Ash growled low in his throat. Of course, she would never come because he was hurt. She'd taught him long ago that his suffering meant nothing to her. "I'm handling it."
"Handling it how? He has been exposed and is now being sought by the human authorities. He jeopardizes everything. He must die."
"No." He snarled the word at her. "I will take care of it. I just need more time."
She had that familiar calculating look on her face. "And what will you give me for this time you request?"
"Dammit, Artemis, why must everything be a bargain with you? Can't you, just once, do something because I asked it of you?"
"Nothing is free," she said as she walked a circle around him. He cringed as she raked her hand over his back. "You of all people should know that. A favor requires a favor in turn."
He took a deep breath and prepared himself for what was to come. Like it or not, he would have to play supplicant to her to keep Zarek safe. "What do you want?"
She pulled his hair back from the nape of his neck and nuzzled him with her lips and nose. Against his will, his body broke out in chills and hardened.
When she spoke, her voice was low and husky. "You know what I want."
"Fine," he said resignedly. "You can have me, just don't send Thanatos in yet. Let me get Zarek back to Alaska."
"Mmm," she breathed against his neck. "See... it's so much better when you cooperate."
He stiffened as she licked his skin.
"Question?" he said coldly. "Did you free Styxx just so you could screw me?"
She pulled back sharply and stepped around him to give him a shocked stare. "What?"
Ash watched her carefully, wanting to know the truth. "Styxx is loose in New Orleans."
Artemis appeared flabbergasted. "I would never do that to you, Acheron. I had no idea he had escaped. Are you sure?"
In spite of himself, he was relieved to know she hadn't betrayed him. Again.
"Talon saw him and thought he was me."
Artemis pressed her hand to her lips. Her green eyes were terrified. "He'll be coming for you."
"He already is. I'm sure that little dance with Zarek outside of the club was a setup to get you to kill Zarek. No doubt, Styxx is trying to neutralize my men. Either to keep them from protecting me or to keep me distracted."
"I won't let him have you," she said emphatically.
"This is between me and my brother, Artie. I want you to stay put of it." Ash moved farther away from her. "I'll be back at dawn to fulfill our bargain. In the meantime, leave Zarek to me."
Vane was still in human form as he helped his sister eat her gumbo.
She was the only living creature he had ever allowed to see the tender side of him. To the rest of the world, he must always be ruthless and harsh lest their pack prey on Anya and Fang because of their mixed heritage.
Vane clenched his hand against Anya's thick, soft fur and fought down the pain inside him. She and Fang were all he really had in this world.
All that had ever meant anything to him.
On the day Anya had mated with the Strati warrior Orian, Vane had thrown a fit. He had always known her reckless and stupid mate would meet an early death.
A few weeks ago, the Fates had proven him right.
He could still hear the sound of her voice when she had learned of Orian's death and had told him that she was more than mated to Orian. She had allowed the wolfswain to bond her to him as well. With their life forces melded into one, Orian's death would normally have been hers, except for the fact that she carried Orian's young.
But as soon as the pups came into this world, she would join her mate on the other side of eternity.