War of Hearts(104)

Yet as every hour crept by with no word from her brother, Callie finally lost her hold on the last of her optimism.

“He’ll be okay,” James said. “This is Conall we’re talking about.”

Callie wasn’t so sure. Her brother would find a way to get in contact with her if he could.

She opened her mouth to argue, no longer caring about the guards listening in, when a ruckus from outside stopped her. Both she and James turned to watch the entrance to the hall as the heavy wooden door pushed open.

Two guards led by Ashforth entered and Callie’s eyes widened when she saw they were carrying a young woman in their arms.

“Put her down,” Ashforth said, staring at Callie.

Callie didn’t trust the bastard. There was something oily and creepy about the fucker. She wondered how she and her brother hadn’t sensed it from the very first.

Perhaps desperation?

No. There was no perhaps about it.

They’d seen what they wanted to see because they were eager for her cure.

Dragging her eyes from her captor (because she was sure that’s what he was), Callie watched as the two guards dropped the woman as if she were of little importance.

Callie winced as the young woman’s head hit the hardwood floor, her dark hair falling away to reveal a beautiful face. She remained unconscious. Callie felt the air around the stranger. Her energy was dulled but it seemed to swell against Callie, like a force against her chest. That swelling sensation increased by the second. It almost reminded her of the pull of a full moon.

She wasn’t human.

Of that Callie was certain.

But she also wasn’t wolf or vampire.

Witch?

“This is Thea,” Ashforth announced.

Shock moved through her as she drank in the murderer Conall had been sent to hunt. This … this lovely creature was Thea Quinn?

Her eyes flew to James who was scowling at Ashforth. “Then where’s Conall?”

His mere name brought her brother’s scent to mind.

Callie’s head whipped back to Thea, and she pushed her wheelchair out from the table to roll a little closer. Her brother’s scent was on Thea.

No.

Not just on Thea, it was—

Surprise locked Callie in place.

Conall’s scent was a part of Thea’s scent. A mix of spice, earth, and something heady and sweet.

Thea’s scent mingled with her brother’s. Just like Callie’s mum’s and dad’s scents had become one.

No. Fucking. Way.

Her eyes flew to James but from his expression, he hadn’t picked up what she had.

“Your brother is alive.” Ashforth drew her attention and she tried to wipe the shock of the latest revelation off her face. “He attempted to betray me, but he’s still alive.”

“Betray you?” James asked.

Yes! Callie wanted to shout, her eyes darting to Thea in wonder. Because Ashforth was trying to take her brother’s true mate! Holy bloody Nora on a shit chute. Obviously, Callie’s feelings about Ashforth were true. The fucker had lied to them. And this was Conall’s mate.

Her brother had found his true mate.

Happiness and anger overwhelmed her as she realized … they were all now trapped with the enemy.

Bugger.

“He had no intention of handing over the woman who killed my wife. He was going to keep her to himself, use her abilities for his own purposes.”

“Bullshit,” Callie snapped.

“I echo that sentiment.” James pushed back from the table and rounded it to place a protective hand on Callie’s shoulder. “What the hell is going on here?”

“None of your concern.”

James continued to argue with the businessman, but Callie’s attention drew back to Thea. Her energy had stabilized, no longer a suffocating sensation against Callie’s chest, but there was a musky, coppery scent drifting toward them from the young woman.

Fear.

And that could only mean one thing.

Thea was awake. She knew Ashforth had her, and it terrified her.

Callie’s protective instincts flared. She couldn’t leave Conall’s mate to this arsehole.

“You’re free to leave,” Jasper said, stepping aside. “You’re no longer required to remain here.”

“Not without the cure for Callie,” James insisted. “You promised.”

“Conall didn’t live up to the bargain. Why should I?”

“Because we’ve sat in this castle like fucking prisoners for days and done everything you’ve asked. Give Callie the cure or face a war with Pack MacLennan.”

“Give her my blood.” A whisper from Thea.

Ashforth whipped around to stare at her, a kind of madness glazing his eyes. “Thea, you’re awake.”

Eyes the color of warm liquor stared at Callie, almost like she was afraid to look at Ashforth. Empathy echoed in Callie’s chest.

“Give her my blood,” Thea repeated softly as she slowly sat up.

“How—” Jasper nodded at two guards who stood over Thea. “The drug—”

“Doesn’t last so long anymore.” Thea held up her hands in a surrender gesture as she got to her feet. The guards instantly bound her wrists with metal handcuffs and agony flared across Thea’s face, her legs giving way.