Curse And Craving

37

Chapter Sixteen I WOKE IN RONAN’S ARMS AS HE CARRIED ME INSIDE THE HUNTSMAN TO A conference room with a large oval table and thirteen chairs. He gently set me down on a black leather sofa along the back wall. The cool leather was a shocking contrast to my heated skin, stirring up goose bumps on my arms and legs. Shortly after, Lochlan joined us with a large first-aid kit. “Rebecca, we need to cut away your shirt so that we can treat the wound.” He pulled out a pair of bent scissors with rounded ends. I nodded my consent, and he cut from the neckline of my shirt down the length of my arm so that he could peel the entire top right portion of my shirt away. “I really liked that shirt,” I murmured dazedly. Lochlan cut through my bra strap, and our eyes connected. Adrenaline brought me fully awake. “I can get you one of mine,” he offered quietly, his eyes returning to my wound. Tension marred his features. “Is something wrong?” I peered down at my chest and discovered that what I had thought was a serious stab wound looked more like a bad cut, about an inch long and not terribly deep. I was relieved, especially since they hadn’t taken me to a hospital, but confused because I had watched just inches from my face as the knife had sunk excruciatingly slowly into my chest. The necklace had helped me heal. That was the only explanation. Lochlan had to be aware that my body had repaired itself at an unnaturally fast pace, and I wondered if he was going to say something. Instead, he carried on cleaning the wound, which hurt like a b***h, and bandaged it with butterfly strips and a gauze pad. “This should take care of it.” He pulled a blanket off the back of the couch and wrapped it around my shoulders, wincing as he moved. “You need to treat your wounds. I can't believe I let you work on me when you have two arrows in your chest,” I fussed to no avail. “I'm fine. One of the guys will clean me up after our meeting.” His voice was haggard. I wished I could do something to help him, but I wouldn’t get anywhere arguing with him. We had been alone in the room, and I wasn’t sure where Ronan had gone, but I was glad for the bit of privacy his absence had allowed. However, the reprieve was short-lived as Ronan reappeared with bottles of water, crackers, and an extra blanket. “You need to drink some water and have a couple of crackers. The sugars in your system will help with the shock.” I reached for a bottle with trembling fingers. “I’m feeling better, but this will help. Thank you.” He was still visibly upset, shooting a harsh glare at Lochlan. “Your recklessness nearly got her killed.” Lochlan ignored the accusation. “Why exactly were you there, Ronan? I believe the plan was for the rest of you to stay here tonight on call.” His words were deceptively calm, but the gleam in his eyes was lethal. “I was worried about Rebecca. When I heard from Liam that she had gone with you, I rushed over to make sure nothing went wrong, and I’m glad I did. If I hadn’t shown up, you would have been sorely outnumbered.” The snarl of disgust on his face soured his features. Lochlan grabbed Ronan and slammed his back against the wall. “And why was that, Ronan? Why the f**k did I walk into what looked like a well-laid trap?” The room sparked with energy. “I don’t know, Lochlan. What the f**k are you accusing me of?” Lochlan swung a fist into Ronan's face with a sickening crunch. The hair on my arms stood on end in anticipation of Ronan’s retaliation. Instead, he slowly turned back to Lochlan with blood dripping off his chin and a bone-chilling smile. “That’s right, you always did want to take my head off. Going to see if you can finish the job this time?” Lochlan grabbed him by the shirt, but before he could make another move, Ronan landed a vicious uppercut to his gut. Liam, Michael, and the others filtered into the room at that moment, pulling the two enemies apart with no small show of force. “What the f**k is going on here?” barked Michael. He got in Lochlan’s face, shoving him to get his attention. “Same s**t as always,” muttered one of the others. “Shut the f**k up, Sean.” Lochlan yanked out of Michael’s grasp. “Everyone sit. There’s a lot to discuss.” Ronan walked with an impassive expression to the opposite end of the table as Lochlan. As the room filled, murmurs and shared looks set me on edge. A few men sat at the oval table while others remained standing and grumbled in my direction. The man who had refused me access to the club the night before addressed Lochlan sharply. “She can't stay here while we discuss business.” The room quieted. “She was there tonight and has information to offer. She stays.” Lochlan’s commanding tone brooked no argument. After a heartbeat, the men who remained standing went warily to their chairs and sat at the table. The importance of this moment wasn’t lost on me. Had these men ever allowed an outsider to witness their inner workings, let alone a human woman? My seat, though not technically at the table, was a statement both to the other men and me. After everyone settled, Lochlan addressed the group in a grave tone. “Tonight, I went to the site of a suspected portal opening, like we have on many occasions recently. However, this time, I was met with a dozen Red Caps.” The room came alive with the low hum of men's voices. “Had they just come through the portal?” one of the men asked. “No, they were hidden in shadow, awaiting my arrival. Without question, this was a setup.” Michael spoke up, addressing the group. “I agree. A group of Red Caps that large had to have been assembled. They’re too self-serving to remain in numbers for long. Not without the command of someone as powerful as Mab.” Various heads nodded, and the room buzzed with murmurs of agreement. “Everyone here understands the implications. Those of us in the room were the only ones who knew I was going to the garage tonight. Yet somehow, I was set up. That means information was somehow leaked from our group—unintentionally or otherwise.” Lochlan’s stare rounded the room poignantly. “If they figured out that we’d taken the Fae traitor, they might have assumed he’d squeal,” someone offered. “The last portal was closed when we entered the building. There’s no way they could have known that we showed up just after,” responded Michael.