Rhyland stiffens beside me, his nostrils flaring. "Smells like fucking dog."
Lucian and Erik both give a quick nod, their faces set in grim lines. It's like watching a synchronized brooding routine.
Shit is everywhere, from overturned furniture to shattered glass, and I'm pretty sure that stain on the carpet is going to require some industrial-strength bleach.
I run, searching around my apartment for Emily and Sable.
"Emily?" I shout, my voice echoing in the eerie silence. "Sable?" I know she said they had this place locked down tight with more magical wards than Hogwarts, but from the looks of it, that didn't do jack shit.
We portaled back and walked into this shitshow. Was it Azrael? Did that asshole finally make his move?
"She's not here," I tell everyone, my voice shaking. "I—I don't know what to do..." Panic is rising in my throat like bile, threatening to choke me.
Rhyland is at my side in a heartbeat, his strong arms wrapping around me. "Calm down, baby," his voice low and reassuring. "Don't go jumping to conclusions. We'll figure this out."
But I can't calm down. The thought of something happening to Emily is like a knife to my gut, twisting and tearing me apart. She's my rock, my best friend, and if anything happened to her, I'd never forgive myself.
"Hey, check this out." Lucian's voice cuts through the fog of my panic, and I whip around to see him holding up a familiar object—a cell phone, a shit-eating grin on his face. "Looks like our little Velma left us a clue."
I practically teleport to his side, snatching the phone out of his hand. A message from Emily on the lock screen—I unlock it with shaking fingers.
We were attacked. Had to move. Call me when you get this.
Relief floods me, so strong it nearly brings me to my knees. "She's okay," I whisper, clutching the phone like a lifeline. "She's okay."
But how long ago did this happen? I quickly check the date on the message—two days ago. Shit. Panic starts to claw at me again. Emily, the clever bitch, left this knowing I'd find it when I got back.
I quickly call her, not wasting a second. She picks up on the second ring, and I practically shout into the phone. "Emily, thank god. What's going on?"
"Well, shit, look who finally decided to grace us with her presence," Emily drawls. "Took you long enough, bitch. I was starting to think you'd eloped with Aquaman and left me high and dry."
I can't help but laugh; the sound is borderline hysterical. "Please, you know I'd never leave you, Em. You're Bonnie to my Clyde." As I kick a broken plate across the floor.
"Damn straight," she quips, but I can hear the tension in her voice. "But seriously, we've got a major fucking problem. Those werewolf bastards attacked us—they were after the Soul Stone."
Goddamn werewolves, more than likely working for that shitstain, Azrael. I suck in a breath, my mind racing. God, please tell me they didn't get their mangy paws on it. I had that thing locked up tight in my safe.
No. No, no, no. This can't be happening.
I sprint to my bedroom, my heart pounding in my ears. I throw open the closet doors, and my worst fears are confirmed. The hidden panel is ripped from the wall, the safe torn from its hiding place like it was made of tissue paper.
"Goddamnit," I scream, slamming my fist against the wall. "Those bastards! They got the stone, Em. It's fucking gone."
I can hear Emily's sharp intake of breath, the weight of the situation hitting her like a ton of bricks. "Shit, Dani. I...I don't know what to say. We tried to stop them, but there were too many. We barely made it out alive."
Just then, water bursts from the pipes in my adjoining bathroom, reacting to my emotional outburst.
Shit—Just what I need right now.
Rhyland comes rushing in, quickly turning off the water.
I close my eyes, forcing myself to take a deep, calming breath. Losing my shit isn't going to help anyone right now. "Where are you, Em? Please tell me you're somewhere safe."
"We're at Sable's grandma's place in Olympia," Her voice strained. "Laying low until we can figure out our next move. God, Dani, I'm so fucking sorry. I should have done more, should have—"
"Stop," I cut her off, my voice firm. "This is not your fault, Emily. You did everything you could. I'm just glad you're okay. You are okay, right?"
There's a moment of silence and then a soft, humorless chuckle. "Yeah, I'm okay—a little banged up, but I'll live. Can't say the same for those furry fuckers, though. I may have set a few of them on fire with my mind."
