Page 28 of Claimed By Blood

He also insisted Draven accompany me. Which means Cain believes that my thrall is still loyal to him. That makes sense. In Cain’s world, a broken man is a loyal man, and Draven is definitely both.

Unfortunately for my sire, my thrall’s loyalty is to me.

Only when we’re back on our private floor does Immy turn me around. “Where are we going?” she asks.

“We need to pack,” I reply rather than answering directly. “Prep for warm weather. Bring weapons.”

Shoving open my own door, I tug absently at the fabric of my dress and head straight to the wardrobe. I wore it because I was visiting Court, but I desperately want to change. Tempting as it is, that’s going to have to wait. I don’t want any delays in getting out of here.

Packing is mostly for show. I’m hoping Finn will have plenty of clothes waiting for me. Even now, I can feel his eagerness down the bond, and I know Draven must have let him in on the plan. My skin feels too tight at the idea of seeing the rest of my thralls again. I barely let myself hope that this would happen, but now anticipation is pouring out of me.

Along with nerves.

The last time the pack saw me, they thought I was betraying Frost. Will they welcome me back? Finn definitely will, if the bond is anything to go by, but what about Silas? or Vane? Even more importantly, what about the alphas?

Reigning in my emotions before leaving my room is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. With any luck, Immy will just think I’m eager for the hunt.

She’s almost bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Back on missions together again!” She sighs wistfully as we leave the tower of steel and glass and step out onto the pavement. “God, it’s been too long. Finally, something that feels normal.”

“I know what you mean,” I lie, searching for Morwen’s car.

It stands out like a raven in a flock of sleek doves. The thing is bulky, wide, and obviously favours function over form. Like a tank without a gun, only it hovers like everything else in the modern age.

“Well, this isn’t conspicuous at all,” Immy remarks dryly. “Morwen doesn’t change, does she?”

“Nope.”

The door flies open as we get close, revealing a scowling Draven already inside. Our sister’s grinning face stares out of the driver’s side window. “Get in. We’ve got places to be.” Then she frowns as she spots Immy. “Let me guess, she’s coming too?”

My answering nod is curt, cutting off all debate on the subject before it can begin.

Both Morwen and Immy could betray me, but at least by having them close, I’ll be able to keep an eye on the situation. Not to mention, once I’m reunited with my thralls, there will be enough of us to deal with them should they turn on us.

All I have to worry about is making sure that neither of them can kill Samuel before I have a chance to talk with him. Because Cain wasscared,and that, more than anything, has me convinced that whatever Samuel knows is worth risking everything for.

Inside the car lacks the luxuries I’ve grown used to in the city. From what I’ve seen from my window, most of Cain’s vehicles are roomy, with leather seats and darkened windows. This one is nothing like that. There are tinted windows, and it’s certainly large, but the fabric of the seats is tough and utilitarian. There’s no carpet or other upholstery, just bare, matte black painted metal as far as the eye can see.

Mia is in the passenger seat, so Immy and I file in beside Draven on the bench in the back. My thrall and the lycan are both clinging to handles set into the roof, and when Morwen kicks the vehicle into gear and tears away from the Court, I see why.

She’s just as reckless now as she was when she was driving chariots. Some things just don’t change.

“I thought we’d take my car,” Morwen deadpans, spinning the wheel like she’s trying to unscrew it and sending me slamming into Draven’s side. Only my thrall’s iron grip stops me sliding the opposite direction when she turns the other way a second later. “This thing can withstand a direct hit from a missile and keep driving.”

“She tested it,” Mia says, with a grin. “It was epic.”

Of courseshe did. I exchange alookwith Immy, and for a second, it feels so normal that I want to grin. Morwen turns another corner, and the entire car lurches. If we had wheels, only two of them would be on the floor.

I swallow and look at my youngest sister. I hadn’t counted on her being here, but now that she is, she needs to be brought up to speed. She didn’t out Draven and me, even though she must have felt our thrall bond by now, and I have no plans on giving her a chance to betray us to Cain. Still, my hand goes to the knife hidden in my sleeve as I debate where to start.

“In the interest of honesty,” I begin, letting my thigh graze Draven’s in a silent search for courage. “We are not going to kill Samuel’s son.”

Immy’s head snaps around. “We’re not?”

Morwen shoots me a look in the mirror, and I nod. Better to do this now, with all of us here and armed in case she tries anything.

“I need to know, Immy. Are you with me?” I ask, searching her face for any hint of betrayal.

“Always.” No hesitation, and she keeps her eyes locked with mine.

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