Slumped in a chair, Calista is pale with dark circles under her eyes. She meets my gaze.
“Took more energy than I anticipated. It was a nasty bit of magic. Whoever did this is dangerous and ruthless. They’re not going to stop. Odds are they’ll attack you directly now.”
“They already have,” I sit up. “We’ve fought shadow beings twice now.”
“Were they solid?” Breath quickening, she straightens. Her eyes round.
“No, but they were able to interact with us.”
Bo smooths his hands down his thighs. “They hit like a Mack Truck.”
Cal glances at the others. “Were there any signs before they arrived?”
Cadoc nods. “The scent of rotten meat.”
“Temperature drops,” Kirk rubs my back.
“I can sense them,” Fell’s admission is almost too low to hear.
Calista straightens. “You’re going to need protection. What’s coming is vicious and deadly.”
“Why are you helping us?”
“I don’t want the person behind this in power. They possess a ravenous hunger for control that won’t be easily sated.” She inhales. “This is about more than your pack. It’s a small battle in an unavoidable war. Remember that I decided to stand at your side.”
“You speak in riddles, witch,” Cadoc slaps the couch cushion beside him.
“Not everything is written out in black and white. I’ll cast a protection spell to tide you over while I create a talisman. You’re going to need it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“Get up, Princess. We have company coming.”
The words and the gentle touch on my face shock me to full consciousness. The sweet actions don’t fit the man.
“Who?” My voice is raspy.
“Don’t know.” Bo rolls from the bed, sprinting across the room and down the stairs.
“Who knew the laid-back asshole was so nimble?”
I giggle at Fell’s gravelly voice.
They’d all crawled into the massive monstrosity I called a bed after leaving Calista’s lair. Her words and my cleansing have us jumping at shadows and sleeping in the same bed. The boys have been taking shifts to make sure someone is always on alert.
“It’s like you read my mind.” Amused, I exit the bed on clumsy limbs and pull on my clothes I’m slipping on my sneakers when the door opens.
“Alpha’s people are five minutes away.” Bo’s words blur together.
“Shit.” I rush to the bathroom and emerge after freshening up and brushing my teeth. A few moments later, I emerge alert and presentable.
“Ready.” I swallow. “The timing—.”
“Yeah. They didn’t even let the spell grow cold.”
“Are we taking it as an admission of guilt then?” I toy with the drawstring of my hood
Cadoc exhales deeply. “We have to consider it.”
I nod. We can’t leave the others down there alone. United, we’re always stronger.
I toy with the ends of my ponytail. “Not how I wanted to start my day.”
“Yeah.” Fell runs a hand over his face. “Me either. Come on.”
I follow him downstairs.
“We can’t afford to be caught unaware, Brat.” Cadoc’s waits for us at the bottom.
“We need to be on our guard.” Kirk paces.
Their clothing is deceptively casual allowing them to move freely. My clan is ready to battle.
“Relax, Brat. We’re not alone out here. I’m sure they’ve smelled our men by now. They won’t act impulsively.”
“He won’t make a move that can be easily traced back to him.” Kirk sounds sure. The haunted look on his face freezes my blood.
“When he strikes, it’ll be sneaky, underhanded, and unexpected. His hands can never be dirty.”
