Page 97 of Wicked Fate

Ryker squeezed my hand. "Are you sure you're strong enough for this? Healing Kendric took a lot out of you."

I straightened my spine, ignoring the lingering weakness in my limbs. "I’ll rest on the way there.” I linked with our pack,It’s time to roll.

Worry lined his forehead, but Ryker knew there was no point in arguing.

We split into the vehicles, and I couldn’t help but notice that only a few parents and children were staying behind. Even the injured wanted to fight against the woman who’d tried to steal everything from us.

Pointing at a vehicle, Reid led our group to an SUV so we could all ride together. I sat in the front passenger seat and leaned it back while Ryker drove. I needed to regain some strength before we got there. Within seconds, sleep had taken me.

* * *

My heart raced as Ryker and I stood by the three fallen oak trees. We’d need to climb over the huge trunks to find the hidden entrance. We’d run into no issues getting here, and my skin was crawling because of it.

I checked my weapons to make sure I’d secured the gun and dagger each of us had been given. A late Grimstone pack member’s junk yard had still had a locked safe where backup weapons were stored, and we’d stopped there on the way. With our total numbers of one hundred, we had enough weapons to arm everyone, even the witches.

Briar, Ashlyn, Zoya, Bruce and fifteen of his pack, forty of Reid’s people, and fifteen more witches stood behind us. I hadn’t been surprised when Adara had demanded to be in our group. She was still hiding her true face, but she was eager to get in there and see her mom.

Are you sure you’re strong enough?Ryker’s troubled face twisted in concern.

I promise, I’m fine.The short nap was all I’d needed to recharge, but he didn’t seem to believe me.

Kendric, Xander, and Gage had gone with the other half of our army so that we could effectively communicate. We were all dodging questions about why both Kendric and I seemed fine. We’d gone with stating it was clearly a blessing. That it had seemed like we were worse off than we truly were, which wasn’t untrue. If I hadn’t been blessed with healing power, neither of us would be here.

Ryker looked over his shoulder, noting everyone was ready. “Okay, let’s—”

But then gunshots fired.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

Ispun around, searching for shadows or vampires. We were close to the two-hour mark Ashlyn had predicted, though it was an estimate at best.

Nothing was near, but then another shot cracked in the distance.

We stumbled upon some vampires on patrol,Kendric linked.We’re all disbursing, and I’m taking Sun, Cassi, Xander, and one of the Grimstone pack members with me into the secret tunnel.

What about Gage?A lump formed in my throat.

I’m staying with the others since I know my way around and can link back to you all,Gage replied.But thanks for worrying about me.

Be careful, all of you,Ryker replied evenly, but his face was taut.Keep us posted on what’s going on with everyone.

The wind kicked up, and a branch snapped somewhere in the darkness. Some of our group members flinched, heads whipping toward the sound.

Ryker's jaw tightened as he assessed their fear. With a sharp jerk of his chin, he motioned for them to continue forward. "Stay close to us," he commanded, voice barely audible. "We can't afford to separate."

The weight of what we were about to do pressed on my chest. We climbed over tree trunks to find bigger oak trees blotting out any view of civilization. The dense branches and leaves offered protection since some leaves still hadn’t fallen.

Ryker followed a twisted path through dense underbrush gradually sloping downward. He pushed aside a curtain of hanging moss to reveal a narrow gap between two massive boulders. His shoulders barely fit through the opening as he slipped inside.Watch your step.

I followed right on his heels, the stone cold against my palms as I squeezed through. The passage opened into a small clearing where a depression in the ground marked our destination. Ryker knelt and brushed away fallen leaves to expose a metal handle embedded in what looked like solid earth.

He gripped the handle with both hands, and his muscles flexed beneath his shirt as he pulled upward. The door budged an inch, and his face contorted with effort as a low growl rumbled in his chest.

I dropped to my knees beside him and wrapped my fingers under the edge he'd managed to lift. Together, we heaved, and the door finally gave way with a groan of rusted hinges.

A cloud of dust and what looked like fur particles erupted from the opening, making us both recoil.

Stale air hit my face. Ryker went first, disappearing into the blackness. I followed, each step cautious on the metal rungs of the ladder. The others filed in behind me, the last one pulling the door closed above us with a dull thud that seemed to echo forever.

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