Page 58 of Assisting the Alpha
Ayo looks at all of us, grimaces, and takes a deep breath. “Or the other way around, I guess. My dad used to read me bedtime stories. One of them was about a mage who could shift into an animal.”
“So it might just be a story?” I ask gently, not wanting to sound like I’m dismissing his idea.
Ayo gives me a sad smile, his scent filling with sorrow. “My bedtime stories were from the family grimoires. Every single one of them was some form of truth. It’s possible my dad embellished them a bit; I didn’t see the grimoires again after my parents died. Qadir was too busy for anything like that.”
“Who’s Qadir?” Raj asks softly.
Ayo leans against my side, seeking comfort I’m more than happy to provide. “Nyoka’s younger brother. Their mum died the same night as my parents in the same shifter attack. Since my cousins were both adults, Nyoka took over as coven leaderwhile Qadir became my guardian until he passed away a few years later.”
“Who has the grimoires now? Could we check them for this story or spell? Whatever it is?” I ask. We need to confirm what’s realistically possible before we pursue another avenue of investigation.
Ayo grimaces. “Nyoka has them locked away in the manor.”
“Well, fuck.” Jet voices what we’re all thinking.
“Is it worth pursuing this?” Raj asks me.
“It would mean…” I look at Ayo, who stares at our joined hands.
“It would mean one of my coven is behind everything,” Ayo whispers.
There’s pain in his scent that has my wolf nudging me to make it better. I’m not sure I can, though. Not when I know exactly what this kind of betrayal is like.
I push aside the memories that threaten my focus. Now isn’t the time.
The best thing I can do for Ayo is to prove or disprove the theory. I keep hold of my boyfriend’s hand as I look around the table at the people who have followed me into far worse situations than this one. Raj, Jet, and Cal all smell determined. Kit looks ready to annihilate whoever is behind this. Skye looks seconds away from rushing over and hugging Ayo.
“Here’s what we’re going to do.” I rub my beard, then sit forward. “We’re going to infiltrate the coven manor tonight.”
“Yes!” Jet fist-pumps.
Ayo is watching me carefully. I’m not entirely sure what he’s thinking, but the pain in his scent has lessened slightly.
I squeeze his hand. “We’re going to acquire your family grimoires, search them for this story or spell, whatever it is, and determine whether a mage who can shift is a realistic possibility.”
Ayo’s jaw works before he nods. “Agreed.”
“Will you work with us so we know the layout and security measures beforehand?” We never go on any mission unprepared, and Ayo’s knowledge would be invaluable.
Ayo straightens in his chair. “Absolutely. You won’t get in there without me. The wards alone would keep you out.”
Unfortunately that’s a distinct possibility. We do have ways of getting past the traps magic-users lay and the weapons they use against us, but wards? The only way to breach a secure ward is not subtle, and stealth is definitely required here. “Let’s also discuss likely suspects. If this turns out to be true, we’re going to want to move fast.”
Jet raises his hand. “Permission for Kit and me to do a side quest?”
I raise an eyebrow. “Why do you already smell guilty?”
Jet bites his lower lip. “Because it’s not entirely legal?”
I sigh. Of course it isn’t. “Explain.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Jet.”
“Right, sorry. Um, so if we’re going to be in the manor anyway… I thought maybe we could acquire the task force’s data. You know, look for clues as to the identity of the real culprit.”
“Ordinarily I’d dismiss your idea out of hand. Stealing data from our competitor is out of the question.”
