Page 5

This time it was Oak who spoke, “Her name is Greta, she –“

His body reeled back like someone had punched him. “No.”

“You know her then?” I asked hopefully.

“You need to stay away. She is dangerous.”

He looked almost afraid at the mention of her name, and I wondered what she had done to him to make such a large man quiver. “I can’t.”

“You cannot seek her out. She is too powerful for a human.” He nearly spat the words, but I didn’t take offense. I got the feeling he wasn’t used to being around people much, thus not understanding general etiquette and manners.

“I have no choice.” I bit my lip, and I didn’t miss the way his silver eyes locked on to it, “She’s hunting me.”

His eyes flicked back to mine as Oak placed a possessive hand on my back, “She’s been attacking Liberty. Us. She wants her dead and we need to kill her before she kills us.”

“That’s impossible. I was under the impression she could not die. She took out my father after all, and he was stronger than anyone I’ve ever seen.” Ah, there it is. The fear of her and its root.

“We’ve defeated her numerous times before.” I stated.

“That doesn’t mean it’s all she has. You are strong, Little Kitten. Stronger than most I have seen. Stronger than all of your mates. And fierce. But that doesn’t mean you are strong enough. You are untrained. Untapped. You’re like a wild animal who has yet to be tamed.” Truth pointed out.

“This is true. But it gives us hope that we have defeated her thus far.” I said, ignoring everything else he said because honestly, I wasn’t ready to process the fact that he thinks I’m stronger than all the others when I’ve just learned I wasn’t fully human days ago.

“You can’t –“ He paused, his eyes rolling back before turning a milky white, causing everyone’s body to stiffen and freeze. It took five seconds more before his eyes turned back to grey, “Then I’m going with you.”

“You can’t-“ Oak started, but was cut off.

“It’s been seen, I must go.” Truth leaned down close to me and took a deep inhaling breath, “I will protect you at all costs, Little Kitten, so that your children will flourish.”

I didn’t bother mentioning that I had no children, nor did I plan any in the foreseeable future, “Look, Truth. It’s- “

“Lenin.”

“What?”

“The name. The name I was given is Lenin. The ignorant call me Truth for they lack the interest to learn otherwise.” He clarified. Um, well, damn. Was I ignorant for not caring to ask and just assuming?

“I’m sorry for my assumption.” And he nodded his forgiveness, “But you’re not required to go with us. We only need to know about the book. We need help figuring out where to go next.”

“I will go.” He stated.

“Look, ogre. You’re not exactly invited. Also, would you mind stepping away from my mate?” Justice interjected.

“I take orders from the fates, not a shifter.” Lenin replied, and I had to rub the bridge of my nose for a moment because there was no fucking way I would take another male on this journey. I’m tapped out. The testosterone and size measurements have reached their peak. I couldn’t handle any more bickering. It was like having a trail of children following me everywhere.

“The book.” I sighed, “What could you tell me about the book?”

He took a few steps to a desk and grabbed a bag, which he began to fill with bottles and objects, “I will tell you all I know, Little Kitten. On the way.”

“It’s really not necessary.” Oak tried, but Lenin stopped and glared.

“I’ve seen what’s coming. I am needed.”

I sighed a deep sigh, weighed down by the exhaustion of the last few weeks. “Then he goes.”

“What? No!” Justice objected. “We don’t need him!”

“One could argue that we don’t need you either.” Oak smirked, and I’m positive Ellis and Sterling would have been proud of him for that.