Page 79 of Scarred Resolve

“And not kill him?” Callahan asked, incredulous.

“I tried. I went through him. He wasn’t there. I think he was on the plane that had just taken off and left,” I said, not frustrated at Callahan for his comment. “He was like a solid-looking projection, but I went right through him.”

“He said similar things to me,” Davor said. “Said the days of our family thinking we controlled the werecats or any of themoon cursed were going to be over sooner or later. Told me to give up and use my skills for more worthwhile endeavors if I wanted to survive the new world order. Once we killed the werecat, though… I caught a look at him at that moment and saw he really hadn’t been expecting that. He disappeared after that.”

“We’ll need a description of him.” Hasan crossed his arms. “His entire physical appearance. If you want, one of you can let a fae look at the memory for the most accurate image we can get of him.”

“I’ll do it,” Davor said before I could. “Jacky should get home, and Niko never?—”

“ALPHA!” A werewolf came running, his hand up. “Alpha!”

“What is it?” Corissa snapped.

“This is it. They’ve been using a potion,” the werewolf said, holding out a piece of paper. “This is a copy of whatever original they must have, but it’s a potion. There’s even a description of how long it lasts and how often it can be used.”

She grabbed it, and Callahan read over her shoulders.

“Oh gods,” Corissa whispered. “Thank you. Subira, Hasan, this is it. We know how they’re hiding the scent of magic. Give this a read.” She held it out for Subira, who hissed as she looked it over. She didn’t take it, though.

“Foul ingredients. Some of those things shouldn’t be mixed, but I see how it works,” she said, shaking her head.

“What’s the worst of it?” Hasan asked, not looking at all.

“Blood from a moon cursed, the type doesn’t matter. They had the source they needed for it. An endless cycle, it seems. Get some of our blood, create the potion and consume it, take us off guard and capture us, get us under control, have more blood for more potions. Because it’s our blood, it specifically blocks the smell of magic from us.”

“Having this is a victory in and of itself,” Corissa said, but there was no victory in her words. “Now we just need a way to counteract it.”

“You won’t find one,” Subira said, shaking her head. “Not with our blood being used. This… This was smart. It’s so highly targeted. You’ll need someone like me, a half-breed with enough power to sense and see magic, not only smell it.”

“And there’s only one of you,” Corissa said, actually smiling a little.

“Well, yes, I’m the only Subira, but there might be some half-breeds in the world who you can get to work with you,” Subira said, pushing the recipe away. “I’ve memorized it. Give Hasan a copy when you have the chance.”

“Of course.” Corissa looked at me suddenly. “Perhaps it’s time we allow them to go home, and we’ll finish this here.”

“We can still help,” Niko said quickly.

“She’s right,” Hasan said, shaking his head. It was surprising to see him so agreeable with the werewolves today. “You three have done more than enough and have gone above and beyond in this endeavor. Subira will escort you all home. She knows how the Tribunal doors work, and they’ve all been prepared. She’ll come back to us once you have all gotten back to your territories.”

“Well, when Davor and I have,” I mumbled.

“Shut up,” Niko hissed from ten feet away. Hasan only rolled his eyes as Subira walked toward me, wrapped my arm in hers, and pulled me away. With a snap of her fingers, my brothers fell in line and followed.

“Stay safe,” I called back to the ones staying behind. I couldn’t say it for certain, but Hasan looked moved by my words.

34

CHAPTER 34

“What did Jabari mean when he left me on the phone?” Davor asked out of nowhere as we entered the Tribunal, leaving behind the mess that was Alaska and the secrets it had held. I immediately knew what he was trying to do, distracting himself from the horror we had left behind.

“What did he say?” Subira asked, curious at Davor’s question as she closed the door on Alaska completely.

“Something about someone being right with their theory,” he explained.

“Ah…” Subira nodded and opened the door again, revealing my office, where Heath sat on my desk, clearly waiting on me. I rushed in and threw my arms around him, feeling the power of his hug. It was the most comforting thing I could have asked for at that moment.

“I told you I would come back,” I whispered into his shoulder.

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