Page 3 of Dermot

There was a note of finality in Bastien’s mother’s voice that Bastien agreed with. She knew what he was planning, and she agreed with it. Bastien would’ve done it even without that, but he was glad to have his family’s support. He didn’t know what the clan would do, and he couldn’t do this on his own.

“I will,” he promised.

It took him a few more minutes to get his mother to hang up, and when she did, he sucked in a breath as he slid his phone into his pocket. He stared at what he could see of the village. From where he was, it didn’t look like much, even with the people he could see moving around. These villages rarely looked like much, though. Bastien’s certainly hadn’t. But this village was surrounded by shields and highly protected by magic. Even though it looked like anyone could waltz in, there was no way that was the case.

But he’d been told where to go. He hiked his backpack higher on his shoulder and headed toward what seemed to be the village’s entrance after leaving his car hidden between the trees in case they didn’t want it inside. It was set away from the village itself, and there was a guard standing there, looking bored. The man straightened his back as soon as he heard Bastien coming closer, though, and by the time Bastien was close enough, the man was staring him down.

“My name is Bastien,” he told him. “Rowan and Clay are expecting me.”

The guard nodded. “Wait here.”

Bastien was pretty sure he didn’t have a choice, even if he’d tried to get into the village. The shields wouldn’t let him. He didn’t have to try to be sure of that, and he wasn’t about to make these people think he was an enemy. As much as he yearned to get to his sister, he was going to have to wait until the guard and Rowan were ready for him to go in. Hopefully, that wouldn’t be long. His sister was in there somewhere, hurt and alone, and it was all Parrish’s fault. Bastien was going to make sure the Kudlak paid for everything he’d done to Celeste.

And he’d do it on his own if he had to.

* * * *

“THERE’S A GUY AT THE entrance of the village,” the guard declared as soon as he stepped into the room.

Celeste’s eyes widened. “That’s my brother.”

“He says his name is Bastien,” the guard added.

Celeste looked completely different now. She was smiling widely, and it was a stark difference from the tired, beaten-down woman she’d been until a few seconds ago. Dermot told himself not to find it odd. Of course she was happy that her brother was here. It didn’t mean she’d been faking.

She might have been. Dermot would keep an eye on her, just like he’d decided to do. Hopefully, she’d be gone from the village soon, but he knew that no matter how much he hoped for that, it wouldn’t happen. He was pretty sure that Rowan and Clay would want to use her against Parrish, which was a good plan, even though Dermot didn’t like it. If it meant getting rid of Parrish permanently, though, he was willing to deal with Celeste for a little while longer. It meant he’d have to deal with her brother, too, but Dermot was a strong Vila. He had his magic on his side, while Bastien was just a Krsnik. Yes, he could shift into an animal, and he was strong and no doubt capable and trained, but that didn’t mean he’d win in a fight with Dermot.

Not that Dermot was planning on fighting him. He was pretty sure that Rowan would kick him out of the clan if he tried that, and for now, he didn’t have a reason to fight anyone.

For now.

Clay got to his feet. “That’s good. I’ll go and warn Rowan.”

“I’ll go talk to Bastien,” Dermot said before anyone could volunteer. Someone would have to take down the shield to let Bastien in, and why not Dermot?

Clay grimaced a little, a sure sign that he knew that Dermot wasn’t going to be nice. He looked around the room, then pointed at Tamsin, who was also getting to his feet. “Take him with you. You, too, Jimmy.”

Dermot glared. “I’m more than capable of keeping the village safe from one Krsnik.”

“I never said you weren’t. My job is to keep you safe, too, though. We don’t know who’s lurking out there. Maybe Parrish is waiting for someone to be let into the village to follow them in. I want you to be prepared, just in case, and not to have to face that alone.”

It was a good explanation, even though Dermot was pretty sure it was a lie. He continued glaring on his way out, muttering as he walked past Clay.

“He thinks I need a babysitter,” he told Tamsin as they stepped out of the house.

Hamlin chuckled, and Dermot stared at him until he looked like he’d rather be anywhere but there. Good. Dermot wanted him to leave.

But Tamsin wasn’t that easily deterred. “Well, don’t you?” he asked.

He looked peaceful in a way he hadn’t before meeting his mate. Dermot didn’t understand why he’d feel peaceful now. Nico was a Kudlak. He’d almost betrayed them all. Dermot didn’t understand why Tamsin had given into their bond, and he understood even less why Tamsin trusted Nico. Everyone at the village seemed to, and as far as Dermot was concerned, that made them fools. Unfortunately, they were the fools who made the decisions, and he didn’t.

“We don’t know this guy,” Dermot said. “In fact, the only thing we know about him is his name and that he’s Celeste’s brother. Celeste is Parrish’s mate.”

“Not because she ever wanted to be. Besides, even if she did want to be Parrish’s mate, it doesn’t mean that her brother is on his side.”

Dermot snorted. “Of course he is. He’s her brother.”

“Well, clearly Clay doesn’t want you to scare Bastien off. It’s why he sent me and Jimmy with you. Are you going to be able to talk to him civilly, or am I going to have to separate the two of you?”