Page 27 of Skyla

“Then how about this?” Wraith asked. “What are we actually going to do about the Legion? Because privately, Pres, I understand why the guys don’t want to sit still. I don’t want to either.”

“You want a war?”

Wraith shrugged. “If that’s what it takes. They’ve been nibbling at our edges for years, and it will only get worse. I understand why there’s peace, but what the fuck does peace matter if we’re the only ones respecting it?”

“You have no idea how close I was to ripping Fang’s throat out with my teeth today for even thinking he could touch her. But they have to make the first move.”

We hung in silence, not comfortable.

Delta flipped over onto his feet again. “Why are you worried about reputation? In my mind, taking them to school only tells people to fuck off and leave us alone. That’s good for business.”

“Trust me,” Silver growled. “I’d like nothing more than to order all of you to their clubhouse to make sure there’s nothing left.”

“Then why not?”

Pres smiled faintly. “I suppose for the four of you ‘because I said so’ isn’t enough.”

“Nope.” Delta’s word popped on the P.

He sighed. “Because we’re a Court.”

I tilted my head and watched Silver. All of us were close. We’d been close for years. When you were immortal, it was inevitable. But this side of Silver was unfamiliar to me.

He was ruthless. I’d witnessed him gut plenty of people for the wrong word or fucking with us. Not a second of hesitation, and he gave it everything. But until now, I hadn’t realized it was all retaliatory. He never went after people who hadn’t wronged us.

“If I could give away my crown and just be a President?” He said. “I would. Fuck knows I like this job better. But I can’t run from the title any more than Skyla can run from us. There are Shadow fae who don’t live here. They deserve protection too. And to do that, I need to maintain good relations with both the other Courts, and to an extent, the human authorities.”

They weren’t exactly fans of us and our business, but they weren’t foolish enough to interfere. We were the biggest source of illegal drugs on this side of the world. More than just the city, we supplied an entire network. It wasn’t smart to fuck with us.

“So,” he said. “I can’t just attack without a reason. But the second—and I mean thesecond—they put their toe fully over the line? We won’t hold back.”

Grave stood and went to the window, scanning the plaza in the fading light. “Why didn’t you tell them that?”

“Because it’s my call,” Silver said with a growl. “I’m not going to have my own club call me a pussy for keeping up diplomatic relations. I won’t make the other Courts think we’re a loose cannon and a threat, either. We all know how that would end.”

We all did. Except maybe Delta. More than one fae Court that didn’t exist anymore because the other Courts thought they were getting out of hand. Whether that meant endangering our race’s relations with humans or they were becoming too powerful. Nothing threatened a Court like the power of another one.

“They’d understand,” I said. “Unless there’s another reason?”

The glint in his eyes told me there was.

“You have suspicions?” Grave asked.

“We have a hybrid,” Silver said softly. “Not only a hybrid, but one who is stunningly beautiful, and ourâmmelune.I think it’s a temptation not everyone will resist. Especially since it’s not a secret how much money we gave them. And even without that—”

Growls shredded the air, mine included. They weren’t going to fucking touch her. If they did, I would cut off the hand that dared. “This is one of those times, Silver. If someone touches her, I will take action, and I’m not waiting for permission.”

“I’m not asking you to.” His grin was pure violence.

“Good.” Downing the last of my drink, I stood. “I’ll go to get Maggie. Maybe some of her things, but I doubt I’ll be able to grab much on my bike.”

Delta rubbed his hands together. “Gonna go get some cat toys.”

“You’re having way too much fun with this.”

“That little shit is hilarious,” he said. “Watch. You’ll be playing with the cat before long.”

We dispersed. Wraith came with me. Given today, we weren’t taking chances. Especially with anything regarding Skyla, including her friends.

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