28. Adam

Chapter twenty-eight

Adam

Someone's making noise. I hear a muttered curse and then what I think is several books toppling to the floor.

I don't want to wake up, though. I'm warm and comfortable. Naked, too, which is not how I always sleep, but—

I crack one eye open just as Sam bends over to grab something from the back of his wardrobe. His shorts pull tight over his arse, and I chuckle when I read them. Good night, sweet prince.

Sam turns at the sound, raising an eyebrow in question. His expression is subdued, though, and the door is shut.

I lift the covers. "Come here."

He sighs. "I need to—"

"Come. Here."

Sam rolls his eyes but finally does as he's told, crawling into bed beside me. I pull the covers up and over our heads, cocooning us both in a dark little paradise of warmth.

"What's going on?"

"I'm sure I had a book about fae magic, but I can't find it. Maybe it's at Pris' shop, or her flat, but I was sure I brought it with me—"

There's too much frustration in his tone for it to just be about the book, and we both know it. Sam sighs and inches closer, and I wrap my arms around his back.

"What happened, Sam?"

He rubs his face against my chest, and something deep inside me pulls , reaching out for him. For Drew, too, who I know is out in the living room, even without listening for his heartbeat. I tamp down on my excitement. Now isn't the time for it.

"Kieran and Drew went out for a walk earlier today."

I hum. I know Drew's okay.

"They came back quickly. Kieran said Drew had picked up the mages' scents. So Kieran asked me and Ophelia to go out and see if we could spot them."

I run my hand up and down his back. Sam hitches his leg over my hip. There's nothing sexual about it; he's just trying to get closer, almost burrowing into me.

"Did you find them?"

"No," Sam says, voice dropping to a whisper. "Adam, the mages weren't there."

"So what did—"

"Wolves."

Oh. Oh, no. Sam shoves his face against my chest again, fingers digging into my skin, and I press my lips to his hair. "It'll be okay," I murmur. Drew's the only one who'll be able to hear us. "We'll just ask him. I'm sure he'll tell us if we do."

"But he didn't ," Sam says. His jaw clenches. "He could have told Kieran, even. Why won't he trust us with what's going on?"

I snort. I can't help it, and Sam rears back like I hit him. I don't let go of him, though, even in the face of his glare. "Sorry—I'm sorry. I just—You know Kieran better than I do. It's not like he asks for help when he needs it. And they're still brothers, after all."

Sam sighs and relents, lying down again. "Yeah, I guess so."

"So what does that tell us?"

"You tell me."

"That whoever it is, they're dangerous. Or at least, Drew thinks so."

"Whoever was here today, they're who Drew's running away from," Sam says. His tone now is nothing short of murderous. "And now I know how to find them."

I grin. My vicious little mage. "Yes, you do. We'll keep him here, keep him safe, and when this business with the mages is done, we'll find these wolves and tear them apart."

Sam gasps quietly, then surges forward to kiss me hard. He rolls me onto my back, biting at my lips, and I groan and grind up against him.

"Shame vampires don't get to hunt anymore," Sam murmurs against my mouth. "I bet you'd be magnificent."

I laugh and roll him again so we're back on our sides, facing each other. "Well, I could always hunt you ."

Sam's eyes glitter. "Sounds like a plan. One day."

"One day."

He kisses me again, a quick brush of our lips together, before he throws back the covers. I hiss at the cold air that invades our space, and Sam laughs. "Kieran's gone to fetch Lucien. You need to get up anyway."

I climb out of bed and pick up my jeans from the floor. I grimace when I tug them on—I need to shower, and I need some other clothes. Sam smiles and pulls me in by my belt loops.

"We'll talk to him later tonight?" he murmurs.

"Yes," I say and duck my head for a kiss. "We know exactly how to get him on our side now."

Sam rolls his eyes, but he smiles, and I kiss him again. "Go get ready. I got Kieran to leave you some stuff in the bathroom."

I don't bother putting on a T-shirt before I walk out into the living room. All three mages look up when I do. Dante's once-over isn't dismissive, really, just disinterested. Ophelia grins at me, giving me a little wave.

Drew looks… like he's hurting. His gaze skitters away a second after it meets mine, and I frown when I get to the bathroom door, one hand on the doorknob.

He looks at me again, and I grin and shoot him a wink.

He blushes to the roots of his hair. Despite the fact that he shouldn't have lied to us, and that we definitely do need to talk about all this, my grin widens, and I duck into the bathroom.

I turn on the shower and kick off my jeans again. Warmth settles in my chest when I hear Sam leave his bedroom and the low murmur of voices. Kieran and Lucien aren't here yet, but my connection to Lucien is still there, and I'm certain he's safe, too. Wherever Elle is, she's fine.

This is what I want. This is what, I think, I've always wanted. Love. Family.

I jump under the spray and wash away everything but the smile on my face.

Long after I've got out of the shower and ensconced myself on the sofa, Lucien and Kieran arrive. I've coaxed Drew into sitting next to me, now that dinner is mostly made, but he jumps up when Kieran walks in the door, guilt written all over his face.

I hope that's only down to him not telling us the truth about the wolves. I haven't had a chance to talk to him since last night, aside from the short, half-awake conversation we had about whether we could all fool around in different… combinations. I swallow my smirk and shove my hands into the pocket of Kieran's hoodie. His joggers are a little short on me, but his hoodie swamps my shoulders, though Drew frowned when I walked out wearing it.

Does he want me wearing his clothes?

Ooh, I want that.

No—better. I want to see Sam buried in Drew's clothes, unwrap him like a Christmas present—

"I trust everything went well last night?" Lucien asks quietly, taking a seat in the chair next to me, and I jerk my head up.

He smiles faintly at my flush.

"I—uh. Yes?" Does he know? I look over at Kieran, who's standing in the kitchen, talking to Sam. He meets my gaze and shrugs.

Yeah, he knows.

"I need to take you back to the clan house tonight," Lucien says.

I'm not surprised. Lucien going in my stead is one thing, but Vasile is always meticulous, and it's inevitable he'd want to hear from me. I've been trying not to think of everything that happened, though.

"Will I come back here tonight?" I ask. My voice is small.

"I do not know."

Done with whatever he had to say to Sam, Kieran's now prowling around the flat, and he pauses by the window, looking out into the night. Lucien half-watches him, his expression terribly indulgent.

I look up and catch Sam's eye. He turns away to hide a smile, but I see it all the same. Drew isn't looking at either of us, checking something in the oven, but I like that we're all here. All safe.

"I—Okay." What else can I say? I can't refuse our crai, though I know if I insisted, Lucien would do his best to let me.

No, I owe my clan. I owe Lucien more than anyone I've ever met.

"I brought you something to change into," Lucien says, and there's a glint of amusement in his eye when he passes me a bag.

"Thank fuck," I mutter. Lucien laughs, and I ignore Kieran's mock glare as I grab the bag and rush into the bathroom.

I change quickly, tugging on a pair of tight jeans and a pale grey shirt. A little more formal than usual, but I understand the need to look my best. I don't know what the rest of the clan thinks of what's happened. Worry twists in my stomach. Oh, fuck. I haven't even thought about that.

There's no time to worry about it. My hair is almost dry, and I run my fingers through it, trying to tame my curls into some semblance of neatness. I leave Kieran's hoodie and joggers in the wash basket and detour into Sam's room to grab my other clothes before I join Lucien and Kieran again.

"You have everything?" Lucien asks.

Maybe I should leave my clothes. It'd be a reason to come back.

Drew leans back against the sink, watching us. Sam's sitting in one of the chairs, his gaze just as intent.

"Yeah," I say.

"Wait!" Ophelia calls out as we turn to the door. Dante is tying up a small cloth bag and she all but snatches it out of his hand, then picks another two up from the floor. She tosses them to Kieran, Lucien, and me in turn.

Kieran turns his over in his hands, expression entirely bemused. "What is it?"

"A spell bag," she says, "For protection."

I lift mine to my nose and breathe it in. Basil. Smells tasty.

"It's not like Sam's wards, but it should absorb at least one spell's hit. Even from someone as powerful as Elliot." Ophelia frowns. "I mean, we haven't tested them, but it should give you time to get away."

Lucien ducks his head before he tucks the bag into his inside jacket pocket. It ruins the line of the suit he's wearing, but he doesn't seem to care. "Thank you, Ophelia."

She flushes a pretty shade of pink and gets to her feet. "The, uh—The bond between you and Kieran, that should help, too. You can tug on it to get his attention if something happens."

From the look he and Kieran exchange, they already know that, but I think Lucien appreciates the reminder all the same. Ophelia's eyes slide to me. "Your bond should help, as well."

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep my smile to myself. "The one between me and Lucien?"

She doesn't skip a beat, but I know she's suppressing a smile as wide as mine wants to be. "Yeah. Of course. Just, you know, keep the bag with you all the time."

We say our goodbyes and I turn the bag over in my hands as we head back to the clan house. When we pull up, I shove it into my pocket, but before I can open the door, Lucien grabs my wrist. Kieran's already climbing out on the other side.

"Whatever happens in there, you will always be my turn," Lucien murmurs. "Kieran and I will always protect you."

I blink up at him. "You don't think I did it, do you?"

"I know you did not," Lucien says. "I just fear what our crai may be driven to do."

I can't help my shiver. What does that mean? He won't—

Lucien squeezes my wrist. "Are you ready?"

Uh, no. Definitely not. Still, I nod and climb out of the car. Kieran is standing by the kerb, staring up at the clan house. There are two humans and two vampires waiting by the doors; more guards than we've had for a while.

I suppose that makes sense, what with everything that's happened.

"All good?" Kieran asks. His eyes slide over to me. I wasn't as taken with him as Lucien was the first time I saw him—obviously—but I like the steadiness in his gaze now. Yeah, they'll keep me safe.

I just hope it doesn't come to that.

We walk up the path and the guards step aside to let us pass. Lucien walks ahead, though he has an eye on me the entire time, and Kieran brings up the rear, ready for anything.

Only, we walk inside, and I know things have changed.

Vampires and humans alike watch us pass, falling silent as soon as they know we're there. Some of them look askance at Kieran or bow their heads in respect to Lucien, but when their gazes fall on me, they're at best wary and at worst—

Disgusted.

I swallow and try to keep my chin high. I can't show weakness. I didn't do anything wrong.

Elle's waiting for us at the top of the corridor that leads to Vasile's office. She rushes past Lucien to hug me, and I wrap an arm around her back, breathing her in.

"Ignore them all," she mutters. "They know you didn't do it."

I don't know that that's true. She shrugs when I raise an eyebrow and looks between Lucien and Kieran. "Are we ready?"

"As we will ever be," Lucien replies.

She indicates he should go first, then drops into step behind him, just ahead of me. When we reach the doors, Vasile's guards tense, but neither of them moves to intercept our path. Lucien hesitates for a second before he knocks, and I glance back at Kieran. I've never seen them so much as move except for when they're following Vasile around.

Something has them spooked, too.

"Come in." Lucien pushes the door open, and I'm not surprised to see Njáll is already waiting with our crai. He's standing with his back to the window, leaning on the sill. The two chairs that face Vasile's desk are empty, but there are another two, too, which don't match the rest of the furniture in here.

Vasile knew Kieran would come, then. Like there was any doubt.

He waves a hand for us to take a seat and Lucien has me sit up front, next to him. Kieran and Elle are behind us, with Kieran behind me, closest to the door.

Vasile fixes me with a stern look. "How are you? I am sorry I did not manage to speak with you last night. I should have been the one to deal with the Council."

It's hardly his fault. Moreau didn't even call him as far as I can tell. "I'm fine," I say. "About Chieftain Lazarus—"

"I am aware you did not kill him," Vasile interrupts, and I blink in surprise. Njáll's stance hasn't changed; his arms are crossed over his chest, but otherwise, he looks relaxed, legs stretched out before him.

"No, I-I didn't."

Vasile's smile is thin. "I believe most of the Council are aware of that, too. Hunter Helene does not command as much support as she thinks she does. What happened last night? Why did you leave the clan house?"

I explain everything that happened after I woke up last night—from Gareth cornering me, to the driver pulling away, to coming across the pile of ashes and being restrained by two hunters. Lucien answers his own questions when it comes to facing the Council, and I'm glad of for it. They didn't ask me much before he arrived, and by then I was in such a daze—shock and the after-effects of Hunter Helene's magic—that I couldn't say much, anyway.

When it's all done, Vasile sighs again. He leans back in his chair, staring off into the distance. "We have a serious problem."

Kieran makes a sound behind me, and I very carefully don't look back. I'm pretty sure we're both thinking the same thing: Yeah, no shit.

"Regardless of anything else, we still have a district without a chieftain." Vasile shakes his head. "I have asked Njáll to take on the responsibility for now."

Elle leans forward in her seat. "Crai? I could—"

"No. I need you to remain where you are." He doesn't say it, but we all know the truth—Lucien's position is in question, again.

"What about Chieftain Briar?" Lucien asks. "She was the only other vampire with us at the Council."

Vasile and Njáll exchange a look. "We are investigating," Vasile replies. "I want to make one thing clear. I trust all of you in this room with me right now. Do not misplace that trust."

"Well, that's the problem, isn't it?" Kieran says. Njáll straightens, and Vasile frowns.

"What do you mean?"

"They're going after people you trust. How long before they target Elle or…?" He waves his hand in Njáll's direction.

Njáll bares his fangs. "This started with you."

"No," Lucien says. "It began with me."

Kieran reaches over and touches him on the arm. "No, he's right," he says quietly. He looks at Vasile. "We told you already. There's some other vampire behind this. Someone older."

"And you believe they are behind Lazarus' murder, as well?"

"Makes sense, doesn't it? You've not even entertained the idea that Adam did it."

"Because he did not."

"Yeah, I know," Kieran says. "But not everyone does. They're chipping away at your reputation by attacking everyone you care about."

Vasile is quiet for a moment. "Not everyone," he says finally and rubs a hand over his face.

"Not yet," Kieran replies.

They hold each other's gazes for a long moment. I drop my own eyes; if I hadn't left the clan house, or if I'd found Elle first, or even Vasile…

Lazarus would still be dead. He was dead before I even got there.

"I need you to remain at the clan house tonight," Vasile says to me. I don't know what understanding he and Kieran have come to, but neither of them seems that satisfied by it.

"I—Really?"

"Yes." There's no give in Vasile's expression, and I feel the sudden intensity of his power. Vasile's an old, powerful vampire, so whoever's considering taking him on? Either they're older and stronger, or incredibly foolish. "Usually, we would hold a trial of our own. I will call in the chieftains tomorrow night and we will vote on it, but I believe it will not come to that. What is more important is that our clan is assured they are safe. Lucien, Elle. I expect to see you there."

"Of course, crai." Lucien bows his head, and as Elle follows suit, so do I. Kieran's the only one who doesn't, though he stands there silently, secure at Lucien's and my backs.

We file out of Vasile's office and down the corridor. Lucien turns to Kieran. "You know the way to my rooms?"

Kieran frowns. "Uh—"

"I'll take him," Elle says, a tinge of amusement in her voice. She squeezes my arm before she leaves, Kieran eyeing both of us for a moment before he trails after her.

"Come on," Lucien says. I know the way to my room, of course, a room I should have given up by now. Not that we get new fledglings all that often, but still.

I open the door and sit on the bed. Lucien takes the one small chair and studies me for a moment.

"I know you do not wish to be here tonight. But we need to listen to our crai."

There's no pain in my chest, but I feel the faintest tug. My hand drops to touch it and Lucien's eyes follow the movement, his expression softening.

"I—It's both of them," I blurt out. "And they're—Sam's trying to protect us all, but he's so tired, and Drew is scared of something, but I don't know what it—"

Lucien's smile is gentle. "I know," he says quietly. "And believe me, I know how much you need to be near them right now. It is only one night. I will do my best to reunite you all tomorrow."

I swallow around the sudden lump in my throat. "Thank you."

"Of course. Do they know?"

About the bond? I don't have to ask. Lucien's eyes are on my chest again and I wonder, suddenly, what it was like when he first realised. At least Drew knows what a mate bond is and that he can develop one. At least Sam knows magic.

"I'm not sure," I say honestly. "Maybe? I don't think they're looking for it. I don't know how—I think Drew wants… that. I don't know about Sam."

"You will have the time to find out, Adam. I promise you that."