31. Adam

Chapter thirty-one

Adam

The room falls silent when Lucien and I walk into it. I swallow hard, looking at Elle for reassurance, and though the smile she gives me is tight, it still soothes some of my nerves.

All the chieftains are present. Njáll sits to Vasile's right, with Kayode and then Savia next to him. Briar's on his left, then Afsaneh, and Elle. Lucien could choose to sit on either side of the table, but I know my seat is the one pulled out at the end.

Lucien pats my shoulder. He takes the seat next to Elle, pulling it further away from the table and sitting back.

Oh, right. He's my sire. I guess he doesn't really get a say.

"Please, take a seat," Vasile says. His guards are the only other beings here, standing a few feet behind him. I shiver and sit down, clasping my hands in my lap.

I know there are people in this room who believe me. They know I didn't kill Lazarus.

It's hard to hold onto that thought right now, though.

"You were all informed last night of Lazarus' second death," Vasile says, and all the chieftains turn their attention from me to him. "Adam stands accused of his murder. He was discovered standing over a pile of ashes, a stake on the floor beside them."

Savia pulls a face. I glance to Vasile's left. The silver urn the hunters gave Elle is sitting on a small table. My stomach twists.

"A stake?" Savia asks. She scoffs. "What self-respecting vampire kills another with a stake ?"

"Is that the issue at hand?" Afsaneh retorts. "A chieftain is dead."

"And the hunters found a young vampire standing over the evidence?" Savia shakes her head. "Which hunter? How? You didn't tell us that."

Vasile lays out everything we told him the day before, and Lucien and Elle chip in when it comes to talking about the Council. Helene corroborated what I told them about her arrival in the house, at least, and Njáll and a couple of the others are clearly angry when they learn about her use of magic.

"What is to be done, Vasile?" Briar asks. The smile she gives him is tight. "I know the hunters suspect one of us to be the magic user's killer. I know I am the weakest link, now that Lazarus is gone. Are we to turn on each other?"

Vasile looks at her for a long moment. "We are not," he says, emphasising each word. "We have believed a vampire killed Nora Lytton, but it is as likely a hunter as one of us. Likelier, even."

"Between that and the stake…" Njáll raises his eyebrows.

Kayode snorts. "It would appear someone is attempting to turn us against each other."

Vasile smiles thinly, even as many of the other chieftains blink in surprise.

"What?" Savia says.

"I suspect," Vasile says, drumming his fingers on the table, "that Lazarus may have been caught up in something he could not control."

Even Lucien gapes at that, and I doubt my expression is much different. "You believe he —"

"Killing him is a useful way of tying up loose ends." Vasile sighs. "We have a vampire out to cause strife between us. One who has been sniffing around your associates. If they do not wish for us to blame hunters, they wish for us to blame Kieran. It is as likely it was none of us at all."

Afsaneh chews her lower lip, crossing her arms over her chest. "Well, what do we do now then?" Her gaze softens when she looks at me. "I believe Adam did not kill a chieftain, but someone has gone to some trouble to make it look that way."

"We find Gareth," Vasile says. "We find whoever drove Adam there. I doubt they will have much more news for us, but they will confirm whether Lazarus instructed them and may give us some insight as to his behaviour. And we remain alert. Protect our clan. That is all we can do."

Savia narrows her eyes, exchanging a glance with Njáll that tells me she has a few more ideas about what we can do. Elle clears her throat.

"And Adam?"

Vasile looks at me and I tense under the full force of his stare. "I will not confine you here," he says. His eyes drop to my chest—for one fleeting, giddying moment—and then back up to mine. "Not right now. But if you are not in the clan house, or your district building, I expect you to be with people who can protect you. Somehow, you have caught the attention of these enemies. Keep yourself safe."

I nod quickly. "Yes, crai."

Vasile sits back in his seat. "If anyone has anything else to discuss, you may remain. Otherwise, feel free to go."

I'm out of my seat like a shot, and only Lucien's grip on my elbow stops me from sprinting out of the room. I have to see Drew and Sam. I can't wait. I—

"I'll stay behind," Elle says, leaning towards us. "See if there's anything else that comes up." Her eyes sparkle when she looks at me.

Lucien seems just as amused. "Very well. Please call me if I am needed."

"Of course."

I wave at her and grab Lucien's arm when he says goodbye, all but dragging him from the room.

When I step out of the car outside Sam's building, I wrinkle my nose. His wards are just ahead, but that's not what I can smell.

Wolves.

Lucien shakes his head. He might not have my ability to sense magic, but even he can pick this up—and I'm surprised I haven't had a worried call from Sam about it.

"Adam—"

"It's fine," I say, though he has to know it isn't. "I'll handle it."

Lucien studies me for a moment but nods, and then he's striding up towards the building.

I try to push my worry aside. The wolves aren't here right now—those scents are a few hours old. And I need to see Sam and Drew. Need to set my eyes on them.

I bound up the stairs behind Lucien, who I think is as eager to see his mate as I am to see mine. Now that I know my clanmates don't think I'm a murderer—well, the chieftains don't, anyway—a heavy weight has lifted from my shoulders.

Lucien knocks on the door and, a few seconds later, Kieran opens it. I frown at the look on his face.

"My love? What's wrong?"

Kieran ushers us inside and no sooner has the door shut than he's pushing into Lucien's arms. Sam's sitting on the sofa, chin propped up on his hand, and I don't like the sadness pinching his face, too.

Drew's here. I can hear his heartbeat. Why isn't he…?

"I told Drew about the vampire who's after us," Kieran says, and my stomach sinks. "Fuck, I should've told him earlier, I know that, but—He didn't take it well."

"No shit," Sam mutters, but I don't think he's angry at Kieran. I cross the room and drop down next to him, then reach for his hand.

"Why's he in your room?" I ask.

"He needed space," Sam says. He sighs when I lean against him. "I told him that I knew, too."

Ah. Okay. Okay, this is fixable. He's angry and probably scared, but I can handle that.

"Have you spoken to him since?"

Kieran shakes his head. Lucien's sitting in a chair now, and Kieran's on his lap, Lucien's arms tight around his waist. It should be a funny position, really, considering their relative sizes, but though Kieran might be the bossiest of all of us, he's not afraid to take comfort from his mate, either.

"He won't come out," Sam says. "I made dinner, but—"

"Okay, I can talk to him." I squeeze Sam's hand. "Are Ophelia and Dante coming over tonight?"

"No. They called, but I said we'd pick things up tomorrow."

Does Sam know we're mates, too? Ophelia does; I'd bet my life on it. I kiss his temple and get to my feet.

Kieran watches me warily as I cross to the door and knock. I'm not going to just barge in there. If Drew doesn't want to see me, either, then that's his choice.

"Who is it?" There's a little sniffle at the end of the words and I'm certain my heart actually breaks in two at the sound.

"It's me. Can I come in?"

I hold my breath in the silence that follows. I can be patient. I can wait years if I need to.

"Y-Yeah, okay."

I turn my head, giving Sam a faint smile before I open the door and slip into his room.

It's dark, and I don't bother turning on a light. I'm a vampire, after all, and I can already see Drew is curled up on the bed. He's on top of the covers and I sit gingerly at first, then turn and lie down, facing him, when he doesn't make a sound.

His eyes are closed, but he's not sleeping. Still, I take a moment to look my fill. His eyes are swollen like he's been crying. My breath hitches.

"Drew?"

His eyes flutter open. "Hey."

"Hey."

I can't help myself. I lean in and brush our lips together, slowly and softly enough that he can move away if he wants to. He doesn't. His hands come up to tangle in my T-shirt as if he doesn't want me to leave.

"What happened today?" I ask.

Drew's eyes widen and then fill with tears. "I-I didn't know—"

"Didn't know what, little wolf?"

He swallows a sob. "I didn't know about the vampire."

I rub my thumb over his brow and sigh. Why do I feel like that's not what he meant to say? We're supposed to ask him about the wolves, but I'm not going to do it without Sam here, and not while Drew is as upset as this.

And why shouldn't he be? The vampire who's behind all this may well be the same one who killed his mother. How is that not terrifying?

"I'm sorry," I say. "Kieran didn't want to scare you. I think he didn't think it was true, not really, not until recently."

Drew stares at me for a moment, then rears back all at once. "You knew, too?"

"I—Yes."

"Everyone? Oh my God." He rubs his hands over his face. "Everyone knew but me, didn't they?"

My mouth is dry. "Yeah, I think so."

Drew scowls and when he moves, I scramble off the bed to get out of his way. He doesn't head for the door, though. He paces the small room, shoulders rising and falling with the force of his breaths.

"Drew, I'm sorry, we just—"

"No!" I've never heard him snap like that before and I jolt in surprise. "No just. No sorrys. What, it's fine for you to f-fuck around with me but not tell me the truth?"

"Kieran wanted to be the one to tell you. And we thought the vampire wasn't here." Though I'm reassessing that position now. "We've had other things to deal with, and it seemed like we could tell you later."

"What, when the vampire does show up?" Drew throws his hands up into the air. "When? Were you going to tell me when he had his teeth in my throat? Or Kieran's, again?"

I growl. "It wouldn't come to that."

"How should I know that?" He faces me, hands on his hips. There's silver in his iris, enough that I know his wolf is pushing him. "When would you have told me? How many times would you and Sam have slept with me, have pretended that you—"

A sob hitches his breath and I curl my fingers into fists to keep from reaching for him. "Drew—"

He pins me with a glare. "Would you have ever told me at all?"

"Yes!"

"I get it, okay? I know I'm weak, and I can't fight, but that doesn't mean you all need to protect me from the idea of one."

My chest twists. He really believes that, doesn't he? He really thinks he's weak. I rub where it hurts, and Drew's eyes flare wide when he sees me move.

"Drew—"

"Get out." His voice is colder than I've ever heard it; it's like it's not Drew speaking at all. "I don't want you or Sam near me ever again."

"Please, I—"

"Out!" He snarls, and his eyes are almost entirely silver now, the dark of his irises gone. I can't help the frisson of fear that shoots down my spine.

He won't hurt me. I know that.

I don't want him to hurt himself, either.

I reach for the door handle at my back. "I'm so sorry, Drew," I whisper, and then I stumble back out of the room and shut the door behind me. Another growl echoes through the wood, and both Sam and Kieran leap to their feet.

Sam rushes to me. "Are you okay? What the fu—"

"I told him I knew." I don't want to fall into Sam's arms, but he tugs me close anyway, his grip unyielding.

Kieran scowls at the door. "What did he say, Adam?"

His voice is even. Too even. Every hair on the back of my neck stands on end. "H-He was angry. He didn't mean—"

" What did he say? " There's a command in it now, and I'm helpless to do anything but obey.

"He asked when I was going to tell him about the vampire. He thinks he's weak. He said—" I look at Sam. His face is so close.

"What did he say?" Sam whispers.

"He doesn't want either of us near him ever again."

Hurt flashes over Sam's face, anger quickly following it, and then a feigned indifference that sets my teeth on edge.

"He shouldn't have spoken to you like that," he says as if that's the issue we need to deal with. "I should—"

"Stay." I tighten my arms around him. I don't want Sam going in there angry. "Please."

Sam sighs, but after a moment, he sags against me. He's just as upset as I am. I know it.

Kieran, though… He stares at the door like he can create a hole in it by the force of his glare alone, then abruptly pivots on his heel and looks at Lucien. "We're going out."

"My love—"

"No. I need to get out of here."

Sam gapes at him. "Seriously? Right now? Your brother yells at Adam and you—"

Kieran shakes his head. "I'll have my phone. If you need me, call. But I need to not be in here right now."

Sam untangles from me, crossing his arms over his chest. "You started this," he says. "I told you to tell him, and you—"

"I get it, okay?" Kieran shouts. "I'm a terrible brother, and if I'd been good enough eleven years ago, then maybe this wouldn't be happening right now, but I need to—I have to—"

He scrubs a hand over his face, but not before I see the telltale glisten of tears in his eyes. Lucien puts a hand on his shoulder but doesn't pull him close. Kieran lets out a heavy breath.

"You two can take my room. There're clean sheets in the drawer."

Sam's jaw clenches. "Fine. But we're talking about this in the morning."

"Fine."

Lucien looks at me. "Be safe," he says, and I nod, watching them both leave.

When they're gone, Sam collapses onto the sofa, and I sit beside him. He climbs into my lap, straddling me, his face tucked into my throat as I hold him tight.

Is it really over? Have we messed up so badly that we won't get more than a week together?

No. I can't believe that. No matter that I can't feel the bond in my chest right now. No matter that the rest of me is numb except for where Sam's breathing against me.

"I don't want it to be over," I murmur.

I should ask Sam if he's felt the bond. Only, if he hasn't—What if it's not there at all? What if I just got excited, lost in my own head, my own dreams of a happily ever after?

I whine and hold Sam tighter. I should know better. That's not something I got to have in life. Why would I get it now?

"If he doesn't want us, that's his choice," Sam replies. Each word sounds as though it's being physically pulled from him.

I hum. I agree, but—We're all angry. Sad. This is one fight.

Right?

Sam pushes away from me with a growl and storms into Kieran's room. I suppose there is one thing we both know: Kieran's not coming back tonight. I don't think he was wrong to leave. Someone had to give, someone had to make space, and I can't leave our wolf when he's hurting the way I'm sure he is.

I lean in Kieran's doorway and watch Sam change his sheets with sharp, angry movements. I only make a move to help when he starts on the duvet cover, but he pins me with a glare, and I relax back against the doorframe again.

Once the bed is done, everything smoothed down and smelling fresh, Sam stands looking at it, his back to me.

"I don't want it to be over either," he admits. His voice is so quiet I can hardly hear it.

I tackle him onto the bed, and he twists in my arms, wrapping his legs around my hips. When he rolls us over, I stay pinned, and he rewards me by lowering his head and digging his teeth into my throat. I groan. My hips buck up and Sam growls, one hand tangling in my hair to pull hard.

Fuck, I want him. I want them both.

Sam licks over the spot he's bitten and then kisses me hard. I'll take what I can get, for however long I can have it. Sam said things would be complicated before Drew even arrived. That hasn't changed, and I fully expect him to want to step back, to be alone again.

"We'll talk to him in the morning," he says. He's breathing hard, and his eyes are wild, and he's never looked so beautiful as he does now, I'm sure of it.

"And if he still says no?"

"Then he says no," Sam replies. He kisses me again, slower. "We've still got each other, right?"

The bond in my chest tugs hard and I bite Sam's lower lip, licking into his mouth. He groans when I grab his arse, squeezing tight, and when I pull back, he pants against my mouth.

"Always," I say. "I promise. I'll be here, for both of you, forever."