Page 99 of Ignite Me

I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of that before, but if Lia could get me there without having to make the several-hours-long drive, then we’d have an advantage Johnathon and Hazel wouldn’t be expecting.

“Do you need help preparing your people?” Kinsley asked.

Ryder shook his head, his demeanor already back into fighting mode instead of grieving. There would be time for sorrow later. After we won.

“When do you want to leave?” he asked.

“At sunrise,” I answered. “Let people rest tonight, but we gather in the morning and head toward Dylan’s faction together.”

“That will help keep people from getting too anxious,” Ryder said. “I’m good with that plan.”

I grabbed Kinsley’s hand, wanting to fill her in on my own plans alone. “We’ll check in with you later. Call if you need help with anything.”

We turned to leave the building, moving swiftly, and when we exited, there were shifters standing around, staring at Kinsley as soon as we hit the sidewalk.

I tensed, thinking they were going to blame her for the attack that had cost two lives, but instead, they began to slowly bow their heads in her direction.

The action was brief and small, but I could see the way Kinsley’s shoulders straightened and how she held her head a little taller.

She nodded and smiled in return before we continued toward the house.

“Where are we going?” she asked, a clear change in subject that I let her have.

“To the house. I need to ask Lia to take me back to my cabin,” I replied. “I have things there that will help during the fight. Like enchanted weapons, potions, and other shit I can’t recall.”

She raised a brow. “All items you’ve acquired by killing people?”

I could hear the slight judgement in her voice, but I didn’t blame her. “It wasn’t often that I killed, and I always made sure I had proof of the crime. When I went after you, I’d seen pictures, thought I had my proof, and it didn’t help that I’d been spelled without realizing it. Something that I’m rather positive has never happened before.”

Her head rested against my arm. “Don’t worry. I don’t hold you trying to murder me against you.”

The tone of her voice was light, and while I didn’t think I deserved her forgiveness, I was fucking thankful for it.

We got back to the house to find Lia prone on the couch with her eyes closed. Fuck, I’d forgotten that she was trying to…do whatever she was doing to get more visions. Still, a quick trip to the cabin was just as important.

Markus came out of the kitchen—likely cleaning up the breakfast we didn’t get the chance to eat—and put a finger over his lips before waving us toward him.

“She’s meditating,” he whispered.

I glanced back briefly. “Well, she needs to be done. I need her help.”

Markus actually growled at me, and I was a little impressed. “You’re going to have to wait.”

“Fine, but not long,” I snapped in return, then I headed toward the room I’d been sharing with Kinsley.

I heard her mutter an apology before she trailed after me, yanking hard on my arm after she’d closed the door behind us.

“Was that really necessary?” she demanded.

I shrugged. “Markus can handle me just fine.”

She crossed her arms and glared at me. “But he shouldn’t have to.”

“This is who I am,” I said without remorse. “Markus knows that. Ididagree to wait, after all.”

Kinsley seemed to consider my words, then threw her arms in the air. “Men are fucking crazy.”

“And if you try to figure us out, we’ll only confuse you more,” I added just because I could.

---