Page 28 of Blades of Ice

Lydia replayed the message, focusing on any background noise. “There’s nothing but static after she speaks.”

Beck pointed out the window at the snow flurries blowing erratically. “That’s not static. It’s wind.”

“Okay. At least we know whoever it is isn’t out in the wilderness, right? Or they couldn’t use a cell phone.”

“No, but they could use a satellite phone. We all have them in case of emergency. I doubt it’s one of ours since the call came in as unlisted.”

“Still, let’s get those numbers to Carleigh so she can track them, just in case.”

“If you look in my contacts, they’re all listed under the company’s name.” Beck tapped his thumbs against the steering wheel. “Goddess, what is going on?” he muttered. “I could see Boyd reaching out to Chloe or Delaney for help since Valerie dismissed him, but I cannot see either one of them siding with him against Amara, even if he is their father.”

Lydia placed Beck’s phone in the cupholder. “Maybe he kidnapped both Amara and Chloe? There was someone at the house with him that night, so it looks like he has help. Would he demand a ransom for them?”

“I wouldn’t put it past him, but Delaney said she hasn’t talked to him, which I find hard to believe since he was coming out of the building where our office is the morning he ran into you.”

“Could she be lying?” Lydia didn’t know the female, but she had sounded unhinged while yelling at Beck.

He ran a hand across his hair. “It’s possible, but I can’t imagine why she would.”

Lydia could imagine it along with all types of scenarios, none of which Beck would want to hear. Being the archivist for her Clan, Lydia had read through quite a bit of the history. Her job was to keep records of not only births and deaths, but also details of how mates met. How Kings were either passed the crown from their father or challenged for the throne. Power and greed were mighty influencers. Lydia prayed Beck’s sisters weren’t caught up in either.

Chapter 12

As the snowblew across the windshield, Beck’s mind also swirled with theories. None of them were good. He could see Boyd kidnapping Amara for ransom, but where was Chloe in all this? Was that her who called for help? And why had Delaney defended their father knowing what a low-down bastard he was? He chalked it up to pregnancy hormones, but was that truly behind her rage at Beck? Was Amara missing, or was she simply enjoying time away with whoever had been in her home? More than once, he had suggested Amara install security cameras inside her house, but she was adamant she would not be spied on.

“Do me a favor and text Dooley. Ask him to check the cameras outside Amara’s house Friday and Saturday and see if he can identify the male who visited her.”

As Lydia was typing, she asked, “You think it could be Boyd?”

“No. Whoever it was, Amara had sex with the male, and she hates Boyd.”

“Yeah, can’t say I blame her.” Lydia’s phone pinged with an incoming message. The name Sebastian appeared on the car’s display, and she pressed his name to listen as the digital voice replayed the message.

“Sebastian says, ‘Hey, Lydia. Just checking in to see how you are. Dakota and I are worried about you.’ Would you like to reply?”

“Yes.”

“What would you like to say to Sebastian?”

“Don’t worry about me. Things aren’t quite as bleak as they were. I hope things are going well for you both.” The app repeated Lydia’s message, asking if she’d like to change or send it. “Send it.”

Beck placed his hand on Lydia’s thigh. “Why are they worried about you?”

“I had a meltdown after I… after I killed Tinsley. My parents took me back to Atlanta, and I haven’t spoken to Bas since. He and I are close and talk often.”

“Have you considered seeing a therapist?”

Lydia propped her right elbow against the window and leaned her head on her palm. “My parents suggested it, but I refused. All they’re going to tell me is the same thing everyone else has. That I was doing my duty to protect my Queen and to give it time.”

Beck hated that his mate was hurting, but she was right. It would take time to get over killing someone. Not that he had experience in taking a life, but he would if it meant protecting his pack. He also hated that she was involved in his family’s problems. If things were different, he would take her back to the lower states to be closer to her family. Then again, she had come to Alaska on a mission.

“Tell me more about this council you want to form.”

“We want to find as many types of shifters as possible and warn them to be on their guard. If we gather at least one representative from each species, they can alert those of their kind to what’s going on with Agent Stallings. We may not be the only ones who’ve had run-ins with humans who are a threat, and if that’s the case, we can compare notes.”

“What do you think would happen if Stallings knew the truth?”

“The same thing that happened last time. He would hunt us down and experiment on us. Use our DNA to create super soldiers or worse. My family was able to eradicate the Unholy, and some of them were given a serum that reversed the damage. Some weren’t as lucky.”

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