Except for the far-off screams resonating through the trees, the evening was still. Though my body shook from tiredness and my heart continued to hammer from the chase, I stayed still.
Kieran examined me with steady silver eyes. The smile that had flickered on his lips moments ago had disappeared, replaced with something inscrutable.
I said again, "They're coming," pushing force into my voice. "I need your aid."
Kieran slanted his head slightly, as though he were thinking. Then he let out a breath.
"And why," he asked slowly, "would I do that?"
My gut twisted.
I had known Kieran was not the kind to freely provide defense. Bound by obligation or honor, he was not like the wolves in my former group. He was something else quite different.
a pirate.
a wolf who owed nothing to anybody.
Still, he had before saved me.
He would do it once more?
Alternatively, would he expect something in return?
Kieran moved slowly forward, and I stepped back automatically.
There was charged, tense air between us. Though now it was mixed with something else—something dangerous—I could still feel the surge racing through my veins.
"You left your pack," Kieran replied, his voice low. "That implies right now you are nothing. no supporters. None of protection. just another renegade.
I battled to let his words sink in, swallowing hard.
I said emphatically, "I'm not nothing."
Kieran arched his eyebrows. "Then proof it."
I started to tighten my hands. "Sebastian is arriving; I have not time for this. If you are not willing to support me, okay? I'll find another path.
Turning to go, Kieran was in front of me blocking my route before I could get a step forward.
His speed was just horrible.
Still more so is his presence.
"You're desperate," he said in whispers. And desperation causes people to be weak.
I raised a Chin. " It also makes them dangerous."
He started a gentle smile over his mouth. "That is true."
I considered momentarily that he might move aside. That he might at last agree to support me.
Rather, he stretched out and traced one finger along my jaw.
My breath seized.
"I will assist you," he said.
I came to stop.
"but..."
That's it there. The catch is that...
His silver eyes shimmered under moonlight.
"You are going to owe me," he said.
I ought to have been aware.
Rogues neglected to do favors.
They engaged in deals.
I made myself keep a steady voice. "What are your preferences?"
Kieran sighed. " Now that is the right question."
His eyes shot over me, evaluating, computing.
"You need protection," he advised, as though it were clear-cut. And I need... He trailed off tapping a finger on his chin.
I tuned myself.
"'a partner.'"
I blinked. "A colleague?"
His nod indicated "I have long been alone. I have to do some things, thus having another pair of claws could be helpful."
I wrinkled. "What kind of items?"
He gave a sluggish, lethargic smile. "The kind that get people killed."
I felt a cold pass through me.
"You're asking me to fight for you?"
"I'm asking you to survive," Kieran said. "Which, from memory, is exactly what you came here for?"
He was right.
I had left behind my pack. I had no one else.
The fact was I needed him.
The actual question, though, was—could I rely on him?
And if I said yes, what sort of bargain was I actually creating?
I breathed shakily.
"You want me to stand up for you. To risk my life for whatever battle you intend to start.
Kieran raised his head. "You already tonight have jeopardized your life. With me, you won't be fighting alone—that is the difference.
One stinging ache rocketed tore across my chest.
All by yourself.
Even within my pack, I had always been by myself. Even standing next to Sebastian, acting as though I belonged.
Someone was offering something unusual for the first time.
a location.
intent.
At what price, though?
Kieran bent in, his voice a whisper against my ear.
"Say yes, Zaia. And I'll see to it Sebastian never touches you once more.
I gasped in a sucking motion.
One bit of me wanted to say no. Even if I had nowhere left to run, to turn around.
But another component, buried far below for so long, tempted me.
Extremely, really tempted.
Kieran drew back, waiting. His tolerance unsettled me.
I would answer yes, he knew.
The moment hung weighty with unsaid words.
Then—"fine."
I said the term before I could stop myself.
Kieran started to smile once more.
"Beautiful girl."
And just like that.
My death was sealed.
Zaia struck a bargain with Kieran, but was it the best one? New mysteries will surface as they get ready to meet the challenges ahead, and Zaia will discover that depending on a rogue carries a cost she never would have anticipated.
One thing is clear though: right now, there is no turning back.