Page 31 of Capricorn Blessed

“Maybe you’ll learn one day soon, assuming we survive this adventure.”

I’m curious but glad for the reminder that we aren’t done here just because we found Izzy and are about to free her from the wall. We still need to get back out of here, get to the car, and find somewhere safe for us to lie low and figure out the next steps.

I turn my back on him, facing the others and protecting my mate and friend.

Beorn and Kenric have another man on the ground and are down to two left, standing. I scan the room again, checking for anyone hiding in the corners who could come after Dennis or Izzy if I move.

Seeing no one, I move toward the fight, stepping lightly and hoping neither of the men are shifters and hear me coming.

Hefting my sword, I wait until Kenric is grappling with one man before sneaking behind him and sliding the sword into his side. He screams and falls to the ground. I fight down the feelings of guilt for attacking him from behind, but it was him or us, and I will always pick us.

The man facing Beorn turns at the sound of his companion’s screams. I lift the blade and lunge at him. He jumps backwards, right into Beorn, who wraps an arm around his throat and squeezes. When the man is limp, Beorn lets go and lets him slide to the ground.

We are all panting. We split our attention between the door in case anyone else comes in and Dennis’s progress with the shackles. The first one pops free, and Izzy tips to the side.

Kenric rushes over, picking her up against his chest and holding her in a way that won’t strain her shoulder. That helps Dennis, and he gets the other shackle open in less than a minute.

“Let’s go!” Kenric states, shifting Izzy so her head lands on his shoulder.

We move to the door as a group. Beorn takes the lead with Dennis and Kenric in the middle, and I bring up the rear. My gut tells me there are more people down here, and we need to be prepared. I haven’t seen the man who was sleeping on the couch again yet.

We hurry down the hallway. If luck is on our side, we can get out before anyone else arrives here. As we near the T in the hallway, something in me tells me I can’t leave yet.

“I’ll be right behind you,” I say, turning and heading back up the hallway.

Kenric looks over his shoulder, opening his mouth to say something, but I shake my head.

“Go. Get Izzy back to the car. I’ll just be a minute.”

Spinning, I head back up the hallway, stopping at one door with a keypad lock. Something or someone important is in there. I just have to figure out how to get to it. I reach out and try the knob. No luck.

The keypad is metal and doesn’t have any faded numbers. Guessing the code won’t work. I lift my sword and smash it into the keypad. It buzzes and sparks shoot out of the broken keypad, but I hear the lock click.

I twist the knob and slip inside the room. The lights come on automatically. The room is full of boxes and crates. All unlabeled. I search inside, hoping that gut feeling will help me out. If I take too long, one or all of my mates will come back for me, and that would put them in danger.

I trust my feeling and move to a stack of boxes in the middle of the room. Opening the top one, I find old books. I lift the top one and sneeze when a cloud of dust comes with it. A History of Supernaturals is printed on the front in gold lettering. The next one in the box is The Supernatural Wars. I wonder why the Council are hiding these down here, but they aren’t what drew me to the room. I put the book back into the box and move it to another pile.

I open the next box, finding shredded paper and straw. Digging into the materials, my hand hits something hard. I close my hand around it and pull out a crystal and metal goblet. It feels warm in my hand, and I spin it slowly. The almost triangular shape catches my attention. The lead goblet Capricorn told us about.

Three down and one to go. Maybe I can do this before it’s too late.

Holding it close so it won’t break, I grip my sword and run back toward the stairs and the fresh air beyond.

Chapter 15

Goodbye is the Hardest

I slide into the backseat, and Kenric hits the gas and starts us down the road. I look over at Dennis supporting Izzy in the back seat. Her eyes are still closed, but I can see her chest rise and fall.

I reach out and recheck her pulse. Still steady. I gently turn her arms over, pushing up her sleeves.

“There has to be a reason she isn’t waking up,” I say to myself, searching for any unknown injuries.

“She’s got a knot on the back of her head,” Dennis answers. “Maybe it’s just the knock to her head.” He tips her head sideways so I can see for myself.

Izzy’s hair is matted with blood, but a lump the size of a golf ball is visible through the mess. I reach up and gently push her hair aside to check her wound. My eyes land on a red mark on her neck. Reaching out, I stretch the skin and take a closer look.

“What did you say happened when she was taken?” I ask Dennis.

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