“What happens if Finvarra keeps the sword?” Evie asked.
“The world burns.”
“Well, that’s not ideal. So, Finvarra declared that you can’t go into the seelie realm? How are you supposed to steal the sword?”
Kyla spoke through gritted teeth. “He said I can’t go on thislittle missionbecause if I end up dead, I won’t be available to get him what he needs.”
I let out a low whistle. “That’s cold.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“What are the consequences, Kyla?” Evie’s voice was carefully neutral.
Kyla’s shoulders hunched. “I don’t fulfill my bargain with the giant fae jackass, and I have to leave Nathaniel’s pack and join his people.” She held up her hand, displaying the long bronze line I’d assumed was some kind of birthmark.
“We need someone guarding the portal and keeping Nereus from doing anything stupid anyway,” Evie said. “Finvarra is dangerous when pushed, especially right now. Once this case is solved, I’ll help you steal the sword.”
I nodded. “Me too.”
“Thanks, you guys.” Kyla’s voice was thick, and she was silent for the rest of the drive, clearly plotting Finvarra’s death. She lifted her arm as we drove into wolf territory, and a long howl sounded. She grinned, and her expression lightened.
“We have a small pack of wolves visiting from Ohio,” she said. “Nathaniel has been talking to their Alpha. One of our wolves—Peter—he has history with one of the visitors and ended up challenging him last night. He won the challenge, but Nathaniel is pissed and put him on sentry detail for three weeks.”
Evie followed the road to the right, and Nathaniel’s house came into view.
“Holy shit,” Evie breathed, slowing the car.
“Holy shit is right,” I said.
The Alpha’s home stood at the end of a cul-de-sac at the edge of the deepest wolf territory, so anyone who wanted access to the women and pups had to go through him.
Obviously, Nathaniel had decided these wolves weren’t allowed that access. The visiting wolves had created some kind of outdoor gym on the road in front of Nathaniel’s house. There had to be fifteen or sixteen of them, all shirtless, all lifting weights as music played from speakers set up on the sidewalk.
I frowned. “Weight lifting? They could each probably lift this car with all of us in it.”
Kyla turned her head and grinned over her shoulder at me. “We may be naturally strong, but we still have to work out for definition.”
Evie got out of the car and leaned against it. I shrugged and did the same. Kyla just shook her head at us.
I studied the sweaty male bodies in front of us. It was like being at an all-you-can-eat buffet, when all you really wanted was a specific craving you’d had for months. A craving you could only satisfy at a restaurant three states away.
My mind kept presenting me with the sight of Vas’s body instead.
“You’re coming perilously close to drooling,” Kyla grinned at Evie.
“Interesting reaction,” I agreed. “I thought you’d sworn off men.”
“Well, ladies, turns out I’m back on my bullshit.”
Several of the wolves spotted us. One of them whistled, and Evie fanned her face with a slow grin of her own.
“Ahem.”
We all turned to find Nathaniel watching us, arms folded over his chest. His biceps bulged so much, I was surprised he could even cross his arms.
“Uh, hi,” I said.
“Hello.” The Alpha gazed at Evie, and Kyla attempted to hide her smirk. It didn’t work.
