Page 31 of Stryker
I ran through everything I could think of and came up empty. I knew she could be spared if she had information that was deemed important. But he seemed to have used that option. How long could we drag that excuse out for, really? Once he had her in custody that reason was null and void. So if they’d come up with something permanent… I had no idea what it was.
“Okay, guys. Fun’s over. What did you come up with?”
I smelled the change in him before I heard him move. I turned to face the leader and shoved Kat behind me.
Draco quickly stepped between us and the waking dragon.
He shook his head and produced an odd, rattling sound as he breathed. Then he ticked into human form, holding his throat with one hand.
“I invoked a stay of execution,” Draco said. “She saw my mark alive. I need her.”
The leader glared at him, then his gaze swept to me.
I tipped my chin at him. “Get a good nap, princess?”
He bared his teeth and I silently dared him to charge me. Let him fucking come at me, I’d wreck him in a heartbeat.
“You’re on the same side.” Kat glared up at me, then walked over to the leader and offered him her hand.
He hesitated, looking at her like he didn’t trust her one bit. Then he took her hand. She braced, hauling him to his feet more in show than actual power. But I understood her intent; to unify us rather than drive a bigger wedge.
Her path required more courage than my shit talking. So I followed her example. With slow, purposeful steps, I made my way to the leader and offered my hand.
“Stryker.” Sure, he knew my name, but this time it put us on equal ground.
He took my hand and gave it a sturdy shake. “Wrath.”
“Your name suits you.” Like Draco, his name gave away that he was blue-blooded. Not that I took issue with that, there was just a certain expectation, certain clues that were present through every single one of those clans.
He dipped his head in a gesture of respect while our hands both dropped to our sides.
When he lifted his head again, he locked on Draco. “Clever fix. However, the stay will only last a short time. What is your next move to save her?” His eyes studied my mentor and I hung on every word like my life, not hers, rested on this.
“Right here, guys. I can hear you discussing my death, so either keep it down or let me walk away.” Kat’s easy humor bothered me. She wasn’t taking this seriously at all. It almost seemed like she had no idea just how much danger she was really in. They’d kill her without thinking twice.
“Actually, with Stryker’s agreement, a blood oath would save her life.” Draco’s eyes met mine and I cringed internally. A blood oath. I hadn’t thought of that. But he was absolutely correct. A blood oath would save her life. It would also change every aspect of my life.
Suddenly, their refusal to meet my gaze earlier made sense. This was their crazy damn plan. Fuck.
“Interesting.” Wrath nodded at me, an eyebrow arched. “If she agrees, you’re right; she’ll be spared. But I think you have much to discuss.” With that, he shifted and took off. Moments later just the three of us remained.
“How much did you tell her?” I glared at Draco.
“Just that it’s a rite that’ll save both your lives.” He met my glare head on. “If you have a better idea, then by all means. But you fucked up, you have to live with the consequences. I’ll help you in any way I can, but my hands are tied too.”
He lowered his voice as she peeked at us out of the window of the cabin. “I think you should go for it. But first, you need to really explain it to her. I told her you would when you came to.”
Shit. I stared at her, loving the warmth in her eyes and the excitement in her features as she smiled at me. Was it enough, though?
“What if something goes wrong?” I turned to Draco, who lifted both shoulders. He had no more answer than I did, and I knew I was just dragging my feet. I didn’t want to talk to her about this. Damn it, this was a mess.
“You said you’d do anything to save her. This seems like a relatively small price to pay.” Draco’s tone convinced me he thought this was the only way and that it would work.
“Are you sure she’ll be okay?”
He nodded. “She saw through me.” His voice lowered and took on a wondering note. “She knew what I could do. I told her to persuade me to save her life. She chose not to. She could have manipulated my skill to save her life and shechose not to.” His eyes met mine. “She’s special. If you don’t save her, I might offer the blood oath.”
Rage and jealousy reared up in me. “The fuck you will.” I’d sooner beat his ass than let him do anything like that.
