Pirate's Promise (Sentinels of Savannah #5) - Lisa Kessler Page 0,53
either, but if it saved a life and got her the sword, it was worth the extra effort.
Her attention shifted back to Lennox. “Tell him you’ll trade me for your father.”
“What?” Greyson lowered his gun. “No.” He shook his head. “It’s too risky.”
“Hear me out.” She stayed focused on Lennox. “Most of the demons in the files I’ve studied never return their hostages. Mortal flesh is too tempting to their endless hunger. If we go through with this plan as it stands, you father will be dead before we even get there. He’s only alive for leverage, to force you to play his game. Let’s shake up the rules a little.”
The werewolf didn’t know the demon needed her.
The sword hungered for the chosen one. Aura. She didn’t want to think about how her blood might feed a sword, but that didn’t matter right now. She was still their only bargaining chip.
“This is the only way to save your father’s life,” she added.
Greyson caught her arm. “You can’t do this.” He searched her eyes. “There’s got to be another way.”
She shook her head. “There’s not.”
“Bullshit,” he growled. “At least let me get the cup. I stowed it on the Sea Dog just in case.”
She blinked. He’d brought the Holy Grail on this trip? She wanted to probe further, but not with Lennox staring at them.
Turning to the werewolf again, she said, “Send him the text. Tell him you have Aura Henderson. He’ll make the trade.”
…
Greyson’s pulse pounded like a jackhammer.
He could barely control the urge to shake Aura for offering herself up to save the life of a man they’d never even met. She wasn’t even giving Greyson time to regroup. The Grail was back in the harbor, stowed on the Sea Dog.
“It’s sent,” Lennox said, placing his cell back on the desk.
Greyson could almost hear the seconds ticking away.
“Keep this in case you need to reach me later.” Aura gave Lennox a plain white business card.
Agent Bale had given Colton a similar token. They bore only the agent’s name and a cell phone number. Nothing else to track it by.
The werewolf shoved it into his pocket. “Who do you work for?”
“A branch of the U.S. government.” She crossed her arms. “I wasn’t aware there was a wolf pack in Scotland.”
He smirked. “Until last week, I wasn’t aware there were demons and bloodthirsty swords, so I guess we’re even.”
Greyson leaned in close to Aura. “Can I talk to you? Alone.”
She nodded and glanced at Lennox. “Text me at the number on the card when you hear something.”
Greyson was no expert on werewolves, but he knew they had keener senses than he did, so he didn’t speak until they were a good distance from the building and the rental car. Hopefully out of earshot for the shifters.
“We need to talk about the Grail.” He kept his voice low, just in case.
Her brow arched. “Yeah. We should start with why you brought it along in the first place. If someone stole it, we’d have another crisis on our hands.”
“It’s safe.” He crossed his arms. “I brought it because Colton is mortal now.”
“I thought he chose not to take another drink from the cup.”
“Aye.” He nodded. “But Skye is pregnant—that’s why she didn’t come on this voyage. My gut said if something went wrong, Colton would want to live to see his baby born.”
“And you’re qualified to decide that for him?”
“No.” Greyson frowned, shaking his head. “You think I’d make that choice for someone?”
“Would you make it for me?”
“No.” Anger bubbled in his stomach as he narrowed his eyes. “I brought you out here to ask you what you’d want if you had the choice, but yer rushing into this demon’s arms so fast, I might not get a chance to put the Grail to yer stubborn lips.” He searched her eyes. “I made you a promise that you’d have your sword. Is it worth your life?”
She broke eye contact. “I didn’t want to distract you and blow our cover before, but there’s something I have to tell you.”
He caught her chin, lifting her gaze to his face. “Look at me.”
Her lush green eyes sparkled, shining with emotions he couldn’t sort out. She swallowed and whispered, “I’m the only one who can touch that sword. I need to do this, and you need to stay out of my way.”
“Fuck that,” he growled, sliding his fingers along her jawline. “I’m not like that demon partner you had in New York. I can help you. When