“I’m starting to think we need to move,” Henry muttered, turning away from the door. “Haven’t you guys ever heard about calling ahead?”

“I’m sorry,” Alec told the vampire. “But I couldn’t risk making the call. I don’t know if my phone is being tracked.”

Henry paused and looked over his shoulder, his brows raising curiously. “Dare I ask?”

“I need to speak with Lane. Is she here?”

“Of course you do. It’s the curse of the Aldwin witches,” Henry snorted. “She’s here, and she’s going to say the same thing I just did: ‘Call next time.’”

“Henry, this is really important,” Alec told him urgently. “Have I ever come to you like this out of the blue?”

Henry shook his head begrudgingly. “I guess not. Is this about Raven?”

“Can you get Lane for me, Henry? I’ll explain everything, but I need to speak to her. The Council is at risk, and I’m trusting you both not to breathe a word of this to anyone.”

Henry’s mouth parted, and his face paled slightly. “Alec, we can’t keep things from the Council. What did you do?”

“It’s not about me,” Alec sighed. “It’s what Raven did…” He trailed off and raised his head. “And yeah, I guess I’m in deep shit, too.”

“I thought I heard your voice,” Lane said, sauntering into the hall, her smile wide and sweet. “How are you doing, Alec? Everything okay?”

“No,” he said shortly. “It’s really not, and you might be the only one who can help me.”

“As a vampire or as a witch?”

Alec scoffed. “As an Aldwin,” he said, casting Henry an apologetic look. “No offense, Henry.”

“None taken. I consider it a blessing that my mate is an Aldwin. How lucky am I that my mate is a direct descendant of the most powerful Enchanted being? I get all the perks—even if the Seven has no boundaries.”

Alec eyed him warily. “Has Raven been here?” he demanded.

Henry laughed. “No. But Landon popped by not too long ago.”

“Come in, Alec,” Lane urged. “Do you want something to drink?”

“No,” Alec replied, glancing at his watch. He’d already been gone too long. It worried him to think what Briar was going through by herself at the cabin, alone with her own thoughts.

“Sit down,” Lane instructed, her wise eyes studying him closely. “Does this have to do with the robbery?”

“Like I said,” Alec reiterated. “What I tell you now has to stay between us.” He looked meaningfully at Henry. “If you can’t adhere to those terms, I’ll have to go.”

“Alec…” Henry started, but Lane held up a small hand to stop him from continuing.

“Consider us priests,” she interjected. “Tell us what’s going on.”

Alec sat on the edge of a winged chair and looked at his hands, folding and unfolding them nervously.

“Know I wouldn’t be here if I had another option,” he began, and Henry muttered something under his breath. Alec stared at him angrily. “You can probably count on one hand how many times I’ve asked you for anything in the years I’ve known you, Henry,” Alec snapped, and Henry had the decency to look contrite.

“Go on,” the vampire muttered.

“Raven is trying to kill the woman she believes is responsible for the robbery. She almost succeeded last night.”

The couple stared at him in surprise.

“What do you mean, ‘almost succeeded’?” Lane asked slowly. “Raven isn’t really the type to do anything half-assed.”

“No,” Alec agreed. “And the bullet she put through Briar’s heart should have done the trick.”

Lane gasped. “Please tell me you’re kidding! She can’t do that!”

“Well, she did.”

“The girl survived that? What hospital is she at?” Henry demanded, his eyes huge in disbelief.

“She’s not at a hospital, and yes, she survived it…” Alec bit on his lower lip, suddenly unsure if he was doing the right thing. Of all the members of the Council, he was certain that Henry and Lane would not sell him out. Theo might not, either, but that didn’t change the fact that he was asking a lot of them.

“Go on, Alec, what is it?”

“I think she’s got Enchanted blood.”

“Oh, Christ,” Henry breathed. “This story is not getting any better.”

“How do you know?” Lane asked, shooting her lover a scathing look. “Are you sure?”

“She was in a car accident two days ago, which broke several bones, which healed within hours. I watched the bullet force itself out of her body. She’s not mortal, but I don’t think she knows it.”

“So let me get this straight,” Henry grunted. “You have a clueless Enchanted running around robbing us, and she’s evaded death because she’s oblivious?”

“She didn’t rob us.” Alec’s words rang through with conviction. It didn’t matter what Alicia or Raven or Drake thought about Briar. He knew her as well as he knew himself. He had been drawn to her, sent by Miriam to protect her from the night it had happened.

“How can you be sure?” Lane asked gently. “Raven is sure she was there—”

“Raven went against the Council and tried to kill a mortal without just cause. You know as well as I do what the punishment for her will be if the rest of the Seven finds out about this,” Alec interjected. “But I don’t want to turn her in. I know she’s not always rational, none more so than when she’s enraged. I’m furious with her, but I don’t want her stricken from the Council or brought up on death charges.”

Lane’s eyes softened. “What do you want, Alec?” she asked gently.

“I need you to make Raven believe that Briar is dead. She can’t continue to hunt her down.”

“Send her away!” Henry snapped, shaking his head in disbelief. “Why are you coming to us?”

“I can’t send her away.” The words hung over them, and while Henry didn’t seem to understand why, Alec could read Lane’s expression clearly. She gets it.

“Raven is bound to find out about Briar eventually, Alec,” Lane told him reasonably. “No matter how hard you try to hide it from her.”

“There has to be a way to get her off Briar’s tail,” Alec insisted. “Before she comes back for her. Raven will realize sooner or later that Briar isn’t mortal, and she’ll bite her.”

“This is insane!” Henry growled. “The only solution is to tell the Council and rein her in. She’s out of control.”

“She’ll be thrown off the Council!” Alec barked. “And she really thinks she’s punishing one of the people responsible for what happened that night.”

“Maybe she deserves to be thrown off the Council. Being a loose cannon is not a good trait, even for a demon,” Henry insisted, but Lane shook her head.

“No, Alec is right. We promised not to say anything, and we won’t. But there’s only one way we’re going to get Briar out from under Raven’s radar.”

Alec stared at her imploringly. “I’m all ears.”

“First, are you sure that Briar is innocent?” Lane asked, her gaze fixed on Alec. “Because if you have any doubt, Alec—”

“She had nothing to do with this.”

“Do you know who did?”

Alec gritted his teeth and looked down. If I sell Colton out, Briar will never forgive me, no matter how much he deserves it.

“Alec, you can’t have it both ways,” Lane said quietly. “You can’t protect the innocent and the guilty.”

“What will you do?” Alec asked. It was a stupid question. He knew exactly what was going to be done to Colton and his accomplices.

Lane shot Henry a look. “There’s only one thing we can do,” she replied. “We have to get him to confess and give up his co-conspirators, ensuring he excludes Briar’s name.”

A feeling of dread washed through Alec as he imagined what Briar would do if she learned what he had done.

“Raven will kill him instead,” Alec muttered.

“Not necessarily,” Lane said, and the dragon jerked his head up quickly to look at her curiously.

“How do you figure?”

“Raven’s main concern was her rings. Yes, her ego was wounded, but if we can get our hands on those rings, we might lessen the pressure building in her mind before it explodes.”

“Assuming he hasn’t sold them.”

“Well, we have to start somewhere,” Lane replied. She paused and stared at him closely. “Are you sure about this girl, Alec? Is she really worth all this?” Without hesitation, he nodded eagerly.

“She is.” It was all Lane needed to hear, and she smiled warmly.

“Fine,” she said sweetly. “Then let’s get this mess resolved once and for all. Give me a name.” Alec inhaled and closed his eyes, knowing that he was about to open Pandora’s Box. “Alec?”

“Colton. Colton Baker.” He opened his eyes.

“Baker?” Henry echoed. “Any relation to the girl?”

“It’s her brother. He stole her van and used it for the heist.”

“What a prince,” Henry muttered, sinking into a chair.

“We’ll go easy on him,” Lane said quietly. “Go back to Briar now and keep her safe. We’ll be in touch soon.”

Alec rose and nodded gratefully toward the pair. “I’m sorry I dragged you into this, but…”

“She’s your mate,” Lane finished. “You don’t have to explain it to us.”

He offered them a wan smile and let himself out without another word. For the first time since the ordeal had begun, Alec found himself feeling surer of the outcome, and he hurried out of the back door of the condo building, shifting into his dragon form, twisting heavenward into a massive form of greenish-black scales.

Even though it was the middle of the night in New York, the city was alive, but Alec couldn’t be bothered to check and see if he had been witnessed disappearing into the sky. His only thoughts were of getting back to Briar at the cottage. Inherently, he could feel that she was awake and calling out for him in her confusion and fear.

I’m coming, he promised her silently. I’ll be there soon.

As he soared through the air, he thought about what would happen after Raven was placated. He needed to explain to Briar who she was, and Alec had no idea how she might handle such information. If Raven was ever placated.

Lane’s optimism was not contagious. Alec couldn’t help but feel that her way was too simple. In Raven’s mind, Briar had not only robbed from her, but humiliated her a second time by not dying.

He landed near the cabin and saw the light glow of the TV inside but no movement as he stalked toward the door. Alec paused outside, the desire to burst through the door and tell Briar the truth about herself overwhelming him. What would she say to him?

He knew what she would do—the very same thing she had done at the house: run. And I can’t afford to lose her again, not until Raven and Drake are disarmed.

Alec stalked toward the back door, but before he could enter, he froze, his nostrils flaring as he sensed someone else nearby.

“Who’s there?” he growled, his eyes glowing like heated embers through the night. There was no obvious movement, but Alec knew he was not alone. “I know you’re out there,” he hissed, deliberately keeping his voice low as to not arouse Briar’s attention. “Show yourself.” He backed away, doing a three-sixty with his body as he moved. “Raven?”

And as quickly as it had come, the scent was lost. Alec stood, feeling ridiculous for a long moment.

Did I imagine that? If it was Raven, she wouldn’t have stayed back. She would have made her presence known.

Once more, he spun around, his eyes shining through the night. But there was nothing to be seen. Alec had been around long enough to know not to dismiss his sixth sense. In this instance, however, he chalked up the feeling to overwrought nerves, and he moved toward the door again.

“You’re back!” Briar gasped, sitting up on the sofa, relief flooding her eyes. “I was getting worried about you.” She peered at him, her smile fading slightly. “Where are all the supplies?”

“In the car. I just wanted to come and check on you first. Everything okay?”

“I’m just a nervous wreck,” she confessed, rising from the sofa to greet him. “I’ll help you with the stuff.”

“No,” he told her, extending his arms toward her. “Just relax. I’ll take care of it.”

“Relax,” she scoffed. “I’m being hunted. It’s hard to relax.”

“I know,” he replied, kissing her forehead as he wrapped his arms around her. Instantly, he felt her body melt against him, sinking into his barrel chest easily.

“How do you do that?” Briar murmured.

“Do what?”

“You just touch me and I’m putty.”

He chuckled lightly. “Are you complaining?” His hands stroked the fine strands of her blonde mane, his nose inhaling her sweet scent.

Briar’s hands slipped around the back of his shirt to draw him closer, her palms sliding into the back pocket of his jeans.

“Hasn’t work been wondering where you are?” she murmured, and Alec snickered.

“I’m the boss, remember?” he asked, peering down into her face. “I make the rules.”

“And break them too, I’m guessing.” Alec stared at her intently.

“I’ve never much felt like breaking the rules before I met you,” he told her sincerely. Their eyes locked, and a fuzzy smile formed over Briar’s lips, encouraging his lips to press against her mouth.

“I’m a bad influence, I guess.” Alec responded with a long, deep kiss, his hand encircling the base of her neck. A small sigh escaped her mouth. “It’s just so odd that with everything going on, I feel completely safe in your arms,” she muttered.

“Everyone needs an anchor,” he murmured. “There’s no shame in that.”

She dropped her head back and grinned at him. “I never said I felt guilty about it,” she replied wickedly. Alec’s eyebrow shot up in surprise.

“Oh, no?” he asked innocently. “Let’s see if we can’t change that, then.” Before she could protest, he had swept her up in his arms, striding toward the bedroom to lay her on the bed.

“Where did you come from?” Briar asked, their foreheads almost touching as they looked at each other.

“That’s a story for another time,” he replied. “Tonight, there’s no more talking.”