but motives and politics never really change that much. Elliot Graves does not work with people because he is not the type to share. His suppliers are his suppliers alone. His contracted employees only work for him. So when he decided early on to go after you—coming even before you’d accepted the magic—he was declaring his intent to secure you for his interests. He will not suffer anyone else moving in and possibly getting lucky and grabbing you. He’ll fight to get what he wants. Most magical people would. Hell, most Dicks and Janes would, too—they just don’t jump to violence as quickly as people in the magical world do.”
“I thought he was a big deal in the magical world. Why would someone else move into his proposed territory and risk facing his wrath?”
Austin smiled without humor. “There are many big deals in the magical world, and everyone is looking for an edge. If Elliot Graves wants a thing, and if that thing is still technically up for grabs, then others will try to get it, either for their own benefit or to barter with Elliot Graves. It sounds like the secret is out about you.”
I blew out a breath. “Great.”
“We have some time. My smell is all over that deer’s trail, and all over the neighbor’s yards. No one will want to tango with me. The two groups will stay cautious for a few days, the shifter probably making some shallow runs into the property to see if he can get away with it, and the front yard prowler inching closer to see if we notice. If I don’t come after them, which I purposely won’t, even though the thought of letting an intruder into this territory…” His jaw clenched, his gaze still fixed out the window. “If they get no opposition, they’ll show near the house again for a test run. That is when the timer will start to count down.”
“How can you be sure? What if the deer or prowler tells his or their bosses we’re onto him and the boss rushes in?”
“A lesser boss might, but I don’t think we’re dealing with someone like that. If the person behind this isn’t Elliot, it’s a very wealthy mage. Those potions would be incredibly expensive, like Agnes’s people said, and the shifter would need one of each per night, for however many nights. Someone with that kind of money is a major player in the magical world, and major players use strategy. They’re smart. Which fits with what we’re seeing. Last night granted us a few days. And until we have more information, we are dead in the water. You need to rest, take it easy, and conserve your energy until you have a way to act.”
“That easy, huh?”
His gaze felt heavy on me. “I’ll stay in Ivy House with you, if that’s okay. I’ll take the room next to yours. I won’t let anything get to you, Jacinta. I will guard you when you sleep, so that you can sleep.”
Tears welled in my eyes again and I looked away. Throat tight, I didn’t trust myself to speak. All I could do was nod. Austin Steele, Sir Knight.
“What’s your real last name?” I asked, my voice a whisper, not sure whether I was crossing some sort of boundary. I knew the town had chosen the last name Steele for him, but he’d never mentioned what it was instead of.
He was quiet for a beat. “Barraza. I left it behind when I left my pack, which is the custom for an alpha’s siblings, who usually leave to head up a different pack or form a new one. Alphas earn their names, given to them by the pack they create or taken by force from an established pack leader. My brother took the name from my mother, who handled the pack before him.”
“Your brother forcefully took the pack from your mom?”
“Yes, but the fight wasn’t to the death. She was aging and he was ready. She made him work for it, but when it was clear he was dominant, she acquiesced. Normally old pack leaders are banished, but not always. My mother gracefully stepped aside, and my brother brought her onto his team of advisors. It was a seamless transition that exemplifies their strength in leadership. I’m the black sheep of the family.”
“You just had a longer path. A harder path. You’ll come out better for it. You’ll do them proud, Austin, if you haven’t already.”