Page 56 of Shadowed Radiance

"Yes. That's what Mother has always maintained. And she also believes Father wouldn't wanted to have live as a slave to anyone else. Not even her."

I frowned. "Then why would Alexander be so dead set on forcing me to do that very thing to Grandfather?"

"Simple. He doesn't believe that's how the spell works. He doesn't even believe that Mother ever actually truly loved Father. Grief and rage have blinded him to the facts." She pursed her lips thoughtfully. "And truth be told, the fact he was given up for adoption and only got to know our father late in life has also affected his judgment."

I took a deep breath before glancing at my bonded wolves again. "I'm not sure I evencouldcast the spell Alexander wants me to. But I do know we need to get in there to have any chance of saving the girls. Can I count on you to back me up?"

All three answered in that eerie triplet way they had. "Absolutely."

I let out a relieved sigh and turned back to Bridget. "Can I count on you as well?"

My aunt inclined her head respectfully. "Of course, niece." She gestured to the other Radiants. "We will support you magically however we can. Hopefully we can get the girls away from Alexander without you needing to cast that spell."

"Let's hope so," I said with a rueful head shake. "As much as I regretted growing up without him, I wouldn't want to go against my grandfather's wishes. Not to mention put the St. Louis Pack at even greater risk."

Shea took one of my hands in his own and gestured toward the house where Sanai and the others waited. "Let's pool our resources and choose who will escort you into that house. And then let's end this."

Bridget banished the Radiant Seal, at which point we walked toward the house where we would rally our small army to take back our girls once and for all.

* * *

Shea

Seeing Ava come into her own as a leader with the authority to back up her orders made me intensely proud. My brothers and I recommended the guardians to bring with us at her request and watched as she sorted out which magic users would accompany us.

Her mother had appeared relieved to see her sister Bridget, stepping forward to hug her when we walked into the house that had been evacuated of its former occupants and now served as a temporary HQ. One had only to look at Erin Sheridan's golden hair and unusual violet eyes to know where Ava had gotten hers. Just like Ava had inherited the strong will and magical abilities of her grandmother. I'd always found it intriguing how certain characteristics often seem to jump around in families. Most times without any apparent rhyme or reason.

Hopefully those less desirable traits Alexander had exhibited would not be displayed by any other Sheridans. Although technically, he was a Kincaid by both birth and adoption. His father had only married into the Sheridan clan.

Ava's mother was much less pleased when she wasn't among the Spellbinders her daughter chose to accompany us. Something that had her daughter glare at her in exasperation. "I absolutely need Bridget in there. She's the second most powerful Radiant after me. Just like I need to leave two of the Radiants behind to re-tether this Pack if the absolute worst-case scenario comes to pass. Do you think it would be wise to put yet another Sheridan at risk in there tonight? How many of us should we risk dying in one evening? And who else do you think I would trust more than you to help pick up the pieces of this city if...if I have to sacrifice my life to save the girls?"

Erin immediately softened when her daughter's lips and voice trembled. "I expect allfourof my girls to walk out of that house when this is over. But I'll stop fussing. You have enough to worry about tonight, and you're right. It would be my honor to help guide the city if that is asked of me. But see that it is not!"

Ava gave her mother a quick, fierce hug and nodded. "That is my plan." She turned her gaze upon Sanai. “Are you and your guardians ready to go?"

Sanai nodded firmly. "Absolutely. Let's walk into that den of vipers and bring our fallen leaders' daughters back home with us, where they belong."

A chorus of "Amens!" echoed around the room.

Several minutes later, our group of 21 Shifters and magic users, including Ava, stood on the sidewalk outside the safe house that we had left under much more hopeful circumstances the previous evening. In some ways, it felt like an eternity had passed since then. The stakes seemed even higher than before. But our little unit of four had grown far closer than I would have expected in such a short time. Primarily because Finn and Ava had finally worked out things between them. It gave me hope that we would somehow defeat Alexander and save our precious nieces.

Allowing any other possibility to take root inside my brain was unthinkable.

Ava glanced around our group one final time and received nods from each of us. She returned the gesture and contacted Alexander on her cell phone, simply saying, "Send Regina out now."

To his credit, Alexander didn't take the opportunity to make us squirm. The hair on my body rose as an impressive amount of magic was channeled, presumably banishing the Radiant Seal around the house. Seconds later, the front door opened and Regina appeared, cuts and bruises visible on her arms and face, but otherwise seeming okay. My fists clenched and a low growl escaped my lips. Both from displeasure that Regina had been hurt and greater rage at the thought that Rory and Sorsha might have been likewise injured.

Mother Moon save Alexander if that were the case. Hell, he was going to need her help to survive the night even if they were still in perfect health.

Regina no sooner stepped upon the front walkway leading to the sidewalk where we waited than Alexander himself appeared in the house's main entrance, flanked on each side by powerful magic casters and a dozen other figures behind. He didn't step out of the house, however. Simply stared out serenely, gaze completely locked on Ava. Something that inspired another growl.

Ava held out her arms and Regina stepped into them, unexpected tears welling in her eyes. "I'm so sorry I failed you. Failed Kayleigh. Failed the girls!"

Her best friend gave a no-nonsense look. "You stop that right now,QueenRegina. Or are you going to stop living up to that nickname now?"

Regina straightened her back and wiped her tears away. "Shadows, no! You’d never let me live that down, would you?"

"Of course I wouldn't. Just like you wouldn't let me live down the whole New Year's Eve debacle."

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