Thirst (Hellish #4)(33)

His feet were cold. It was such a ridiculous thing to be undermining him, but he missed having someone warming his feet. He longed for nights of doing nothing while Eirik massaged his temples. Baptiste would curl up in his lap and listen to stories of Eirik’s life. As the guardian of the door between worlds, he’d seen and done so much. All those stories had been stolen from him between Eirik and Celeste’s blocking his mind. He wasn’t sure if he had them back yet. Baptiste wanted to ask, but there was no one there. The silence inside his mind was deafening.

Evan appeared from between the trees. At the edge of the porch, he transformed from wolf to man. He wrapped a blanket Baptiste had left for him around his waist and sat down on the steps. Baptiste kept himself hidden from everything and everyone but Evan for fear Eirik had the wolves on the lookout for him. No one could see him or hear him but Evan.

“Did you have fun?”

Evan turned sideways at Baptiste’s question and leaned his back against the railing. Even though he faced Baptiste, his gaze stayed locked on the nearby trees. “I don’t know that ‘fun’ would be the word I’d use. Mostly, I just walked around, enjoying the silence. Everyone here knows Bleidd banished me, so you know. It’s awkward.”

Baptiste wished he knew how to make things better. Caring about someone who didn’t care back was like dying while still alive. “I’d hoped Bleidd learning you are my guard would ease your way with the local wolves.”

Evan shrugged. “It might. I steered clear of the other wolves.”

There was nothing Baptiste could think to say to ease Evan. He too was socially inept. Baptiste didn’t know how to fit in or how to guide anyone else. “You’re incredibly brave to come here and be the lone wolf.” Evan’s gaze slid his way, as if hanging on Baptiste’s every word, so Baptiste didn’t stop. “They need each other. You need no one. They’ll never know your depth of strength. You should be proud.”

Evan didn’t respond. His gaze shot to the tree line. He moved to his feet, sending Baptiste on alert. Bleidd stepped into view, wearing nothing, as usual.

“Jeez. This guy again,” Baptiste bitched.

Evan held his silence.

“I need to speak with Baptiste,” Bleidd said as he moved to a step below Evan, making them the same height.

“He’s not accepting visitors tonight,” Evan said, keeping his voice hard against Bleidd.

Bleidd glanced around as if searching for any sign Baptiste might be near. His gaze moved back to Evan. His tone softened. “Listen, about earlier, I was just surprised to see you.”

Evan looked away and focused on some point over Bleidd’s shoulder. “I’m sure.”

Baptiste couldn’t stop watching the scene play out. Evan’s hurt was plain to see for anyone paying attention. Bleidd was more than interested. He couldn’t stop eyeing every inch of Evan.

“I’m a leader here.”

“Yep,” Evan said, making Baptiste proud with his disinterested tone. “I’m aware.”

“It’s my duty to keep the pack strong.”

Evan rocked back on his heels. “So you’ve said.”

Bleidd didn’t let up. “I have great, great, great grandchildren older than you.”

“That’s nice,” Evan said, looking away.

Bleidd shifted closer, nosing at Evan’s neck.

Evan flattened his palm against Bleidd’s chest and pushed. “I’m not accepting visitors tonight either.”

“You smell different,” Bleidd said, not budging. “Like the city.”

“What do you want, Bleidd?” Evan asked, letting his hand slip away from Bleidd’s chest in such a way he got an extra feel.

“I saw that,” Baptiste said with a chuckle.

Bleidd took a step back. “I have a message for Baptiste from the Americas king.”

Baptiste tossed off his magic, revealing his presence. “What’s the message?”

Bleidd’s gaze moved to where Baptiste sat in a nearby chair. He didn’t look surprised to see him. “Eirik and Kallus have been taken into custody. Your presence is requested.”

“What?” Evan said, sounding every bit as confused as Baptiste felt.

“I’m not sure that’s actually legal, to be honest. Since Eirik is a god, I wouldn’t think Jonathan has any authority over him. I mean, Celeste—”

“Has authorized their detainment,” Bleidd said, cutting him off.

“What?” Evan repeated, obviously every bit as lost as Baptiste.

Eirik was the guardian of the door between worlds. It wasn’t as if he could be detained, right? Baptiste shook his head. “I’ll go,” Baptiste said. He might be confused and angry, but his mates needed him.

Evan wrapped his blanket tighter around his waist. “I’ll go with you and watch your back.”

Baptiste shook his head. “Stay. Enjoy the night. This won’t take long. An hour, at most.”

He could see the worry in Evan’s eyes—like he expected Baptiste to abandon him the way everyone did. “Okay.”

As if Evan was still in wolf form, Baptiste stroked the man’s hair. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon.”

Evan nodded, and Baptiste disappeared. He landed on Jonathan’s porch and rang the bell. He was tempted to zap inside, stamping all over their rules of propriety. For heaven’s sake, they’d taken his mates into custody. Fuck manners. The door opened, and Dougal stared out. His jaw was set in a hard line.