Page 37 of Blades of Ice

“After my last tour, Dad was waiting for me at the harbor and said he knew where Mom was. H-he said he got a tip from a friend whose daughter had this plan to overthrow Amara. I refueled, and we flew to Chugach. He led me into a cave, saying Mom was in her bear form, but no one could get near her. He said I’d be able to since I’m her daughter. I walked a few feet in the dark, I heard a scuffle behind me, and then I was attacked.”

Beck growled low in his chest. “I’m going to kill that motherfucker.”

“Who? Do you know who it was?”

“Boyd, Chloe. Your good-for-nothing father did this.” At least Beck assumed it was Boyd. The assailant had been wearing a balaclava.

“No. He wouldn’t. It has to be—”

“He fucking attacked me. Stabbed me with a dagger coated in poison. So don’t tell me he wouldn’t. Fuck! When are the two of you going to learn he doesn’t care about anyone but himself?”

“I-I don’t believe you.” Chloe sobbed harder.

Beck growled again, but he didn’t argue with his sister. There was no point. If he didn’t believe in Lydia, Beck might let his own tears fall. But he did. Somehow, his mate would save him.

If he didn’t die from the stab wound first.

When Lydia gotback home, she was going to call Frey and tell him he should have added reading a map to their trainingbecause fuck if she wasn’t lost. For the last two hours she had walked in a ginormous circle. How did she know that? Because her snowshoe tracks were visible, as was the yellow spot in the snow where she had peed. Dropping both packs, Lydia pulled out the sat phone and some snacks, then sat on the larger pack to rest. She was beyond exhausted, and if the wolf she’d seen earlier decided to haveherfor a snack, she would probably just sit there and let it.

Carleigh answered on the first ring. “It’s about damn time, Cuz. I expected you to call yesterday.”

“I’m trying to save the battery since recharging stations are scarce out here.”

“Don’t get smart with me, young lady. Fuckin’ hell.”

“Sorry.” Lydia couldn’t stop the tears. “I got lost. Walked in a circle. I’ve lost two damn hours.”

“That’s it. I’m—”

“No, you aren’t. I have my bearings now,” she lied. She didn’t know why. Carleigh was like a sister, and Lydia could tell her anything. “Did you talk to Dooley?”

“Yes. He called Delaney and told her everything. She sent one of their pilots, Caleb, after him, and he flew Dooley to Valdez. And what I was going to say before you interrupted is that I’m going to have Caleb rent a helicopter and come find your ass. I can hear it in your voice, Lydia. You’re done.”

“Not yet but damn close to it. At least the temperature is holding steady, and the snow isn’t turning to slush. Oh, and I got to see the Aurora Borealis last night. I’d have enjoyed it more if Beck had been with me instead of the bear sniffing around my tent.”

“A bear? Like a grizzly?”

“Nah, this one wasn’t as big. Did you know that our bracelets can turn into flamethrowers?”

Something thunked on the other end of the line. “Are you shitting me?”

“Nope. Magic is awesome. I wish I had magic. Or wings. Or an animal inside me that’s actually a beast and not only a voice in my head.”

Fuck you too.

Sorry. I didn’t really mean that. I’m not thinking clearly.

“And now I’ve pissed said beast off. She took offense.”

“Are you telling me you went after a bear with fire?”

“Sure am. I wasn’t going to hurt it. Just, you know, scare it off. It worked. I stayed awake all night in case it came back though. The good thing is the flame melted the snow and I could fill my canteen.”

“So you’ve not slept in how many hours?”

“I lost count. Anyway, I need to hang up and get moving. I wasn’t kidding about the charge on the phone.”

“You are my fucking hero. Do you hear me?”

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