Page 66 of Cursed By Fate

“Knox? Short for Obnoxious?” He looked at me, only semi-apologetic. “Like I could ignore the obvious? It was right there.”

“On the surface, it looks like a good thing. The wolves are calmer. They’re not fighting.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“He isn’t a real alpha. There’s some kind of mental manipulation at work that reminds me of compulsion.”

“And now I see why you’ve come to me.” He curled his fingers around his coffee cup. “You think he’s using vampire blood?”

“I was thinking of compulsion without the vampire blood since that would kill him.” Vampire blood was lethal to werewolves, as far as I knew.

“Could be microdosing. I’ve heard talk of people injecting themselves with vampire blood to gain strength or whatever. It’s possible if the dose is fractional enough, it gives him powers without killing him.”

“That’s quite a risk for a small reward.”

“Depends on the person. Being in charge of a large group of werewolves at this stage in his life might be his only reason to keep living. A nice, juicy ego boost.”

I thought about my quick sweep of his condo. “I checked his place and didn’t see any vampire blood or injectables.”

“Then I doubt he’s using any. He’d want it close by, plus he’d have to keep the blood cool, or it’ll curdle after a few days, especially in the heat and humidity.”

“What about compulsion without vampire blood?”

“Then it has no relation to vampires.”

“Thanks, Cowboy. This is helpful.”

He tipped the rim of his hat. “You help us. I’m happy to return the favor. Besides, anytime you set foot on Savannah soil, Vale gets a spring in his step. It’s a win-win for all of us.”

“There’s nothing between us,” I said, a tad too quickly.

“Sure, just like there’s nothing between a black hole and the space debris it pulls into its orbit.”

I disliked that I’d had a similar thought about Keith. “I’m neither space debris nor a black hole.”

Cowboy grinned. “Give me time. I’ll come up with a more complimentary analogy.”

“Please don’t devote any more oxygen to it. You’ve wasted enough as it is.”

He chuckled. “What’s the problem? Rich, good-looking demigod doesn’t meet your standards?”

“It isn’t about standards.”

“Now that I’ve answered your questions about my powers, I have a question about yours.”

I cursed inwardly. “What about them?”

“Remember that faerie we fought not too long ago. The one in the fancy house with the antiques.”

“Leanne.”

“That’s the one.”

Leanne had been a wily faerie who’d been draining a Neighbor of his life essence. With the help of Vale and his team, I was able to find her before she killed him.

“I caught the tail-end of your fight with her in the square,” Cowboy continued.

“Weird, huh? Once we broke her connection with Ronald, she turned into a shriveled husk.”