“Isabelle.”
“Carlos.”
“Gabby.”
“Clay.”
“Charlene. Do you want some ice for your face?”
Again, the unexpected show of concern gave me pause. They stood together just beyond Winifred, a united group. A group I needed to join. Would it be enough? I swallowed hard, the pain a useful reminder of what was at stake, before answering.
“No, thank you. It’ll be fine.”
I turned my head toward the rest.
“Thomas, Charlene’s Mate.”
“Michelle.” Her voice sounded shaky and strained, understandable given her connection with Frank.
“Emmitt, Michelle’s Mate.”
“I’m Sam. Can you tell us why you came here?”
“This was the most likely place the locator would know well.”
“The locator?” Gabby said.
“I don’t mean anything insulting by using that term.”
“I’m Grey. You look cold. We can talk in the cars.”
“Thank you.”
Winifred wrapped her hand around mine and gently drew it away from her cheek. A swell of embarrassment pushed its way forward, and I didn’t suppress it.
“Sorry,” I said. “I forgot I was touching you.”
“It’s all right. I’ll lead you to the SUV.”
“Keep us posted,” Isabelle said before she and a man moved toward a car.
The rest went back to their vehicles, splitting up the Judgements. Smart.
Winifred led me to the SUV. One of the smaller women walked beside me. It wasn’t until she spoke that I knew it was Bethi.
“Please tell me my mom’s okay.”
Winifred opened the back door. The Others swirled around the seats to guide me. I didn’t get in, though. I faced Bethi, who moved anxiously from foot to foot.
“Your mother?” I asked. I wasn’t sure if she was speaking of her birth mother or the Lady.
“When the news broke about werewolves being real, she called a news station then disappeared.”
I didn’t envy that she still knew her birth mother. It would only make what needed to be done that much harder.
“Blake didn’t take her,” I said. “He didn’t have time. I promise.”
“Good.” She let out a shaky exhale and climbed back into the third row of seats. I took a spot in the middle row. Winifred settled in next to me while two men sat in front. The last woman joined Bethi in the back. Before the door even closed, we were moving.
