Page 82 of A Mysterious Slave for the Lycan Prince

“Oh, I talked to Annie,” Flora exclaims. “She said Dave knows someone good with all this high-tech stuff.”

“Dave?” I say dumbfounded. “You mean Annie and Finn’s human friend?”

“Yes,” Flora smiles brightly. “He will try to have their phones tracked.”

“I thought the phones couldn’t be tracked?” Jace blinks.

“Dave is convinced he will find a way.”

“Well, at least that’s something,” I mutter, still not feeling remotely comfortable having a human being involved in our business and issues, but my son is in danger, and I would be an idiot to decline his help.

“What else can we do?” Janice wants to know.

I exchange a gaze with Jace. “Prepare for a potential battle.”

“Yes,” Jace says grimly. “If it’s true that they did something shady and put our kids in danger, we need to be ready to strike back!”

I’m relieved he found his momentum again. We both need each other at full capability. I chose Finn for this mission for a reason. Maybe Aurelia is a more skilled fighter and shows more drive, but Finn is kind and kindness is not necessarily a weakness. I needed him there because he is sensitive, just like I needed Aurelia here at Silverlake because she is tough, and my warriors follow her every command.

Finn believes his gentle heart is a weakness sometimes, and I wanted him to understand that instead of making him weak, it’s one of his strong points.

I let my thoughts roam for a moment, allowing them to wander off and touch the possible futures I can detect.Does it show to your liking?Flora’s voice reaches me.

You know I can’t change the future and intervene too much.

Flora shows me a lopsided smile.Just like I’m not allowed to share my knowledge of the spirit world with you?She giggles.We both know it’s a gray area.A pause.So?

I’m starting to see a new outcome,I admit.But it’s fragile, and at the end of the day, it depends on Finn.

Flora nods before she tilts her head.When he comes home, tell him you’re proud and hold him in high regard.

He knows that already.

Maybe, but it’s always different to hear it from you directly.

I’m surprised.Aurelia doesn’t need my encouragement, though. She—

Flora laughs.Aurelia is basically you in a woman’s body.She giggles.She doesn’t need your constant attention. Actually I think you would annoy the hell out of her if you did shower her with praise. But Finn is different. All of them are different and need us in different ways.

It shocks me to imagine that Finn might feel insecure about his abilities. He is a fantastic young man with extraordinary gifts and a promising future. I look at her thoughtfully. I hold all my children in high regard and each one of them has their own strength. Maybe she is right; maybe I don’t tell them enough.

What happened to Marius was a huge blow, especially since I never realized what was going on with him. I failed him. No matter what everyone says, no matter what Marius says, I did fail him, and there is no excuse for it.

I don’t want to fail any of my other children.

twenty-six

The Lake

*FREYA*

Thewalkthroughthecave is uneventful and surprisingly easy, probably the reason Arman sent us here, despite the dangerous path down to reach it. Trixie and Marcel have been extremely helpful in searching for our best exit, with Trixie flying ahead and investigating various options. I don’t know how many hours or days we walk through this underground passage. I’ve lost track of time, but Finn and Henry have been checking their phones periodically for a signal and the time.

It’s tiring, but it’s my road to freedom, so I’m willing to do whatever it takes. We pass many beautiful spots; one area is covered with stalagmites and stalactites, making it hard to pass through but it's breathtaking to look at. We even walk by a flowstone looking like a frozen waterfall. Eventually, we reach an underground lake sparkling in light blue, and far above it, there is an opening to the outside, where rays of sun come through. Rimstone dams lead us further towards the lake, with pillars blocking our path sometimes. It looks truly mesmerizing, and I wish I could spend some time here with Finn.

It's a miracle, I figure. Nature is the biggest miracle of all.

“Wow,” Steve says quietly.

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