“Until next time, little wolf … expect to see me soon.” Fenrir winked and jumped into the portal, disappearing in a flash.
Bobby paused before following. “Watch out for yourself, Princess. These are dark times with unknown entities. You’re not as safe as you think you are.”
“What’s going on, Bobby?” I asked before he stepped into the portal.
With his back to me, he glanced over his shoulder and gave a sad smile before jumping into the portal and disappearing.
I took just a second to pause and process it all before running out of my closet, through my bedroom, and into the common room where my guards were stationed.
“Get me Alexander, Ranulf, and Sebastian! The wards have been breached!” I shouted, my shirt hanging open as I stood there, wide eyed and panting.
The Queen’s Guard galvanized into action immediately, calling for Ranulf on their radios and sending guards out to fetch Alexander and Bash. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration as I paced the common room, waiting for their arrival.
“Is there anything ye need, Yer Majesty?” Liam approached my side. “I think we should move ye to a more secure location.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s okay. I’m fine.”
Just then, Ranulf stormed into the room and headed straight for me. “What happened?” He sized me up and down for injury.
“Fenrir and Bobby Wu, a warlock, were waiting for me in my room when I arrived,” I stated. “The wards around the castle are penetrable.”
“Fuck!” Ranulf shouted. I was surprised to hear that word fly out of his mouth; it was the first time I’d ever heard him curse. “Liam, contact the warlocks and witches. I want them in the council room in fifteen minutes!”
“Aye.” Liam nodded and exited the room just as Alexander and Bash rushed in.
“What’s going on?” Bash asked as he approached, taking in my unbuttoned shirt and frown. I buttoned up my shirt quickly, noticing my crooked buttons but not really caring.
While Ranulf informed them what happened, Alexander and Bash whipped their heads to me and inspected me as if I’d been physically hurt. They all expected the same thing I did—that if Fenrir made the effort to breach the castle’s security, it would have been done with the intention of killing me. But if that was the case, what the hell was he waiting for?
“Bobby is a powerful warlock,” Bash admitted. “He dabbles in dark magic; it’s probably why he was able to take down the wards without us noticing. That’s probably how they got into the village. Mackenzie isn’t safe here.”
“The castle is supposed to be the safest place in the world,” Alexander marveled. “Where else can we take her?”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I cut in. “He didn’t kill me just now, and I don’t think he intends to kill me at all.” At least I hoped not.
“You don know that for sure, darling.” Alexander’s brows furrowed. “Yer nae safe—”
“So increase the number of guards and make sure they sweep my bedroom before I enter. Take the appropriate safety measures, but know I’m not leaving my home. I’m not running from Fenrir,” I declared, my voice loud and clear. Maybe this was a too stupid to live moment, but I refused to run. I’d tried it before and it didn’t really work out for me.
“Yer so bloody stubborn. Will ye nae be satisfied until yer dead?” Alexander roared.
I knew what the real problem was, and the reason he was so adamant that I stop acting like a headstrong Lycan. There was no heir to the throne. If something happened to me, if God forbid I freakin’ died, the MacCoinnich line would end with me. This worried Alexander more than he cared to admit. For the moment, at least, his bloodline ended with me. Our bloodline.
“All right, let’s all calm down for a moment,” Bash intercepted smoothly. “We’ll increase security and get the warlocks and witches to reinforce the wards, and I’ll stay by Mackenzie’s side from now on.”
I wouldn’t argue. This solution would still allow me a certain amount of freedom and appease everyone else. And I wouldn’t mind having Bash by my side.
“Aye, I’ll go check on Liam and increase the guards in the royal wing,” Ranulf agreed. “Alexander, why don ye accompany me?” He nudged Alexander toward the door and left, grumbling the whole way.
I knew Alexander only worried about the safety and wellbeing of his only child and probably felt helpless on how to fight Fenrir. I knew the feeling well.
“Don’t provoke your father, Mackenzie,” Bash chided as he took my hand and walked me back toward our bedroom. “He’s just concerned.”
“I’m not provoking him!” I exclaimed in shock.
“You’re being your typically stubborn self,” he grunted. “Be easy with Alexander. It’s not easy dealing with you.”
I wanted to argue but wisely bit my tongue. I shouldn’t have to accommodate everyone else’s needs. That was what I really wanted to say, but I didn’t unleash the words I knew would only start a fight. Instead, I went back into my closet, this time thankfully empty, and changed into my pajamas. With so many things on my mind, I was only half listening to what Bash was saying.
“—they’ll arrive late in the afternoon. We can either do group or individual interviews, and then I have a dinner scheduled for the group afterward.”
I was walking out of the closet when I halfway tripped on a pair of shoes and my vision went cloudy. I held out my arms to reach for something to steady myself, but all I caught was air. I wavered on my feet and it felt like I was falling into a well. I knew what was happening as soon as my sight was obscured by a milky white shade.
“Bash!” I yelled. In the next moment, I plunged into a vision.
My surroundings swirled and I was no longer in my closet, but out by a lake. The water rippled as if recently disturbed, the gentle wake splashing against the shore and a familiar set of rocks that were stacked along its perimeter. I glanced behind me to see an expansive forest, the trees dense and lush. Everything about this place looked familiar, though I struggled to place the location.
Down by the shore, several women were crouched down, splashing water on their faces and rinsing themselves off as they scrubbed their weapons with sand. They weren’t the Highlanders. From the armor they wore, I knew at a glance these were Valkyries.
I walked further down the shoreline until I found a familiar face—Hildr.
“We must search the forest,” Hildr instructed a group of Valkyries. “Fen said there was an attack not too long ago. We should be able to find some fresh tracks.”
“Who will stay behind to protect the camp?” one of the Valkyries asked, her long, black hair braided down her back.
“Freya and her group,” Hildr answered. “Hrefna returned to the Underworld to get more information. We have to be careful.”
The group of Valkyries collected their weapons and started to enter the forest. I didn’t know if I should follow them or not, but when I tried, I realized I couldn’t go beyond the tree line. I guess that means I’m supposed to stay put.
I walked back to the shore and meandered further down, wondering why I was still stuck in this vision. Suddenly, my attention was tugged out over the lake and I saw a figure appear over the water. I squinted to get a better look and realized it was actually two figures walking on water.
What the hell?
The moon shone behind them and threw their reflections onto the lake’s glassy surface. As they got closer, I was able to clearly see who it was—Fenrir and Raven. My mind raced with a collection of half-formed facts and I struggled to piece together the mystery.
They emerged from the water … almost as if from a portal … but since Bobby wasn’t around … that meant they must be coming from …
My vision began to swirl again and my sight returned to a milky white glaze before it cleared. I was back in my closet in the castle, lying on the floor, scrabbling against the marble floor. Bash was kneeling beside me, gripping my shoulders.
“Mackenzie?” He repeat
ed my name over and over until my eyes cleared and returned to their normal shade of pale gray. He gave me a light shake and I grabbed onto his wrists.
“Oh my God, Bash,” I gasped. “I know where their camp is …”
He frowned. “What?”
“Fenrir and the Valkyries! I know where they’re hiding!”
“Where?” he asked, still unsettled by what he’d just witnessed.
A grin slowly spread across my face. “They’re in Loch Lomond – the entrance to the fae realm.”
13
By the next morning, the castle’s security was at an all-time high. There were so many wards in place, I could practically feel them vibrating on the walls. Ranulf wasn’t messing around this time. This latest threat only increased the importance of why a Council was needed. Ranulf couldn’t do everything on his own. Also, Ranulf was Alexander’s right hand man; he never asked to be mine. It was only fair that I get my own right hand, someone I trusted unconditionally, and let the grizzled guard retire if that was what he wanted to do.
“How sure are ye that they’re there?” Ranulf asked as the four of us sat in the council room.
“I can’t say a hundred percent since I don’t know if the vision I had was from the past or the future, but I’m pretty confident,” I answered.
Alexander rubbed his chin. “If we sent scouts, we run the risk of them being captured,” he stated. “Those guards are still missing.”
“Then let’s go on the offensive,” I proposed. “Prepare a strike team to attack in two hours.”
“Are you sure you want to do that, Mackenzie?” Bash asked. “You’d be making the first move.”
I glared. “He made the first move when he showed up in my bedroom last night. They’re in Loch Lomond because they know our relationship with the fae is strained. We never would’ve checked there because they knew we would assume the fae would secure their own area.”
“Why didn’t Angus tell us about it when he came to yer coronation?” Alexander asked.
“Good question,” I murmured. What were those wily fae up to?
“How many guards do ye want in Loch Lomond?” Ranulf asked.
“One hundred,” I growled. “I want to overpower them.”
I never thought I’d be going into battle wearing a pair of leggings and an oversized sweater, but … you know, flexibility and all, plus I needed to be able to shift in a hurry.
I climbed onto Shadow, who was already saddled and ready for me when I arrived at the stables, along with a massive army of guards. The fastest way to Loch Lomond was from the rear entrance of the castle and through the forest. I remembered the path from when my fake brother Andrew brought me one day.
Many guards were in wolf form, others in a half shift, while some stayed in their human forms so they could communicate and wield a weapon. I appreciated how they each had their own fighting style.
Alexander was riding his horse Lily, even though I begged him to stay behind. Just like with me, there was no use arguing with that man. Ranulf and Bash rode in front and behind me, Ranulf leading the way toward Loch Lomond.
“Let yer guards do the fighting,” Alexander instructed beside me as we trotted through the forest. “Stay behind.”
I gave an unladylike snort. “If you think that’s what I’m going to do—”
“It’s what I want ye to do, Mackenzie,” he clarified. “I know it’s nae what ye want to do, but I want ye to be safe. As Queen, yer nae obligated to fight in battle.”
I peered over at Alexander appraisingly. “Is that what you did? Sat back and let your people fight for you?”
His face darkened and his jaw clenched along with his grip on the reins.
“I didn’t think so,” I muttered. “I know you want to protect me, Alexander, but you have to let me fly on my own eventually. I’ll get hurt, but I’ll also pick myself back up. It’s the way of life.”
“This is different, Mackenzie,” he growled as he peered over at me. “He is unlike anything we’ve seen before.”
“I think there’s something even worse than him out there that we should be worrying about,” I argued. “Don’t worry too much about Fenrir.” With a start, I realized how true that statement was. Ever since the vision I had of Fenrir and Raven speaking about what was to come, I worried less and less about Fenrir and more about this unspoken enemy. Because if Fenrir was worried, then it had to be bad.
Two miles from Loch Lomond, Ranulf ordered a wolf to run ahead and secure the area while we waited. After an hour passed quietly with no word, we knew something was wrong. Well, that, and also when a torrent of arrows started to rain down from the sky.
I heard the first whine of a wolf as an arrow struck him. I glanced around to see if I could find the source, and then up at the branches, where I saw a Valkyrie perched above us with a bow and arrow. There were hundreds, maybe thousands of them poised in the trees, waiting to attack.
“We need to retreat, Yer Majesty!” Ranulf shouted from up ahead where arrows hailed around him. I saw the moment one struck his leg and heard his anguished grunt.
My expression darkened. “No. We do not retreat. Charge!”
I dug my heels into Shadow’s sides and clicked my tongue, snapping the reins to urge him to run. We sprinted into the forest at full speed with the others following, the wolves keeping up with me.
The trees are my friend. I repeated what Ophelia said to me as a mantra.
We swerved through the forest with ease when suddenly an arrow struck me in the shoulder. I winced from the sharp pain and grunted, trying to ignore it and keep going until I arrived at Loch Lomond.
As I leaned forward, I saw a Valkyrie perched on a low branch. Just as I got within range, I reached for the branch and pulled myself up and onto the tree, letting Shadow run free. I quickly gained my balance and released my claws, swiping at the golden-armored warrior. She stumbled back and attempted to aim her bow and arrow at me, but it was more of a long-distance weapon that wouldn’t do her much good in close combat.
I grabbed the bow and snapped it in my hands with a satisfying crack before planting my foot in her abdomen and kicking her out of the tree. She fell to the ground, landing head first. I jumped down, landing in a crouch and swiveling my head around to search for other enemies lying in wait. I reached for the arrow in my shoulder and pulled it out with a groan, tossing it aside.
I hovered over the Valkyrie and sliced my claws across her throat. Blood spurted in a red curtain and she clutched her throat, but didn’t immediately die.
Can’t she die?
Instead of waiting around to find out, I took my booted foot and stomped her face to knock her out. With my immediate threat neutralized, I brought my thumb and pointer finger to my lips and let out a loud whistle, bringing Shadow back toward me. As soon as he arrived, snorting and eager to run, I climbed onto his back and we galloped toward Loch Lomond, where I hoped the others had already arrived.
Shadow and I raced through the forest, the long-fingered tree branches smacking my face as I valiantly tried to duck and push them away. The instant we bounded out of the tree line and onto the shorelines of the loch, we were greeted by a scene of pure madness with Valkyries fighting against Lycan. I searched for Ranulf or Bash among the fray but didn’t see them or their horses anywhere.
I saw Alexander up ahead, still seated on Lily. I rushed toward him just as he jumped off his horse and went into a half shift. I blinked a few times before I realized who he was up against—Fenrir.
It was a flurry of claws and canines as the two Lycans attacked each other with unmatched ferocity. Fenrir clawed Alexander on his side, twisting him around and almost knocking him down. Alexander stumbled and kicked his leg out, hitting Fenrir in the abdomen hard enough to throw him back a few feet.
Alexander took the opportunity to pounce on him and throw punch after punch, seeking to maim rather than destroy, knowing nothing he could inflict would kill the wolf god. He wrapped his hands around Fenrir’s neck a
nd tightened, growling furiously. I’d never seen Alexander so angry.
The events seemed to unfold in slow motion, but Shadow had not stopped moving since we arrived on the shore. The moment we were within range, I jumped off his back and moved to pull Alexander off Fenrir when a dagger plunged into the same shoulder where the arrow had been lodged earlier. I fell forward and dropped to a knee, then looked back to see Raven standing twenty feet away. She gave a nasty smirk, letting me know she was the one who attacked. I reached behind me and pulled out the dagger, feeling it slide through my muscles, ripping as it went.
“Fuck!” I shouted and tossed the dagger aside. “You fuckin’ crazy bitch!”
I stood up and turned to face the incoming onslaught of Raven. She raced at full speed, her wings bursting from her back mid-run and taking flight. As she flew over me, her booted foot kicked me in the face hard enough to hear the answering crack of cartilage and bone. I fell back with blood spurting out of my nose, but I didn’t let it stop me. Instead of cradling my obviously broken nose, I reached for her ankle and yanked her down with me, slamming her to the ground.
I dug my clawed hand into her wings, tearing through tendons and sensitive flesh. She shrieked in pain and arched her back as I reveled in the blood that poured down my hands.
“That’s what you get for breaking my nose, asshole.” I stumbled back to my feet and retrieved the dagger I’d pulled from my shoulder. I stalked back to her, breathing heavily. She was lying on her stomach, trying to fold her tattered wing and failing miserably. I pressed the tip of her dagger to her spine and dug in slightly. “I’m pretty sure you’re immortal, but I also think this could do some serious damage.” I pushed the tip deeper into her skin and she froze in place. “And with your own dagger, no less.”
“Your father won’t win against Fen,” she panted, looking meaningfully in the direction of their ongoing battle.
I followed her gaze and found Alexander on his knees with Fenrir’s claws at his neck. They were watching us with very different expressions. My father was wide-eyed and grim, while Fenrir appeared victorious, his chin raised. My eyes widened in shock.
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