"We've tortured vampires before and were never able to extract that information from them."
A deadly expression hardened Lachlain's face and his eyes turned sharply. "They've taught me much about torture."
Lachlain might be healing on the outside, but inside he was still being tormented. He was right - if he hadn't found his mate when he did...So what would happen to Lachlain if he left her to seek this revenge?
"Are you up for a war?"
Bowe gave him a bored expression. "When have I no' been? Curious, though, what the hurry is. Are you so anxious to leave your new mate just now?"
"I've told you I've little time to think of the past, but after I claim her and convince her to stay with me, then I will have to seek out this revenge."
"I understand."
"I doona know that you do. I canna ignore the vows for revenge that I made to myself every day in hell." The glass of scotch shattered. Lachlain stared down at the glinting shards and rasped, "That was all I had."
"Lachlain, you ken I'll fight by your side. Garreth and others will gladly. But I doona believe we can win. As long as they can trace, it does no' matter if we are stronger or have more numbers. We will always lose."
"Do we have more numbers?"
"Oh, aye. Hundreds of thousands now."
At Lachlain's disbelieving expression, Bowe said, "A continent away from the vampires is very comfortable for the clan. They've gone back to the old ways, having seven, eight, even ten bairns in a family. The only problem with America is that that's where two Valkyrie covens reside." He smirked. "You know how territorial your in-laws can be."
Lachlain scowled. "Doona remind me."
"By the way, if I, with my limited social engagements, heard rumors of activity up at the castle, I'm sure others did as well. You doona have a lot of time. Can you no' charm her?"
His expression stark, he admitted, "Just two nights ago, I...I almost strangled her to death while I slept."
Bowe winced, as much from the deed as from Lachlain's palpable shame.
"The same night she saw me turn against the vampires."
"Christ, Lachlain. And how'd she react to the change?"
"Found it terrifying, of course. She's even more wary of me now." He ran a hand over the back of his neck.
"Why do you no' tell her what happened to you - "
"Never. I have to believe she'll come to care for me. And if she does, that knowledge would pain her. I feel she'll come around, but I need more time. If I could just speed up the process."
Bowe drained his glass, then contemplated the bottom of it. "Get her drunk. Human males do it all the time. One night of lowering her inhibitions..."
Lachlain almost grinned, then saw Bowe was serious. "You think if I was, then she would become so?"
"Why no'?"
Lachlain shook his head. "No. No' while I've still got a chance."
When Bowe saw Lachlain repeatedly glance to the window, no doubt noting that sunset neared, he said, "Go. Be there when she wakes."
Lachlain nodded and rose. "I actually want to be there before she rises. My lass prefers to bed on the floor, but I've fought her on it. I will no longer - "
"You bloody bitch!" a woman screamed from the gallery downstairs.
21
Lachlain sprinted for the railing to spy out the gallery below.
"Cassandra's arrived," Bowe murmured from behind him, stating the obvious, because Cassandra now had Emma pinned under her trying to strangle her. Lachlain shoved his hand to the railing to jump, but Bowe hauled him back.
"Doona f**king do this, Bowe. Cass hurts her and I'll have to kill her."
When he didn't let go, Lachlain swung a fist at Bowe - out of habit, his weaker left fist. Expecting it, Bowe caught it and wrenched his arm back. "Still feel guilty for that one punch when we were boys? Again - I eventually woke. Now, look and give your mate more credit."
Lachlain did, but at the same time he raised his other elbow to jab it back in Bowe's face.
Emma slammed her forehead against Cass's nose. Lachlain hesitated.
"Your Emmaline is no' even the least bit out of breath. And if she does no' do this now, she'll be constantly challenged. You forget, we're a vicious breed that worships strength," Bowe added the last in a sneer as if he was quoting someone.
"Damn it, it does no' matter, she's small. She's coming off injuries - "
"She's wily and someone's trained her," Bowe observed coolly, releasing Lachlain when Emma gained room beneath Cass, then kicked out with both feet so fast it was a blur. She connected solidly with Cass's chest, sending her across the room. Lachlain shook his head, disbelieving his eyes.
Bowe in the meantime had gotten a scotch and pulled up chairs.
Cass threw her hair out of her face. "You'll pay for that one, leech."
Emma gave her a bored look as she gracefully stood, but her eyes had fired silver. "Bring it on."
Bowe was right - she wasn't out of breath whatsoever.
Cass rose to the challenge. She leapt at Emma, tackling her with her larger size, then gave a sharp jab at Emma's mouth.
Lachlain roared with fury, vaulting over the rail. Before he could reach them, Emma slashed out her claws at Cass, wriggled out from under her, then leapt to her feet to fully swing the back of her hand.
Lachlain knew that hit.
Cass landed against the opposite wall, a tapestry collapsing over her. She didn't get up.
Bowen dropped down behind him, exhaled, and added, "The only thing that could've made that wrestling any better was Jell-O."
When Lachlain reached Emma, he took her by the shoulders, but she jerked in reaction and punched out at him, connecting with his right eye. He clenched his jaw, shook it off, and ran his gaze over her, examining her for injuries. He winced to see the cut marring her bottom lip and yanked out his shirttail to brush against it, but she hissed in a breath.