Page 79 of The Court of Truth

The hurried whispers drawing closer register in my mind first before I have the pleasure of seeing Janie in the doorway. She’s got her cell phone pressed against her ear and a smile on her face as her eyes lock with mine.

“Head over. He’ll be there by the time you get there,” she says to whoever is on the other end of the phone before ending the call and tucking the device into her pocket.

I don’t know what’s going on, but I know thehein her statement is definitely me.

“What now?”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Maybe if you looked at your cell phone you would know yourself and I wouldn’t have to get involved,” she retorts with a cock of her brow, and I frown.

My cell? It’s here somewhere. Rifling through the paperwork on the desk, I find it hidden and set on silent. My screen brightens as I bring it to my face and panic surges through me when I see missed calls and texts from Addi, Brody, and Raiden.

“What’s wrong?” I’m on my feet instantly, charging toward Janie as she waves me through the door.

“There was an attack of frenzied vampires in the city. Nora seems to have exhausted herself with her magic and they need somewhere for her to rest and be checked without wandering eyes and the media’s attention.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Attack?

Frenzied vampires?

Nora?

Where do I even begin with all of that?

My gut clenches with an undeniable ache that refuses to wane as I swipe my hand down my face. “Where are they going?”

“Doc’s in the main building so?—”

I don’t hear the rest. With a named destination, I’m gone, using my wolf speed to cut across the compound as quickly as possible, and I manage to barrel through the doors of Doc’s setup a whole ten seconds before the cavalry arrives. It seems Janie already spoke with Doc too, because she’s all set up and ready to go without a single word offered my way.

Kryll storms the room first, Nora nestled against his chest, and I wave him farther in toward the left. Doc instantly starts chatting with them as Arlo, Beau, and Flora edge into the space, exhausted smiles on their faces, but my attention quickly moves past them.

Huddled between Brody and Raiden is the reason I breathe. Her eyes lock with mine a moment later, a small smile teasing the corner of her mouth before I eliminate the distance between us. She’s in my arms in the next breath, her warmth colliding with my chest as I pin her to me.

“Janie gave me a brief rundown of what happened, is everyone okay?” I ask, leaning back to cup her cheek and stroke my thumb over her skin. I have the urge to touch her everywhere, to confirm she’s actually here in front of me.

“For the most part. Nora just needs to rest, but Pearl… she’s gone.” I can see the pain in her eyes, the storm brewing as the desire for retribution shines bright.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help,” I mutter, trying to quell the frantic mess of my own storm brewing. The need for revenge is potent. My efforts must be miserable because Addi see’s right through me.

“Cass, are you okay?” Her palms press against my chest as I nod.

“I’m fine, we can discuss me later. Right now it’s about what you guys need, what I can do to help,” I insist, and Raiden scoffs.

“Maybe next time you can answer your cell phone,” he grumbles, and for once, I take his shitty comments and tempered wrath because I deserve it.

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” I admit, and he pauses, eyes narrowing on me as his head tilts to the side.

“Something is definitely wrong with him,” he states, and I try to ignore him, but it’s futile. He grabs my arm, flexing his fingers until I meet his gaze, but the anger and irritation I expect to find isn’t there. If anything, it’s almost as if… he cares. “Whatever it is, get that shit off your chest so we’re not making assumptions. This isn’t a guessing game, there’s too much at stake.” He saunters off before I can even consider a response.

Brody shrugs, a smile on his lips as he moves farther into the room, leaving Addi with me. She stares up at me expectantly, and as much as I try to shake my head and down play it, she sees right through me.

“Tell me what’s going on. It’s not the burden you think it is. If anything, it will keep me busy until Nora comes around,” she promises, nudging for me to move, and we take the few short steps to the blue sofa against the wall, collapsing in it together with a sigh.

She rests her head on my shoulder as we watch Doc disappear behind the doors with Kryll and Nora as the others settle into the other seats around the room. I give myself a moment to collect myself, but it’s easier said than done.

Thankfully, I’m graced with an extra moment when Brody saunters over to Addi with a red vial in his hand. “I’m going to go and see what we can get from this, Dagger. Call me if you need me. I’ll have the volume on my cell phone turned all the way up,” he adds, winking at me as I glare, but he doesn’t linger as he kisses Addi briefly before heading back outside.

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