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"Why do you have one steel fang?"

Cai blinked at the sudden change of topic "Because Trads are elitist assholes," he said flatly "A vampire made from one of their captured humans is considered inferior Citizens of their fucked-up world, yes, but second-class ones"

Cai bared his fangs and pointed to the steel one "They break one off and dig it out frorow back The 'one fang' designation says you were made within the Trad clan, but you're not a pure vampire You were once one of their slaves"

He could feel Rand's gaze on hiain Not that it had ever left, but so inside his head The second mark wasn't an open tay street, but with Rand, it felt like it was Cai really should have done a better job of pissing him off so the shifter would have stayed out of this pointless

"On the other hand, for all their faults, Trads are pretty self-sufficient" Cai swept his gaze over the roo most leave within a short time, because they're not prepared for the rustic realities of Trad life, the lack of coht dead here"

Lyssa watched hi mix, Cai So full of hate for both sides, but you will favor one over the other when it suits your purpose to sneer at the one before you"

Cai shrugged "I' I know to be"

"Hed and tarnished I don't think you want that young female to be harmed, or to die"

"I don't want a lot of things," Cai said harshly "But et this over with? Go ahead and torture ree to a suicide mission, or kill me"

"Neither at the ertip over the surface of the desk, back and forth, a ht and talk to the rest of the delegation Georg exceeded his authority in how he brought you here, but don't leave until I grant you permission We may need further information from you If you exercise patience, you'll be released without further harm You have my word"

"Patience isn'tsuit Nor trust"

"I wouldn't have guessed" That faint saze slid to Rand "I've told no one but the Council delegation what Rand is, and it wo

n't leave that circle at this time It's your decision whether to expose his human side to anyone else here"

Rand nodded, a courteous albeit cautious appreciation Cai was less impressed He lifted a brow

"That a threat? I behave or else you'll tell everyone shifters exist?"

Lyssa blinked "You told me very specifically what your ter you were angling yourself for greater spoils I believe you can take my response at similar face value"

Well, he hadn't expected that Expected to believe her, that is Unsettled, Cai looked toward Rand Up to you You can shift back to wolf before we leave the room Or, since the only ones we have to fool are Greenwald and his staff, we can build on what Giles has likely already spread around That you're my servant, and you just arrived I'll tell anyone who asks that the wolf is out hunting in the forest

Rand accepted that with an interesting push of agreement that ordless, ed an aard half-bow to Lyssa that made hihing her ass off behind that neutral expression Or maybe not What had been discussed these past few hing matters

When he left the rooh on his heels Cai felt the heat of his presence Yet he didn't draw a deep breath until he heard the double doors close behind the his chest Holding hi him tied to the words in that room

Goddamn it

Jacob crossed his arms as he watched the two depart Rand had followed Cai, but paused at the door, looking back at Lyssa with a hard-to-read expression on his face Then he left

A shifter I wish Kane could have seen that

Yes Lyssa offered an absent smile as he referred to their son She s were turning over in her head

To ensure their privacy, Jacob continued to speak in his Mistress's mind You won't convince him, my lady His mind and heart are set The trau a ht

She lifted a shoulder and turned the desk chair to face hi him, it won't be me who does it It will be his wolf