hadn’t come from Minnesota—vampire or shifter—then from who?
“Do you need protection?”
I winced, guilt now a warm wash across my skin. I’d underestimated Ronan, and badly. I’d demanded sympathy for my decision, and hadn’t offered any when I’d brought trouble and a new vampire to his door and he’d reacted with suspicion.
“No, but the offer is appreciated. And I’ll apologize for any difficulties I’ve caused you because of what happened.”
Silence for a moment, then, “Thank you. That is appreciated. What will you do now that blood has been shed?”
“I don’t know yet,” I said, my honest answer. “We should tell her questions are being asked. I can do it, unless you prefer to do so.”
He was quiet for so long I thought he’d disconnected me. “You should tell her. It will mean more coming from you.”
“Okay.”
“This likely feels complicated,” Ronan said. “But in truth, it is not. You agree to their demands, or you don’t. You must decide which consequences will be easier to live with. And Elisa?”
“Yes?”
“If you’re searching for the person who reported you, you should probably look closer to home.”
He left me with that, and I stared at the screen for a moment, and couldn’t disagree with a word he’d said.
“Damn it,” I said and rubbed my temples with my free hand. Too many knew about Minnesota, about Carlie. Anyone she or Ronan had told. Any Pack member in Minnesota who might have spread the word back here. Connor, Alexei, Gabriel, and whoever had learned it from them. My parents, and anyone in Cadogan House who might have overheard our conversation. Theo, Petra, Roger, and anyone else in the OMB.
It would have taken only a call, just that small and dangerous bait. And the AAM would have bitten immediately.
“Damn it,” I said again and pulled up Carlie’s number. I’d already insulted one person tonight; might as well give another bad news.
She answered immediately. “Elisa! How are you?” She always sounded cheery and charming, every time I called her.
“It’s been a week,” I admitted. “Are you okay? Is everything okay there?”
“We’re great. I’m working night shifts at the doughnut shop, and I think they taste even better now.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” She’d worked at the doughnut shop before the change, and I was glad she’d been able to maintain that connection to her community.
“Listen, Carlie. There’s something going on down here. The AAM, the vampire assembly, says I broke the rules when I changed you.”
“I was dying.” She sounded offended, which was exactly how I’d have taken it.
“They know. But they’re technically right, and vampires like rules. They don’t like exceptions. Has anyone tried to contact you? To talk to you about it?”
“No. I’d have told you or Ronan.”
“Okay. That’s what I thought. I just wanted to make sure. I don’t want them harassing you or causing any trouble.”
She snorted. “As if they’d come up to bumblefuck Minnesota for that. Chicago’s much sexier.”
I bit back a smile; I knew she was trying to make me laugh, but it felt too soon for that. Especially for her to be prodding at me, when this was all my doing.
I heard her shift, the tone of her voice change as if she’d sat suddenly upright. “Should I come down? Me and Ronan and the others? We would help you kick their uptight asses.”
I’d barely known Carlie when she’d been attacked. But each time I talked to her, I became more convinced I’d done the right thing. Maybe that, too, had been why Ronan wanted me to talk to her.
“No,” I said. “Let’s hold on that for now. I wouldn’t want to waste an army that talented on something as ridiculous as this.”
“Good,” she said, and she sounded relieved. “So it’s no big?”
“It’s no big,” I lied. “But if they get in touch, let me know, so I can deal with that, too.”
“Will do. Oh, I gotta go. Give Connor a big squeeze.”
I promised I would and ended the call. Then I put my head on my knees, and breathed.
* * *
* * *
I dressed in a drapey emerald tank and fitted jeans, my summer uniform, and had just pulled on boots when there was a knock at the door.
I doubted the AAM would be so polite, and we hadn’t made nearly enough noise to irritate Mrs. Prohaska. I actually thought to check the security peep this time, and found Theo waiting, along with Roger Yuen and Detective Robinson.
Fear was a cold stone in my belly, but I opened the door. “What’s