Bobbie smiles shyly. “We’ve learned a few more tricks since these were first set.”
Becky pats my chest. “I’ve still never seen your wolf form, but this is a good look on you.”
I grumble under my breath but take the compliment. As the shock wears off, I lose a little of myself to this new burden. Destructive impulse settles in over me, like an oily sheen on the skin.
In seconds Toulouse has his arm around my shoulder and is walking me across the bridge. “Becky finished the ward around the park. Let's go let our wolves out there.”
I snarl in agreement, shivering as I pass through the powerful ward. Losing myself a little more, I howl at the only thing bringing me comfort right now—the moon. And whatever consciousness that makes meme…fades away into blackness.
* * *
I wake,naked in the park, dew laid out in pearlescent droplets on my arm hair. Remy is there, covered from head to toe, sweatpants in hand.
“I'm sorry that you’re fated to a were,” I say, my voice sleep-rough.
“Darling, you are the most beautiful werewolf. And I already know how to arrange a life around the moon. Don't you worry.”
We make our way back to the house, and the sisters have put on a big spread for us. Doc, Eloy, and Galyna have returned from their individual quests. Doc looks a little worse for wear, and while I still don’t know what he is, my new nose senses something avian.
Turning to Eloy and Galyna, I ask, “Did you find the missing sprite?”
Galyna’s wan look speaks volumes. “Yes.”
“And? Why do you look like someone stole your favorite doll?”
Galyna’s jaw trembles, and Eloy answers for her. “The sprite wasn’t alone. She was in a warehouse full of supes.”
“Seriously?” I ask, pulling Galyna in for a hug.
Sniffing as she buries herself in my neck, Galyna’s tears come in full force. “There were so many,” she chokes out, sounding heartbroken.
Remy asks, his voice soft with horror, “What were they doing with them?”
Galyna pulls away and wipes her tears, anger settling in across her features. “They had a witch binding all but the supes’ most serviceable powers so that they could be controlled and sold. We killed the witch, and that broke many of the spells, but there was an entire coven of witches.”
Eloy nods. “The scale of this is mind-boggling. We freed almost a hundred people last night, and it barely made a dent. Had to call in the cops because we couldn’t manage all of those people.”
“Do the cops suspect supernaturals, or…?”
Galyna shakes her head. “No. Thankfully we were able to hide or mask anyone that had something obvious. They’re treating this like simple human trafficking.”
“And this was in a Fontenot warehouse, no?”
“Yeah, but the Fontenots are claiming that it had been abandoned for years, and they’re taking no responsibility for it at all.”
“How long have the Fontenots been doing this, do you think?” I ask, baring my teeth.
“I don't think that the shipping and warehouse business was ever legitimate. I think it was always a front.”
“So, since the Civil War.”
Eloy’s face is grim as he nods.
“So, where did the people go to?”
“Right now, the police are keeping them in the warehouse and have brought in provisions, portable showers, and cots to make them comfortable. Most have family who are looking for them, and after Doc recovers from last night, he’s going to work with social services to get them united.”
Doc’s eyes are dark with a lack of sleep, and he’s rubbing his shoulder, but he’s got a determined set to his jaw. I imagine he’s bracing for the things he’s about to see.
