Anchor of Secrets by Tessa Hale

47

Beautiful scenery whizzedpast us as the Escalade tore down the two-lane highway. The Assembly wasn’t kidding when they said they wanted a meeting. They said jump, and everyone had no choice but to ask how high.

“Where is the meeting?” I asked.

Ronan wove his fingers through mine and settled our hands on his lap. “It’s on our sacred grounds.”

My brow furrowed.

“It’s where the founding families formed our truce,” Dash explained.

There was something enchanting about being able to trace your lineage back that far. If I hadn’t been terrified, I would’ve asked a million different questions.

Ronan squeezed my hand. “There’s no reason to be scared. The Assembly won’t hurt you.”

“How did you—”

“Your scent, remember? I can smell your different emotions. Especially when they’re heightened.”

“Feels like cheating,” I grumbled.

Ronan chuckled, leaning closer to brush his lips across my temple. “I’ll take whatever information about you that I can get.”

“You could try asking. It’s slightly less invasive.”

Colt’s gaze caught mine through the rearview mirror. “Now, where would the fun be in that?”

I stuck my tongue out at him.

I glanced over my shoulder at Declan. He still seemed lost in his thoughts. Or better yet, lost in his father’s betrayal.

“Will Patrick be there?” I asked quietly.

Declan’s body jerked at his father’s name, and I cursed myself for even asking the question.

Ronan’s jaw hardened. “He never misses an opportunity to kiss The Assembly’s collective ass.”

“I don’t get that. The Assembly can’t control the clans, right?” I asked.

“They only have true control if someone has broken our laws. They are the judge and jury,” Dash explained.

“But their influence goes beyond that,” Declan said. “They can sway our people. And if enough of your clan turns against you, you can lose power. It’s much better to be in The Assembly’s good graces.”

A memory scratched at the back of my brain. “But they sanctioned the vampires, didn’t they?”

Trace scoffed. “Should’ve excommunicated them.”

Colt glanced in the rearview mirror. “Several vamps fed off of humans and other supernaturals without permission. That breaks the treaty, so they were subjected to Assembly law.”

My fingers gripped Ronan harder. “What happened?”

“The vampires in question were imprisoned, and the vamps as a whole got a sort of metaphorical slap on the wrist,” Colt said.

Dash leaned forward. “It’s a dishonor to have your clan as a whole brought before The Assembly.”

“It obviously didn’t stop Alister from being an asshole,” I mumbled.

“No truer words, Little Bird,” Trace called from the front seat.

Colt eased off the accelerator and flipped on his blinker. We turned onto a narrow side road that was gravel. The trees that surrounded us almost made it feel as if we were driving through a tunnel. If I hadn’t been a nervous wreck, I would’ve found it beautiful.

“There’s no gate or anything?” I asked.

Dash shook his head. “The property is spelled. Humans don’t even see the road to turn onto.”

“How can I see it?”

He squeezed my shoulders. “You’re not human.”

“But my powers never manifested.” It hurt just to say the words, knowing I could be sentencing everyone in this vehicle to death.

“No, but you’re still a supernatural,” Dash assured me.

It didn’t feel like I was, no matter how much I wished it.

The road opened up into a massive clearing. A few dozen vehicles were parked in a makeshift gravel lot.

My mouth went dry as Colt parked. “There are a lot of people here.”

“They all love the drama,” Trace grumbled.

Meaning they all wanted to see what The Assembly made of me.

Ronan squeezed my hand again. “It’ll be okay.”

I nodded numbly, but I didn’t believe him.

I forced myself to let go of Ronan’s hand and climb out of the SUV. In a matter of seconds, I was surrounded by the guys. That simple action cast doubt on Ronan’s words.

We made our way past the lot, and I gasped. The spot was absolutely breathtaking. Lush, green grass that met with a stone amphitheater of sorts. But past it was a steep drop-off to the ocean. The amphitheater itself looked as if it were carved into the ground, a part of it.

But then I saw the people.

Everyone’s eyes were on me as we walked toward the meeting spot. My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. They were all watching. Judging.

Trace moved in closer on my right side. “We’ve got you.”

Those words wrapped around me, and I tried my best to hold on to them.

Colt took the lead, Declan at his side. Dash was on my left, Trace on my right. And Ronan brought up the rear. As if he were making sure no one attacked me from behind.

Oh, yeah, all the warm fuzzies about this.

Whispers picked up as we reached the amphitheater. I caught a few choice words.

Never manifested.

Such a shame.

Slut.

What a waste.

The guys glared at those who dared insult me, but I did my best to keep my gaze focused only straight ahead. There was a stage of sorts. With a stone table and bench. It was empty, but I had a feeling that was where The Assembly would sit.

Something caught my attention to the right. A couple. Something about the man was bizarrely familiar. But it was the glare on his face that had me almost stumbling. But the glare wasn’t focused on me. It was zeroed in on Trace.

I saw the word disgrace form on the man’s lips. I glanced up at Trace. “Who is that?”

His jaw ticked. “My parents. Not my biggest fans. To them, having a son who is an incubus is shameful.”

Anger flared to life in my chest, and I shoved through the guys, stalking toward the couple.

Their eyes widened at my approach.

“You’re pathetic. The fact that you can’t see what an incredible son you have is just sad. He’s caring and fierce and loyal. It’s your loss, your punishment, really, to lose out on truly knowing him. But I hope you have a permanent case of hemorrhoids, too.”

Trace’s arm came around my waist, pulling me back. “Little Bird…” But there was laughter in his voice.

I let him pull me away, down the aisle. “I do wish it. That or a permanent case of diarrhea.”

Trace only laughed harder, and the sound was so sweet it made an ache take root in my chest.

He glanced down at me. “How’d I get so lucky to have you in my corner?”

I grinned up at him. “Well, we know you weren’t an angel in a past life.”

Ronan choked on a laugh. “That’s for damn sure.”

A man stepped out onto the stage. “Be seated. This meeting of The Assembly is called to order.”