Page 66 of The Tracker's Revenge

“And you will, but first, you should take some time to process. Or if you must go, let Toni or I drive you.”

Jake grabbed his head as if deciding who should go with him was a monumental choice. It was enough to let us know hewasn’tfit to go anywhere alone.

“Craig is taking care of things right now,” Eric added. “So if you’re worried about that, don’t be.”

Jake appeared at a loss and just stood there holding his head. Walter was Jake’s only living relative, and it was sad to think that Craig Blackridge—the Knights’ new ally—was taking responsibility at a moment like this. Surely, Jake felt it should be him, but he really needed time to process first. I wondered if there was no one in their small pack who could help him. Jake had never mentioned anyone in particular, but he’d just started to get acquainted with his pack members.

“Let’s go upstairs. I’ll get you a stiff drink,” Eric suggested.

A few moments later, sitting in front of the unlit fireplace in Eric’s study, Jake sipped oakfire from a tumbler, staring blankly at the floor without saying a word.

Eric and I exchanged concerned glances. I worried about what might be going through Jake’s head. But once he finished his drink and set the tumbler on the coffee table, he composed himself and turned to Eric.

“What do you know?” His voice was husky but other than that he appeared in full control of himself.

“It’s not good. He...” Eric hesitated, which made my heart beat at a frantic rate. “He was the one given the dagger at Wolfskeep.”

Oh, no!

That must mean Bernadetta and Stephen had come for the dagger and killed him. Guilt descended like the sky collapsing on top of me. I should have kept the dagger. If I had, Walter would still be alive.

“They will pay!” Jake said in a growl, fluidly rising to his feet as if ready to bolt in search of our enemies. “Bernadetta and Stephen will regret coming for him.”

“No, Jake,” Eric shook his head, lowering his eyes. “They didn’t come for him. Walter went to them.”

“What?!” Jake demanded.

“He was attempting to negotiate. It seemed he wanted the jade cup. He wanted to be in control of the Unholy Vessel.”

Jake shook his head. “No, he wouldn’t...”

But he didn’t finish because, deep inside, he knew that Walter had beenthatkind of man, desperate for power, willing to go to any lengths to get what he wanted. He lowered his head, embarrassment coloring his face. His right eye twitched a couple of times before he got this new, unexpected emotion under control.

“He lost the dagger, Jake,” Eric said, his words reluctant as if he wished to spare Jake the blow.

I couldn’t stop the gasp that burst through my lips.

This was bad. Very bad.

Jake took a few steps back and collapsed back on the sofa. Slowly, his silver eyes lifted and met mine. There was so much confusion and pain in them.

I turned to Eric. “Would you mind giving us a moment?”

Eric said nothing. He simply stood and strode out of the room. I sat next to Jake and wrapped one of his large hands in both of mine.

“How could he?” Jake asked. “What was he thinking?”

“I’m so sorry, Jake.”

“I should have listened to William.”

“William?”

“My grandfather’s lawyer and old-time friend. He’s a member of the pack, too. He... warned me that Walter wasn’t in his right mind. He said that maybe I should take him to see a doctor, a neurologist. He thought that the first signs of dementia were setting in. Of course, I talked to Walter, but I’m sure you can imagine his reaction to that conversation.”

I could definitely imagine it. There was no way Walter would’ve admitted to any sort of mental fragility. I hadn’t known him well, but I knew what type of man he had been. He would have rather worn a tutu in public than admit he was losing his mental abilities.

Jake continued, “And he seemed so strong, so capable. You saw him. I didn’t think there was anything wrong with him other than his normal cantankerous, old man shit.”