Page 103 of Caller of Crows
"I'mmorethan angry," he hissed at his friend. "You betrayed me."
"I didn't," Keegan stated calmly.
"You fucking knew I wouldn't agree to Sven leaving the coven, and you still arranged for Mordyn to help him! How exactly is that not treason?"
Keegan shook his head. "This was the only way the two of you, the only wayall of us,would come out of this okay. Sven had to leave."
"And risk him getting abducted? Getting him back safely was far from guaranteed, dammit." Altair narrowed his eyes at his best friend. He felt his temper rising dangerously high, threatening to spill over. "You would not be the first vampire I killed today. Make no mistake about that."
Keegan closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, visibly composing himself. Almost as if he was scared. Good. He should be.
Finally, though, he spoke. "You can't blame me for wanting to prevent your death."
"Death? Who said anything about—"
"I told you you could not win against Nephariel."
Altair stared at Keegan. "You were wrong. IkilledNephariel."
Keegan met Altair's gaze with unwavering intensity. "Only because I helped make sure Sven escaped."
"You're delusional," Altair snapped. "Are you claiming I would have lost the fight?" Altair shook his head. "If he hadn't kidnapped Sven, I wouldn't have had to get sunburned to reach his hideout. I would have been even stronger. There's no way I would have lost." How did Keegan not understand that? "You gave Nephariel an advantage by giving him Sven, and I still beat him."
"No," Keegan disagreed. "You onlywonbecause you had to protect Sven from harm. Without him, you would have hesitated, and that hesitation would have cost you your life." Keegan paused and the lines of his face hardened. "I've seen this scenario play out a million different ways, Alt, and I never saw another option. If Sven stayed in the coven, Nephariel would have ambushed you in the city or somewhere else and you would have ended up dead. I couldn't let that happen."
Altair's whole body froze at the conviction in Keegan's voice. This wasn't a man trying to save his own ass—this was someone who genuinely cared for Altair, wanted him alive and safe and sane. Someone who would do whatever it took to ensure Altair's survival. And there was no doubt that he truly believed everything he just said.
That didn't change the facts, though.
"Tell me one thing," Altair said. "Were you a hundred percent sure that your plan would not risk Sven's life?"
Keegan met Altair's gaze, holding it steadily. "No," he replied honestly. "I only knew for certain that you would do everything in your power to save him."
Altair's fist flew toward Keegan's jaw before he had fully finished his statement, hitting him square on. The impact made a dull crunching sound in the otherwise quiet room.
Keegan fell back onto the floor, stunned for a second.
"You are unbelievable," Altair snarled, towering above Keegan. "That was a stupid gamble!"
"Maybe," Keegan said, wiping the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. "But the reward was worth it." He climbed back to his feet, his head held high. "I saved both of your lives."
Altair's gaze bore into Keegan's for what felt like ages. His knuckles ached from striking Keegan. He hoped Keegan's jaw hurt worse.
Keegan was looking at him warily, but he wasn't apologetic at all. Which made Altair more frustrated than he thought possible.
"You could have gotten Sven killed," he growled at his best friend. "Or worse."
Keegan met Altair's glare head-on. "I made a calculated decision. One that worked out. Now our coven's got two mortals, the Black Spades won't bother us anymore and Nephariel finally got what he deserved."
Altair scoffed, understanding dawning on him at last. "That's it then? Is that why you did this? You wanted revenge on my brother for what he did to your sister?"
Keegan clenched his jaw, eyes darkening as the emotion he'd kept hidden until now surfaced. His nostrils flared and he tilted his chin in defiance. "He had to pay."
Altair couldn't fault Keegan for that sentiment. Still… "The price I paid could have beenmy mate, Keegan!" Altair approached the other vampire and grabbed his collar, pulling him close so they were face to face. "Don't you ever gamble with my property again."
Keegan didn't flinch when Altair shoved him back, but he didn't argue either. Not that Altair had expected him to. He only looked at Altair and asked, "Your mate?"
Altair sighed. He had no intention of having this conversation now. But instead of denying his words, he flashed Keegan a sly smile. "Don't tell me you didn't see that coming."
