that I wouldn’t embrace power like that, but I fear you’re mistaken.”

Sebastian glared at his father, realized he was clenching his fists as well as his jaw, and forced himself to relax. “You have no aura,” he said, which wasn’t what he’d intended to say at all. Hell, he didn’t know what he wanted to say. What he believed.

Aldo raised his eyebrows. “No aura? What are you talking about?