Page 35 of Wicked Fate

Silence followed. The kind that made us feel like the air had thickened.

“Fuck if I know.” Gage ran a hand over his face. “Every time we saw her, she seemed so considerate and friendly.”

“There’s no telling how long she’s harbored this hatred.” There had to besomethingwe were missing, but I didn’t know what.

“She’s going after the strongest packs,” Ryker murmured.

“Maybe anyone she views as a threat?” Briar asked, glancing between Reid and Ryker. “It started with the royals and the protector pack, right?”

“Every attack has been deliberate,” I mused. There had to be something we weren’t seeing. Something that would make it all make sense. “None of this has been random.”

Ryker pursed his lips. “She’s hunting something—or someone.”

Bruce walked into the room and leaned against the wall. “You’re not wrong, but why kill the vampire nest? Those were her own people.”

My heart stalled, and a sour taste filled my mouth. Flashing back to the nest killing had my stomach churning. It had been so bloody and devastating. “It did kind of solidify in my mind that the attackers were a shifter group, especially with the strange scent.”

“Wait.” Briar lifted a hand. “How do they smell like shifters? Is that witch magic?”

Bruce crossed his arms. “Yeah, and it was like we couldn’t make out individual scents.”

“Like it was blended.” I remembered that it had been faint, but I’d assumed that was because of the cloaking spell.

Sun placed a hand on Reid’s shoulder and muttered, “It couldn’t be part of the masking charm, right?”

Shoulders sagging slightly, Reid shook his head. “There’s only one way to get that answer.”

The room went quiet, and I had no doubt we all knew what that meant.

Getting Cassi involved.

Ryker snarled, sharp and low. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Did we not just learn that witches can’t be trusted?”

“The best way to get answers is to talk to one of them,” Reid snapped, eyes locked on Ryker. “Because none of us knows, and she’s been with my pack for years and never messed up before.”

“That was ahugefucking mess up,” Gage interjected.

“I agree.” Ryker held an arm out. “She manipulated fated-mate bonds. The most important connection.”

“She might also be the only one who can tell us what kind of magic can make a vampire smell like a shifter,” Reid said evenly. “So, unless you want to keep playing in the dark, she’s our best option.”

I bit my lip and looked between them. They were both right—and I hated it.

Reid’s eyes glowed, indicating he was using the pack link.

“Are you sure?” Sun wrinkled her nose.

“I am.” Reid’s irises returned to their normal blue. “Cassi should be here within minutes. Jaren is fetching her.”

This isn’t a good idea,Kendric linked.

At least, that’s something we can agree on right now,Ryker replied.

Xander added,Then why the fuck are we waiting here for her to arrive?

Because we can’t do this alone,I replied, realizing how quickly my words had changed in such a short time. I’d been ready to take Briar and run, but now I understood what Briar believed. If we ran, there would be fewer people to fight for what was right.And Reid’s right. What other option do we have? We’ll smell it if she lies, and I can see the shadows when witch magic is activated.

So there’s not much chance she can fool us if we ask the right questions,Briar added, coming to my side.

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