Chapter 5

Ruby's POV

It was like all the words entering my head were turning into mush. None of it was making sense. “You said you need him to make more werewolves. What do you mean by that?”

“There’s something in his genes,” Maximillian’s voice grew with excitement. “Something in his blood. One of the numbered weaknesses of werewolves is mercury—which Fae’s blood is rich with. There had been a change in the DNA with the son of Ravenhead and Hargreaves. I know it was something worth looking at. After decades, I found that I was right.”

“Stop answering me with nonsense questions. I don’t care about the science of it all. I want to know why you want more werewolves.”

“Our race is backed to a corner. With purebloods killing anyone not from a direct union between two purebloods, we are decreasing in number. They did not want werewolves with tainted blood.”

I almost rolled my eyes. “Let me guess, you were almost killed because you’re a half-breed, and that’s why you want to end them.”

Maximillian’s face turned sober, and his jaw was set grimly. “My father was a pureblood, and my mother was a human. My father was sentenced to death for cohabitating with a mortal—worse, he had a half-breed son. I was fourteen when they ambushed us in our home. I was on the brink of death when I first shifted and managed to escape. When I came back, I found my parents were killed.”

Maximillian turned his eyes downwards as they shone with what could only be tears. “I found other rogues as I got older, but we were never enough. Pureblood werewolves are the only ones with the capacity to pass the infection. That’s why I need Lincoln—to create more of us. Once I have the numbers, I will make these purebloods beg for their lives, and I will change all the nonsense they have created.”

“And that’s why purebloods are trying to stop you from reaching him,” I finished. Maximillian did not answer. I released him and took a step away. I snorted. “Revenge and all that f*cking crap.”

I turned my head to look at Lincoln and saw that his breathing was steadier. “So he’s a werewolf?”

“His blood needs a little push. His supernatural genes had been mixed with generations and generations of human blood, making it dormant, but it’s there. Since one of the purebloods managed to scratch him, it won’t be long before he turns and heals himself.”

My mind raced. Lincoln’s my enemy. I don’t care about him. Stop thinking about him! But why can’t I?

“You probably have a mole,” I told Maximillian. “If the purebloods know what you have been up to, someone is telling them your secrets.”

“No pack is perfect, especially one that is made up of rogues.” Maximillian stood from the chair and checked the slit that my knife made on his chest. The flesh was already knitting itself back together. “But I’ll surely find him. I need to prioritize Lincoln more. I don’t know how much time I have left before the purebloods find me.”

He walked to one of his file cabinets and pulled out two huge bags of money. “Your payment and this other one is for your troubles.”

My hands felt heavy as I reached for the money, but Maximillian’s hand held my wrist firmly. I looked at him with a warning in my eyes.

He stared down at me, and it was the first time I felt the overpowering aura of his being a werewolf. “This is not something that you Faes should be interested in. This does not concern you. I suggest that you leave now.”

“Don’t worry. I only care about my money.” I yanked my wrist from his grip and grabbed the bags.

He pulled out another bag and threw it on the desk. “For your silence. This is a war between werewolves. Don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong. Do not interfere.”

“I am a Fae princess,” the words sounded bitter in my mouth. “Why do you think I care about you lowlives?”

I grabbed the third bag. “It’s nice doing business with you, Mr. Marth. I hope I don’t hear from you anymore.”

Maximillian pulled a tight smile on his face as he walked me to the door. “Till next time, Ms. Carnelian.”

“If you’ll still be alive,” I muttered as my eyes cut to Lincoln’s still body on the hospital bed.

Stop looking! I told my mind. You’ve done your job. Take the money and leave. Forget about him. He’s no longer your responsibility.

“Goodbye, Ruby Carnelian,” said Maximillian.

I only jutted a chin towards his direction.

I stepped over the threshold, confused about why I felt like I was leaving a part of myself behind. But before I could change my mind, the door slammed shut behind me.