Page 35 of The Wolf and the Chimera
“Yes.” My teeth ached with the need to shift, and I fought to hold the urge at bay. “Her powers got out of hand, and they took her—”
“Beyond that door?” Kieran asked.
I nodded, and he cursed.
“I can’t get in there,” he said. “I’m locked out, just like you.”
Kieran’s heartbeat remained steady, and his gaze never broke from mine. My grip on him slackened. Though he could’ve pushed me away, he didn’t. Lost in thought, he chewed on his lip. A small, hopeful smile lit his face.
“I think I know someone who can get us in,” he said, “but you’ll have to let go of me so I can call him.”
I released my brother but eyed him warily.
“Aren’t you going to tell me I shouldn’t worry?” I asked. “That I should trust the Sovereign?”
Kieran pulled out his phone and scoffed. “Would that line of bullshit make you feel better?”
For the first time, I considered that Elle was right. Maybe I didn’t know my brother as well as I thought I did. I shook my head, and whoever Kieran had called picked up. The voice was male, but the reception down here was shitty, and I could barely make out what was said. The conversation didn’t last long.
“Let’s go,” Kieran said and turned back toward the stairs. “Bo and Melanie are meeting us there.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I asked. “Whatever is in there, your dear ole dad doesn’t want us to see. He won’t be happy if he finds out about our snooping.”
I didn’t give a rat’s ass if Lyall found out about me getting to my mate, but I wanted to understand why Kieran would risk such a thing.
“I don’t trust anyone except Bo and Melanie,” Kieranassured me, then added, “and Mom.”
“Yet you didn’t call her,” I noted.
Kieran didn’t respond.
We reached the stairs and took a left. The ceiling was low, and no artwork or wallpaper decorated the sterile hall. Unlike the other hall on this floor, it was an endless maze of rooms, which reminded me far too much of the High Witch’s court. I shuddered and checked one of the doors, but it was locked.
“There’s nothing in them,” Kieran told me. “Well, there’s only storage. This hall is a decoy for whatever they’re hiding behind that spelled door.”
“Have you ever been in there?” I asked.
Kieran shook his head. “No, but we’ve been trying for months.”
Tap. Tap.
Above us, a white-painted vent blended into the ceiling. I never would’ve noticed it if not for the tapping coming from within it.
“Took you long enough,” Melanie whispered.
“Hurry,” Bo added. “It’s only been five minutes, and I’m sick of being crammed in here.”
I blanched, and Kieran grinned. He looked so much like Mom, it hurt.
“You expect me.” I pointed at myself. “To fit up there?” I pointed at the vent.
Kieran reached onto his toes and dislodged it, which left a foot and a half wide hole in the ceiling. Melanie poked her head out and snickered.
“What’s the matter?” she asked. “Scared of tight spaces?”
Her insult grated my already frayed nerves.
“Just move out of the way,” I grumbled. “I’m coming up.”
