“The exchange,” Cormac pleaded.

A grin stretched across Weyland’s face and he had the audacity to chuckle as he patted Cormac’s shoulder. “Of course, of course. Zeyn, bring me the pretty blonde from last night.”

Shit. No good could come from that statement. Too many emotions for Aidan to name were rising inside of Cormac as the words settled over the Vampire.Don’t,Aidan told him.Just let them bring her to you and get the Hel out of here like we discussed.

Cormac conceded, his chest rising and falling in heavy breaths. One less concern, as Aidan continued to cycle through the others, dipping into more minds at once than he ever had before.

Zeyn pushed open the same door he’d left through moments before, his hand wrapped around Scarlett’s arm, and though Aidan only knew what the Witch looked like from Weyland’s mind, he felt the flare of recognition coursing through Rae.

You know her,he said to Rae. Not a question. A request for more information.

Focus, Vale. Do you feel that?She was looking around the warehouse, searching for something.

I’m a little stretched here, Farren.

A flicker of concern, then she shut it down.There’s something here like a ward. Someone.No retort, only apprehension, and Aidan couldn’t help the light caress across her lower back, like his hand was pressed there instead.

Beside them, Scarlett sobbed in Cormac’s arms, and Aidan forced himself to pull some of his attention from Rae to what she was seeing.

“Your blood has been interesting,” Weyland told the turned Vampire. “I’ll call on you when we need more.”

Cormac nodded but said nothing else as he wrapped an arm around his mate and led her to the exit, his driver tucked close to her other side, protecting her between them.

Rae’s relief rattled through her.

“Take them down,” Weyland ordered, a shiver rolling over Rae at his words, and though Aidan knew he should have been concentrating on making sure Cormac and Scarlett got away, he focused on Rae.

You good, Witch?Her fear rippled through her. Though she covered it well, she couldn’t hide it from him.

It’s one of them, Vale. Be careful.One of the hybrids that felt like a ward.

A metal shutter screeched open and Rae turned to the sound. An elevator. A hybrid with stumpy horns and a shaved head shoved her in, and she watched the cart as the others wheeled it towards her, all of them squeezing into the elevator together. Weyland remained behind.

The further they descended, the weaker Aidan’s Provident abilities became, his connection with multiple minds snuffing out one by one.

Farren—

Too late. Aidan opened his eyes and hurled himself at the hybrid gripping Rae’s arm, his fingers wrapped around the thing’s throat, just as the elevator stopped and the doors slid open.

“Get your fucking hands off my wife,” he snarled, fingers crushing the male’s windpipe, but the creature was strong. Unnaturally so. Aidan pulled on his power, but nothing happened. He opted for hurling the hybrid out the open doors instead as the others yanked Orion to his feet and urged them allout of the elevator. His rage abated slightly when he swept his gaze over Rae, assessing her for injuries.

“You’ll not be able to reach those Provident powers of yours, I’m afraid.”

Torrin. The Fae rounded the corner towards them, a grin slashing his beard in two. “Syphon abilities,” he said, by way of explanation. “Rather proud of that one. Took more than a few attempts to get right, but the fifth Witch seemed to do the trick. Though a sixth couldn’t hurt.” Slender fingers trailed up Rae’s arm and she shook him off.

“Touch her again and I will tear you apart,” Aidan ground out, his questions abouthowTorrin knew she was immortal stashed aside for later.

“Hmm. I hadn’t believed the rumours, but you are rather fond of her. Perhaps this won’t be such a difficult decision for you, after all,” the Fae mused, smoothing down his beard where it framed his mouth with a finger and thumb.

Shit. Nothing good could come from that statement.

Torrin smirked. “Bring them in.”

Four more hybrids circled them, and Aidan wasn’t stupid enough to try and fight them off without a weapon. They were ushered through a dark corridor, lights flickering above. He didn’t need his Provident abilities to know Rae was afraid, lost in a memory. With his hands still bound, he kept close, his arm pressed against hers as they were brought into a large room with gurneys scattered about and bloodstains over the floor.

Along the edges of the room, desks were littered with computers, medical paraphernalia, and needles. Humans sat before some of them, but none looked their way. Another door opened and Evander, Roak, and Reed were brought in, hands bound, no sign of their weapons. Their faces were grim, but they said nothing, likely because they didn’t know Aidan had no access to his abilities down here. Torrin had to be taken out.

“Pick one,” the Fae said, turning to face him. Not a Fae, Aidan silently corrected himself. One of them. A hybrid. And the hybrid was asking him to choose one of his team members.