Page 106 of Dead End

The fact that West didn’t scowl and immediately objectshowed the progress the two had made over the course of the past year.

“He’s ready if we need him.” The demon was preternaturally fast when the situation required it.

The wind picked up and the tiny hairs on my arms stood at attention. Something powerful was about to come through the crossroads. I adjusted my grip on the sword.

“Anna. West. Go stand on the other side of those oak trees behind me, would you? West, open the group chat on your phone and type the code word, but don’t hit send until my signal.”

They followed my instructions without complaint or posturing. The forest was so quiet that I swore I could hear the werewolves’ hearts beating in sync.

Heartbeats quickly morphed into hoofbeats. Horses charged between the two mighty oaks that flanked the crossroads, led by a cloaked figure on a coal-black mare with eyes that burned like two small red dwarf stars.

“Abort signal!” I yelled, lowering my weapon. Every muscle in my body relaxed at the sight of the Night Mallt’s mount. “Matilda!”

The Celtic spirit yanked back her hood as her horse skidded to a halt beside me. “Cariad, thank the gods you’re still alive.”

“For the moment.”

She dismounted her horse with graceful ease. “I received your message. I would’ve arrived sooner, but your crow was mistaken for a spy.” She glared at a hunter behind her. “I’m only glad I wasn’t too late to rectify the situation.”

“On the contrary, you’re just in time.” I had so much to tell her. “The ghosts are gone. Kane moved in. I went to the underworld to rule.” I tripped over my tongue as my words fought for dominance.

Matilda’s eyes widened. “Why would you do such a thing? You love this place, flawed though it may be.”

“Hestia insisted, but I’m glad I went because I found something important while I was there.”

“I hope it’s a way to defeat The Corporation once and for all.”

“Better. My parents. They’re alive.”

Gasping, Matilda grasped my arm. “Alive? But how?”

“They hid themselves in the one place they knew no god would ever look—Tartarus.”

“And where are they now?”

“Recovering in the underworld.”

“Then why have you returned? Nowhere is safe from The Corporation. The underworld requires protection while they gather their strength.”

I waved my hand at the crossroads. “Fairhaven is critical to their success. If they fail to capture the crossroads, their entire plan falls apart.”

“It is a good thing your crow was rescued from the spit.”

Her comment caught me off guard. “You roast your spies?”

“Never mind the details.” Matilda bowed her head. “As the leader of the Wild Hunt, I pledge my riders to you.” The rest of the hunters immediately followed suit.

I turned to smile at the wolves. “Hey, Arrowhead Pack. Good news. Our odds have just improved.”

Anna looked at West. “Is this how it feels to be an alpha?”

West gazed at the rows of bowed heads. “I’m pretty sure this is how it feels to be a god.”

“This will be unlike any battle you’ve ever fought,” I told the Wild Hunt. “I’ve seen the devastation of other lands and, I’ll be frank, it’s terrifying.”

Anna darted forward to jostle my elbow. “Are you trying to scare them away?” she hissed.

“It’s only fair that they know exactly what they’re up against. Fairhaven isn’t theirs to protect.”

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