“He’ll do it for me.”

“Will he tell anyone about Kira? Or want her dead because of what happened to her?”

Lavos didn’t hesitate. “He’ll be fine with it. Shocked, but he’s gone on trips with me. He has no love for Vampires but he didn’t hassle the city ones we came across. He’s pretty mellow about other races as long as they don’t fuck with him.”

“Send him in twenty minutes. I’ll meet him where I met with Davis. I’ll go talk to our father. This bullshit has got to stop before there are deaths. No mate is going to want to be parted from his family. The other elders will follow his lead once I get our father straightened out.”

“Dad isn’t going to listen to you, Lorn.”

“I’ll make him.”

“What are you going to do if he won’t back down and Nabby still listens to him?”

“Nabby can’t threaten violence against the men trying to protect their families if I fuck him up first.”

“Don’t challenge Nabby unless I’m there. I don’t trust him to fight fair.”

“Neither do I. Meet me at our parents’ home in half an hour.”

“Will do.”

Lorn hung up and went back inside the den. Kira slept on. He crouched next to her and reached out, caressing her cheek. She didn’t stir but he detected her faint heartbeat and her slow, steady breathing. He rose and changed his clothing. Then he left her a note, since he doubted he’d return before dark.

Worry came next. What if she woke hungry and tried to seek out food on her own?

Damn.

He locked up the den when he left and erased all traces around it to make it impossible for Kar to locate the entrance. He reached the designated spot before the other man.

Kar arrived on time, looking grim. “I’m sorry about Kira.”

“She’s not dead. How much did my brother tell you?”

“Everything.” His gaze drifted to Lorn’s throat. “He said you’re feeding her but I don’t see bites.”

“You won’t. I heal too fast. Do you have a problem with this?”

Kar shook his head. “I’ve always felt she got a bad deal with the clan. I like her. We’ve worked shifts together.”

“You’ve never given me a reason to beat you.”

“I’m not into bullying someone weaker or making her life harder. That bullshit is for pussies.”

Lorn had always liked Kar. The guy kept to himself and never caused problems. He’d also refused to become one of Decker’s enforcers, instead choosing to patrol and protect the territory for the clan. “Good. I don’t plan to be gone long but shit happens. It’s doubtful that I’ll get back before dark.”

Kar grimaced. “Oh man. I don’t even like mosquitoes.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“You want me to feed her, right?”

“Fuck no!” Lorn snarled. He remembered what she was like in bloodlust. He’d rip Kar apart if the guy took advantage of her while she was out of her head.

“Sorry. You mentioned dark and she’s going to wake hungry. Vamps always do unless they’re older.”

“I built my den to keep shit out, not in. It’s possible she could escape. I want you to swear you’ll catch her without causing any harm. I better not even find a bruise—and I’ll check every inch of her. Understand? She’s stronger than she used to be but she’s still little. Just secure her and find her something to feed from. But not rabbits. She’s got a fondness for them. Try a deer, or something she won’t kill by taking too much blood from it to survive.”

Kar just gaped at him.

“She’s still Kira. She can go a little wild when she’s hungry but she’d feel horrible if she ends up bleeding something to death.”

Kar’s expression showed sympathy. “Kira always seemed tenderhearted.”

“She still is.”

“I can do that. I don’t want to hurt her.”

“You’d better not. She’s mine.” Lorn took a step closer, his eyes reflecting his Lycan traits to show how strongly he felt about her. “Remember it.”

Kar backed up and dropped his gaze. “I always knew that.”

Lorn was surprised. “How?”

Kar looked up at him and arched his eyebrows. “Are you for real? You’ve been beating the shit out of anyone who sniffed after her for as long as I can remember. She was your little shadow when we were kids. Wherever you where, there she was. Some thought you’d adopted her like some kind of pet, but I’m not blind. She’s sexy. I couldn’t spend that much time with a woman who looks that good and just keep it friends. I figured you’ve been secret lovers for years.”

“The lover part is new, but I’ll fucking kill you if you take advantage of her during bloodlust. She belongs to me. Just keep that in mind if I’m not back in time and she gets out. She doesn’t want you, just your blood. Touch her sexually and you’re dead.”

“You have my word.”

“I’m trusting you with the most important person in my life.”

“I’ll protect her, even from herself. I swear.”

“Thank you. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

“Do you want to tell me where your den is so I can catch her before she gets too far if she escapes?”

Lorn hesitated, then jerked his head in the direction he’d come. “She’s not a prisoner, but it’s for her safety to remain inside. Don’t investigate that stand of boulders too closely but that’s where you want to keep an eye out.”

“I’ll never tell anyone.”

“You’d better not.”

Kar smiled. “My den is actually hidden beneath my house. I figured no one would look for it there. Now you know my secret. We’re even.”

His respect for Kar increased. “I appreciate that.”

“Know your enemy but have faith in your friends. We’re in this together, Lorn. Decker is gone and I don’t want him coming back. I also don’t want things to remain the way they were. Lavos said you’re willing to take over. I pledge my allegiance to you.”

Those weren’t just words. A serious commitment had been made.