Page 42 of Wicked Fate

Kendric nodded. "That prison was built to contain supernatural threats, not just vampires. If she’s dangerous, that’s where she’d be. No windows. No light. Reinforced walls. Raven said the witches protected it from the inside out with wards."

“Damn witches,” Gage spat. “The goddess just needs to kick—”

“Witch here.” Cassi spun around and glared, turning her back to the map. “I just helped you locate a witch and now will help you with some of the wards, so a little bit of respect would be nice.”

“You have a spell to get through wards?” Sun tilted her head back.

“Most of the time, when wards are done by witches against their will, they have a workaround for others of our kind to get through them. It recognizes our witch magic and will let us in. That doesn’t mean that we’ll get around any security inside, but if I go with you, I can cast my magic out to cover you as we enter and shield you from harm before we see what’s inside.”

“Wait.” Briar lifted a hand. “I thought you said that your magic can impact fated-mate bonds.”

Cassi placed a hand on her heart. “I won’t mess with any bonds—I’ll merely extend my magic like I might do during any sort of normal spell, like encouraging rain for the plants and such.”

Reid studied her, and unease lined his face. “You’re confident you won’t mess with our fated-mate connections?”

Cassi straightened. “Iswearnot to mess with any bonds of any sort.”

“Then we should go before sunrise to help avoid detection.” Ryker rubbed the cut on his palm. “I say the group here goes, and if Reid isn’t well enough, then he can have one of his pack members replace him.”

Reid straightened. “I’m going. I’m not sitting this one out. Not when my pack has suffered losses and needs time to heal. I’m the alpha, and the responsibility falls on my shoulders. I need to see this through.”

“Reid—” Sun started, but he raised a hand.

“My pack will survive a few hours without me. What everyone here needs more than anything is closure—and this witch might have the answers to stop this from ever happening again. If I’m not willing to go, then I have no business asking one of my pack members to take my place.”

“Fine. But Reid, it won’t do us any good if you wind up being a liability,” Ryker said and moved to stand beside me.

“Then that means we need to put more ointment on you, eat a huge meal, and get some sleep,” Sun said with a scowl and tugged Reid toward the door. “Because, if you can’t walk normally in the morning, you’re not going anywhere. I don’t give a damn if you’re my alpha or not. I refuse to let you head into danger like that.”

Gage snorted. “I can see how Cassi might have thought Ember would pass as his mate. That’s something she’d say.”

Deep, threatening growls came from both Ryker and Sun just as Xander smacked him upside his head.

“You fucking dumbass.” Xander’s voice strained, and I wasn’t sure if it was from anger, surprise, or trying not to laugh.

Ryker’s eyes glowed and landed on Gage as I stepped between them to redirect the conversation.

“We don’t have time to waste energy now.” I lifted my chin, allowing my wolf to surge forward so they could feel my power. Even if I wasn’t the official alpha of our pack, I had a strong wolf, and they’d know it. “We need to conserve ourselves and rest. All of us are tired, stressed, and still in mourning for all the people we’ve lost.” I then linked to Gage,I know you were teasing, but no more of that. Not right now.

Fine.He sighed.But I still think it was funny.

Not helping.I pressed my lips into a firm line so there was no mistake that I didn’t find it humorous.

“She’s right, but I swear to Fate that if you make a joke like that again, I will kill you with my bare hands.” Ryker bared his teeth, letting every ounce of his anger show. “Let’s meet outside Reid’s house an hour before sunrise.”

“I’ll have a few more pack members run perimeter tonight so we have a clear idea of where the vampires are by searching for faint wolf shifter scents by the time we leave.” Reid went to the door, moving slowly with his cane.

“I’m going to head back to the house with the others,” Bruce said and followed the Blackwoods. “I’ll try to bring one additional person with me in the morning, but I can’t risk more than that right now.”

“Understood.” Ryker sighed. “We’ve all been pushed to the limits.”

As the others filed out under the night sky, our pack was left alone.

For a moment we all stood there in silence, finally able to breathe, processing everything that we’d learned and decided.

Xander moved first, crossing to the fridge like a man on a mission. “I’m starving. Let’s see if there’s anything edible in this damn place.”

He pulled it open and whistled low. “Well, look at that. We’ve got a stack of raw steaks. Someone must’ve thought about us eating.”

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