Page 91 of Mortal Blood
“If there was any other way, I’d take it, believe me.”
“Then call the council.”
“Ling,” Jax said softly, crossing to her and taking her hand. She swallowed, and I could see the understanding on her face, but I said it anyway.
“The council doesn’t care about humans. It won’t matter to them if my mom is killed in the crossfire. I’m the only one who can help her now.”
Jax snorted. “Big-headed much, dhampir girl?”
I grinned. “The better to fit all my knowledge in. Wouldn’t expect you to know anything about that, neanderthal.”
“Right,” Ling said, slotting her book back into the shelf. “I’m ready.”
“Ready for what?”
“Well, I’m coming with you, of course.”
“Ling…”
Jax shook his head. “You might be a halfbreed, but you’re my Luna-in-Waiting. Also, for some inexplicable reason, Cole likes you. So like it or not,we’recoming with you.”
I nodded and blew out a breath, not even bothering to hide my relief. Because the idea of going out there alone terrified me. I’d have done it, but at least if I wasn’t alone, there was a chance I might make it back. A small one, but I’d take it.
“We need to stop by the packlands and get Cole,” Jax said, heading for the door.
“No. He can’t know.”
“Are you insane?” he asked. “I thought I was supposed to be the dumb one.”
“You are,” I assured him as we started along the corridor.“Cole can’t know because he needs to be focusing on the pack right now. He’s going to have to issue his challenge soon before Cain destroys everything. We both know how hard that’s going to be for him.”
A look of indecision shadowed his face. I got it, I did. Cole was his future alpha, and his closest friend, as well. But he couldn’t be a part of this.
“This is my choice, Jax,” I said. “And I’ve made it. I won’t let him be distracted right now.”
After a moment, Jax dipped his chin in a curt nod, clearly unhappy but at least he seemed like he’d do what I wanted. For now.
“If we’re not going to the pack,” he said, pushing through another set of doors, “then what’s the plan?”
“How are we not over the whole expecting me to come up with plans thing?” I groaned.
“This is your party,” he said with a shrug. “Besides, we all survived last year.”
“Fine. But don’t blame me when you don’t like it.”
“So…thereisa plan, then?” Ling ventured as we emerged outside into the warm afternoon air.
“Yeah,” I told her, striding across the rustic lawn. “Follow the Cailleach stone, and try not to die.”
“Little sparse on the details there, dhampir girl,” Jax said.
“Hey, you want details, come up with your own plan.”
“Maybe I should,” he said, looking me up and down with a frown. “Can’t be any worse than yours. Can you even run?”
“Sure. It just hurts like fuck when I do.” Stupid fucking Brennan with his stupidly hard punch.
“You should feed,” Ling said softly. “You’ll heal faster, and you’ll be stronger.”
