Cassidy looked amazed. “Did you grant it?”

“Haven’t decided yet.”

“What does that mean?” Diego asked.

Ever since Cassidy had sliced open her hand to pledge that she believed in Diego—and if she was wrong, Eric could kill her—Diego realized that Shifters took their oaths and promises seriously. Just saying, Sure, I’ll return your library book for you, might have dire consequences.

Eric lounged back on the couch, his feet up, as though the morning hadn’t been all that interesting. “If he were Shifter, and I granted my protection, that would mean I gave him the same status as someone in my pride. Meaning I protect him with all my strength. Meaning I expect him to show me the same loyalty I expect from those in my pride.”

“But because he’s not Shifter…”

“I haven’t decided. Plus there’s the whole fact that I still want to kill him.”

“If anyone kills him, it will be me,” Diego said. “Where’s Xav?”

“Next door. He’s talking to Shane.”

Reid lifted his head. “Escobar, I’ve never liked you, but you’re a good cop, and you’re trustworthy. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m asking a Shifter for protection. That’s my way of pledging I won’t try to hurt them anymore.”

Cassidy folded her arms. She’d shown compassion, but her compassion didn’t make her weak. “You told us you needed Shifter blood for a spell.”

“I’m willing to try to find another way, look for another grimoire and more spells. There has to be some way I can trick the hoch alfar and cross back into my world, without me having to be a monster to do it.”

Diego sank down on his heels to look Reid in the face. “You can vanish whenever you want. Why can’t you vanish back to your world?”

“Do you think I haven’t tried that? I can teleport, but only in this world. The funny thing is, when I was home, I couldn’t do it. Many dokk alfar can, but I never manifested the talent.”

Eric gazed down at them from the couch. “Interesting. Maybe that has something to do with why you can’t get back.”

“You know about these things?”

“Not really.” Eric yawned and stretched, like a lion preparing for his post-hunt nap. “But I know someone who knows someone who might know something. I’ll talk to them this afternoon.”

“You’ll give me your protection?” Reid’s voice was full of hope.

“For now.”

Cassidy relaxed. “Thank you, Eric.”

Eric lifted his head, still the lion who could come alert at any second. “It also means that if he breaks any part of his word, I get to rip his head off. Don’t worry, Diego, I’ll do it discreetly.”

Eric sank back down and put his arm over his eyes, finished with the business at hand.

“You see?” Reid said to Diego. “The Collars are useless when they really want to do something.”

“If you despise Shifters, why are you asking for Eric’s protection?” Diego asked.

“Because I’m not a fool. The Shifters here would kill me without it, and my greatest wish is to return home. I’m willing to do what it takes. I’m not a killer. I only want to go home.”

Whatever truth was in Reid, he at least believed what he said. Diego himself was not sure what to feel.

He rose to his feet. “If Reid is staying here, I want Cassidy with me.”

Eric moved his arm enough to peer at Diego around it. “You don’t have to ask my permission.”

“I just don’t want you talking about ripping my head off.”

“Cassidy’s a grown female. She can do as she pleases.”

“Cassidy’s standing right here,” Cassidy said, hands on hips. Dios mio, she was sexy when she did that.

Diego shot her a grin. “I asked you before, want to come home with me? Or better still, to my mom’s house? There’s some things I still need to take care of.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

His mother’s house. Cassidy wasn’t sure how she felt about that as she slung an overnight bag into Xavier’s truck.

Diego was talking in a low voice with Xav a little way away from the truck. Cassidy worried a bit about leaving Eric and Jace here alone with Reid, but, interestingly, Nell had volunteered to stay over and watch him. She looked delighted, Reid apprehensive. Nell wouldn’t rough him up too much. Maybe.

Cassidy got into the front seat, leaving the door open, and waited. She pretended to study her hair in the visor’s mirror, but she strained her Shifter hearing to listen.

“You sure, hermano?” Xav was saying. “Enrique’s word isn’t necessarily reliable. He could be luring you down there for a reason. A dying man’s last nasty trick.”

“I can’t not check it out. First lead I’ve had in a long time.”

“If the captain finds out, you are dead meat. I like you, Diego. You’re not bad, for a pain-in-the-ass older brother.”

Diego shrugged. “Captain Max told me to take some leave. Nothing says I can’t go to Mexico for a vacation.”

“Yeah, but most people vacation in Mazatlan or Cabo. Not some bandit town in the middle of nowhere. Besides, what about Cassidy?”

Out of the corner of her eye, Cassidy saw Diego look her way. She busied herself rubbing at an imaginary dirt mark on the corner of her mouth.