Page 86 of Psycho Pack

"Let him go," Thane says, though his eyes never leave Plague's retreating form. "Something's up."

I nod, unable to shake the unease settling in my gut. "I've never seen him like this before," I say through chattering teeth.

Wraith rumbles softly, his arms tightening around me. I glance up to see his intense blue eyes fixed on the spot where Plague disappeared into the swirling snow. There's a wariness in his gaze that only heightens my own anxiety.

"Never seen him what? Weird?" Whiskey asks, glancing over at me before kicking at the snow again like he's punishing it. "Have you been living under a rock all this time? Guy's fucking nuts under all that fancy ass veneer."

"I'm surprised you know that word," Thane says dryly.

Whiskey snorts. "Learned it from you."

We wait in tense silence as the minutes drag by. The wind picks up, whipping icy crystals against my face. I burrow deeper into Wraith's embrace as the others press in around us to keep me warm, shifting restlessly.

Except Valek. He just hums tunelessly to himself, seemingly unbothered by the growing tension and the snow collecting in his hair and on his bare shoulders.

It's Whiskey who finally snaps.

"Fuck this," he snarls, leaving the huddle to pace back and forth like a caged animal, his bare torso bright red from the frigid wind. He's so heated, he's practically steaming. "It's been too long. What if the Shittarians or whatever those fuckers are called decided to take him prisoner? We should go after him."

"And do what, exactly?" Thane counters, though I can see the worry etched in the lines of his face. "Charge in there guns blazing? That's a great way to get us all killed."

"So we just sit here with our thumbs up our asses?" Whiskey shoots back. "Real fuckin' heroic, boss. Just becauseyouhad the worst day of your life doesn't mean the rest of us have to."

Thane's eyes narrow. "What the fuck are you on about?"

Whiskey shrugs his broad shoulders. "I dunno, man, I wouldn't wanna hold downmyliteral bro while my mate sucked his dick to calm him down."

Wraith snarls dangerously.

"You have a brother?" I ask, surprised.

"Well, no, but I have an imagination."

Thane's fist twitches at his side like he's about to put it through Whiskey's head when movement at the edge of my vision catches my attention. I squint through the falling snow, my heart leaping as a familiar figure emerges from the white haze.

"He's back," I call out, relief flooding through me.

The others turn as one, watching as Plague makes his way toward us. His usual graceful gait is hampered by the deep snow, but there's a determination in his stride that wasn't there before. As he draws closer, I search his face for some clue as to what transpired during his absence.

But his expression is as unreadable as ever, his pale blue eyes giving nothing away.

"Well?" Thane demands as soon as Plague is within earshot. "What happened?"

Plague meets our leader's gaze steadily.

"We can board," he says flatly.

For a moment, no one speaks. The only sound is the howling of the wind and the soft crunch of snow beneath Plague's boots as he comes to a stop before us.

Then Whiskey explodes.

"That's it?" he roars, gesturing wildly. "You disappear for fuck knows how long, come back looking like you've seen aghost, and all you've got to say is 'we can board'? What the actual fuck? I'm sick of your fuckin' mysteries."

Plague's eyes narrow dangerously. "I got us passage. Isn't that what matters?"

"It's a far cry from the fucking Chateau!" Whiskey yells, throwing his hands up.

"The Chateau we can't reach on foot without dying," Plague snaps. "At least we can regroup in Surhiira."

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