Page 68 of Entangled (Haven Realm Chronicles 5)

They all shrugged.

“As of right now,” I said, “all we know is that he’s strong, works with a powerful witch, and steals shifters to perhaps use them for his own personal army. And my curse is connected to him, so keeping me alive for my hair is crucial to his strength. But what does it all mean and why is this happening?”

“Considering they’re out of the mansion…” Reed gulped down his tea and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I say we follow Kahlo’s suggestion. We ask other shifter packs who’s gone missing and when, and if they’ve seen anything strange. Let’s gather intelligence and regroup with a plan.”

“Agreed,” I said. Eventually, the witch would track me down. I wasn’t stupid to think she’d leave me alone if my hair fed the hooded man with power. So the trick was striking first before they saw it coming. I wracked my brain, going over everything I’d seen at the mansion, trying to remember anything the asshole had said when he’d paid me a visit. I’d met him once before when I’d been eight. That event had taken place back in my hometown where I’d grown up. What if he and Faye were from there too? What if someone else knew them?

“I grew up in Crosswind, a small village near the Tritonia border.” I cleared my throat. “It’s a hike up there, but that was where Faye and the albino shifter captured my father and me. What if they’re from there? It might help us gain more insight who we’re dealing with. My father also had a friend there we’d visit sometimes, a woman who baked the most incredible cookies. She might know something.”

Reed and Kahlo nodded their heads.

“Good idea,” Gage said. “Especially since I plan to get Elliana away from here. I’ll take her to Crosswind today, and I’ll ask the shifters there.”

Having Gage jump in and help meant the world because it wasn’t as if every problem was only on my shoulders for a change.

“Perfect,” said Reed. “Kahlo and I will split up and do the same near here. We’ll meet you both in Crosswind tonight at a local tavern. Deal?”

“Yes,” I said and everyone dove back into the food. The countdown was on, and a sense of adventure set in. Together I was ready to take on anything because for once I wasn’t alone. Adrenaline coursed through me at knowing I’d have someone to rely on, to catch me if I fell, to comfort me when shit got real.

Not to mention more of you to die.

I swallowed the boulder in my throat because she was right. But running away wasn’t an option anymore. No more looking over my shoulder, waiting for Faye to find me. This was the moment we made a difference. My heart skipped a beat at the dangerous mission we were about to embark on.

Here were three gorgeous men who affected me in ways that left me floating on clouds, and I couldn’t bear to have any of them harmed. This wasn’t just about me anymore, but ensuring they received their happy endings. Would I succeed? Being with them gave me the hope to believe in miracles.

By the time we finished eating and I’d packed everything away, the three men stood in the living room, Gage carrying my oversized backpack. Clothes, two of my favorite books, and food for the trip. Plus, gold coins. Gingernuts was already inside a bag with just his head popping out, meowing and not a fan of this arrangement. But he was coming with us wherever we went. He was family. I pushed the straps of my bag up my shoulders with my hair tucked away.

“Ready, Sugar-Pops?” Gage asked, and I hurried toward the trio. Never in a million years would I have guessed where that first meeting in the lion territory would have led to. But my life had never been ordinary, and the unexpected was the norm.

“I can’t tell you how incredible it’s been to have all three of you in my life,” I said as the men stared my way. Gage pulled me into a hug first, then Kahlo joined and third, Reed closed the embrace. Me in the middle of amazing men who caused my heart to race, who meant more to me than I could have ever imagined. The more time I spent with each, the more I cared about them and I yearned to keep each for myself. Together we joined as one.

A niggling sensation wormed through my thoughts, well aware that good luck rarely accompanied me, but maybe the fortune from three shifters would balance me out.

“All right, let’s do this,” Kahlo said, his palm still on my lower back, stroking me in circles, reminding me how much I’d shared with him last night. Like my fears, how much I’d wanted to die after each beating. And yet he wasn’t running away from my messed-up life.

“I’ll be seeing you soon.” He drew me into a hug, strong and powerful.

Reed’s warm body pressed against me, and when I turned away from Kahlo, he threw his arms around me, as if any moment he might break down and tell me what had happened in Tritonia. But instead, he whispered, “Don’t do anything crazy until I come for you.” The joy in his words had me smiling to have his true self back, even if just for a few moments.

Kahlo collected Gingernuts to take him downstairs for us, and both headed out the window, Gage after them. “Time to leave, honey.” He offered me his outstretched hand.

I followed him and took one last look at the tower—my prison and home for the past thirteen years. The paintings on the wall of a meadow and castle, the fabrics over the walls that looked more like a boudoir, but better than stone walls, and even the corner where I’d cried so many times. I had known nothing else for so long and now leaving felt bittersweet. While I had many memories attached to this place, I wouldn’t miss it. I turned and followed Reed out the window.

Farewell.

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