The others exchanged glances and nodded before we all jumped through the portal.
The magic closed behind us, sealing us in an unfamiliar place. The instant it was closed, Remington began panicking.
“Fuck! Ben! Oh fuck!”
There was a moment when I thought perhaps we might have to restrain him, but the fae appeared with Ben in his arms.
“See? I told you to trust me.”
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
SUNDAY
It was always unsettling when my mates were gone, but after the last supply run had ended with a shambling possessed zombie attack, I was completely on edge knowing Kingston, Noah, and Alek were out there. Sure, they were strong and capable. I didn’t doubt them. But they weren’t immortal. I’d nearly lost each of them more than once.
I didn’t realize I’d started pacing until the walkie-talkie crackled to life and I found myself on the far side of the suite Lilith had set aside for me and my mates. We’d taken to using the little radios to stay in communication while groups patrolled the perimeter. The Belladonna coven had found a way to make the signals work across realms. I couldn’t pretend to understand how the magic worked, but I wasn’t complaining about the results. Once, when Kingston had asked Moira how she’d done something, she simply looked at him, shrugged, and saidBecause witches,and that had been the end of it.
“Mayday, mayday, mayday. We’ve got missing persons out here. We need relief.”
I raced to the walkie, heart in my throat. Not knowing which group had called in for aid had my stomach knotting with dread.
“This is home base. What’s your location?”
The radio crackled again. “Outside of Aurora Springs. Timmy and Zed are missing. They were supposed to meet us thirty minutes ago, but they’re MIA. We need backup so we can do a proper search.”
Relief hit me hard, and I sank down onto the bed, even as guilt churned in my belly. My mates were safe, but Timmy and Zed were two of my pack members. As happy as I was my men weren’t in trouble, I still had a duty to see these guys safely home. Not just as tonight’s watch commander but as co-head of the Farrell pack.
“Do you suspect an attack?” I asked.
“No, it’s been quiet. Well, as quiet as we can expect.” The radio crackled and then went silent for a heartbeat, then came to life again. “I’m worried they got trapped in a mudslide near the hellmouth. The ground here is treacherous after the eruptions.”
That made sense. The groups patrolling that area had been complaining about the degraded terrain all week.
Before I could reply, Sally continued, “Carl and I want to go check, but we can’t leave this spot unmanned.”
It was vital that our entry points around the globe weren’t exposed to our countless enemies. Sally was right; there wasn’t an option for the two of them to execute a search and rescue mission without someone else taking over guard duty.
“All right, let me see who I can send. Give me ten minutes.”
“Copy.”
Shoving the walkie into my hoodie’s oversized pocket, I scrambled out the door to the common area. Caleb had stayed behind with me while everyone else went out so he could strategize with Lilith. He would be an ideal candidate for such a mission.
But when I got there, Caleb, Gavin, Lilith, and Crombie were all gone.
“Shit,” I muttered. “Where the hell are you guys?”
Turning on my heel, I made a beeline for the most likely place I’d find Caleb since he wasn’t here. Asher’s command center, complete with murder board. When he wasn’t with me, that’s usually where he spent his time.
I took off at a slight jog, a sense of urgency propelling me down the hall. The soft murmur of voices met my ear as I pushed open the door, but my heart sank when the only two people I found inside were Rosie and Pan.
“Look at you,” Pan crooned. “Even now with the world ending, you’re still my dirty little slut.”
Rosie giggled as Pan kissed his way down her neck, but at my sudden intrusion, her eyes went wide and she sat up straight. “Sunday! I was just about to come find you.”
I cocked one brow. “Sure looks like it.”
