Page 90 of Brandon’s Mate

A crow cawed harshly three times, and the birds broke off their attack, rising up to circle through the sky overhead.

Raines stalked forward, looking like he thought he was the Emperor of Fucking Everywhere. Brandon caught the gleam of gold on his wrist—a wide bracelet.

Bad sign. Wide gold bracelets usually meant dragon magic. And dragon magic in the hands of evil psychotics meant disaster.

Brandon and Kitty exchanged glances. If they took him out now, the panthers would lose their leader. Was it worth it? Her look said, “Go for it.”

They bunched their hindquarters to leap at him—and he raised his left arm. The bracelet glowed with orange light, and suddenly neither of them could move.

What the hell?

Raines smiled—a fucked-up, psychotic, self-satisfied smile.

“Hello, Brother,” he said. “You are now under my command.”

Summoning all his mental strength, Brandon Changed to human. It was slow and excruciating, and Raines looked like he was getting off on watching him suffer.

Brandon got to his feet and faced him.

“I’m not your brother,” he said, his voice harsh and rasping. “My father was Xander Fierro.”

Raines’ eyes flashed panther green.

“Lies! He claimed you, but your father was Alton Raines. Fierro took you into hiding so you could rule the warriors of Broken Hill one day. But that is my destiny. Mine!”

Seriously? They were fighting this battle all over again?

Raines looked around. “Where is your father?” he demanded. “The rest of your traitorous crew?”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Brandon said. “They’re not here.”

Raines’ eyes widened, then narrowed. “So those were lies as well.” He raised his voice. “Caleb!”

There was no answer from the crows, just the sound of wings flapping overhead. Brandon hoped that meant Caleb was dead.

Raines was obviously pissed not to get an answer, but like a true narcissist he quickly regrouped and returned to the only thing that was important in his world—himself. “No matter,” he said. “I will deal with the others in due time. Here and now, I will best you, as was foretold, and my destiny will be fulfilled.”

He was totally, completely delusional.

“Is that why you had Nick Cadoulec killed?” Brandon asked. “Because he was my friend? To help ‘best’ me?”

Raines gave a chilling laugh. “If I’d known he was your friend I would have killed him myself. Slowly.” Brandon believed him. “No,” Raines said, “He overreached himself and learned too much. He simply needed to be disposed of.”

Like he was trash. Brandon growled. “You’re going to die for that.”

Raines laughed again. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with. You have no power over me. You will submit to me—”

“Not going to happen.”

“And then I’m going to make you kill your friends. Starting with her.” He pointed to Kitty.

Brandon stared at him. This was what his dad had walked away from. This was who Brandon might have been, if Xander had made a different choice.

He’d never been so grateful to his dad in his entire life.

“You can’t make me submit,” he said to Raines. He’d die first.

“Yes I can.”