‘Normally I try to stay away. You know that. Nobody in the Barrow pack wants me sniffing around, least of all Cayden.’
‘You were kicked out twenty-seven years ago, Thane. He must be … what? Seventeen? Eighteen years old?’
‘Eighteen.’
‘Has he ever met you?’
Thane shook his head. ‘We’ve come close a couple of times but no, we’ve never spoken to each other. Unless you count our meeting last night.’
‘I think it’s fair to say he doesn’t want to be your friend.’
He sighed. ‘I know. But something’s wrong. He shouldn’t have been out with so few other werewolves, not at his age and with his pack history. I’ve heard rumours that he’s been causing trouble for a few months. Under normal circumstances my mother wouldn’t ignore that. Not after what happened with me.’
‘He’s your maternal half-brother,’ I said aloud. I should have realised; Thane’s father had died too many years ago for him to have sired Cayden.
‘A surprise late baby,’ Thane told me. His mouth turned down. ‘Or so I heard. Ashina, my mother, had me when she was very young and Cayden when she was forty-five.’ He sighed. ‘Cayden shouldn’t have been allowed to take the lead with those other wolves last night. He was acting like an alpha, but he’s little more than a kid. Something is up.’
I was inclined to agree. ‘How are your wounds?’
He dismissed my concern. ‘Fine. He didn’t hurt me.’
‘You left your blood all over the stairs at that swanky flat.’
Thane winced: he knew that was a stupid thing to have done. ‘I was worried.’ He waved a hand in the direction of the Barrow stronghold. ‘I’m still worried. But I shouldn’t have let that worry to distract me so much. Thank you for cleaning it up.’
‘I never said I did that.’
He smiled slightly. ‘I know you, Kit.’ He paused. ‘I really am sorry I wasn’t there.’
I held up my hand. ‘I figured there was a good reason for your absence. To be honest, I’d have left you alone to sort this out yourself if it weren’t for Tiddles. She was genuinely concerned.’
The cat miaowed softly in agreement. Thane dipped his head and nuzzled her briefly while I tried not to drool. I licked my lips and composed myself. ‘What’s your plan?’ I asked.
‘I’m staking out the place to see if I can find out what’s going on.’
‘You could be here for days!’
‘They kicked me out, Kit, but I still care. I wish it were otherwise but I can’t change how I feel.’
I sighed. ‘Has there been any sign of any movement today?’ It was well past noon – someone should have been up and about even considering last night’s shenanigans.
‘Nothing,’ he answered darkly. ‘Not yet anyway.’
I sighed again. I’d meant it when I’d told Tiddles I wouldn’t get involved, but Thane looked so lost. And if any of the Barrow werewolves realised he was watching them, there would likely be more blood spilt. ‘Give me half an hour,’ I said. Sometimes a cat lady’s touch was required.
Thane’s green eyes widened in alarm. ‘What are you going to do?’
‘Help you.’ I wagged my finger at him. ‘Not that you deserve my help. And I can’t stick around for long because I’ve got otherproblems besides yours to solve.’ Before he could argue, I turned on my heel and returned to the Barrow gates.
This time I didn’t hesitate: I raised my fist and thumped on the wood loudly enough to wake the damned dead and I kept on thumping until somebody opened up and gazed blearily out at me.
It most definitely wasn’t Cayden Barrow. The woman’s skin was still patchy and she hadn’t yet regained possession of her human teeth; she was thin, gaunt and about ten years older than Thane’s half-brother.
‘Who are you?’ she growled. ‘And what the fuck do you want?’
I wanted to get inside the Barrow enclave and there was only one surefire way I could achieve that without transforming into a cat, which would have been unwise. The Barrows would be wary of felines after last night.
I allowed myself to appear slightly intimidated by her attitude. ‘I’m here because I’ve got some information about Thane Barrow that you will want to hear.’
