Page 47 of Shattered Fears

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

As soon as Jessica appeared in front of her as a ghostly apparition, Isobel knew something was wrong. The witch held her hand, and she took it at precisely the same time as the door was kicked in and several large guards pounced toward her. They missed, however, as Jessica’s phantom spirited her away to safety. That safety being the top of a very high mountain surrounded by nothing.

“Hello?” she called, but no one answered except the bristling air around her. Jessica had disappeared, and Isobel suddenly felt very nervous. She rubbed her hands over her arms to warm herself up. She wasn’t exactly dressed for such a location. There was snow all over the ground, and she was wearing boots, jeans, and a jumper, but no coat, hat, or gloves. “Jessica,” she called again. What the hell was going on? Why had she been brought here? Someone would hopefully come at some point and let her know. Kas had been angry at her for getting Zain caught, but he wouldn’t send her to the top of a mountain and abandon her, would he? A sudden, terrifying thought hit her. What if it hadn’t been Jessica? What if it were someone else? She wasn’t the only witch, was she? No, the man who’d come with Nuka was a druid. Her heart rate started to accelerate. What if this was a trap? Her eyes darted around looking for signs of people approaching her, but there was nothing. She wrapped her arms farther around her middle to stop the shivering, which was partly due to the cold and partly due to fear.

Forever seemed to pass before she heard footsteps crunching in the snow behind her. She spun around to see Kas standing behind her. Or at least who she thought was Kas. Why would he come alone? He’d need Jessica to bring him here, right? She stepped back and put her hands up in a fighting position, ready to defend herself if needed.

“Isobel?”

“Are you Kas?” she demanded.

“Of course.”

“Prove it.” Her nose curled up when she snarled her retort.

“You think I’m Nuka.”

“I don’t know what to think anymore. For some reason, I was dropped into the middle of nowhere and left to freeze.”

“Yes, I know. Jessica was told to make you safe, but I didn’t realize she’d bring you here. I guess it was the safest place she could think of, at the time.” Kas, Nuka, whoever he was, shrugged, but she wasn’t going to let her guard down.

“Enough talk. Give me proof.”

“Of course,” the polar bear shifter in front of her silenced for a few moments. “Zain is our common ground. I’ll go with something about him, namely one of his tattoos.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“What about them?”

“I’m sure I’m right in saying you’ve seen it because none of the male members of my pack seem to be able to keep their appendages in their pants; Zain has a tattoo next to his. A honeypot shaped one.”

She lowered one of her arms but kept the other up.

“Yes, he does.” She’d burst out laughing the first time she’d seen it. It wasn’t big, and you had to be close to that part of his body to see it. She was trying to think of a reason why Nuka or Kas would be close to Zain’s cock. The visions swirling in her head warmed her up a bit with the wrong kind of heat.

“I can assure you that’s not how I know about it.” Kas winked. “I know because I was there when Zain lost the bet to Scott and had to get it done.”

“Kas.” She lowered her other arm.

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry for making you do that.”

“No, you’re very sensible. I’m sorry for you being left here without an explanation.”

“What happened? Do you have Zain back yet?”

Kas’ body deflated before her.

“Not yet. The Council banned me from rescuing him and ordered that you be arrested as an accomplice to your father.”

“A what?” she interrupted, and her mouth fell open. “You can’t be serious. Kas, I wouldn’t. I want what’s happening as little as you do. I just want Zain back.” She reached out and took hold of his hand. “Please, what do you mean by not allowed to rescue him?”

“Don’t worry. I ignored that bit.” Flashes temporarily blinded her. Brayden, Tyler, Teagan, Scott, Emma, Katia, Jessica, and two other men, whom she didn’t recognize, appeared.

“Is she with us?” One of the men asked. He had green skin with brown swirls all over him.

“Isobel, I’d like you to meet Ethern Lennox.”

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