Page 41 of Waifs And Strays
He rolled his eyes at me. ‘We won’t go running to him if you tell us what you’ve done with Nick,’ he whispered to Quack.
Her expression slackened with astonishment and my stomach sank. She didn’t know; she didn’t know about Nick’s abduction. From his position behind her, Thane couldn’t see her face. ‘Tell us where he is and we might forgive your involvement,’ he said.
Quack stopped struggling and looked at me. ‘Nicholas is with you.’ She paused. ‘Isn’t he?’
When I didn’t answer, she started to laugh. ‘Oh, you’re so screwed! It doesn’t matter whatI’vedone. When Alexander MacTire hears you’ve lost his last remaining blood family member, you’ll be dead meat.’ She laughed again. ‘Is he actually dead?’ she asked. ‘Or only missing?’
Something sparked in Thane’s green eyes and he opened his mouth to speak. I shook my head; we didn’t need to provide her with any more ammunition against us. And she still had questions to answer.
‘Why did you try to kill your own alpha?’ I demanded.
Quack paled.
‘Answer me.’
‘I didn’t try to kill him, you stupid bitch.’ She hawked up a ball of phlegm and I raised my hand, preparing to smack her again. Fortunately she saw the light and swallowed it.
‘Last time I checked,’ I said conversationally, ‘death-cap mushrooms induce death.’
Quack squinted. ‘What are you talking about?’
Thane gave her a shake. ‘You know exactly what she’s talking about.’
I nodded. ‘You dropped powdered death cap into Alexander MacTire’s coffee pot.’
‘No, I didn’t.’
‘You did.’
‘I didn’t.’
‘You—’ I sighed. This could go on forever. ‘I saw you do it.’
Quack was shaking her head, alarm lighting her eyes. ‘I spiked his coffee, but not with fucking death cap! I don’t want him dead! He’s my alpha! Why would I want to hurt him?’
‘Why do you think I’m asking you that question?’ I returned, but doubt was creeping in. ‘I had the liquid tested. It was death cap.’
‘No, no, no! It was maca and gingko with a sprinkling of extra magic. That’s all.’
‘Maca and gingko?’ I asked disbelievingly.
‘Aphrodisiac herbs. Designed to increase virility and desire,’ Thane said.
Quack nodded vigorously. ‘He’s single, he has no children and he’s getting older. We need him to start living up to his responsibilities and establish a proper dynasty.’
The corner of Thane’s mouth lifted. ‘With you?’
‘With anyone!’
‘But you hoped it would be you.’
Quack muttered something under her breath, but she didn’t deny it.
‘Let me get this straight,’ I said. ‘You decided to spike his coffee so he would mate?’
‘Yes!’
I pressed on. ‘Who gave you the idea to do that?
