Page 35 of Fangs
“How’d that happen?” Lee demanded.
“There was a r-rebellion.”
“Wolf?” Sable’s voice was low.
“Stick to the plan,” Wolf said.
“Who’s comin’?” I asked again, louder. I stepped toward Wolf, but Lee caught my elbow, preventing me from going further.
“Safeguard crew from the Vault,” Wolf answered after a pause.
Fuck. Please, please don’t be Mac.“Which one?”
Wolf gave me a funny look, “Mac’s.”
Panic spiked through me, and the room spun. I must have swayed slightly because Lee’s grip tightened on my elbow.
“Don’t hurt them!” I gasped out.
Wolf’s eyebrows raised as he studied me. Everyone was silent.
“Please,” I choked out, trying to breathe normally. “Please, Wolf, I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll go to Carth, just don’t hurt them.”
My brother’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Please!” I begged.
I knew I was fucking this up, showing my whole hand, but I couldn’t come up with a clever plan with this terror thrumming through my veins. I couldn’t watch them get hurt or…or worse.
“Who killed Madame?” Wolf asked.
I hesitated, and Wolf’s gaze sharpened.
“Ember,” he snapped. “You want to protect your friends? Then start talkin’.”
“Me,” I whispered.
They all wore carefully blank expressions, and I couldn’t read them.
“Youkilled Madame?” Wolf repeated.
“Yes.”
“How?”
I tried to block the memory of Madame’s blood spraying across my face. “They captured her during the revolt.”
“I didn’t ask how she got taken down. I’m askin’ how you killed her. Was it on someone’s orders?”
“No,” I whispered.
Wolf scanned me again, his eyes narrowing. “How?”
My stomach clenched, but I couldn’t tell if I was offended he seemed to think I wasn’t capable or if it was the guilt and shame at what I’d done. My emotions pulled back like they wanted no part of this.
“I slit her throat.” My voice came out steady but so empty.
All three narrowed their eyes, and it felt like being studied byactualwolves. I had the panicked thought I wasn’t confessing this right. I always went numb. I didn’t know how to do it any other way. Was I supposed to cry?
