Lunacy (Blood Trails Book 13) by Jennifer Blackstream

Author:Jennifer Blackstream [Blackstream, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Skeleton Key Publishing
Published: 2022-10-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

“Check it for prints,” Liam said, almost too fast. “Make sure—”

“Already did,” Sam said softly. “No prints on the outside, but Emma’s prints are on the remaining bullets.” They brightened, just slightly. “But the gun has also been wiped down with alcohol. And it’s a little strange that someone would take the time to wipe the prints—and scent—off the outside of the gun, but not the bullets.”

“Not everyone would think to wipe down the bullets,” Liam said, half to himself.

“But Emma would,” Sam pressed. “She’s a cop.”

Liam fell silent, lost in thought as he stared down at the gun in his hand.

“Let me talk to Emma,” I said gently. “Let me—”

“No,” Ruth blurted out. “I’ll talk to her.” She stepped closer to Liam on his opposite side, forcing him to look away from me to look at her. “Emma is pack, and I’m her therapist. I should be the one to talk to her.”

Peasblossom sucked in a breath, but I held up a hand to stop her. Ruth wasn’t the alpha in the room, and I knew perfectly well she wasn’t the one I had to convince if I wanted to speak to Emma. And Liam had put me in charge of this case, not Ruth. However, I was a village witch, not a shifter or a cop. It didn’t take a witch to know Ruth was a strong female presence at New Moon, and in the Rocky River pack in general. If I wanted to stay with Liam, if I wanted to build a life with him, it would be better for things to be as harmonious between me and the head counselor as possible.

“Ruth,” I said quietly. “Emma hates all things shifter right now. And of all the people in this room, I’m the only one who can let her be dominant over me without losing status.”

Liam tensed when I mentioned letting her be dominant over me, but I stopped him from speaking with a look.

“She’s already feeling vulnerable enough. The last thing she needs is one of her many ‘superiors’ to come in and confront her with her bad choices. I can meet her on her level. Or under it, if I have to. Won’t cost me a thing. Can any of you say the same?”

Ruth looked like she wanted to argue. But it turns out, I wasn’t the only one in the room who could put aside my pride for the sake of someone in a dark place. I watched as she realized I was right. Realized that Emma had enough problems accepting the hierarchy without someone higher than her going in there and pretending they couldn’t pull rank at any second.

“I’ll take her down to see Emma,” Ruth told Liam. “I’ll stay outside the cell in case I’m needed.”

Liam nodded, as if he didn’t trust himself to speak. He was still staring at the gun.

Ruth moved toward the door, and I took a step to follow her. Suddenly Scath stopped and bowed her head. Both Ruth and I paused as Scath began the transformation from beast to human.

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