Page 193 of Gift from the Wing

“Ready.”

Wrapping her in my arms, I transport us straight to the door of Cas’s favorite room and at the same time, Tillman pops in beside us.

“Well, that was quick,” he says, shooting us a wink.

“He’s getting worse. If his nonsense is rubbing off on you now, I’m screwed,” I say, shaking my head and buttoning my jacket. It’s going to be the four of them against me with their jokes and teasing nonstop.

“Nah, life’s just getting sweeter. Laugh a little, Core,” he says, swinging Willow out of my arms and kissing her like it’s been days not hours since he’s seen her.Hopeless romantic.

And I do laugh plenty. I’ve laughed every single day for weeks, as a matter of fact.

Since my princess gave me a piece of her soul.

They all just enjoy riling me up and then laughing about it.

“After you, your highness. We have a spy’s mind to pickapart.”

That they do.

Pulling my shoulders back, I push the door open and walk into the tortu—interrogation room, but my steps halt, causing Willow to slam into my back. Instinctively, I swing my arm around, gripping her before she falls.

“A vampire? You all stole a vampire out of the forest?”

Caspian, Draken, and Keeper turn to me with the most innocent fucking smiles on their faces as they stand around the snarling vampire they have strapped to the chair. By the color of his eyes, I can tell he’s completely sane, but he’s pissed to be in the position he’s in.

“I don’t think it’s considered stealing, brother. We’ve brought him in for questioning and then he’ll be returned,” Caspian says so nonchalantly, I pinch the bridge of my nose.

“I thought when you said spy, you meant like a Mastery member. What are we going to get from…I don’t know his name,” Willow says, cocking her head to the side, observing the vampire in fascination.

“Ah, my dear, Adored, this here is Renic. He’s a scared little Baccum who has an impressive ability to sneak around undetected. Many of the vampires, even with their enhanced hearing and speed, can’t keep up with him. He likes to spy on all the others and the Mastery members. Selling what he knows for the price of blood. That’s incredibly valuable in the forest. I believe he’s the one who…” Keeper pauses as his eyes flash crimson before he shakes his head and sneers at Renic. “He’ll know things. Whether they’re helpful or not, I’m not sure.”

A wave of sadness hits me in my chest, but just as fast as I felt it, it’s gone. When I peer over at Willow, her eyes stay trained on Keeper with a softness I don’t understand, then they glare down at the captive creature.

“Well, then let’s see, shall we.”

Strolling up to him like she doesn’t have a care in the realm, before any of us can stop her or just step up to help, Willow slams her palm against his forehead. He immediately bellows out in pain, and I’m surprised by the forceful use of her power, but obviously, she knows something about this vampire that the rest of us don’t.

Minutes stretch by as he grunts, snarls, and shakes beneath her palm, but she doesn’t relent. She rips out whatever information she deems important, and by the time it’s taking her to do this, she’s looking years back.

Finally, stumbling away from him, heaving, Keeper grips her by the elbow to steady her and she mutters, “Fuck.” It’s softly spoken at first, but then her voice rises as she shrieks, “Fuck.”

That burst of outrage is paired with dread, anger, guilt, all kinds of emotions I can’t decode fast enough. Anger I understand. I’m sure this vampire has seen some shit, but the others are completely lost on myself and my brothers.

“What did you see, little wanderer?” Draken asks, standing in front of her to block her sight of the vampire.

Her chest rises and falls heavily as she stares into his eyes, then they turn to Keeper and soften. “The answer to the question you’ve been wondering is yes. He used to lurk outside your perimeter.”

For as long as I’ve known him—which I get hasn’t been long—much like Draken, he’s a very cheery person. He’s extremely grateful for the second chance at life, but right now, every feature on his face crumbles before filling with fury.

“Thank you for getting me that answer, Adored.”

“You’re welcome. Let’s give Keeper a moment, then we can meet in the foyer, and I’ll tell you what I found out,” she says as she turns around and looks at me, Tillman, and Caspian.

“I do not need a moment.”

Keeper growls, and faster than my eyes can follow but loud enough my ears can hear, the sound of bones breaking and skin tearing echoes around the room. Willow’s eyes close gently and her body shudders, but she stops walking, waiting for Keeper to finish.

“What the hell? What is going on, Primary?”

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