She tapped the image of Raja’s form, frowning in frustration. “I don’t know what this means. Does the drawing of theNushtoniamean that Celise is somehow tied to this? Does it mean she has succeeded in breaking him out of his prison? If he is free, how is he tied to each of our pack members that are on this page? Too many questions and no way to get answers. It’s like a damn bad episode ofJeopardy.”
“What does this mean for the others?” Torion’s voice trembled. “Why did I draw them all around the book?”
Peri didn’t answer right away. She was still soaking in the fact that she was seeing the image of Raja. Like a bad itch she couldn’t reach, there was something she was missing. It was significant that he was entwined with the book, but she didn’t know why. Peri hated not knowing things. She took great pride in being a know-it-all and considered it a compliment if anyone happened to point it out. After a few minutes of silence she looked away from the picture to Tenia’s son. “At this point, the most important reason you drew them is because they’re alive.”
“Good work, T.” Lucian’s voice was softer than usual. “Now we just have to figure out how to reach them.”
“Easier said than done,” Peri muttered. The hope the image stirred was matched by the fear it also provoked. But she was trying to keep Torion from seeing that fear.
“This is bad, Lucian.”Peri reached out to her mate because she needed to say it.“This is very, very bad.”
Phantom arms encircled her as he spoke into her mind.“We’ve faced worse.”
Peri shook her head before she could stop herself and looked at her mate.“I honestly don’t know if that’s true.”
He held her gaze for two heartbeats before turning to the young fae. “We’ll find them,” Lucian said firmly, his gaze steady as it met Torion’s. “We’ll find all of them. That’s a promise.”
Peri nodded, as she met Torion’s eyes and then looked at Titus, with Thia clasped onto his leg. As she spoke, she could hear the steely resolve in her voice. “And he always keeps his promises.”
Serapha’s large form shifted as she pushed up from her reclined position until she was standing on all four legs. “Why don’t we find you lot a place to sleep for the night.” She looked at Peri. “The cave where you stayed with Torion, his mother, and Skender is available and plenty large enough.”
“That’s a good idea. We aren’t going to be able to do much more tonight before the kids are going to need sleep.”
“If you’re getting sleeping accommodations, maybe you could helpourmerry, little band?” A familiar voice said as Myanin stepped through the forest with Jezebel, Gavril, and Dillon on either side of her.
Peri never thought she’d be relieved to see the smart-ass, djinn female, but at that moment, knowing that there were more of their group alive, she was a sight for sore eyes. All of them were. “When has your cranky ass ever been merry? And yes, we can accommodate sleep, but you have to sleep in a tree. Like the snake you are.”
“Harsh.” Myanin grinned wickedly. “I’ve missed you, Peri.”
A second later, Myanin was nearly knocked over as Torion plowed into her, wrapping his arms around her. “Mom’s alive. I saw her. And now you’re alive.”
Peri had to press her lips together to keep from laughing at the awkward way Myanin held her arms out to her side, looking down at Torion as if he was a rash she’d suddenly developed. Finally, she sighed. “Good grief, Myanin. You’re Tenia’s codependent friend, which means you are a tie to his mother—someone that makes him feel closer to her. Hug him. Show some freaking affection.”
Myanin awkwardly patted Torion’s back. “There, there. All is well.” Her tone was stilted and flat, and the longer Torion held on, the wider Myanin’s eyes got as she looked from person to person. But no one helped her out. If they were like Peri, they were taking a certain amount of glee in seeing the butthead djinn suffer a little bit of uncomfortable affection. Myanin finally pried him off her, but he still stayed right beside her. “Now, everyone here looks pretty okay. I mean the kids are gross, but they’re not bleeding out. So can we table the catching-up conversation and get to the sleep thing?”
Exhaustion swamped Peri at the mention of sleep again. “I can agree with that plan.” She looked over at her mate.“Round up the kids and let's get to the cave I stayed in with Tenia, Skender, and Torion.”Then she looked at Serapha. “I’ll flash the kids with Lucian and Dillon. Can you carry the other three to the cave?” She knew the draheim would know which cave she was talking about.
Serapha nodded. “I reserve the right to toss the mouthy one off.”
“That’s everyone’s reaction to her.” Peri shrugged. “Do what you gotta do.”
Chapter 4
“There are things in this world we can control, and things we cannot. For instance, I can control me. I can control how I react in situations or to people. Aaaand that’s pretty much all I can control. So really, it’s a crap deal. Life, that is. It’s crap, I react crappy, and then I die. The end. I know. I’m a ball of sunshine.” ~ Lizzy
Lizzy’s boots crunched against the dried leaves as she paced, her restless energy crackling in the cool night air. She’d needed a break from the inside of the sprite compound, a break from the quietness that had settled over the place since practically everyone had left. Okay, not everyone. And it wasn’t totally quiet. But with everyone else—specifically Jen, Myanin, and Heather—gone, there was simply a hum of volume, instead of boisterous voices, threats, and laughter. Yes, there were still sprites, fae, wolves, warlocks, and elves milling about, going on about their lives doing whatever it was they were supposed to be doing to save the world. Lizzy didn’t know what that was, and she didn’t really care. That wasn’t totally true. She cared that Cindy and the seer sprites were attempting to work their magic, literally, and see if they could find where their people had gone. But while they were doing something helpful, Lizzy was unable to do anything. She couldn’t sit still and justwait.
Every second that passed felt like another thread unraveling from this new bond she shared with her pack, her family. The world she’d suddenly become a part of was slipping through her grasp as fast as water through her fingers. She’d only known them a short time, but they’d proven themselves to be fighters, to care for the weak, and to put others before themselves. These were people worth having at your back.Andshe’d only just been reunited with Kara —the only true friend she’d ever had. Now, she was gone. The ache in Lizzy’s chest was unbearable, and she was losing her ability to keep her emotions on lockdown.
Finn, sitting on a fallen log nearby, tracked her movements with sharp, brown eyes. His elbows rested on his knees, his posture calm, but she could feel the tension rolling off him through their bond. Her mate was worried, and not just about the pack or situation they’d found themselves in. He was worried abouther.
“Stop worrying about me,”she snapped through their bond, not even glancing his way. She hated that her irritation poured over into her reaction to him, and that was totally on her. It wasn’t Finn’s fault that Lizzy was being an ass. And their relationship was so new, she still didn’t know how to turn to him for the comfort she needed. Or, at least, it didn’t come naturally. Not like it had with Kara when they’d been kids and living in the crappiest of situations.
“I’ll stop worrying when you stop looking like you’re about to collapse,”Finn shot back, his voice sharp but laced with concern. “Lizzy, you need to feed.”His voice softened, “I know this is still new.”He had obviously picked up on her anxiety.“But it will get easier. I am yours, and you never have to be hesitant about coming to me.”
Her steps faltered, but she quickly recovered, she didn’t want him to be nice to her, not when she was being a snot. She made sure to keep some distance between them because if she got within reaching distance, he would just snag her around her waist, set her in his lap, and not let her up until he was good and ready. He seemed to like her sitting in his lap—something she’d noticed other male wolves preferred of their females as well. “Weird wolves,”she grumbled to herself.
“Don’t ignore me,”Finn pressed, his tone more demanding now. “You’re getting weaker. I can feel it, Lizzy. Being weak isn’t going to help our pack or Kara.”His words were more forceful, more demanding, and though she knew he was right, it still pissed Lizzy off. Bringing up Karareallypissed her off.
