Archaic (Reverse Harem 2)

“Oh no, what?” Theo asks. “What’s happening?”

“You really aren’t as clever as you think you are, Toshi,” Hiro says.

“Everyone, get back!” I order. “Now!”

But Clarissa stands beside me. I can hear her confused thoughts.

Her questions I have no answers to. But I smell the change in Toshi. The cleverness and the confidence turning to fear. I can hear the wavering of his voice. The shock rolling through his veins. I can see his hands physically shaking out of the corner of my eye as I stand poised, ready to defend against whatever the fuck is going to happen.

Nothing, however, could have prepared me for what takes place.

Hiro lifts his clawed hands and grabs at his hair. The skin around his face rips, shredding as he peels it all the way down.

His clothes fall to the floor as the snake-like camouflage peels away from his body. The Council gasps, and I can see the shock in Lord Wesley’s eyes. I can’t believe I didn’t see it sooner. I have been spending my time with a fucking Cat. I know their better traits.

Misdirect.

Cleverness, wisdom, and misdirect.

No wonder Opossums and Cats get along just fine.

“Surprise.”

“Who is that?” Theo asks.

But I know. As Clarissa steps in front of me, putting herself between a Council she attempted to slaughter and the one Cat who was responsible for Kyle’s death, I know. Why Hiro made that drunken comment in Thailand Toshi thought was so curious. Why I felt like he smelled off. Why I never innately trusted him like everyone else did.

“My name is Igo, but you can call me ‘Warrior.’”

The Cat bows low and Clarissa hunches. Poising herself to attack.

I place my hand on the side of her hind leg and burrow my claws into her. Not enough to hurt, but enough to control. Enough to signal to her that she shouldn't move unless I command it. She’s out of control and still unable to manage her anger. I can feel it radiating from her. I can smell the bloodlust on the tips of her fangs.

“It’s him. Sebastian, let me go.”

“You said you wanted answers, right?”

She turns her head and growls at me, but she doesn’t defy me.

Finally, the trust I’ve needed from her for weeks.

“They’re coming!” Toshi exclaims.

“Everyone in the middle. Now,” Theo says.

The Council members are gathered in the middle, and we surround them. Shielding them from Igo and his clan of warriors bombarding down every hallway. I guide Clarissa with my claws, turning her around and placing her right in the line of sight with Igo. There is only one man in this room I will approve of her killing.

And I have no problems putting her in front of him.

The warriors filter into the room, standing around us with their katanas and their blades. Their robes shimmer with gold and black and their traditional sandals are reinforced with lead. A metal known to drain Primals of their energy stores.

Disabling them from morphing.

Clarissa drags her claws against the floor, and I sink mine further into her thigh. I can feel her fighting the effects of the lead as the Council members slowly return to their human forms. My eyes hook with Igo as he grins at Clarissa, his blade drawn and hovering over his head.

He means to strike tonight.

He means to kill us all.