Isabella squeezed Allegra’s hand. “We’ve got this. Ah, here’s your breakfast. I’ll leave you to eat in peace and start the process from my side. Dylan, I’ll call you about tonight’s stakeout.” She strode to the counter, spoke briefly with Emily, and disappeared out the back.
The aroma of eggs, bacon, and freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air as she, Esther, and Dylan dug into their meals. Plumes of steam rose from her cheese omelet. As they savored each bite, they discussed the possibilities of what to do next.
One thing suddenly occurred to Allegra, and her blood ran cold. She’d left the runes and papers on the nightstand in Esther’s room. What if someone broke into the house before they returned home?
8
Allegra’s heart knocked so hard against her ribs that her brain rattled. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. She tore from Dylan’s vehicle, scarcely waiting for him to come to a stop.
“Allegra, wait,” Esther called.
“You don’t have a key.” Dylan’s words dragged Allegra to an impatient halt.
Allegra fidgeted while Dylan rummaged in his pocket and produced a key. When the door opened, a wave of lemon furniture polish greeted them. Allegra rushed inside, past the living room, dining room, and kitchen, to Esther’s bedroom. She burst through the doorway, fear a beast writhing in her gut. The box holding the runes and letters remained, but before she could exhale and calm down, a man sprang from the closet, wielding a silver dagger.
Allegra’s breath caught as she met his deep, chocolate-brown gaze. His cold eyes lacked any emotion. His face bore heavy lines, yet an unmistakable strength and power emanated from him like a silent hum. He wore a heavy woolen coat and faded trousers cinched at the waist while four tarnished medals decorated his chest. None of the medals appeared familiar to Allegra. Clasped between his knotted fingers was a long knife, its blade glinting suspiciously in the dim light.
“Why are you here?” he demanded, his voice echoing off the walls.
“Shouldn’t that be my question?” Allegra edged toward the door. Who was this man? He was old but not weak.
“Is the box there?” Dylan asked, halting abruptly upon seeing the man with the knife. “Who are you?”
“What’s going on?” Esther crashed into Dylan’s rear and jolted him forward. “Oomph!” She straightened. “Oh. How did you get inside? We locked the door.”
The man’s eyes flicked to Esther, and his grip tightened on the hilt. “I have come for the werewolf princess.”
Allegra fought to keep an impassive expression. Had the council sent him? “I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re referring to.”
His lips twisted into a cruel smile. “Don’t lie to me, little princess. I know who you are and why the council wants you dead.”
A cold sweat broke out on Allegra’s forehead. She had always suspected her life was in danger, but hearing it confirmed terrified her. She searched the room for a weapon, but nothing was within reach.
Dylan stepped forward, his fists clenched. “You’re not taking her anywhere.”
The man laughed, a sound that sent shivers down Allegra’s spine. “You think you can stop me, boy? I’ve been hunting werewolves longer than you’ve been alive.”
Allegra’s mind raced. She had to get out and protect herself and her friends. She stepped back, her gaze locked on the man’s knife. With a roar, she launched herself at him, her claws extending from her fingertips.
He was fast, but Allegra was faster. She dodged his first strike and countered with a swipe of her claws, tearing through his coat and flesh. Blood splattered, and the man howled. Allegra lunged again, aiming for his throat, but he sidestepped and drove his knife deep into her side. She cried out, staggering back as pain consumed her.
Dylan shouted as he rushed to Allegra’s aid. “Call Saber! Tell him we need him now, and it’s urgent.”
Allegra breathed through the agony radiating from the wound. She attempted to crawl backward and away from the old man. He stood, staring at her, his face expressionless while his medals swayed with each of his deep inhalations. Those medals and this man were peculiar.
He clearly knew her identity, but she couldn’t think who he might be or how he’d discovered her.
“You were watching me last night.” Her tongue felt weirdly thick while her side burned with the power of ten suns. “W-what d-did I tho to eew.” No, that wasn’t right. She opened her mouth to repeat her sentence, but her mind was quietly blank, the world foggy around the edges.
“Allegra!” Dylan shouted, his entire body tensing. A faint pleading note sounded in his voice. Something was severely wrong with her. While the wound would’ve hurt and blood dripped onto the floor, she was a wolf. She should’ve yanked the weapon free and continued fighting. This non-response alarmed him.
“What did you do to her?” he demanded.
“I coated the steel with a drug to subdue the wolf, and bleeding as she is, her human side won’t last much longer.”
The total unconcern in the old man raised Dylan’s hackles. He cared, dammit. “Did you kill her parents and brother?” He’d keep him talking since he seemed disposed to chatter.
“My son took care of that mission,” the man said without blinking.
