Page 96 of Primal Bonds

“I assure you, the queen is looking into it. There’s no scent, no sign that anyone was inside. Only a powerful fae could’ve ’ported in and out of here without anyone knowing.”

“Hell. I knew she wasn’t all she seemed.” He expelled a breath. “I’ll inform my alpha. Thanks for letting us know.”

“De nada. You won’t be visiting next weekend.” It was a statement, not a question.

“No. Not until we know what’s going on.”

“I think that’s for the best. Here, Merry wants to say goodbye.”

Do Mar returned the quartz to Merry, who said, “I heard what Papa said.”

“I’m sorry,” Jace told her. “I won’t be coming to visit, but we’ll talk. I promise.”

“Is it because of that earth fada lady?”

He hesitated, but Merry wasn’t stupid—she’d figure it out for herself. “Yeah. It’s for your own safety.” Because if he wasn’t careful, he could bring this right to her door.

“Okay.”

Jace grimaced. Damn, he hated that Merry was so accepting—so fucking adult. She was only thirteen. She should be whining like a normal teenager.

“Love you, sweetheart.”

“Love you too.” She cut the connection.

Jace remained in the hall, hand wrapped around his quartz, still reeling from the bad news. First Tyrus, and now Nika had escaped. Who the hell was she, really?

And why were his instincts screaming a trap was about to be sprung?

He tapped his quartz. “Adric? There’s something you should know.” He relayed the news about Nika.

Adric swore under his breath. “Fuck. The fae who can get past Cleia’s wards can probably be counted on one hand.”

Jace nodded. “The prince,” he said, meaning Prince Langdon, “and the ice fae king.” Sindre, whose name was coming up too damn often these days. “Those are my best guesses. And possibly my Lord Prick, but if he could teleport, he wouldn’t be running to Paris.”

“Agreed. Thoughts?”

“That we need to increase security. Corban knows where I live, and if he’s working with the night fae, the look-away spell won’t keep him out of my den.” He glanced over his shoulder at the room where Evie was sleeping. Powerful fae or not, they’d have to step over his cold, dead body to get to her.

“I’ll put the clan on high alert. No one goes anywhere alone, and the young and the old should be guarded twenty-four/seven. We’ll increase our patrols through the city, too. But it’s too damn large of an area to protect.”

“We could gather the vulnerable in one place, but there’s something to be said for keeping the dens scattered around the city.”

They’d had this conversation before. On one hand, the small, scattered dens that earth fada preferred made it easier to eliminate them one den at a time. On the other hand, there was strength in remaining spread out. It had saved the clan in the Darktime—even a crazed alpha like Leron Savonett hadn’t been able to wipe out all the pockets of dissent.

“What do you suggest?”

Jace was already running scenarios in his mind. “So far, Corban has focused on me, but it’s you he really wants. I’m just a means to get to you.”

“So I’ll draw him out of hiding.”

“No fucking way. That’s just what Corban wants. I’ll do it.”

“No—I’ll be damned if I’ll cower in my den while that bastard attacks my best people. Besides, Evie and Kyler need you right there.”

Jace grimaced. Adric was right. While he trusted that his den mates would guard Evie and her brother with their lives, neither he nor his cat was comfortable with leaving them for any length of time. “Then let Zuri do it.”

“It’s not your decision,” Adric said. “Corban wants me, so let him try to take me. I beat him once.”

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