"Look, it's a spell you've done for me before."
His brow furrowed in confusion. I sighed before leaning forward and tapping the skin under my eye again and gave him a meaningful look. The penny dropped and understanding dawned.
He shook his head. "She's with the wolves on their territory. I'm not risking a war with them just so you can check on her."
"You afraid of a few people with a serious moon allergy?" I asked, folding my arms over my chest.
He snorted. "Hardly, I could snap them in half with barely a thought. However, they outnumber me a hundred to one and fighting them off would take time and energy from other pursuits—ones that pay quite a bit better."
I wiggled my jaw as I considered how much to tell him.
He'd shown an attachment to Caroline in the past—enough that he put aside his hatred for me for the most part—to help me when the demon had her. It was an attachment that concerned me when she'd been human. As a wolf, she would have more protection should he try to practice any of his shenanigans on her, but did I really want to risk it?
Without his help, it would take me three times as long to track her on my own. Each night she spent on the run was another night for Brax to grow fed up with her stubbornness and give the kill order. So yes, it was worth it. I hoped.
"Caroline escaped from their little compound in Kentucky," I said, making my decision as I leaned against the table. "She's back in Columbus and on the run. From what Brax tells me, things might not go well for her if we don’t find her first."
Peter paused in rearranging his beakers and frowned. "That's not good. They don't like it when a pup bucks the system. They'll feel the need to hunt her down and make her a lesson, to prevent others from doing the same."
That did not fill me with confidence about turning Caroline back over to Brax. It put even more doubts in my head than had been there before.
"Brax said there were those in his pack who'd urged him to put her down because of the demon taint." I wouldn’t let them treat her like a rabid dog. I'd fight a second war, one with more at stake than the first one, to prevent any further harm from falling on Caroline.
His frown turned troubled, his gaze turning inward as he looked around the room with unseeing eyes.
I pressed my advantage. "You see why I'm eager to find her before Brax and his pack does."
"Yes, that would be in her best interests."
"So, you'll help me by putting together a tracking spell?" I asked.
His gaze focused on his hands, and he seemed lost in thought.
"Peter? You'll help me, right?"
He looked up at me, regret in his eyes. "I can't."
"Why not? Do you need more ingredients? Fine, I can give you my other eye." I wasn't happy about that, but it would grow back. Probably. It might be able to see the same shadow world that my left eye did, but at least I wouldn't be seeing two versions of the same thing all the time.
He flinched and shook his head—the movement frantic. "No, no. That won't be necessary."
I stared at him with narrowed eyes. Something was up. That was not the reaction of the sorcerer I remembered. "It's not a big deal. You know I'd do anything to help Caroline, and it'll grow back."
Faster if I sucked down some of Liam's super-charged blood.
"No, that won't work," he said, turning and busying himself with rearranging items on another desk.
"Why not? It worked the first time." Frustration crept into my tone. This was supposed to be an easy transaction. I told Peter what I needed. He'd hem and haw for a few minutes, maybe blather on about payment, before eventually giving in and helping me.
He slammed down a book. "First—it didn't work the first time. The spell didn't react the way it should have, and I refuse to chance a rebound with a spell I already know doesn't work properly."
I blinked at that, my mouth opening to ask what a 'rebound' was. He continued before I got the chance.
"Second—that spell only works once. Using it to track Caroline again would be pointless."
"What about another spell?" I asked, not wanting to give up. "There must be something in your bag of tricks."
"I'm not a magician," he snapped, power swirling around his hands. Seeing it, he flicked his hand and it disappeared. "I cannot just whip up a spell whenever it suits you."
I cocked my head. If he had the cuff on, he shouldn't be able to draw power or use it. The fact that he could meant he'd either been successful in his experiments, or that there was something more going on than he had chosen to share.
"Not even for Caroline?" I asked, watching him carefully.
He shook his head, avoiding my eyes. "Much as I'd like to help you, I can't."
I tapped my fingers on the table, giving him the stare I used to give Privates. The one that said I meant business.
"She said she was going to call in a favor," I said slowly, mulling over the information I'd spent the night uncovering. My neighbors had given me a couple of vague pieces, but that didn't mean they weren't relevant. "She didn't come to me for that favor, and you're the only other spook she knows."
Peter paused in rearranging his table, a guarded look on his face.
"Does the reason you won't help me have anything to do with that favor?" I asked.
"Don't be absurd. She wouldn't even know where to find me."
Hm. That was true. Although, he did spend several days with her after she was first turned, before Brax kicked him out. It was possible he'd told her how to contact him or given her one of those summoning charms he'd given me when we were hunting the draugr.
"Somehow, I just don't believe you," I told him.
"I don't care what you believe. I can't help you, and I'm asking you to leave."
The door I'd come through burst open with a crack and an invisible blast that felt like someone had punched me in the chest. I was guessing that blast was Peter's ward breaking. Liam, accompanied by Nathan and Eric, strode into the room.
"It seems you were wrong, Nathan. Our previous talk with the sorcerer did get through to him," Liam said, barely glancing at Peter before his eyes landed on me.
Peter flinched, and he drew his arms in to cross them over his chest, looking like he was almost hugging himself.
I looked between the two. So, it wasn't me he'd been afraid of. Rather, he feared what Liam would do when he found out about my little visit.
"Are they the reason you won't help me?" I asked, giving him a warning look. I hoped Liam had missed the question about the favor Caroline may have been after. It could be I was wrong, and she hadn't come to Peter, but if she had I didn't want to tip off my hand.