Peri looked around the room as her mate took control, for which she was grateful. Antonio, Spain’s beta, had already returned to his pack, by order of Gustavo. So had Aimo, Italy’s beta. Both of their alphas had decided that, with all that was happening with The Order of the Burning Claw, their packs needed more than just their third dominant males in leadership.
“Adam, Elle…” Lucian turned his attention to the two fae. “Would you please assist in getting them each to their packs? As you can see”—he motioned to Cyn—“there is no time to dally.”
Elle nodded. As the eldest female there, she seemed to take over for the healers. “Girls, say your goodbyes and do it quickly. You’ve got phones you can chat with the face-space, or whatever it is you call it, later.”
Peri didn’t move, though each of the girls came and hugged her. “You will be fine. Just be the amazing people you are, and your packs will love you.”
Tears were shed as the healers hugged one another. Peri was impressed that they didn’t dawdle. The males, too, said their goodbyes, and then Adam and Elle each held out arms as the mated pairs grasped on. They were gone in a blink.
Peri was so distracted by what Cyn had told her that she’d completely forgotten that Thadrick and Jezebel were still staying here as well. They’d been spending quite a bit of time wandering through the woods, no doubt trying to mend the deep wounds that had been caused in their pasts. As they walked in the front door. Jezebel immediately looked around and then frowned. “Where is everyone? Where is Anna?” She saw Cyn and her eyes widened. “And why is there a fae covered in blood standing in your living room?”
“I sent them to their respective packs,” Lucian said curtly. “There is a dangerous battle being waged upon the Romania pack, and they need us.”
“I didn’t get to speak with her before she left,” the woman said, her voice raising a bit, making it clear that she was more than a little irritated by this fact.
“Forgive my impertinence, but we have people dying in a battle. Peri and I must make some quick decisions. You have a phone. Goodbyes can be said just as easily on the device as in person.”
“Careful, wolf,” Thadrick said in a deep voice. “Disrespecting a female is not like you, and disrespectingmyfemale will not be tolerated.”
Sorin growled and Crina took a step closer, but Peri held up a hand to them. Thadrick was not the enemy.
“As we speak, there is a male lying on the battlefield with a blade in his abdomen,” Cyn said, her voice cold as steel, “and he has a mate pregnant with his pup. My mate is trying to keep them safe while a healer attempts to help him, and Vasile tries to hold him to this world. A high fae is trying to find a way to save his life by going to the sprites. I do not give a flying wolf’s ass who feels disrespected at this moment. I care only that we get to where we are needed before those I care for die.”
Thadrick opened his mouth to speak but then froze. His eyes took on a faraway look, not unlike the one some of the newly mated pairs get when speaking through their bonds. A second later, his attention was back on them. “It appears the wolves aren’t the only ones losing lives,” he said grimly. “We must return to my realm. Peri, Lucian, I apologize, but one of our elders has been murdered and a prisoner has escaped. And it happened a week ago. Why I am hearing of it only now, I have no idea. But I have to go to them.”
“We understand,” Peri said. Frankly she wouldn’t have cared if he’d said he wanted to go frolic in a field while riding a damn unicorn. She just wanted to get to the Keep, like, yesterday.
Thad took Jezebel’s hand as he looked down at her.
“Myanin?” she asked.
The djinn nodded. His mate’s eyes softened. “I’m sorry.”
Thadrick shook his head. “Her choices are her own. They’ve nothing to do with you.” He then looked at Lucian and Peri. “I will be in touch as soon as I deal with this. I have a feeling the djinn will soon be stepping into the human realm in more than single digits.” With that, he and Jezebel headed out the front door.
A second later, Adam and Elle flashed back into the room. Their mates were at their sides in an instant.
“We need to go. Now,” Cyn said.
Peri took Lucian’s hand and flashed, knowing the others were on her heels. In a blink, they were out of Farie and standing in a forest with death and destruction raging all around them.
* * *
Nissa breathedhard as she answered the sprite queen. “We’ve got a downed wolf with an elf blade in his abdomen. He has a pregnant mate.”
Andora turned to one of the male sprite guards standing at the doorway. “Please, go get Deidre and Lanora. Make haste.” The guards ran down the hall and out the double doors.
“I am sending Deidre, the luminous leader, with you as well. Her light will amplify the healing ability of Lanora,” Andora explained.
Less than two minutes passed before two sprite women came rushing in. Both of them wore leather pants, vest-like tunics that hugged their bodies and would be easy to move in, and thick boots.Battle gear.
“You need to accompany Nissa,” Andora told the two women. “There is a wolf who is in grave danger and needs your abilities.”
The women nodded without a word and hurried to Nissa. She held out an arm. Deidre and Lanora both placed their hands on her, but before she could flash, Cindy Morgan came barreling through the double doors. She hit them so hard they flew open and crashed against the walls.
Her eyes were wide with fear and full of panic. “I’m coming with you,” she practically shouted. She didn’t bother to address the queen or give a reason for her demand. She lost no time getting to Nissa’s other side and placing her hand on the fae’s shoulder.
“Cindy.” The sprite queen’s voice was loud as she called out to the panicked woman.
