by Rebecca Main
“You two stay out here and watch her,” I command as soon as the other car arrives with our backup. Joshua and Jordan linger at the car while Wesley and Keenan trail after me.
The house is only somewhat familiar to me, having only been here a time or two with Zoelle, but the thick coating of magic in the air had left both me and the wolf uncomfortable. Being deep within the coven’s territory would make any wolf feel on edge, and it hadn’t changed much since becoming allies. All that magic snared the senses and left a wolf feeling…vulnerable. How Xander had managed to come here so many times was beyond me.
“Honey, I’m home.” My lighthearted tone garners various reactions with my accompanying grin that shows a tad too much tooth. The wolf’s hackles raise as it counts the witches in the room: 3, 7, 16…it might as well have been the entirety of the coven. “Am I late for the party?”
I uncover the crystal from behind my back with a flourish and place it on the table. There is a collective sigh of relief echoed throughout the room, and Zoelle’s grandmother comes forward.
“Maureen?”
“I’m already on it,” the other woman replies, bangles clinking together as she takes the crystal. Her hands, scarred from the battle those odd months ago, take hold of the crystal reverently. She chants something otherworldly under her breath and the room comes to a stall.
The air tightens with a palpable tension. One that pulls taut at the skin. I force myself to remain at ease, but my companions seem unable to hold the same composure. Through the pack bonds I feel their tense anticipation and unease as a strange orange glow begins to emit from the palms of the old woman’s hands. The crystal does nothing at first, and then with a sudden crack, it emits an almost blinding light. I flinch back, eyes warily trained on the mystical crystal as Maureen steps back.
“It’s the other half,” she tells Diana, face drained of color but beaming with delight.
“Ryatt, thank you,” Diana says, reaching out and shaking my hand. I let my grin drop down a notch into something less wild and incline my head.
“Think nothing of it. I lost it in the first place. It seems only fitting I should be the one to fetch it back.”
She raises a knowing brow. “As I recall, you were also the one to locate the other half of the crystal originally. You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
My grin quirks back up. “Too right you are, Diana. Let’s call it a wash, shall we?” She pats the back of my hand and goes back to her chair, sitting in it with a sigh.
“We’ll join the crystals tomorrow as soon as the full moon is in plain sight,” Diana tells the room. “Be mindful of your schedules. I want everyone showing up to their shift at the border on time. No excuses. We cannot afford another month to pass.”
A young woman raises her hand from the back of the room. “Can we cut back the rotation shift to three hours instead of four? By the last hour I’m completely drained, and I can barely keep my share of the protection spell up.”
“Tracy Qualta, if you practiced and studied your magic nearly as much as you strutted around town looking for boys, you wouldn’t find yourself so ‘drained.’” Lydia Stein leaves no room for further argument with the look she sends the girl. “If anyone else feels too drained to protect this coven, I advise you to beg mentorship from the witches pulling six-hour shifts and acting as anchors. You don’t see them complaining.” A number of women shuffle uneasily and shoot guilty glances amongst themselves.
“I do love a woman in charge,” I confess. Leaning against the kitchen island, I send a wink the older woman’s way, enjoying entirely too much the way her lips twitch to hold onto her stern facade.
“Speaking of women,” Diana says lightly, “How is yours faring?”
The wolf perks at the mention of its intended. As do I. “She’s resting in the car.”
“And Moon’s premonitions? What of them?”
“She’s one for two, it would seem,” I inform her tightly. “We encountered the Wselfwulf Alpha upon our departure. It was quite unfortunate timing. There’s no doubt in my mind; they’ll attack tomorrow, if not tonight. They’re well aware of the significance of the crystal and the power to be wrought from it. They were there to secure it from the vampire, though what they could have offered in return to entice him I’m not sure.”
The Elder Triad share a meaningful look before Diana sighs, “We might have some idea as to what the vampire might want. Though I doubt the Wselfwulf Pack has it.”
“Do explain,” I reply softly. Diana straightens.
“The Amethyst of the Aztecs.”
“I thought all that remained of the amethyst was divided among the higher echelon of the vampire families? No new amethyst has been found for hundreds of years,” I tell them patiently. “I can certainly understand why a vampire would want one, but why would he think the Wselfwulfs could deliver? If that is what they had in mind to trade.”
“In order to secure the Crystal of Dan Furth originally, we made a deal with the Stormrow Clan. In exchange for the crystal we would supply them with the amethyst, set in the traditional golden ring.” She pauses, letting her eyes narrow upon the scowling faces behind me. “The exchange, of course, did not go as planned.” Diana waves a hand towards Maureen and her scarred skin. “We received only half of what we were promised, and the Stormrows received a forgery.”
“A damn good forgery,” Lydia mutters.
“Does my brother know of these details?” I ask quietly, staring intently at Diana and homing in on her heartbeat alone. If she were to lie, I would be able to tell.
“No,” she says stiffly, “only that the trade went awry and half the crystal was missing.”
I let out a controlled breath, “How very interesting. Did you ever have the original to begin with? Is it somewhere safely hidden?”
“We never had it in the first place,” she tells me. There is no tick in her composure. No jump in her pulse. No tell at all that she is lying. “We learned through our sources that the Stormrows were poking around for something of the sort, and knew they had the crystal in their possession. It was obvious what we had to do.”
“Why were they inquiring about it in the first place?”
Hackles raised, Diana glares at me blandly. “It was obviously for that vampire. If he wants the ring desperately enough to seek aid from sorcerers and make deals with savage wolf packs, then I’d suggest we find the ring first. No good can come from a single more of their kind being able to walk in the light among us.”
“I’ll be sure to inform my brother of your suggestion,” I tell her. Several thoughts begin to brew at the back of my mind. “I don’t suppose your seer might be able to point us in the right direction of where to start sniffing? If not, Keenan will be more than adequate in helping me search out the ring. After all, he was a considerable help in finding the crystal in the first place.”
I send a cool glance over my shoulder at the burly man; tattoos scour his body almost as thoroughly as the scars covering Maureen. He’s certainly not a man to be trifled with, but once his loyalty has been gained, there is no better man to have at your side. He gives the slightest of nods at my acknowledgment, ever the humble giant. I roll my eyes back towards the witches. “He’s proved himself an asset to our mutual cause, so please ask your seer to keep us in her thoughts, or whatever it is she needs to do to gain her foresight. I’m not quite certain I understand the framework or basis of summoning such premonitions. Perhaps some time we can discuss it?”
“Not likely,” a voice replies sternly from the crowds. I perk up, eyes searching for the witch. She’s quite small, just over 5 foot 2 inches, but by the looks of her clothes, which don’t seem to fit, she’s got more growing to do. It’s understandable considering she’s still only a teenager. Her brown eyes drill into mine, and even from afar they are sparked with righteous anger that I’m sure I don’t deserve. A sharp pang of grief hits me through the soulmark, followed by a wave of grief. I turn my gaze towards the entrance hall
instinctively.
“Well, well, the little kitten has claws, does she? I thought you’d be taller, Moon.” My gaze flickers back to her like an afterthought, and she takes a menacing step forward. “You might try working with her a bit more, Diana. We’ll need more consistency in her premonitions if we want a chance at finding the ring before the Wselfwulf Pack or the vampire.”
The front door opens and closes faintly, but the sound of multiple people shuffling through the hallway is loud enough that the room awaits the newcomers. Quinn comes in, face eerily white with Jordan and Joshua crowding behind her.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, instantly coming to her side.
I take a deep breath and am flooded by the scent of her anguish. I struggle to open the bond back up, but once I do am pummeled by the onslaught of her emotions. Quinn comes willingly into my arms, dropping her head against my chest as she takes deep, steadying breaths. “Tell me,” I demand, arms tightening around her. “What’s happened?”
She pulls back long enough to pass me her phone, a picture already pre-loaded onto the screen. My eyes take in every detail. A beautiful woman lying prone on the ground, her red hair stained darker by the blood spilled savagely from her throat.
I take a deep breath and find my forced composure once more. “Who is this?” I ask quietly, turning off the screen and pocketing the phone. There was no need for her to continue staring at whomever this acquaintance was. I should have never returned her phone.
“It was M,” she whispers mournfully. “She helped us tonight. She—”
“Provided the distraction?” She nods her head and takes several shaky breaths, dashing her tears aside determinedly.
“Yes.”
“I see,” I murmur, turning my hooded eyes Moon’s way. She shrinks back in response. “I suppose your premonitions were right after all.”
“There’s a lot to do before tonight,” Diana says sagely. “I think it best you all head home and get some sleep.”
I give Diana a curt nod. “We’ll be in touch.” I steer Quinn out of the room swiftly, blood racing at the new information. Mr. Vrana’s retaliation had been swifter than I imagined. Diana was right; finding the ring first was paramount.
We arrive back home in no time at all. There’s hardly any traffic to worry about so early on a Sunday morning. Not in this perfect suburbia nestled in the woods. Quinn is unnervingly quiet during the last stretch, her composure giving barely anything away. Yet I can feel her torment and guilt tearing through her, courtesy of the bond. It drives the wolf nearly mad when I let go of her hand to keep both of mine on the steering wheel, but I won’t let it blindside me.
“You’re back!” Zoelle stops midway up the master staircase to watch us file in, her eyes both excited and wary at the sight of us. “You delivered the crystal?”
“Yes,” I reply. “Where’s Xander?”
She hesitates, acting as if to come down and greet us, but when her eyes stay glued on Quinn a touch too long, I let out a small growl of warning. Zoelle’s eyes shoot straight to mine, a flush drawn up upon her skin. “I’ll go get him. Go to the study and I’ll tell him to meet you there.”
Keenan lingers with Wesley in the background waiting further instruction, but with a short wave of my hand I dismiss them.
“Go take a shower and rest. I’ll meet you in a bit,” I instruct Quinn softly as we make our way upstairs. My hand itches to rest upon her hip. To provide some means of comfort, even in such a small gesture, but I refrain. I follow a few steps behind, turning in the opposite direction once we’ve reached the top and head to the study.
The wolf grumbles its displeasure in my head, but I corral it to the back of my mind, tempering it with the knowledge that we’ll only be apart a few minutes more.
“It’s a bit early to be drinking, even for you,” Xander informs me once he enters, displeasure neatly hedged in his voice. I shoot back my small pour of bourbon with a grimace, then send him a rueful grin.
“It’s never too early to celebrate, brother,” I retort, pouring another shot into the crystal tumbler. “The crystal has been returned, and we’ve all returned unscathed. For the most part.”
“Zoelle said Quinn seemed off, and I can feel her sadness through the pack bonds. What happened?”
The next shot goes back much easier. “One of her acquaintances was killed tonight for helping us. A picture of proof sent courtesy of our dear Mr. Vrana.”
“You didn’t mention this when we spoke earlier.”
“It only just happened,” I reply somberly. “She’s heartbroken. I can feel it.” I rap at my chest, lips thinning as I stalk away from the liquor. “But she doesn’t want me near her.”
Xander takes a step towards me, the lines of concern on his face deepening. “That’s not true, Ryatt. The soulmark—”
“It’s not about the soulmark,” I reprimand him sharply, “it’s about her. What she wants and what she needs right now. Not what the bond wants. Or the wolf. Quinn wants space, needs it, so that’s what she’ll get until she tells me otherwise.”
“You’re going to leave her to deal with her grief alone?” he asks a bit apprehensively.
“Everyone is entitled to grieve in whichever way they choose, so yes,” I growl, “If that’s what she wants to do, so be it. It’s the least I can do.” Even if it kills me to do so. I clear my throat. “The witches are manning the borders to keep up the wards. They’ll join the two crystals when the full moon makes its mark in the sky.”
“I’ll have wolves sent to join them. I suppose they’re expecting trouble since the Wselfwulfs are involved.” He frowns at my nod. “Very well. I shouldn’t be too surprised. Carrie and her mother are almost as power hungry as Rollins.”
“Yes,” I murmur thoughtfully, “especially considering they’re searching out the Amethyst of the Aztecs for a certain vampire. Or so the witches think.”
Xander remains stoically silent for a moment. A tremor runs over his body before he delivers his terse reply. “Explain.” I relay the meeting’s happenings succinctly, watching impassively as Xander paces the length of the study.
“We’ll deal with the ring after the crystal is settled,” he tells me resolutely. “You’ll stay with Quinn,” he continues. I glare at the order. “You won’t be needed out there. You’re needed here. With Quinn.”
“I’m the Third. I should be out there. Besides, it’s a full moon. If anyone needs to shift, it’s me.” I tap at my skull petulantly. “I can’t afford to keep myself chained up for another month.”
Xander crosses his arms over his chest and shakes his head. “The witches’ wards haven’t been broken yet, and you’ll manage,” he tells me pointedly. “Focus on completing the soulmark with Quinn; that should keep your wolf busy.” I bristle at the comment but hold back my retort. At least his last remark wasn’t a full command.
“Are we through?” I ask tightly.
“I just want you to be happy, Ryatt,” he tells me with a sigh, but nods and allows me to stalk away.
Quinn’s just putting herself under the covers when I enter. She stills like a deer caught in headlights before reluctantly continuing, though her eyes remain on me as I step inside the room.
“Were you planning on sleeping in here?” she asks as I close the door behind me.
“If you’d allow it,” I tell her, shuffling forward tentatively. She fidgets in the dark, which she may not be aware that I can see. Both blinds and curtains have been drawn on all the windows, leaving the room shrouded in mostly darkness. Yet I can see clear as day.
“After everything this week, I still found myself thinking at times that none of this was real. Vampires, witches, lycans; they don’t exist. Soul mates and soulmarks don’t exist. That it wasn’t possible. It didn’t matter that you had me and Zoelle take the truth serum, or that I’ve seen your eyes change from blue to gold at least a dozen times. Even after Zoelle’s family’s magic act I still caught myself doubting. There’s always this little voice in the
back of my head telling me it can’t be real. But then I get that picture,” Quinn sniffs, her voice beginning to shake, “and her throat was ripped apart. Literally torn open, and did you see her face? She looked so scared. So horrified. She had no idea about any of this supernatural bullshit, but I did. I could have warned her. I could have done something.”