Текст книги "Alphas burden"

Автор книги: Luna lark

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36CADEN

In the morning, we gather with the other alphas at an oblong table with high-backed chairs. For years since the packs broke away from the Original Pack and formed their own territories, pack heads have come here to set the terms of the alliance between us all. Arched stone windows draped in creeping ivy overlook the lush gardens, giving the sense we’re outside, one with nature. It’s what I like best about the summit grounds.

I guide Avery to our seats next to Alistair and Regina Ryan with my hand at the small of her back. Liam stands behind us, matching the other betas taking their support position with their alphas. Some others are joined by their mates, some, like Rooke Bell of Crescent Valley Pack, only attend with their beta and a handful of advisors.

“This is a lot more formal than I always pictured in my head,” Avery whispers.

I lean into her, admitting, “I was intimidated as hell when I first came, and once I was Alpha.”

Things begin with Alistair’s beta reading out the accords as they currently stand, outlining the alliance and peaceful relations between all the packs present. The representative Timber Hollow Pack sent to meet with me stands at a podium with him, shuffling through paperwork.

“Alphas, to start, do you have any heirs to name since we last met?” Alistair prompts, residing over the meeting as this summit’s appointed host.

I remember the one my father brought me to when he officially named me heir apparent. Despite being raised as heir, I didn’t want the responsibility. I was afraid I couldn’t fill the role. I know I’m capable of it now.

“Twin River Pack has named Oliver Bailey,” Alpha Shepherd announces.

He waves his nephew forward to a round of applause. The lanky kid turns beet red, shuffling back to the alcove. The other packs continue around the circle. Northwest Boulder Pack declares Tanner Marshall’s first pup his heir. Then Wispy Plains Pack names a pack member outside of Alpha Goodwin’s bloodline.

Alpha Bell shakes his head when it’s his turn. My brow creases. Rooke’s daughter is around Atlas’ age, and Alistair already named his son to take his place as the head of Timber Hollow Pack during my second summit as Alpha.

“Not your daughter?” I prompt.

He wrinkles his nose. “A female for a pack alpha? Not a chance. I won’t be naming Kyra as my heir.”

His statement sparks some murmurs around the table. Avery shifts in her seat, her scent turning bitter and sharp. I rub her back to soothe her disapproval.

Alistair signals his beta to move on. He outlines the Alpha heir program where heirs travel pack to pack for a few months at a time. Each pack provides a helping hand in training future heirs, allowing them to see how each pack manages its people to guide them to becoming a well-rounded alpha.

“Atlas Ryan, heir apparent to Timber Hollow Pack, you’ll spend time with each pack as part of your preparation to become a future alpha,” Alistair says. “You’ll learn from the pack alphas before you. After the summit, you’ll return with your first host, Alpha Blackburn, to Silver Mountain.”

Atlas steps up to the head of the table and bows his head. His father shoots me a wink. It’s my turn to return the favor guiding his son.

I didn’t think I was ready to train anyone else how to be a fair and decent alpha because since I took over for my father it felt like I was treading water beneath the thundering pressure of Silver Falls, fighting to stay afloat. It wasn’t until Avery opened my eyes to how tightly I was gripping the reins that I wanted to do better. Being a good alpha isn’t about being perfect, it’s about dedicating myself to giving my pack the best I can.

I’m looking forward to keeping Atlas on his toes the same way his father did with me.

The next few topics are dealt with quickly. Some packs have brought lists of those who would like to apply for a transfer to move to a new territory.

When trade terms come up, I lift a hand. “Silver Falls Pack would like to submit a proposal for sharing resources.”

Timber Hollow Pack’s representative passes out a copy of what I’m asking for from others for the winter months and the lumber, stone, and other materials I’m offering in exchange.

“We also have an addition.” I invite Avery to speak with a nod.

“I brought samples of what we’d like to offer to your packs in addition to the mountain’s resources. Please enjoy them,” Avery says. “Liam? Would you?”

“Of course.” He accepts the basket from her and circles the table to offer the selection of vials, jars, and bundles of dried herbs in sachets.

“What use do these have?” The beta from Moonlight Lake Pack stops the alpha and picks up a sachet, sniffing dubiously. “Looks like witchcraft to me. What is Silver Falls Pack playing at?”

Several distrustful rumbles sound around the table, including the loudest from my wolf at the accusation of our mate. I shoot to my feet, stance broadening.

“My mate is no witch. Take that back immediately, or face me in a challenge.” I bare my teeth, canines growing.

Avery grasps my hand with a soft smile, encouraging me to sit. “It’s fine. There’s no need to fight to defend my honor. Allow me to explain.”

I drag her chair closer with a terse sigh, scowling at the beta and anyone else who looks at her in a way that irks my wolf. He paces, emitting tetchy noises that reverberate in my chest like a motor. The only thing that calms me down is her touch when she rubs her thumb across my knuckles and glances at me with an expression that broadcasts get it together.

“Don’t be so close-minded. Use your senses. You can’t smell magic, can you?” She’s fearless in the face of their allegation, exuding confident satisfaction when a handful of them shake their heads. “These are herbal remedies made from wild plants that I forage and what is grown in my garden.”

She demonstrates by taking the salve Regina Ryan picked and smoothing it on her wrist. When her skin doesn’t melt off, their wariness fades.

“They help your elders manage pain and stiffness as they age. Aid our healing abilities to make things more comfortable.”

“Like human medicine?”

“Hardly,” she scoffs, then backtracks. “Well, in the modern sense. Their chemicals are useless on most supernaturals. There are other uses to calm the mind or offer relief from fatigue.”

Interest and curiosity buzzes around the room. Smugness twists my lips. They should be interested. My mate is incredible.

The alphas deliberate my proposal amongst their factions of advisors and mates. My stomach clenches until I sense a soothing stroke along the bond from Avery to set me at ease.

“Crescent Valley Pack agrees to the trade terms with Silver Falls Pack,” Alpha Bell declares. “It’s only right that we help each other out.”

“Timber Hollow Pack agrees as well,” Alistair says. “I’m intrigued.”

“You would be,” Rooke snarks. “You love to welcome humans to your packlands. I wouldn’t be surprised if you welcomed witches to your doorstep, too.”

“Not witchcraft,” Avery reminds him. “Just the gifts that nature provides to those who know their uses.”

A few others chime in with their agreements, Cove Coast and Twin River Packs. More than I expected when I submitted my first proposal to the accords. It worked. We’re more successful than I hoped. I hiss out a relieved breath without drawing attention to myself.

Avery laces her fingers with mine. Her smile is everything, lighting me up with her proudness. I’ve questioned if I’m on the right path, or if I’m only Alpha out of a sense of duty to keep my cousin from grabbing power. My chest buzzes with a sense of rightness. I’m meant to be Alpha. I take pride in Silver Falls Pack and I want to be their alpha.

“What’s next to discuss?” Alpha Marshall prompts. “Or have we finished?”

“Before we bring the accords to a close, there’s one last thing,” Alpha Shepherd says solemnly. “I’m afraid Twin River Pack needs to report a disturbing number of our pack going missing. My enforcers have looked into the complaints from families of them not coming home. We’ve found nothing concrete yet, and I bring it before you here to warn you to be on guard of the same happening in your territories.”

I exchange a look with Avery, a knot of tension forming in my gut. If other packs have had the same mysterious disappearances, it could mean we aren’t alone in the way we lost our mothers. This could mean it’s possible to find answers we never got.

“Missing?” I press. “We also wanted to bring this before you all for unexplained cases involving two females in Silver Falls Pack.”

Alistair’s brow furrows. “Your mother? Dempsey told me she found her True Mate and left him.”

“He assumed that was the case, but Avery’s mother also went missing. It’s what drove her father to act so brashly when he refused to listen to Clark’s concerns for his mate. Neither of them ever knew for sure what happened.”

“We think they could be connected,” Avery says. “Tell us more about these disappearances.”

“They go off and vanish without a trace when someone goes out in their fur to look for them,” Alpha Shepherd explains.

“Are they not rogues splitting off for Wanderer’s Canyon?” Alpha Bell suggests skeptically. “I won’t indulge in undue alarm. This sounds like they went moon mad and ventured off.”

“It’s not that,” Avery says. “There were no signs of restlessness or my mother’s wolf going feral from moon madness.”

“But this was years ago,” Alpha Bell points out.

“That doesn’t mean it’s not related,” she says.

“She’s right. We had a strange disappearance about two years ago that could align with the larger picture being painted now,” Alpha Goodwin says with a frown. “But it wasn’t a shifter alone, it was a mated pair. Their pups were orphaned. We thought…”

He trails off with a grimace, his implication hanging in the air that they went to their deaths together. Avery finds my hand and I give it a squeeze.

“I checked Twin River Pack’s records,” Alpha Shepherd says. “There's been at least four disappearances in the last fifteen years. They’re spread out enough to not cause alarm, but in the last two years it’s increased enough that it’s become noticeable.”

“We shouldn’t write these off as shifters going rogue or feral,” I propose. “What if they’re being taken?”

“I agree.” Alistair strokes his beard. “We should all remain vigilant and send word of anything out of the ordinary.”

“Very well,” Rooke concedes.

Murmurs of assent go around the table. The knot in my stomach loosens with the packs’ agreement to work together.

Alistair stands. “Any other matters to address?” When no one puts anything else forth, he claps his hands. “Right then. With that, this meeting of the packs is adjourned. The accords will be updated and copies delivered to your territories.”

Everyone rises, chatter filling the room. Alistair keeps an eye on Rooke Bell as he leaves first with Moonlight Lake’s alpha, their heads bent together.

“I never imagined what happened to our mothers could be tied to something affecting all the packs in the region,” Avery says in an undertone while people filter out.

“It never crossed my mind, either. Or my father’s.” I tuck her hair behind her ear. “Even if our mothers aren’t still out there somewhere, I feel better knowing we could find out what happened to them one day.”

She nods. “Me too. And we could all stop the same from happening to others in our pack and in others.”

“We’ll keep an eye out for everyone.”

“Do you need me for anything?” Liam checks.

“No. Go enjoy yourself.” I squeeze his shoulder. “You’ve earned the downtime.”

“You’re sure? Should I check on Callie?”

I wave him off. “She’s probably keeping Taryn company. I’m sure she’s fine.”

“Taryn told me something,” Avery says with a wry twitch of her lips.

Liam narrows his eyes. “What’s that?”

“That you can’t spell the word fun.”

He grumbles, gaze flicking to me when I stifle a snort. “Hilarious. Fine, see you both later. If you need me, let me know.”

Alistair stops us on our way out to the gardens. “You’ve changed.”

My head jerks. “I have? How?”

“You’ve mellowed out. You’re not as on edge as I’ve known you to be in the past,” he commends. “I’m glad to see it.”

Heat prickles the tips of my ears and my nape. I clear my throat.

“I’d say it’s largely in part to finding my mate,” I reply gruffly. “She balances me.”

“Ah, as any good partner should,” Alistair says.

He clasps my arm and catches up to Atlas. We stroll through the vibrant gardens while everyone else disperses. With the accords coming to a close, I relax, able to appreciate the beauty of the grounds. Maybe because my mate looks resplendent against every backdrop here.

“He’s right,” Avery says.

“About what?”

“How you’ve changed.” She studies me, a smile playing in the corners of her mouth. “Definitely for the better. You’ve lost that whole constant scowl you had going on.”

I gather her in my arms, heart swelling with warmth. “Because I have you.” I walk until her back hits a pillar swathed in moss and vines, kissing her. “And you make me want to smile all the damned time. Unless someone’s wronged you, then they’ll face my wrath.”

She laughs, cupping my jaw. My wolf purrs. He loves the sound of her delight.

“You can’t go around fighting everyone who looks at me in a way you don’t like,” she says in fond exasperation. “You’ll get a reputation for being mate-crazed.”

“I can and I will. Reputation be damned because I’m already there.” I kiss the inside of her wrist, then sweep her off her feet, striding through the gardens at a brisk pace with her nestled in my arms.

“Where are we going?” She rests her head against my shoulder with a radiant smile.

“There’s time before the closing feast. I’m going to show you how crazy I am for you, mate.”

37AVERY

Caden’s spirits are high on the journey home from the summit. He’s bolstered by our successful trade proposal with the other nearest packs, and opening up to the idea of selling to humans to bring in more money for the pack. On our walk through the foothills at the base of Silver Mountain, he’s animated and I’m charmed by it, unable to keep a smile off my face.

“You said Ashbury hosts a market. We could start there. Word will spread amongst the humans that our pack is selling handmade goods from our apothecary,” he suggests.

“Oh, so now you’re on board with me going to town?”

“With me there to protect you,” he concedes. “I’ll never leave you alone.”

“Are they like this all the time?” Atlas mutters to Callie. “I thought Caden Blackburn was supposed to be this badass. He’s the youngest alpha, but he just seems like a lovesick fool.”

Liam snorts. “Get used to it, pup.” His amusement drops, growing serious. “And watch your tone, or I’ll whoop your ass.”

Caden flashes me a sly look, stealing a kiss before he makes a move. He catches Alistair’s son and heir off guard, sweeping his legs from under him. Atlas overbalances, landing on the ground. Taryn cracks up.

“Lesson one,” he says with a smirk. “Always be ready. Especially when everyone else thinks you’re too distracted to act.”

“Right.”

Caden offers him a hand up and slaps him on the shoulder. “You’ll learn.”

We’re getting close to our territory, starting up the mountain. I drag in a lungful of crisp air, smiling. Eagerness to be home stirs within me.

Then a ripple disrupts the air, zipping across my tongue with a crackle. Magic. We halt and a coil of unease forms in my stomach. Something’s wrong. My wolf is alert, teeth bared.

The bushes rustle. Caden tenses, throwing an arm out in front of me. Liam takes point beside him, blocking Taryn and Callie.

They relax somewhat when Hodge, Ford, and a few others from our pack come out of hiding. Alisha helps Alma over a large stone and checks behind them. My stomach drops at Alma’s healing bruises. They’re all worse for wear, Ford favoring his left arm, Hodge’s forehead sporting the remnants of a healing gash, and the others with torn clothes.

My heart rises into my throat. Our packmates have been attacked and hurt.

“Alpha,” Hodge says gravely.

“What’s going on? Why are you outside the perimeter?” Caden demands.

Before they answer, more people emerge from the trees, shimmers of magic unveiling their presences. They’re witches, some dressed in eccentric swaths of fabric decorated with baubles. A few dress like humans, but their scents and the electric aura of magic they aren’t masking give them away to a shifter’s heightened senses.

Caden growls, his wolf riding him. “What the fuck is going on?”

I put a hand on his arm when I recognize the witch leading the small group, standing between her and my mate. “Jade. You’re back.”

She looks the same as the day I met her, regal and mysterious, her age just as indiscernible. “Yes. My coven’s returned to these woods.”

“Caden, this is Jade. She’s the witch I told you about. The one that saved my life.”

He eyes her warily, nudging me behind him. I grip the back of his sweater.

“Calm down. She’s good,” I insist. “Jade, this is my mate, Caden.”

“I know who you are. We’re here to help,” Jade confirms. “I wish we’d returned to your region under different circumstances, though I’m glad to see fate’s worked out for you, little wolf girl.”

“What? You knew my future?”

“I’m not a seer by any stretch,” she explains. “But the Fates are all around us if we open ourselves to listening. I had a good feeling about you when I came across you trying to poison yourself.”

“I wasn’t—it doesn’t matter. Hodge, what’s happened? Why are all of you injured?” I leave Caden’s side to check them over.

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” Ford says.

Hodge’s expression shutters. “We failed you, Alpha. I’m sorry.”

Caden’s jaw works, his shoulders a rigid line. “Tell me.”

“It’s Lorne and Cormac. They’ve taken the pack,” Ford says. “Lorne’s named himself Alpha.”

Caden roars, slamming his fist into a tree. It splinters, the cracking trunk sending a shocking echo through the woods. I cover my mouth in horror. This can’t be real. Caden worried there was a risk in leaving, but I didn’t think anything like this could happen.

“Those fucking conniving bastards,” he snarls. “I’ll kill them all for this.”

“Anyone who they’ve gathered favor with helped them. They ambushed us on patrol the night after you left and captured a lot of the enforcers that didn’t bend their necks like Weston and Abbott.” Ford looks like he might be sick. “Gabe. They’ve also got Tobin, Marissa, and the others being held.”

“We managed to escape the territory in the chaos and Jade helped keep us hidden to scout out what’s going on inside. Everyone who didn’t make it out’s been rounded up in Cormac’s compound,” Hodge says gruffly. “I’m sorry we couldn’t stop them.”

“It’s okay.” Caden grips his shoulder, features set in resolution. “We’re going to fix this. I’ll take the pack back. They’ve broken shifter law. They can’t take a pack by force without challenging me.”

“My sisters?” I choke, struggling not to panic. “Are they okay?”

Hodge nods, morose. “They have them. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get to the girls in time to protect them.”

“What about our way in? We need to free our enforcers first before we go for their throats,” Liam says.

“We’ve been watching. They’ve got a few patrols, but most are avoidable,” Ford says. “It’s the compound that’ll be a bitch to infiltrate without anyone noticing.”

Caden and Liam exchange a glance, able to understand each other without words.

“You guard Avery, Callie, and Taryn. Ford and Hodge, you’re with me.”

“With my life,” Liam swears. “We’ll go to my cabin.”

I grab Caden’s arm. “You expect me to sit tight in a hideout? Hell no. I want to go with you. My sisters are in there.”

His chest reverberates with a rough noise and he takes me by the shoulders. “Yes, damn it. I can’t fight knowing you’re in danger. I need you safe. I’m going to end this.”

“I can help,” I protest.

“You’ll help by staying put with Liam.” He lays a hand over my heart. “I need you to do this for me. I promise everything will be alright.”

My throat tightens. His eyes bore into mine, bouncing back and forth. I don’t like it, my wolf just as pissed, pressed close against the veil. She’s ready to tear through the territory on a rampage for harming her pack, her family.

I give a jerky nod. He presses his forehead to mine, then captures my mouth in a blistering, heart-stirring kiss that ends too soon.

“Caden,” I rasp.

He studies my face, cupping my cheek. I bite my lip.

“Don’t you dare lose. Not to Lorne or Cormac.”

The corner of his mouth lifts, his expression turning savage and driven. “Never. No one could take me from you, mate. I’ll wipe their existence from this earth for touching everything that’s mine. My family. My pack.”

His fierceness sends a shiver down my spine. I hug him before he goes to fight the corruption infecting our pack.

“Be careful. I love you.”

He crushes me to him. “I love you, too. I’ll finish this quickly.”

“We’ll join you.” Two of Jade’s coven members step forward. “We’ve sensed magic inside your packlands.”

“Dark forces are at work,” Jade says. “It’s the same forbidden black magic we’ve been tracing for years. Whoever’s casting it needs to face the council. That’s why we’ve come.”

“What about me?” Atlas asks.

Caden jabs a finger at him. “You stay out here. The last thing I need is another pack’s heir getting underfoot.”

“What? No! I’m your ally. Let me fight with you.”

Caden’s jaw works. “I don’t have time for this. Alma.”

Alisha supports her as she makes her way over and grabs Atlas’ ear. He yelps in complaint.

“Behave, pup. You’ve got a lot to learn about the way of things,” she says.

I watch Caden lead his men through the trees until they’re out of my sight. Then I turn to the bond to feel the distance stretch between us. Swallowing thickly, I follow Liam the opposite way to sneak through the perimeter to his cabin at the opposite end of the territory. Jade comes with us.

No one’s around. It’s eerie to see the packlands so empty and lifeless.

“Here.” Jade hands me a velvet bag from her belt once we make it to Liam’s cabin. “These are spelled for protection. Place them at the back door to ward off those that wish us ill intent. I’ll get the front.”

I’m grateful for something to do to distract me from my worries about my sisters. Inaction is making me restless, spurred on by my wolf. She hasn’t stopped pacing. Her agitation tightens my muscles until my skin feels stretched uncomfortably tight. She’s not happy to be sitting out when she’s ready to fight anyone who dares threaten her pack.

We’re strong, she seethes. We should fight.

Part of me agrees. I promised Caden, but I don’t want him fighting on his own, either.

Blowing out a breath, I step out back on Liam’s deck to set Jade’s protective barrier. A twig snaps to my left and a figure hobbles out, tripping against me when she tries to take the steps to the deck two at a time. I stiffen, then relax when she makes it to me without setting off Jade’s spell.

“Avery?”

Sylvie clings to me desperately. I help her up.

“Oh, I’m so glad you’re here. Saw you from where I was hiding. I—I ran. I couldn’t stand it no more. Cormac, he, he—” She breaks off with a gasping sob. “He’s so cruel. I’m sorry. So sorry. I should’ve listened. You said you’d help me.”

My gaze narrows at the way her fear smells. It’s making my wolf gag, shaking her head to dispel it. It’s off, overpoweringly foul and bitter, but there’s something else, a sour note underneath the stink of terror. She’s lying to me.

“Sylvie,” I snap. “Where are my sisters? Do you know?”

“I do, I do.” She pulls at my clothes, encouraging me to move. “I can take you to them. Come with me now. I’ll show you.”

She’s insistent. Too insistent. I want to rescue my sisters and get them to safety, but there’s no way I can do it on my own.

“They sent you to lure me into a trap.”

The cold accusation makes her flinch. Real tears well in her eyes. She doesn’t bother denying it.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I have to do whatever they tell me to. If I don’t obey, Cormac hurts me.”

“It doesn’t matter. Come with me.” I drag her inside, grip firm around her frail wrist. “They know we’re here. They sent her as bait to trap me.”

Liam unfolds his arms with a growl, hauling Sylvie off her feet by the collar of her jacket. She wails, kicking her legs.

“Stop,” I order. “She’s not important right now. I’m going to get my sisters.”

He grits his teeth, setting her down. “No. Caden gave me an order to stay put and keep you safe.”

“And I’m telling you I’m not staying put and waiting for him to handle this.” I bare my teeth. “I’m Alpha female. Either you’re with me or you’re not.”

“I’m with you,” Callie says.

“Me too,” Taryn chimes in.

Liam sighs, outnumbered by three willful females. “Fine. Only because I know if I refuse you’re going to do something anyway. If we’re doing this, let’s be smart about it.”

“Tell me where my sisters really are,” I growl. “Are they with everyone else?”

Sylvie cowers. I signal Liam with a glance. His violent rumble makes her balk and bare her neck.

“They’re not,” she stammers. “I bring their food. They’re being guarded in a basement. It’s a cabin near the back of the compound. There’s a hatch to it from the outside.”

My stomach clenches. If Caden’s taking Lorne on, he won’t know where they are. I have to get them out of there.

“You’re not going run back to give us away,” I say. “I’d rather keep you here.”

“No, no. I’ll help. A distraction—You need a distraction, yes? I’ll bring some food for the guards,” Sylvie promises.

“I’ll help keep you properly motivated,” Jade interjects. “Just in case.”

She whispers an incantation, fingers tracing a sigil in the air I’m only able to make out faintly. Sylvie sways against Liam, eyes going glassy and unfocused for a moment.

Liam grunts. “What the hell did you do to her?”

“She’ll seem like she’s sleepwalking until I release her,” Jade explains. “She won’t cause any problems.”

I give her a grateful nod. Sylvie blinks, her demeanor serene.

“Let’s go.”

We leave Liam’s cabin, sneaking through the packlands. We avoid the few scouts we encounter by following Liam’s direction to stay downwind. I spot larkspur growing on a hillside, gathering as much of it as I can.

“We can take out whoever’s guarding the basement with this. If we slip it into the food Sylvie gives them, it’ll be easier to overpower them.”

“What does it do?” Callie leans in to sniff it.

“Careful. We have to ingest it for it to have an effect on us, but larkspur is toxic. When they eat it, they’ll lose control of their motor functions.”

Jade gives me an approving once over. “You’ve learned well.”

Sylvie takes us around the outer stone wall Cormac built around his compound years ago. She shows us a part covered by a blanket of ivy overgrowth where there are footholds. Liam climbs up first, checking if the coast is clear before hoisting us up one by one.

“Take us to the basement,” I order.

Sylvie leads the way. The cabin she stops at isn’t much bigger than my cottage, the wooden logs suffering from dry rot. I send Sylvie for food while we hide out of sight. The guards watching the basement hatch are playing cards. One groans, complaining that his partner is cheating.

“Can you cast the same spell on the guards?” Liam asks Jade.

“I need to be able to touch their aura to cast it. They’re too far away,” she says. “I’ll do it when we’re closer.”

When Sylvie returns with two bowls of stew, I break up the larkspur flowers and grind the rest of the plant with two rocks, mixing all of it into their food.

“Lunchtime already?” The lankier guard pats his stomach as Sylvie approaches. “I could eat.”

“Stew again,” the other says with a sigh. “Don’t you know how to cook anything else?”

Sylvie shakes her head. “Stew is what Cormac likes.”

They exchange a look at her dreamy tone, shrugging. My heart doesn’t stop thudding until they’ve taken a few bites of food.

“Is yours, like, really spicy?” asks the lanky one.

The other one shrugs. “Kinda. My throat burns. I like it, though.”

I hold my breath. The poison’s taking effect. It doesn’t take long for one to start coughing and gagging. They both pass out, slumping off their chairs. Sylvie stands off to the side peacefully.

“Now,” Liam urges.

We rush to the basement hatch. Callie picks up the padlock while Jade casts a spell on the guards.

“Check one of them for a key,” she says.

“On it.” Taryn pats them down, deftly finding it looped around one of the guards’ necks on a length of twine. “Here.”

“How long will that keep them out?” Liam toes the closest guard.

“Long enough with Avery’s poison. As long as I need with my spell,” Jade answers.

Relief spirals through me when Callie gets the door unlocked. I race down the steps into the dank, dark basement. The girls are huddled on a cot shoved into a corner.

“Avery!” Lena covers her mouth to keep her voice down. “You came for us.”

My sisters rush me. I catch them both in a tight hug.

“Of course I came for you. I’d never leave you behind. Did they hurt you?”

“No,” Beatrix answers. “They just tried to scare us.”

“Dane said really mean things.” Lena whimpers into my neck. “Like how he wanted to make us his personal maids.”

A growl flies out of me. I’ll cut off his tongue.

“Let’s get out of here.” I take my sisters’ hands and hurry to the steps up to the hatch.

Liam curses under his breath and yanks us behind him. Male voices come closer. We peek around the corner. Dane ambles around with Trent.

“Hey. No sleeping on your watch. And why’s this door open, you idiots?” Dane and Trent nudge the unconscious guards. “Oh, fuck. I think he’s dead. What the hell?”

“Shit,” I hiss.

“Shh.” Liam edges back, shooting Jade a questioning look. She shakes her head and he exhales heavily. “I’ll attack. You all run.”

“By yourself?” I bite out. “Dane, sure. But Trent’s huge.”

He levels me with a firm look. “He’s also an idiot and he swings wide. Trust me, I know how to handle them. Your job is to get yourself to safety, okay?”

“Got it. Girls, stay close and be ready to run. Lena, if it hurts to breathe you have to keep going. Promise me, buttercup.”

“I’ll carry her,” Beatrix says. “We look out for each other, right?”

I squeeze her hand. As Liam watches for an opening, I whisper to Jade.