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“No.”
“What do you mean no?”
“No, you’re not going with him.”
I crossed my arms. “Who decided that?”
He put on his “I’m alpha and I’m putting my foot down” expression. “I decided.”
“You don’t get to decide. I’m not under your authority.”
“Yes, you are. Without you the fight will happen, but without me and the Pack, it won’t. I command the superior force, therefore I’m in charge. You and your army of one can put yourself under my authority or you can take a walk.”
“You don’t think I can do it, is that it?”
“No, I want you where I can see you.”
“Why?”
His lip quivered with the beginning of a snarl. His face relaxed, as he brought himself under control.
“Because that’s how I want it,” he said, using a slow, patient voice reserved for rowdy children and disagreeable mental patients. It drove me to the edge of reason. I really wanted to punch him.
“Just out of curiosity, how do you expect to prevent me from coming with Bran?”
“I’ll hog-tie you, gag you, and have three shapeshifters sit on you for the duration of the fight.”
I was about to tell him that he wouldn’t, but his eyes assured me that he would. I wouldn’t get my way.
Not this time. Good moment for a new strategy.
“Very well. I’ll be good, but on one condition. I want fifteen seconds before the fight. Just me between the Fomorian ranks and your people.”
“Why?”
Because I had a crazy idea. I wanted to do something that would make my dad and Greg turn in their graves. I had nothing to lose. We might all die anyway.
I didn’t answer. I just looked at him. Either he would trust me or not.
“You have them,” Curran said.
CHAPTER 24
THE PACK HAD SHIT FOR BLADES. IT FIGURED: THEYdidn’t need them. I went through the weapons in their armory one by one, and found nothing. I wanted a second sword and Curran said I could borrow any one I wanted.