Page 33 of Beast

The fuckers hit me with a Taser. I can use that to myadvantage. “I don’t really remember much about that fight.”

“That’s a shame. I would like to hear how you managed todefeat the creature.” The mercenary turns to Meg and bows deeply. “YourHighness. My name is Sergeant Major William Roan. I lead a small group ofvampires who take on all sorts of jobs.”

“We call them mercenaries where I come from,” Meg replies.

“Ah, we have that in common then.” The vampire stands infront of Meg. “Are you feeling all right, Your Highness? I deeply apologize forthe bindings. They are made from the finest silk, so they shouldn’t cut yourdelicate skin. Are you thirsty? I can have my men bring you anything you like.”

“I would like to go home,” Meg states plainly.

“Alas, that is the one thing I cannot give you. I assure youthat you will be treated with the utmost respect while we await your husbands.”Roan takes a long breath. “And after the inevitable happens, please know that Iwill personally ensure your safety. I believe my employer intends to leave youon your own, but I will not allow that to happen.”

“Inevitable?” Meg asks, glancing my way.

I shrug. “When they execute Beck and Ci.”

Meg laughs, her chest bouncing a little with the effort. Shehas tears dripping from the corners of her eyes. I have to admit, it is funny.Even if they brought a small army with them, I don’t see how this Roan fellowis going to take down Beck Finn.

I know something the rest of the world doesn’t yet. Beck andCian came into their powers several months ago. Beck Finn was born the greatestwarrior of his generation. Now he’s also a Storm Lord. With the flick of hishand, he can call on the power of a hurricane. My cousin doesn’t have perfectcommand over his gifts yet, but he certainly can handle a band of mercenaries.

Meg bites her bottom lip and nods. “I’m grateful to you,sir. I would rather not have to watch my beloved husbands being executed, ifyou don’t mind.”

Roan stares down at her and seems to come to some decision.“I can see I’ve upset you. I apologize, but it is necessary. Trade must flowbetween our nations.”

His hand comes out. It almost touches Meg’s hair.

“Hey,” I say. “Her husbands aren’t dead yet, Roan. You haveno fucking right.”

The mercenary pulls his hand back immediately. His face isblankly polite. “Of course. I am terribly sorry.”

“Show me your fangs, asshole.” I have a nasty suspicion. Ifit’s true, it might be bad for Meg—and it might be a tool we can use.

Roan growls, baring his teeth. It’s exactly as I suspected.Roan’s fangs are curved and thin. Unlike a peasant’s, Roan’s fangs are meant tofeed but not kill. Those fangs tell me everything.

“How the hell did a royal end up as a mercenary?”

Now those blank eyes go black and cold. “Even a royal canfall, Mr. Dellacourt. I believe you’re about to find that out for yourself. Iwill protect the consort. She is merely a pawn in this game. But you, I willallow my employer to slaughter as he sees fit. You’re everything that is wrongwith our system.”

The mercenary drops to one knee. He pats it, and Kaja walksobediently to him. His hands slip onto the wolf’s fur.

I really want to slit the fucker’s throat. Even in wolfform, Kaja has a slight glow. In human form, she practically has a halo, but inwolf form it’s muted. I doubt that Roan will notice it, though it’s likelyhaving an effect on him. It’s better that he doesn’t. The vampire is obviouslyhungry for a consort.

The mercenary strokes across Kaja’s fur. “I’ll take care ofthis one, too, Mr. Dellacourt. I have a weakness for the beautiful creatures ofthis world.”

He stands and walks from the tent, Kaja following.

Though it makes me crazy, I understand why she leaves withhim. Kaja can learn a lot in this form. She can figure out what they’replanning. She can learn what weapons they have. She can get a lay of the land.

She can also run away from me. She might decide that I’m notworth the trouble. She might decide thatRoan will take better care of her.

“Dante.” Meg pulls me from my fantasy about taking WilliamRoan apart with my bare hands. “What the hell is going on? Why is my captorbeing nice to me even as he talks about killing my husbands?”

“He’s a royal.” If William Roan gets a look at Kaja in humanform, he might fall at her feet. “You haven’t spent a lot of time in vampiresociety. Royals treat consorts like they are made of gold.”

“You don’t.”

I shrug. “Only with you, sweetheart. You’re like my sisternow. I don’t treat my sister very well.”

It’s true. Ever since the instant I saw Kaja, Meg kind offaded to the background. She’s where she should be, relegated to the role of aloved relative.