Page 82 of A Skirl of Sorcery
‘You too, Cayden,’ Ashina whispered.
‘But…’
She didn’t raise her voice because she couldn’t but her tone was unmistakable. ‘Leave. And close the door behind you on your way out.’
Hurt flashed across his face before he nodded and did as he was told. Finally.
As soon as we were alone, I spoke again. ‘You were hoping I’d ask for money, weren’t you? The right information is far, far more dangerous to you than losing the meagre contents of your bank account.’
Ashina Barrow bared her teeth. ‘Name your terms, cat lady.’
It was nice to be properly acknowledged so I curtsied. ‘In return for the bone box containing your wolf, you will tell me what happened when Mark Barrow died.’ I smiled coldly. ‘You will tell me who really killed him.’
Her expression betrayed little. ‘Thane was there. He knows better than anyone what happened to Mark.’
‘He has no memory of it. Either he has blanked out the trauma of what occurred or,’ I paused, ‘a memory spell was used on him.’
Ashina Barrow’s responding glare was icy. ‘I do not appreciate your insinuation.’
I didn’t move a muscle except to say, ‘I don’t care.’
‘If my son blanked out what happened it’s because he cannot deal with the guilt about what he did.’
I noted that she wasn’t saying that Thanehadkilled Mark Barrow. I eyed her dispassionately. ‘You are alpha of this pack. You know exactly what happened that night. Give me your word that you will speak the full truth of those events as you understand them and I will return your wolf to you. This offer is non-negotiable. I will make no further compromise.’
Ashina opened her mouth, but before she could form any sort of answer she started to cough and wheeze. There was a rattling in her throat, her skin flushed red and she was forced to clutch her chest and gasp for air.
It wouldn’t have been a good outcome for anyone if she’d died at that precise moment but I stayed exactly where I was. Let the cards fall where they may.
A thick vein throbbed in her forehead as she managed to croak out a response. ‘No… …deal. You … will … leave … now.’
I tilted my head and examined her curiously. Huh. Even though it had always been a possibility that she would take this route, it still surprised me. I glanced again at the window; I could feel a faint breeze drifting in from outside, rippling my hair.
‘You will die without your wolf,’ I said, matter-of-factly.
Ashina didn’t flinch. ‘So be it.’
I looked at her pallor then into her unwavering green eyes. That was when I knew exactly what had happened. ‘It was you,’I said softly. ‘You killed Mark Barrow. You murdered your own brother and blamed it on your son.’
‘I told you to go.’
‘I’ve met some cold-hearted wankers in my time,’ I murmured, ‘but you rank at the very top.’ I shook my head. Then I turned on my heel and headed for the double doors.
The moment my fingers brushed against the cold metal of the handle, there was a loud feline yowl. It was about time.
I turned around to see a ginger blur as Tiddles vaulted from the window and landed on all fours in front of Ashina’s chair. Her fur was on end and her sharp teeth were bared. She meant business.
Thane’s mother half-choked, half-laughed. ‘A cat?’
‘I wouldn’t be quite so dismissive if I were you.’
Tiddles extended her claws and growled, more than prepared to go paw to paw with an alpha werewolf. Given Ashina Barrow’s condition, Thane’s kitten might do her some serious damage.
I waited, prepared to see how this would play out without interference from me. Several seconds passed until Ashina opened her mouth again. This time I had to strain to hear her words. ‘She smells of him,’ she whispered. ‘Almost as much as you do.’
I gazed at her, unsure if she would speak again, but then she said, ‘It wasn’t my fault. I had to make a choice.’
I froze.
