Assassin's Kiss Page 12

  “My stars!” The healer took off running toward them.

  Hell. Scorpio forgot he was covered in dried blood.

  “What happened?” She reached for Tessa.

  “We’re okay,” Tessa said. “Thanks to Scorpio. We were attacked by dire wolves.”

  “Oh, my dear. Oh, my poor girl.” Inga held Tessa’s face between her hands, examining her. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  “Yes. I swear, I’m fine. Maybe just a bruise or two. Scorpio killed them all.”

  “Wait, where’s Zeebi?” A new note of panic edged Inga’s voice.

  “Isn’t she here?” Tessa frowned and peered over Inga’s shoulder. “She never made it to the field. She left us in the forest, saying she had to come back and work with some of the teen girls.”

  Inga cast a glance at the central square. “I didn’t see her. But I could have missed her.”

  A prickle of unease, subtle as a fickle summer gust, ghosted across Scorpio’s skin. He followed Inga’s glance, but found only a few witches. No Zeebi.

  Inga swung back to Scorpio, noting the collar he carried, then assessing his cuts. “I’m glad you were there today, demon. I trust you’re already healed?”

  He nodded.

  Tessa shot him a quick glance, then looked back at Inga. “We’re going to talk to Hallon. And if anyone asks, Scorpio doesn’t need that stupid collar.”

  “I trust your judgment, dear. And I’ll do my best to sooth minds. But you can’t forget that some of the coven are still…” she cast a rueful glance at Scorpio, “…angry.”

  Tessa grimaced. “Another reason to talk to Hallon.”

  They made their way through the main part of the village, passing a group of worktables under a tree. “You can set that stuff down here.” Tessa pointed at the rocks and the collar.

  He did, amid stares and surprised whispers.

  The same old woman who’d pointed out last time that he was unrestrained, decided to do so again. She stepped forward, an indignant look on her face. “That demon—”

  “Watch it, Gert,” Tessa’s voice was low and heated. “This demon saved my life.”

  They brushed past her and onto the walk that led to Hallon’s door. “Gods. What is with me?” She huffed out a breath. “Must be the letdown of the adrenaline. I’m sick of everyone’s judgement today.”

  He looked at her, unable to put words to how he felt. She was defending him…and that should have made him jump for joy. But his past hung over him like a curse. If someone had killed someone he loved, he would be out for blood too.

  His thoughts were interrupted as Hallon flung open his door, took in her dirty clothes and Scorpio’s bloody ones, and darted to them, folding Tessa into a hug. “Good gods, are you okay?” Hallon stepped back, eyeing her up and down.

  “I’m fine, Dad. So is Scorpio.”

  Hallon raised a brow. “No restraints. Again?”

  “Dad, he just saved my life. I wouldn’t be standing here if not for him.” Her voice wavered at the end and she quickly scowled.

  His tough little witch. She’d been trying for mad, but the whirlwind of the day had caught up to her.

  “We encountered three dire wolves at the ore field,” Scorpio said quietly, hands clasped behind his back. “I neutralized them. Tessa wasn’t harmed.”

  “Wolves.” Hallon’s eyes stormed and he exhaled a colorful curse. “Inside. Both of you.”

  They entered the cabin, walking into a living area lined with overflowing bookshelves. Several cozy leather arm chairs huddled around a coffee table and a big desk occupied the space in front of a large window. A mass of papers covered the surface of the desk.

  Tessa beelined for a fridge in one corner of the room and pulled out a gallon jug of water. She set it on a clutter-free section of countertop and filled three tall glasses. She brought one to Scorpio and to her dad, then went back for hers and drained the whole thing.

  “The first weird thing was that Zeebi ditched us.” Tessa paced the floor in front of the book shelves. “She said she needed to help the teens, because some of them thought they had metal affinity?”

  Hallon frowned. “That’s news to me. Though not all the teens are eager to draw my attention.”

  “So then, I was locating ore-filled rocks, and suddenly there were two wolves looking at us like we were lunch.” Tessa sank into a chair.

  Scorpio noted her weariness, how her attitude shifted from indignance to the fear-tinged-relief that accompanied the retelling of a trauma. He also noted that she’d left out any mention of them being alone or her removing his collar.

  “Good gods. No warning?” Hallon shot Scorpio a glance.

  “I had a minute’s warning when we were downwind of them. Then the wind shifted as we were packing up to leave.”

  “He took down the first two,” Tessa said, eyes on him as if she couldn’t quite believe it.

  “And the third?”

  “It snuck up behind me while Scorpio was fighting the second one.” Tessa’s voice took on a monotone, as if she were trying to distance herself from it all. “All of a sudden it was right there. I aimed for its chest, threw my knife, and ran.”

  Hallon sucked in a breath.

  “I know, Dad. I know you’re not supposed to run from them. But it was right there.” She let out a shaky breath. “I hit it. It was all bloody.” She raised her eyes to Scorpio. “I couldn’t think. I just ran.”

  He ached to gather her into his arms and ease her fear, but instead he walked over to take the empty water glass from her slender hands. “Would you like me to finish the story?”

  She nodded.

  “Tessa climbed a tree to escape. But the wolf pursued her.” He set the empty glass down on the counter along with his own.

  “It climbed?” Hallon’s voice was incredulous.

  “Yes. Add that to the oddity of a daytime hunt,” Scorpio muttered. “I eliminated the wolf I was fighting, and dragged her wolf down from the trunk, where I killed it.”

  “Gods.” Hallon crossed the room to Tessa and pulled her up from the chair into another hug.

  The emotion of loss and near-loss saturated the room. Scorpio looked away, conscious of this private moment where the leader let his guard down. He guessed it didn’t happen often.

  “Scorpio saved me, Dad,” Tessa said. “I can’t say it enough. I had no chance at surviving. And if it had been me and Zeebi alone, we’d both be dead.”

  “I understand that, little one.” Hallon pulled away from Tessa and turned to Scorpio. “I owe you, demon.”

  Scorpio shook his head. “There is no debt. I swore to protect Tessa, or anyone here at Bronwy. I consider that my job. That’s all I was doing.”

  “I told him about Mama,” Tessa said softly.

  For a second, aching loss flashed in Hallon’s eyes. But the chief quickly pushed it aside. “Then you know how deeply this incident affects us both.”

  “I swear on my life that I won’t allow harm to come to Tessa or your coven,” Scorpio said.

  “I understand. And I hear the sincerity in your voice.” Hallon paced, shoving a hand through his dark hair. “The problem is, harm has already come to us. I have members demanding your death as punishment for your action.”

  The truth of the situation hung in the room like fog. A clock ticked, its mechanism amplified by the quiet.

  “I’d like to formally apologize for the murder of Pennar,” Scorpio began. “I don’t know if I ever said so before, but I do now. I acted in cold blood, on orders from my boss.”

  “He was coerced!” Tessa’s eyes were wide. “Scorpio, tell him.” But she didn’t wait and charged ahead with her, or rather his, story. “Dad, Scorpio was forced to do what Dalamos said, or his younger sister and brother would be tortured.”

  Hallon stopped, assessing Scorpio with the stare of a leader to a soldier. “I appreciate your words. And I know what a monster Dalamos was. His reputation was apparently totally accurate.” He shook his head. �
�But this situation is more complicated than most. It will require more than an apology.”

  A shuffling sound outside drew Scorpio’s attention and he slipped into guard mode, ready to block whatever was intending to come through the door. But as it flung open, the mop headed hair of Winston greeted them all.

  “I knew I needed to be here. Lots of things happening.” The Elder creaked into the room.

  “Hi, Winston,” Tessa said, then looked at Scorpio. “He’s one of the few who can just walk in here whenever.”

  Scorpio nodded. “Good to know.” The mage looked so old, he probably could use a thousand different spells to do whatever the hell he wanted.

  Winston shuffled up to Scorpio. The guy was shorter than Tessa, but vibrant, contained power was evident in his sharp eyes. He looked Scorpio up and down. “Well, well. Hmm. You fought something out there today.” He swung his gaze to Tessa. “And Zeebi? Is she all right?”

  “As far as I know. She came back home before anything happened,” Tessa said.

  “Ah, yes. Well, this demon isn’t leaving.” With that, Winston shuffled to a leather chair and lowered his slight frame. “Nope. We need to keep him. See how helpful he is?”

  Tessa gave Scorpio an apologetic shrug. “Keep him? He’s not a stray dog.”

  “You know what I mean.” Winston reached for a handful of nuts in a nearby bowl. “And he’s not in a rush to leave. Now, tell an old man what you’ve been up to.”

  Hallon quickly filled in the Elder on the attack.

  “Ah, child,” the old one said to Tessa. “The wolves will forever haunt you, and with good reason.”

  “Maybe.” Her posture sagged. “I was terrified today. I remember what happened when I was five. It all came back.”

  Hallon wrapped an arm round her shoulders, but her face was determined, not breaking or weak.

  “Dad. Winston.” She swallowed and disengaged from her father to stand in the middle of the room. “Scorpio has defended me, defended Bronwy, again. He shouldn’t be locked up like an animal. I ask that from now on, he stay in one of the empty cabins. Post a guard if it’ll calm people down.”

  Hallon drew a deep breath. “That’s a steep request.”

  “Dad, this is ridiculous. He says he won’t bring harm to us.” She swiveled to face him, blue eyes bright and serious. “And I believe him.”

  I believe him. Scorpio’s heart stuttered, tripping over itself in a mix of surprise, elation, and hell yes. She believed him, believed in him. His hard work at reducing her fear and gaining her trust had paid off, and nothing could have felt more right. At least, until he claimed her fully. But he could be as patient as was necessary. He’d take baby steps with his beautiful, intelligent mate for as long as she needed.

  “She’s right,” Winston said, polishing off the bowl of nuts and reaching for a wrapped piece of candy. “He won’t harm us. No malice in his aura.”

  It was odd to be talked about as if he weren’t right there—but Scorpio knew the facts and, yeah, this situation was complex. Even weirder was the perception skills of mages like Winston. But it worked in his favor. He had nothing to hide.

  Tessa folded her arms and looked at Hallon. “He could have left me for dead. He could have done the same after the crystal incident.”

  “I know. But I have a contingent of mages who are afraid he’ll murder us all in our sleep.”

  “Oh my gods, that’s ridiculous.” Tessa popped her hands on her hips. “I—”

  “The Elders will discuss this,” Winston said. “They are on their way. I think this is a good idea.”

  “Thank you,” Tessa said pointedly.

  “But your father must examine all viewpoints and angles, don’t forget.” Winston arched a brow, eyes serious.

  “I know, and that’s why I will never lead a coven.” Tessa shook her head.

  “He can stay in cabin three. Get Orser and Kharv to stand guard. For now.” Hallon said, tone clipped. He stalked to his overflowing desk.

  “Thank you, Dad.” A smile lit Tessa’s face.

  “It may not last,” he growled from across a mountain of paper.

  “I won’t give you a reason to rescind the offer,” Scorpio said.

  Hallon nodded and pinched the bridge of his nose. “You two can go.”

  Tessa looked at him and headed for the door. Scorpio clenched his fists, fighting the urge to take her into his arms and kiss her senseless. He followed her out into the sunshine.

  But he couldn’t let her words go unacknowledged. “Thank you for what you said in there. And to the woman earlier.”

  She kept walking. “It’s not a big deal. It’s facts. If everyone would just open their eyes they’d see it too.” She stopped abruptly and sucked in a breath. “I mean…”

  Scorpio stopped as close to her as he dared. “Yeah? And what would they see?”

  “I…” She twisted the hem of her T-shirt in her hands. “That you’re not a threat.” She swallowed. “If you were, I wouldn’t be standing here right now.”

  He studied her determined face, listening to the wild thumping of her heart. There was more. But this wasn’t the place to draw it out of her.

  “Tessa! Oh my gods!” Zeebi’s frantic yell carried across the open space. Her boots pounded the ground as she ran to them and yanked Tessa into a hug. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” Tessa let her friend fuss for a minute. “Turns out it was good you had to leave.”

  “I feel so guilty!” Zeebi pushed Tessa’s hair away from her face and studied her. “I could have tried a spell or something.”

  “There wasn’t time. They were on us so fast. And anyway, Scorpio took them all down.”

  “I am so glad you were there for Tessa.” Zeebi shifted her focus to him.

  “Of course.” Scorpio studied Zeebi. She looked like the perfect picture of a concerned friend. Though he didn’t have the perception skills of witches, his skin prickled with the sensation that something was off.

  “What happened with the girls?” Tessa asked.

  Zeebi looked at her blankly for a nanosecond. Then she made a face. “Nothing. They thought they had the affinity but they don’t. I guess it was good someone double-checked.”

  “I guess. Maybe they just wanted attention.” Tessa frowned. “Here comes Orser.”

  “Why? What’s happening?” Zeebi looked from Tessa to Scorpio.

  “Everything okay?” The burly guard shot Scorpio a glare, then a concerned gaze to the girls. “I heard what happened.”

  “Then you know the only reason I’m able to have this conversation with you is because of Scorpio,” Tessa said.

  Orser grunted at Scorpio. “Yes. Thank you for protecting one of our own.”

  She’s not one of yours. She’s mine. But he’d keep that to himself for now. Scorpio supposed the tacit words were all he would get from the guard, and that was fine with him.

  “Also, from now on, no more cage and no more bars.” Tessa drew herself up tall and looked Orser in the eye. “He stays in cabin three with you and Kharv at the door.”

  “What?” Orser’s dark eyes flared. “That seems generous.”

  “It comes from Hallon and Winston. The rest of the Elders are coming to confirm it—look, here they are.”

  Four coven members shuffled up the path to Hallon’s door, and Scorpio, Tessa, Zeebi, and Orser all parted to let them pass. Three women and one man, all with graying hair and wise eyes that looked like they missed nothing. As they passed, the last female in the group stopped in front of Scorpio and stared up at him with eyes of a unique light purple. She had to be only five feet tall, and her hair cascaded in silver-white waves. She didn’t speak a word, only stared up at him as if she could see into his soul.

  Half a minute passed, and he heard Tessa breathing next to him, shifting her weight. Then suddenly the old woman’s face split into a wide grin and she nodded as if she’d just gotten great news. She reached out to lay a wrinkled hand on his fo
rearm and then continued inside.

  “Oh my gods,” Tessa whispered. “Callia never smiles.”

  “I know!” Zeebi looked equally impressed. “I can count the times on one hand.”

  “I’m guessing that’s a good sign?” Scorpio said. Crazy perceptive witches.

  “Yes!” Tessa said, and a happiness he hadn’t seen before danced in her eyes. “She’s the oldest Elder. Well, we think so. No one knows for sure.”

  “And if she likes you, you’re golden!” Zeebi grinned.

  Orser frowned. “Well, she is only one of five.”

  “Oh, stop it.” Tessa smacked his arm. “You know how rare her smiles are. You know they mean a lot.”

  Orser scrubbed a hand over his face. “Fine, yes. All right. Cabin three. I’ll head over and call Kharv. See you when you get there.” He stomped off.

  “So, the Elders are going to confirm you don’t have to be jailed anymore?” Zeebi asked. “That’s huge.”

  “Yeah. It’s appropriate,” Tessa said.

  “And then what? I mean.” Zeebi leaned close. “Some people here are still royally pissed.”

  “I know. And I’m not sure.” Tessa stifled a yawn.

  “Oh my gosh you must be exhausted.” Zeebi took Tessa’s arm. “I’ll walk you to your cabin, after we stop at cabin three.”

  Scorpio cursed the loss of privacy. But he was thankful for the time they’d had alone today, even if it had been harrowing. The layers of his impromptu mission were peeling back, each accomplishment leading him to the next goal.

  Step one, she didn’t hate him. Check.

  Step two, she trusted him. Check.

  Step three…she needed to need him in her life. Look out, my little witch, I’m coming for you.

  C

  HAPTER 14

  NIGHT BLANKETED THE COVEN IN soft velvet darkness. If she could be bothered to step outside, Tessa could find Torth’s twin moons. They should be full tonight. This being February, the moons had moved into a once-annual alignment with a chain of stars known as Drea’s Tears.

  Many people would be looking up at the unique night sky. Many—but not her. She tossed and turned on her white cotton sheets and finally laid on her back and stared at the roughhewn wood of her bedroom ceiling.