Page 63 of Blades of Ice

“Got it. Here.” Lydia removed the supplies from one of the smaller backpacks and held the bag out to Jon. “Put your clothes in this so you can get dressed before flying the helo back.”

Her cousin grinned as he removed his coat and shirt. “Told you that you’re the brains.” He shoved his things in the bag and released his wings. “I’ll be back soon.”

Beck sat down on the blanket because his energy was waning. Dooley plopped down next to him. “How’re you doing?”

“I’ve been better, but I’ve also been worse. Who’s watching your house while you’re out here helping my mate?”

“My next-door neighbor, Mr. Fletcher. Told him Kennedy’s family had an emergency.”

“That wasn’t a lie. You and Lydia are our family.” Kennedy knelt close by and pulled food out of her pack.

Lydia smiled at the little fox. “Damn straight we are.”

Kennedy held out a sandwich to Beck. “Hungry?”

“Starving. Raw fish only goes so far.” He tore into the offering, and it was all Lydia could do not to stalk over to his sister and let the ice dagger do more damage. Instead, she called Carleigh about the items needed to secure Chloe and Orson in the warehouse. “Also, please call my mom and let her know what’s going on. I’d do it, but she’ll know I’m about two-point-five seconds away from maiming a she-bear.”

“You afraid she’ll talk you out of it?”

Lydia huffed, staring at Chloe who was brushing Orson’s hair off his forehead. “No, she’ll encourage me to do it. I don’t need any more temptation.”

Carleigh snorted. “Okay, let me make the call. Anything else you need?”

“A pair of magic slippers that’ll whisk us back to Valdez?”

“Luna’s good, but I’m afraid that’s not in her wheelhouse. At least I don’t think it is.”

After they said their goodbyes, Lydia sat down next to her mate and examined the wound. Shifting had helped, and there was barely any evidence Beck had been stabbed.

“How long will it take your cousin to get back with the helo?” he asked.

“I’m not sure. It took us four days to walk this far, but he’s pretty fast. With the sun setting, he won’t have to worry as much about being spotted. I’d say a few hours at most?”

Beck grew quiet, and Lydia studied his face. Her mate was staring at his sister. Lydia wanted to tell him to forget about her, but she didn’t. She couldn’t imagine the hurt of knowing your sibling wanted you dead.

“Do you think they’re lovers?” Kennedy whispered.

“No.” Beck reached for Lydia’s hand and threaded their fingers. “She admitted she was in love with Heather. She also ranted about her current best friend abandoning her. Somethingshe accused Heather of doing when she and I dated. I’m not sure where Orson fits in. If Boyd really did warn Delaney about Orson, then maybe Heather is working against her father, not with him.”

Dooley tapped his fingers against his thigh. “Thinking back over the cryptic messages to and from BC and Sterling, I think you’re right. Heather found out what her father and Chloe were up to, then met up with Boyd in Sterling.”

“But why not come to me instead of all the secrecy?”

“Would you have trusted her if she did? Boyd knew you wouldn’t give him the time of day after what he did to your mother, and you and Heather didn’t end things on the best of terms.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I— What is she doing?”

Lydia had been focused on Beck instead of paying attention to Chloe. “Oh, hell no.” Lydia jumped to her feet. “Move away from Orson. Now.” Lydia called forth her sai, twirling them. Chloe ignored her and continued loosening the bungie cord from around his arms. Once they were free, the male shifted to his Bear. Dooley, who had moved to stand beside Lydia, did the same, but she said, “I’ve got this.” Orson shook out his fur and turned his attention to Lydia. Unlike in her dream, she was ready for him. The large animal was intimidating, but she had magic on her side.

“Sugar, no,” Beck said. “I’ll handle Orson.” It took a few seconds to shift to his fur. He moved quickly toward the other bear. Both had been injured, but it didn’t seem to be slowing them down. Chloe was easing backward from where she was sitting, and Lydia pointed a sai at the female.

“You want two bum legs?” Lydia called on Luna’s magic once again, transforming the sai into ice daggers. Chloe’s eyes widened, but it didn’t stop her from shifting. Lydia’s focus was interrupted when Orson roared and slammed into Beck. The twomassive beasts rolled, but Beck’s recovered first. He lunged at the slightly smaller animal, mouth open and claws out. He found purchase in Orson’s neck, but the other male didn’t give up. His own claws scraped at Beck’s injured side, and Lydia prayed he was healed enough that this wouldn’t set him back.

Dooley’s bear ran past Lydia toward Chloe. The female couldn’t move quickly with her back leg being shorter than the others, but she was trying to get away. Dooley had no trouble catching her and knocking her down. He snapped his wicked jaws around her injured leg, and Chloe’s bear swiped at Dooley. Her claws made purchase, but he didn’t let go. Shaking her appendage like a dog with a toy, Lydia was afraid he would rip it off. Eh, it would serve her right.

A small white fox sped across the snow to help her mate. Lydia stood frozen, her gaze going back and forth between the two fights. With Kennedy helping her mate, Lydia trusted them to subdue Chloe. A different type of roar ripped from Beck’s beast, as Orson tore at his hind leg with his claws. Blood dripped from both bears, and Lydia was done seeing her mate hurting. She returned the blades to her wrists, wanting to appear unarmed.

“Orson!” When the bear looked her way, Lydia held her arms out at her sides, hands empty. The animal blew out a frosty breath, and clambered her way, picking up speed with each step, taking him farther away from Beck. Lydia waited until he was within ten feet, then called the ice daggers to her hands. Orson lunged, and Lydia dove to the ground, rolling to her back, blades up. They sliced through the animal’s stomach, his momentum carrying him forward. He landed hard, and Lydia scrambled to her feet in case he got back up.

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