Lake dropped to his knees in front of me, a whine building in his throat. He rested his head on my chest. As usual, he’d sensed my anxiety.
“I’m okay.” I combed my fingers through his silky hair.
“For the moment, at least.” Briar focused on the window. “Given what you said of the attack and how he realized you were the real target once sensing your blood, it’s likely he’ll come here searching for you. To complete his mission.”
Callum shakily exhaled. “All the royal guards and First Order knights will be guarding Prince Sawyer tonight, completely unaware that the one who actually needs protecting is right here.” He turned into me, pressing his face into my hair.
“Let him try to hurt you again,” Lake murmured into my shirt. “I’ll rip him apart with my bare hands.”
“And with your teeth,” Rowan said. “Might even whack him with that poofy tail too.”
“No.” I felt my wolf smile. “I reserve the tail whacking for you.”
Rowan smirked. “Such an honor.”
Maddox stood quietly, gaze pinned to the front door. He glanced at the set of windows, toward the archway behind him, then back to the door, visibly strategizing a plan of action should something happen.
“So what do we do?” Nerves rolled in my gut. “Make a fort here in the parlor and keep watch all night?”
The skin around Maddox’s eyes tightened. “It’s not safe to stay here. Too many entry points.”
“Nor do we know the extent of the mercenary’s magical abilities,” Briar said. “If he’s a shadow mage like Rowan, no amount of secured doorways and locked windows will be enough to deter him from entering the cottage.”
A creak came from the front porch.
Lake snarled and flipped around, on his feet in an instant. His nails had sharpened into short claws, and the fur of his tail stood on end. Callum jumped up and put himself in front of me too, while Maddox grabbed his sword from where it rested against the wall and unsheathed it. And Briar, who didn’t have a violent bone in his body, snatched a candle holder from the side table and neared our captain’s side. Maybe not a practical weapon, but it would hurt like hell if used to clobber someone over the head.
As for Rowan? He’d vanished.
“Ro?” Panic squeezed my sternum.
Voices came from outside, low and indecipherable. Lake’s ears perked up before a knock came at the door.
“Open up,” Rowan called from the other side. “False alarm.”
Maddox stepped forward and opened the door. “What’s the meaning of this?”
“Seems others were worried about our little treasure too,” Rowan said as he stepped across the threshold.
Two hooded and masked men trailed in behind him.
“Worry over the boy played no part in my decision,” Draven said, heavily accented. “It was Reign’s idea.”
“My idea, yet you agreed to it without even a moment of hesitation.” Reign’s mismatched eyes found me, the edges crinkling with a smile I couldn’t see. “Hello again.”
“Hi.” Nerves made my voice squeaky.
“Why are you here?” Maddox asked.
“For him.” Reign nodded to me.
“The royal knights and guards have the prince surrounded,” Draven added. “No one will be getting through their defenses. But you were also attacked that day.”
Reign tipped his head and did a fluttery movement into a theatrical bow. The guy was a total ham. “So we’ve come to assist.”
“What are you proposing?” Briar adjusted his glasses.
“To take him somewhere the mercenary won’t be able to find him.” Reign regarded me with a humored glint in his eyes. “I’m here to grant your wish, darlin’. I suggest you get dressed and pack a bag.”
