“Just because your alpha powers are in the jar doesn’t mean that you can’t shift. You’re still a Were,” Meredith said.
“I don’t know. Something’s telling me not to try. So I’m sticking to two feet.”
Chris held up his hands. “Okay. But for the record, I think it’s a bad idea.”
“Me, too,” Adrian said.
“Me, three,” Meredith said.
Dastien was silent as he sat on one of the lab stools. His long legs were stretched in front of him.
I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to chime in.
“I trust you to know what’s best. Doesn’t matter what form you’re in. You won’t leave my sight.”
I took him in. His long, lean form. The way his biceps bulged as he crossed his arms. His dark curls that were a little too long. I wanted him. So badly. I wanted a future with him. The thought of not being here—of leaving him no matter the circumstances—was a little too much to bear.
He sat up straighter, and I knew he was feeling something through the weakened bond. He couldn’t fully read me, but if I could sense basic emotions from him, he could do the same from me. I had to stop thinking about what might happen. The future could change and I’d do my best to make sure it did.
Donovan and Mr. Dawson strolled into the room. The Weres all sat up straighter, waiting to hear what they might say while the brujos just seemed nervous. They looked everywhere but at the two men.
Meredith crossed the room to Donovan, and he grasped her hand, pulling her until she was tucked against his side.
“What’s the story?” I said. “Any update on the bad wolves?”
Donovan shook his head. “Too many Weres went home after the Tribunal. I couldn’t even get hold of Ferdinand. Thought he was stickin’ around, but he must be on a plane back to Europe.” He sighed. “It’d be one thing if it were just one or two Weres in question and they were easily accessible. I could call them in. Order them to tell me where their loyalties lie and lock up the bad ones. But I can’t get in touch, and even if I could, where am I to put them to keep them out of trouble?”
I guessed that was true, but it didn’t make me feel any better about tonight. “We’ll just have to deal with them as they come.”
“The good news is that we’ve tracked down some that we believe are on our side and called in some Cazadores who are definitely loyal. That’s not nothing,” Mr. Dawson said. “They’re already in place, patrolling the area. They’ll stay hidden until the battle starts. We don’t want to give the traitors any idea that we know they’re coming. Surprise is our best tactic.”
“So who’s going to be leading them?” Dastien asked.
“Good question,” Donovan said. “I am.”
“And what about the witches?” Elsa said. “Not all of them are bad.”
“If they choose to step aside, no harm will come to them. But I’m afraid if they fight against us, we’ll have to fight back. I’m sorry, lass,” Donovan said.
“Maybe I can convince them not to fight,” Claudia said. “It’s worth a shot.”
That didn’t seem likely. I wasn’t sure anyone from the coven would listen, especially not in the middle of a battle with Luciana leading the charge. “If you don’t want to fight, I think we’d all understand.” I couldn’t imagine trying to go against people I’d spent my whole life with.
“No,” Shane said. “We’ll do our part. If they’re that far gone, messing around with demonic stuff, then they’re not the same coven we grew up with. It’s something that we’ll just have to deal with.”
Raphael nodded. “We should’ve stepped up sooner, but we didn’t. It’s our duty to fix this now.”
I understood the sentiment, but they weren’t responsible for Luciana’s actions. “You shouldn’t take so much on yourself.”
Raphael lifted one eyebrow at me. “You’re the one whose powers are in jars. I know you were waiting for me. If you’d left the compound right away, this wouldn’t have happened.”
I hoped I hadn’t made him feel guilty for anything. It wasn’t his fault. Not even a little bit. “Raphael,” I said his name firmly so that he’d know I was being totally serious. “I don’t blame you for what happened.” He pressed his lips together in a firm line. I wasn’t being nice. I really didn’t blame him at all. It hadn’t even entered my mind, but from the fierce look on Raphael’s face, I knew no amount of reassuring him would change his mind.