Page 52 of Blades of Ice

“No. I was thinking. If Amara was held in chains that were covered in wolfsbane, who’s to say Beck won’t be also? Please call Luna and have her whip up one of her potions.”

“Won’t she need more information than that?”

“I don’t know. Maybe she can talk with her mom. Lilly’s the one who helped Jasper when he was poisoned.”

“Okay. I’m on it.”

“Thanks. We’re headed back to Valdez for more supplies, and then we’re tracking down my mate come hell or high water. Or snow. Whatever.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to call someone to help? I know your dad and Locke would be there if you asked. Maybe Rain or Uncle Sin since they’re even closer?”

“Locke has school, and I’m not taking Dad away from Mom when she’s about to pop out my baby brother. I’m not waiting any longer to go after Beck.”

“I hear you, and I understand. Let me call Luna. If she does come up with an antidote, where should she send it?”

“I guess the rental. Hopefully Beck isn’t too hurt that he won’t be able to travel. If he is—”

“Nope. No negative thoughts. He’s got your toxin running through his veins now. Hold onto that.”

“You’re right. It’s starting to snow again, but hopefully it’s not going to be another storm. I’ll call you as soon as I’m back in Valdez.”

“If I don’t call you sooner.”

Lydia returned the phone to her pack, then shrugged it on. Dooley and Kennedy were waiting, ready to go.

Dooley side-eyed Lydia as they walked. “I really want to be part of your Clan. You have witches who create unbelievable weapons and potions. Rock stars. A trio of hackers. A seer. What else?”

“Well, the seer, as you call Connor, is also a famous artist.” Lydia left out Connor discovering a cure for his aunt’s cancer. That was still a secret. “Harlow’s dad is the Italian Gargoyle King, and her mother, Lucy, is a brilliant hacker and geneticist. She’s also a Gryphon, and through her, we claim her family, most of whom are bikers. Uncle Frey, who taught me to fly, his mate, Abbi, has danced with the Atlanta Ballet Company. Her brother, Matthew, and his mate, Slade, own a chain of upscale restaurants. Banyan is the Norwegian King. He and his mate, Urijah, forge the swords for our Clan, and they have a passel of kids, both biological and adopted. The list goes on.”

“Wait. If Harlow’s dad is a Gargoyle, and her mother’s a Gryphon, what does that make her?”

“A Princess who is a badass hybrid. Her beast is a Gryphon, but instead of having eagle wings, they’re the same leathery type as a Gargoyle’s. It’s not fair.”

“I’ll be damned.”

Lydia prayed his innocent comment didn’t jinx them. Luckily, the snow didn’t come down harder. The flurries swirled around them as they walked, and Dooley peppered her with questions about the Clan, making the time go faster. It took an extra day to arrive at the helo due to their late start. Four days, and Lydia was ready to fly back to Valdez. Ready for a hotshower, coffee, and sleep in a comfortable bed. More than that, she was ready to find her mate, nurse him back to health, then drag him off to Atlanta where they could hide from the world and tons of fucking snow.

Chapter 21

A sliver oflight illuminated the wall in front of Beck when the stranger arrived with more fish and another case of water. At least Beck assumed that was the reason for the male’s return. Beck didn’t react. Something was wrong with the predicament he found himself in. Either he was losing his mind, which given the state of his body, that was a possibility, or his sister was leaving for short stints of time and returning when she didn’t think Beck noticed. Was she being allowed to go out to use the bathroom? Or was he so out of it he didn’t hear when she peed on the ground? Even having drank his half of the water, Beck was beyond dehydrated, so having to take a piss was no longer an issue. He thanked the goddess he hadn’t needed to take a shit.

The bucket thunked as it landed on the ground. “Is he still alive?”

“Yes, but just barely. It shouldn’t be too much longer.” Was it Beck’s imagination, or did Chloe not care? Instead of responding, the male grunted and took his leave.

“Sawyer? I have more water and fish.” The sound of a can being opened followed his sister’s words. “Beck? I know you’re alive; I can hear your heartbeat.” After a few seconds, she added, “Goddess, this sucks.” Those last words were barely above a whisper. But what sucked? Them being stuck in darkness with nothing but fish to eat every few days? Beck had no idea how long he’d been a captive. His sleep was mottled with nightmares of Lydia finding him. Sometimes she was too late to save him. Others, she had to fight the masked male.

At least he was no longer shaking. His body was past the point of trying to rid itself of the poison. At least, that’s how he figured it. He didn’t understand why he was still alive, and how did Chloe know it wouldn’t be much longer? Was it because she could hear his heart, and the beats were slowing even further? And where the fuck was his Bear? Had it already given up?

A low, almost imperceptible protest rumbled in his head. Fuck, he’d give anything to be able to converse with his Beast the way Lydia could hers, then he wouldn’t feel alone. More than that, he wanted to hear his mate’s voice. See her face. Hold her against him. His Bear rumbled again, and a warm sensation spread through Beck’s chest.

Thank you.

“Hey, you. How’sit going?” Dakota asked after saying hello. “Did you have a good Thanksgiving?”

Lydia kept her promise to call, plus she wanted Dakota to know the satellite phone arrived safely, even if Lydia already had one. She had texted Carleigh as soon as they landed at the warehouse and told her she’d call later, after a long shower was had. They had stopped on the way to the rental for all the necessary food and supplies, that way no one had to go back out later.

She rested on the edge of her bed, playing with the Chloe prosthetic. “It was something.”

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