William (The Valentines) - By Sam Crescent Page 0,6

They must be able to see the evil within. It was just beneath the surface, like a second skin.

Adam caught up with him and walked beside him, emanating anger.

William kept walking, steering them down an abandoned side street, the only place nearby suitable for a stand-off. Younger brother or not, William was on a mission and he intended to complete it.

“Why are you here?” he asked.

Adam shrugged.

Irritated, William repeated himself. He didn’t like his questions to go unanswered.

“Robert sent me. He wants you home,” Adam admitted.

William laughed, sounding hysterical. “And Robert thinks you’re the one to do it,” he mocked.

William didn’t know why he was intent on hurting Adam, but he wanted him away from him. He no longer felt safe to be around. William could feel the beast rising inside him with every passing second that Katie was away from him. If he wasn’t careful, William knew he would hurt Adam.

His sense of her had melted when James had taken her. The only way Katie could be this invisible to him was if she was protected by a spell. Impossible, as Katie was the only known witch. But James had done something to keep her emotions, their connection, locked away.

“Robert is a little busy at the moment,” Adam growled in reply. William turned back at his brother’s words. William frowned, wondering what he’d said.

Several seconds later, he realised.

That’s it, little brother, be angry with me. I can deal with anger.

“I’m sure having his little mate Sophie waiting in the wings to take care of his problems and dealing with being head of the council is really busy work.” The sarcasm leaked from his tone.

His taunting was having the effect he desired. Adam’s hand was fisted at his side. He looked ready to pounce. William needed to give him a little more ammunition to fuel the anger. He wanted to get rid of his brother and, by showing him his lack of caring, hopefully Adam would lose interest.

“Don’t diss Sophie. She’s been fantastic throughout all this. Which you’d see if you came home.”

William didn’t doubt it. She might be small but she was one tough gal, just like his Katie.

“Well I’ve got stuff to do—”

“What? Your crusade of trying to get yourself killed? Do you think Mum needs to deal with your little martyr complex?” Adam growled at him.

William tensed. His brother had no idea what was going on. Saving Katie was more than a martyr complex. He’d begun the mating ritual that distant night, long ago. She owned his heart and soul and he wouldn’t rest until she lay safe and protected in his arms.

“Go back to Robert and give him your report.” William dismissed him.

“Always the coward’s way out,” Adam hissed at his retreating back.

William reacted, spinning around and slamming Adam against the opposite wall. The brick building shifted. Any more pressure on the building and it would fall to the ground around their ears.

“What the fuck are you saying?” William’s fangs sprang out, his aggression ready to find a target.

“You’re nothing but a coward,” Adam yelled the words at him, pressing against the arms that held him against the shaking building.

“You’d better be thankful you’re my brother—”

“Or what?” Adam interrupted him.

William was tempted to hit him, but as soon as the thought came to him he dropped his arms. He would never—could never—hurt his brothers or sisters. A small amount of control was coming back to him. Where moments ago he’d wanted to hurt his brother—to do damage—the idea now repulsed him. An image of Katie smiling at him broke into his mind, fracturing him into a million pieces. She would be ashamed of him if she saw William attacking his own brother.

William sagged and let Adam go, the shame of what he’d been about to do to his brother filling him with utter regret.

“Come home,” Adam pleaded.

“I can’t,” he whispered.

Adam shook his head and William could see the exasperation in his face.

“We’ll figure this out—you, me, Robert and Jason. We’ll have the council backing us.”

William shook his head. “This is my battle.”

Adam sighed.

William stood waiting. He needed to make sure Adam was okay to get home—he couldn’t have his life on his conscience. The last thing he needed was to take his anger out on his little brother.

“Why, Will?”

Will, a small word he hadn’t heard in such a long time. The last person who had called him Will had been Emma, on the day of her death.

Emma, the other witch he’d failed—the other bonded mate he’d