Assassin's Kiss (15 page)

Hell, it didn’t matter. He may as well know everything about her past, since she was leaving soon. Nothing mattered anymore. Hollow sadness threatened to chase away the warmth brought by his tender touch and she spoke quickly, needing to get the words out and done with. “My mother and I were attacked by wolves when I was five.”

He let out a low curse.

“She was killed. I almost was.” Tessa traced a pattern high on her thigh. “I have a scar here. Four slashes.”

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered.

“It was fall. We hadn’t realized, or she hadn’t, how close the sun was to setting. It was twilight and we were hurrying to get home. We’d been out in the woods getting herbs or something. I forgot.” She rubbed her temple. “All I remember is being surrounded by noise, fur, smelly bodies, claws, sharp teeth. A big black wolf tackled me. I guess he was the one who slashed my leg. I thought I was going to die.”

His arms tightened around her.

“Then someone pulled the wolf away. The rest of the coven was there, using weapons and spells…my dad, Kharv, Winston. But it was too late for my mom.”

“Gods, Tessa. No one should have to endure that.”

“Yeah, so…I know it’s been a long time, but wolves freak me out,” she mumbled.

“Understandable.” He brushed away a strand of hair that had gotten stuck to her lip. “How long ago?”

“Twenty-five years,” she said. “Some days it feels like it was ages ago, and some days it seems like it was last week. I haven’t been near one in a long time. Years ago, there was one who skulked around the edges of our new home. But it never ventured in among the cabins, and eventually one of the men killed it.” She let out a shaky sigh. “Today was…too much. You’re right, I froze. All the memories came flooding back. I was pretty much useless.”

“You could never be useless.” He twined his fingers through hers. “I’m certain your knife slowed that third one down. Bought time until I could get there.”

“Yeah, maybe.” She sniffed. “I’m just glad it’s over.”

“Want to head back?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I’m done. I feel like I could sleep for three days.”

He stood in one fluid motion, still holding her.

She pushed at his chest. “Put me down. I can’t have you carry me all the way back.”

“Sure you can.” He winked and set her on the ground. “But okay. Someone has to carry those huge rocks you found.”

She could hardly imagine the reaction if he walked back to Bronwy carrying her. They’d probably think she was gravely injured and upon finding she wasn’t, would wonder at her mental state. No, she may have realized he was trustworthy, but many of the coven didn’t.

But just because she trusted him, did that absolve him of his crime?

C
HAPTER
13

S
CORPIO STALKED TO THE MIDDLE
of the dull gray rock-strewn ore field where Tessa had abandoned her pack. His body shook with emotion that had no outlet. Well, a good sparring session would help, but he had no physical equal here. Or a good, wild fucking would bring relief, but Tessa wasn’t close to ready for that.

His mate had been through so much. He partly wanted to kill every dire wolf he could find, just to retaliate against the horror. But doing so wouldn’t bring her mother back, and the wolf pack that attacked was probably long dead.

But his rage was countered by the heat creeping through his blood like a vine.
She’d let him hold her.
Exhausted, scared, needing a hero, she’d let him in. He wanted to pound his chest with pride. One of her walls had fallen today, and he thanked the gods. He sensed she still wasn’t ready to hear him use the “m” word—mate—but that could come later. For now, he’d make a point to remind her that he’d always be there for her.

He scooped up the heavy bag of rocks and her backpack. Stepping away from her was a good idea, at least for a minute. She intoxicated him. And now her honeysuckle scent was all over him. It drove him wild with need, but at the same time, his inner demon was calmed by the simple physical contact of holding her close. By knowing something in her had shifted toward acceptance.

About to step away, he spotted the collar he’d started out wearing. He blew out a breath. He really didn’t want to take the thing back to the coven. But he didn’t want her to have to spend time making a new one. Maybe it could be used on someone else one day. Fine. He bent to scoop it up.

He headed toward her in time to see her let out a huge yawn and huddle her arms around herself. He was at her side in an instant. “Are you okay? Cold?”

“No,” she said around another yawn. “Just so tired. I haven’t had a day like this in so long. When we were getting the crystals, it was different. We knew there was a chance we might get caught, and by who. This…this was like being blindsided.”

“Agreed.” He shifted the bag of rocks on his shoulder. “We should get back before Hallon gets worried.”

They walked back, Tessa keeping up a good pace considering how tired she professed to be. Though she was probably feeling the aftereffects of the adrenaline, plus worry about more wolves. He was content to let her lead the way, staying back to watch for danger. And he couldn’t help but appreciate her long slender legs striding purposefully. Perfect tight little ass, perfect hips.

Gods, how had he gotten so damn lucky?

Then again, he still had a lot of convincing to do.

As they neared Bronwy’s cabins and started down the path to the center of the village, Inga was the first to spot them.

“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?”