“Give her what she wants.” Jenner hiked a heavily muscled shoulder.
Ronan let out a derisive snort. The female only wanted two things: to be fucked and to fight. A kernel of an idea took root in his mind and he could have kicked himself for not thinking of it sooner. “Jenner, you clever bastard. Are you suggesting that I incite an uprising or two?”
A feral grin spread across the male’s mouth. “Why not?”
It could work. Dissention between the covens was a common enough occurrence. She’d be so busy putting out smaller fires that she’d not only put her suspicions about Mikhail’s mate and the resurrection of his power on the backburner, but she might give Ronan a little space as well. “Of course, it could all backfire and then we’ll be seriously fucked.”
Jenner laughed. A truly menacing sound without humor. “I thought you could fix anything, Ronan.”
Up until a couple of weeks ago, so did he. “I’ll need help.” He knew more than a few dhampirs who enjoyed stirring shit up, but he had to keep his eye on the long game. A week’s worth of distraction wouldn’t be enough to derail Siobhan’s ambition. He’d need a solid month, maybe more, before he could be assured of Mikhail’s—and Claire’s—protection. And he wasn’t even taking into account that it would be days after his transition before he would be back to 100 percent. “I have to know I can count on you as well. Because if Siobhan figures out what we’re up to, she’ll have both of our asses.”#p#分页标题#e#
Jenner’s eyes narrowed to dark slits, making him appear even more deadly, his pupils flashing with quicksilver. “I might be a member of her coven, but she doesn’t own me. I plan on declaring my independence from her tonight. She’ll be pissed, but what the fuck do I care? Once I’m turned, I’d like to see her try to wreak havoc on me. When she sees the evidence of Mikhail’s ascension to power, she’ll be begging for a male to bite her and drink her dry.”
By far the truest words spoken today. She talked a good game, but what Siobhan truly craved was power. She’d throw her convictions to the side in an instant if being turned helped to elevate her status. Ronan’s gut clenched at the realization. After Mikhail turned him, he’d be stronger. More powerful than he could imagine. Finally becoming the creature he was born to be. That strength and power would be more seductive to Siobhan than ever and breaking his agreement with her would be nigh impossible. He’d pledged his body to her like a common whore. For Mikhail. His king. And his friend.
Not even a vampire king could break the troth once it was given. It had been made with blood and only though blood could it be broken. Ronan was officially fucked for all eternity.
Fan-fucking-tastic.
“There’s something you’re not telling me.” Jenner did nothing to hide the accusation in his tone. “And until you tell me all there is to know, I’m not helping you do shit.”
Ronan pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned back in his chair. Trust was essential if any of this was going to work, and there was no use in demanding Jenner’s trust if Ronan wasn’t willing to return it. There was too much history between them for him to doubt his friend’s loyalty. “Claire is gone.”
Jenner let out a bark of disbelieving laughter. “Gone. How is that even possible? If she’s tethered him and she’s had his blood—”
“Mikhail’s mate is human. Sort of makes tracking her down problematic.”
Jenner leaned back in his chair and howled. “Jesus fucking Christ, Ronan. Mikhail’s got bigger problems than Siobhan if that’s the case. How do either of you possibly hope to resurrect the race if his mate is not only a human but not even present for him to feed from?”
Ronan had tried to remain optimistic, but when Jenner laid it all out like that, he had to admit, their situation was pretty gods-damned bleak. “She’ll come back. And when she does, Mikhail will turn her.”
Jenner arched a brow. “Oh, so she’s a magic human, then.”
Ronan chose to ignore the male’s sarcasm. “You let me worry about Mikhail’s problems while you focus on mine. I want Siobhan distracted. Can you do that or not?”
Jenner pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, his brow furrowed as he quickly scanned whatever message was on the screen. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about keeping her busy.” His eyes met Ronan’s, his expression grave. “Slayers attacked two covens today. In broad daylight. Hers and Saeed’s in the Valley. They don’t care about discretion, and more attacks will come.”