Page 124 of My UnTrue Love
The mist covering Luke’s body was blue. Bill blinked. The boy was also the biggest coyote he’d ever seen in his life.
When he’d called to tell Bill that Clem was hurt, Hank recapped everything he knew about the attack. He’d explained that Luke had carried Clementine into the police station, giving him a halting story of Johnny Jacobs chasing her right into his apartment. Bill hadn’t asked where the kid had gone, after he brought Clem to her brother. He’d been preoccupied with getting to his wife. Now he realized that Luke hadn’t gone anyplace. He’d stayed with Clem, watching over her.
Eerie brown eyes fixed on Bill, as he entered the cell. Luke’s teeth bared in a slight snarl, warning Bill not to try anything.
First shifts were hard. The kid had been distraught and in pain. The coyote had seized control, protecting his human-side. He was still mostly-transformed, his glowing gaze defiant.
And his magic was blue.
“The boy doesn’t like anyone touching her.” Hank said in an unruffled tone. “He’s doing better than he was a while ago, so I’m giving him some space. He can’t figure out how to shift back.”
“That can happen,” Bill allowed, “until we learn how to settle down.”
Ifthey learned. Some coyotes lived their whole lives on a violent rampage. Unlike a lot of shifter-species, they didn’t access their animal-forms until adolescence, and it could lead to Bad outcomes. At his size, Luke had the potential to be the most dangerous coyote Bill had ever come across. …And he was about six feet away from Clementine.
Bill’s jaw tightened.
“He’s not a threat to her. Just to everybody else.” Hank reported, anticipating Bill’s reaction. Stew Slewfoot used to be in that cell over there.”
“For the bar fight, still?”
“No. He’s awaiting extradition to Zurzura. I got news today that the Cavaliers found a cache of forbidden talismans in his home.” Cavaliers were the security force who dealt with crimes that crossed kingdoms. “Stu swears the talismans aren’t his, of course, and he was set up bysomeone.” A meaningful pause. “But he’s still being charged with international smuggling.”
Bill grunted.
“Anyhow, I had to stick Stew outside, tied to the hitching post, because Luke tried to rip his throat out for shouting some insults Clem’s way.” Hank went on. “The kid almost went through the bars to get to him.”
That explained the bent iron door. Not much got between a coyote and who they’d targeted.
Case in point: Nothing was gonna keep Bill from his wife.
He kept his eyes on Luke, hands held where the boy could see them. “She’s my mate and I’m gonna be with her.” He walked towards Clem, his steps deliberate. “You wanna fight me, we can do that. But it’ll be all or nothin’.”
The boy didn’t want to fight. He stayed crouched in the corner, his back against the wall, accepting Bill’s claim on Clementine. He remained braced to launch forward though, just in case Bill did do anything to threaten her.
That was truce enough for Bill.
He turned his attention back to Clem. “Darlin’?” He reached out to smooth back her golden hair. “Can you hear me?” Her face was bruised, and her top was ripped. Darkening marks marred the tops of her breasts, where Johnny’s fingers had dug into her flesh.
His gaze cut over to Hank, asking the question without words.
Hank shook his head.
Bill closed his eyes in relief.
Clementine was hurt, but Johnny hadn’t raped her. The bastard had tried, though. He’d marked her skin and scared her and tried to rape her. When Bill caught up with that miserable shit, Johnny would never sing again. Bill was gonna stick a branding iron down his throat and broil him from the inside out.
Slipping his arms beneath his wife, Bill lifted her up and turned to sit on the cot himself. He settled back, holding her on his lap. “I got you.” He rested her head on his chest, making sure she was comfortable. “I got you, baby.” He kissed her temple. “You just come back to me. I can’t stand it when we’re apart.”
Nothing. She slept on, leaving Bill without her bright light.
His gaze lifted back up to Hank. “I’m sorry.”
He felt compelled to ask someone for forgiveness. To pledge be better, if only he had another chance. To swear to do Good, even though he was born Bad.Anything. He’d promise anything at all, so long as he got Clem back.
“I know.” Hank said quietly, like he could read all that meaning in just those two words.
“I should have let Johnny sink on his own. Or I shouldn’t have worried that Clem might be mad at me and hit him harder. Or I shoulda just killed him, in the first place. I can’t…” Bill trailed off. He’d never felt so helpless. Not even as a vulnerable kid, with no one in the world who cared about him. “I promised I’d protect your sister and I didn’t. I’m sorry.”
