Page 36 of The Wolf and the Chimera
Kieran fought back laughter. Because I wasn’t about to ask my kid brother for a leg up, I crouched then threw my momentum up and caught myself on the edges of the opening.
Melanie and Bo, who were nearly shrouded by darkness,scooted backward. I maneuvered myself into the space the she-wolf vacated. As soon as I was out of the way, Kieran threw himself into the vent and crawled in front of me.
“Follow me,” Kieran ordered and crawled forward.
I did as he asked and carefully avoided falling through the hole in the duct. The farther and farther we got from the opening, the darker the duct became. Only flickers of light crept through the sparse vents. Calling on my wolf, I sharpened my eyesight so I could see more clearly in the shadows and tried not to think about how tightly the walls pressed against my shoulders.
“So,” I said, “how do you know this is going to get us to Elle?”
“We don’t,” Melanie replied.
“We’ve tried every other possible duct,” Kieran quickly added. “Bo’s been mapping out the routes to track our work. Thishasto be the one that goes into that hall.”
All I heard was that they had never made it into the spelled room.
“Great,” I muttered. “This is ahugewaste of time.”
“Do you have a better plan?” Bo asked calmly.
“Beat the shit out of Lyall,” I said, “andmakehim take me to her.”
“Are you ready to officially challenge him?” Kieran countered. “Because that’s what it’ll lead to. All the while, Elle would be held out of your grasp.”
Because he was right, and I hated it, I cursed under my breath.
“Watch out,” Kieran said, “sharp left up here.”
“Why are you helping me anyway?” I asked.
“We were planning on exploring this duct next,” Melanie answered. “You just upped our schedule, but with Elle’s…episode, we figured Lyall’s security will be thoroughly distracted. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up.”
I appreciated the she-wolf’s honesty. It settled my nerves more than any bullshit, self-sacrificing excuse could’ve.
“Besides,” Kieran said, “I want to know what he wants with Elle. And I want to make sure she’s okay.”
For some reason, Ididbelieve Kieran. Despite our lack of affection for each other, he had been nothing but kind to Elle. It was hardnotto be kind to her.
“How long have you been spying on your dad?” I asked.
The scuttle of bodies was the only reply. I wasn’t surprised. Spying on the Sovereign was a serious crime.
“Why can’t Elle control her powers?” Bo asked.
Touché.
Though I desperately wanted to understand what would drive the prodigal son toward treason, Elle’s secrets weren’t mine to share. I wouldn’t bargain them for information.
“There’s another turn,” Kieran whispered excitedly. “It’s in the direction of the blocked-off wing.”
“Do you hear that?” Melanie replied.
I held my breath and concentrated on listening. Nearby, voices murmured data in low tones, and feet padded across tiled floor.
A woman whimpered in pain.
Elle.
Hair sprouted from my arms, and a sharp slice of pain in my jaw indicated that my wolfish canines had extended. My body pressed tighter and tighter against the duct.
