“You need your pack,” she said, turning away to look out the window. “You are not a solitary creature and would not thrive well without them.”
“Pietro is Cassia’s mate, Reasa. Today has proven that to all of us. She will never be happy without him, and he will never come to accept you. His inability to forgive you will continue his rejection of my friend. I cannot cause her pain so I can be happy.” Liam’s quiet words hung heavy on the air, a faint quiver in his voice.
Reasa didn’t answer him. It was hard to refute his words. Pietro’s need for vengeance was too ingrained. He was the kind of male others in her coven had aspired to be and could never attain that level of strength. She understood males like Pietro; she not only understood them, she respected them. Louis was one who held the same strength, the same determination as the wounded vampire back at the compound. He would mete out the same type of justice Pietro yearned for, and she would deserve it for her actions.
The situation was currently at a stalemate though. For one couple to be happy the other couple must suffer. From that point of view, Liam’s logic made sense and while she couldn’t argue with it, she was as determined as Elina not to allow it to pass. She would have to find some way to resolve the situation once they had helped the patients at the Praetorian Compound. She was aware of what she had to do, and she knew that Liam would do his utmost to prevent it. However, it wasn’t his decision to make. When the time came, she would stand before Pietro alone and accept his judgement.
Elina also knew the truth of it, though she continued to deny it because she didn’t want to lose her cousin. While she argued with Liam about his proposed course of action, her eyes met Reasa’s in the rear-view mirror, and the former vampire could see that the other woman had an inkling of what she was thinking.
“The pack is strong, Liam. We have that strength because we stick together no matter what. Don’t lose faith in us. We will find a way to resolve this.” Even though spoken in a cold tone, there was passion in Elina’s voice as she appealed to her cousin. Reasa heard the underlying words being spoken to her too, and her admiration for the other woman rose. If they had met under any other circumstances, Reasa was sure she would have called the other woman a friend.
Liam’s expression remained stubborn, though he leaned back and rested his head, closing his eyes as he did. He was completely clueless about the unspoken communication between his mate and his cousin. “Let’s just concentrate on what needs to be done for now. The rest is a while away. This is more important.”
Reasa mirrored his position, closing her eyes and once more seeing Pietro standing in the compound, naked hatred oozing from every pore in his body, all projected towards her. She felt the same thrill of terror as she had then, followed by a feeling of disappointment as Liam had shielded her. Had she wanted to die in that moment? That thought had followed her around ever since she’d had her vampiric nature stripped from her. There had been times when she’d truly believed it was what she wanted and others when she’d wanted to cling to life.
The only thing she really knew was that it wasn’t her decision or Liam’s about what would happen in the future. There was only one person who had the right to decide her fate, and she only hoped she would be courageous enough to stand tall before him when he made it.
The Jeep pulling into the Praetorian Compound shook her from her musings, and she opened her eyes to view the large house that was home to the Praetorians. Elina pulled up close to the steps and pulled on the handbrake. It was strange being back. Exciting and yet terrifying. The last time Reasa had been here, she’d lost everything that had made her who she was. She wasn’t able to contain the shiver that ran through her body.
“No one will hurt you here,” Liam rumbled, his voice low, for her ears only.
“There is nothing further that anyone could do to hurt me than what has already been done,” she answered, stiffening her back as the door opened and a large vampire with flowing black hair came out to greet them.
Mac greeted the arrivals with a touch of caution laced with optimism. He was relieved they were here and willing to try to help his injured people, but he was wary too, given his mate’s involvement. Lily was happy and bright, so certain that Liam and Reasa were going to save the day with this new skill they’d discovered, but he was concerned about what would happen if they failed.
His mate’s eyes held a hint of sadness every time he looked into them. Though she smiled and went about her life with the wonderful strength and resilience he’d fallen in love with, he could always detect that small hint of melancholy that lived within her because of Brandon. She missed her friend keenly, cared for him devotedly, and if this didn’t work… if they lost him… he knew his beautiful mate would die a little inside.
“How sure are you about this?” He asked the question of Liam and Reasa, as they were the ones who would be performing the dream walking.
“There is no certainty, Mac, just the hope that we can affect a positive change.” It was Liam who answered, his tone grave. “We know what’s at stake. If it can be done… we will do it. That’s the best we can give you.”
“Fair enough.” Mac wasn’t feeling as comforted as he’d hoped he would. He nodded to the Weres who had escorted Reasa to the compound and motioned for them to precede him into the large house that was the heart of the Praetorians.
“We’ll stay outside,” Dayton announced. “There’s nothing we can do inside and we’re muscle rather than brains up here. We’ll check in with the other wolves and do a sweep around the compound.” He headed off into the trees, followed by Ben and AJ.
“I will attend inside,” Elina said, walking up the steps into the house, patently ignoring the brawny blond vampire who was standing in the hallway as she entered.
“Good to see you too, Missy,” Karn chuckled, blue eyes flashing with mischief as she sailed passed him and started upstairs.
“Idiot.” Wafted back down the stairs and only made him chuckle harder.
“Behave,” Mac growled, giving his friend a glare.
Karn’s made a half-hearted attempt at looking sheepish but his attention was already diverted from the frosty woman intent on ignoring him, a speculative gleam in his eyes as he looked at Liam and Reasa. “I think I can do a little of what you can. Would I be in the way if I tagged along and tried to pick up some tips?”