Seduced by Power by Alex Lux Page B

witness the beating of his family while he could do nothing.
    Ocean rushed toward me, long hair disheveled and face full of violent worry. "If you haven't killed his ass yet, can I?"
    I laughed and despite the stabbing in my ribs, it felt good. "Bankun is back in his prison. Now we just have Mother to deal with."
    "That's what we were talking about." She looked up at Derek. "You look like hell. No one blames you, you know. It wasn't your fault."
    Ocean knew how to read people.
    Derek's shoulders relaxed a fraction. "I still feel guilty."
    The room was full of O'Conners. I'd met them all at various pack gatherings, but still couldn't remember everyone's name.
    Lauren and David came to hug Derek and talk to him. I slipped away as Jasmine and Blake walked downstairs.
    Blake had recovered better than I had with that bit of oil. Had he licked the floor or something?
    "Thank you for your help, Blake." I searched his eyes for any emotion, knowing how hard it must be for him to team up with us against his own self-interests.
    He ran a finger over my cheek. "I wish I could have done more."
    I found multiple meanings in his words, but didn't question them. We could never be, so there was no point in opening those wounds.
    Jasmine grabbed my hand. "Rose, can we talk outside for a few minutes? I need to ask you something."
    My sister hadn't come to me for anything in so long that unexpected emotion swelled in my chest. "Sure. Fresh air might be nice." We slipped out quietly, not wanting to interrupt the family reunion, and walked aimlessly through the property. "What's up?"
    She didn't reply, and we sat on the cold grass. My sister had an edge to her, a silence on the brink of breaking.
    "Jas, are you sure you're okay?"
    A tear slid down her face. "When we were little, we were friends, right?"
    "Of course. We're friends now, Jas."
    Her tears only got worse. "I thought this would be easier. I used to hate you, you know?"
    "You thought what would be easier?" A prickling of apprehension sent goosebumps up my arms.
    "I'm sorry, but you know Mother can't be disobeyed." She reached into her pocket and cupped something in her hand.
    "What are you talking about? Let's go back in the house. I'm sure everyone is waiting on us to figure out the next move."
    I tried to stand, but she grabbed my hand. "This is the next move." She thrust something sharp into my arm, and the world swam around me.
    Then.
    Darkness.

T WENTY O NE
     
The Devil Speak True
     
D EREK
     

     
     
    What, can the devil speak true?
    — William Shakespeare, Macbeth
     
     
    THE INFUSION OF blood magic had revived the shifters' powers to a small degree, and that effect hadn't disappeared when Rose and I vanquished Bankun.
    My family, with more energy than they'd had recently, debated the pros and cons of hunting Rainbow, and proposed different ideas for retrieving the rose bush.
    I kept my eye on the door, waiting for Rose to return with Jasmine.
    As the seconds turned to minutes, I paced the room.
    Dean joined me. "What's up, bro? You're like a cornered cat."
    I rolled my eyes. "Cat? Really?"
    His laugh erased the weariness on his face. "Meow, meow. But, seriously, what gives? Where's Rose?"
    "I saw her leave with Jasmine, but I thought she'd be back by now."
    Blake whispered into Ocean's ear then stalked over to us.
    I repressed my instinct to beat him, knowing I might have been overreacting a tad.
    "Rose isn't back yet?" Blake frowned in worry.
    He didn't have the right to worry about her—didn't have the right to love her—but if he could help me keep her alive through this, I'd let him live.
    "No."
    "We need to find her," said Blake. Bastard stole my line. "What if…"
    "You seem awfully worried. Is there something you're not telling us?"
    Blake shifted on his feet. "Just a suspicion, nothing concrete."
    I balled my fists. "Spill it, Blake."
    "Jasmine has a good heart, but she's lived under her mother's thumb for so long, I was surprised when she rebelled and left