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I must have imagined it.
I put it out of my mind and thought for a moment. "Honestly, no. He seemed bent on finding Hades and Hecate. He mentioned believing he's an Alpha, but I think he would just kill anyone who stood in his way, not hide in the shadows."
I was sure he would reappear at some point, and stir up all sorts of shit, but this didn't feel like him at all.
"We also know this Hemitheos Council exists, and may be plotting something. At least one was working with the tigers." Bain lowered his arm and sat up straighter.
"It could be all their doing," I said. "Except they wouldn't care about wolves ruling. They would want their own people to take over."
"Would they?" Slade asked. "You know them that well?" He seemed genuinely curious.
I frowned. "Not really," I admitted. "Helene and Luther were focused on freeing Comus. They didn't really talk about world domination, or Vault domination. They wanted everyone to be free. I think they thought shifters were oppressing everyone else."
"Shifters or wolves?" Slade asked.
I thought back. "Dex and the Alpha. I don't remember them talking about anyone else." I glanced at Knox, who nodded.
"I doubt they thought much past freeing Comus and expecting him to rid the Vault of the Alpha," he said slowly.
"They had shifters working for them?" Slade asked. "Apart from you."
Knox bristled. "I was only pretending," he said tersely. "But yes, they did. Apparently they paid well and offered all sorts of things."
"Like what?" I asked. "They offered to teach me to use my power—" I curled my fingers into air quotes. "—to its full potential."
"That's a compelling reason to help," Slade said.
"Yeah, but I helped them because I had to," I said. "And they spun a good story about freedom." I remembered the train ride to the Copper Square station, before I entered the Vault. I knew the Covener traded me as a peace offering, and I was determined not to end up anyone's slave. Turns out slavery wasn't that common in the Vault, and if Dex had anything to say about it, I would end up in his bed anyway. Still, the ride was as stressful as fuck, and I wouldn't wish the same on anyone.
Slade nodded. "If this Helene is dead and Luther is trapped in a cave in the mountains, who does that leave?"
That was a good question. One I mulled over time and again since walking away from that sarcophagus.
"Helene didn't mention anyone by name. All I know is south somewhere. Past the Jintaro mountains."
Slade looked thoughtful. "Last time I was down that far, there was nothing but farms."
"That hasn't changed," Knox said. "But where better to hide than a place which looks harmless?"
"A place the Alpha won't launch a full scale attack," Bain added. "Destroying the Vault's food supply would be a sure way to turn everyone against him.”
"Yeah, that would be dumb as fuck," I agreed. "I get the impression he isn't dumb." An asshole maybe, but not stupid.
"No, and even if he was, Dex would never make that order," Bain said. "And we wouldn't follow it."
"I'm guessing that's what the hemitheos are hoping," I said. "What do we do then?"
Slade seemed amused, but Bain shook his head.
"You don't do anything," the big man said. He gave me a look that suggested he'd tie me down near a sewer if I tried.
I gave him a 'yeah, good luck with that' look in return.
"We could use her help," Knox said.
He got a grateful look from me. I knew he was one of my favourites for a reason.
Bain glared at him. "We need to work out what to do first," he said firmly. To Slade, he said, "Is there anyone you trust to leave behind in your place?"
