“I was going downstairs like you told me to when he grabbed me from behind.”
“That was my intent. I left you alone to lure him out.”
“So I was the bait in your trap.” I rip my arm away but continue to follow him. “Nice.”
“I’ve been doing this a long time, witch. I know how to catch a mouse.”
“Clearly not, because he got away.”
“If I wasn’t so worried you were going to trip and crack your skull open on the way back to the castle, I would have gone after him. But it seems you need round-the-clock supervision, so here I am.”
I shoot him a scowl as we reach the bottom of the stairs.
“Where are the others?” I turn, scanning the crowd. No trace of our friends on the tables or by the bar.
“I can take a guess.”
Jace leads us back up the stairs, around a corner, to the last door on the left.
As he cracks it open, the smell of flavored smoke wafts toward me. I nearly choke on the thick scent. Through the haze of vapor, I spy Dover, Zadyn, and Sorscha seated around a cards table beside four brawny, exotic-looking males.
I spot Cece, Mar, and Ilsa off to the side, engrossed in the game unfolding.
More males of intimidating stature are scattered throughout the room, passing what looks to be a large hookah around.Their leather vests are cut low to reveal their golden-brown chests and the tattoos snaking up their thick, muscled arms. Gold hoops are pierced through their ears, lips, and brows.
Each set of hypnotic kohl-lined eyes snaps toward us as we enter.
“Party’s over,” Jace says firmly. Dover’s concentration breaks as he peeks up from his hand.
“We’ll explain on the way, but right now, we need to go,” I add. Zadyn is at my side without hesitation.
Sensing the underlying urgency in our tones, Dover pushes back from his chair and extends his hand for Mar to join him. “Gentlemen. You heard the lady.”
Sorscha gets to her feet, but the hand of the large, stone-faced fae seated beside her shoots out and grips her wrist tightly. She struggles against him feebly.
“You can’t just leave in the middle of a hand!” The male gives a rough tug to her small wrist, wrenching her down.
Jace shoves forward, prowling as he frees his sword.
“Better thanlosinga hand, wouldn’t you agree?”
In an instant, the group of hulking leather-clad strangers has jagged scabbards drawn. Everyone freezes.
“For your troubles.” Dover slowly raises one hand while tossing a sack of coins into the middle of the table.
The male holding Sorscha barks a laugh. “That’s not nearly enough to cover what you and your friend cheated us out of last time. Whereisyour little prince friend, by the way? I’ve been dying for a reunion.” He gives a sharp nod, and within a second, the males have Cece, Mar, and Ilsa around their waists, scabbards pressed to their throats.
“Surely your females are worth more than a few measly gold coins?”
“I’ll give you one last chance before I really lose my temper,friend.” Jace takes another step toward them, a crazy glint in his eyes.
In defiant answer, the male tosses Sorscha into the arms of one of his renegade disciples and draws a scabbard of his own, lunging for Jace. The room erupts into chaos.
The ladies scream and squeal as Jace tackles him backward into the cards table. It collapses beneath them as Zadyn and Dover surge forward, fists flying. One of the males drags Sorscha toward the door by her hair. I grab the nearest chair and slam it into his back with all my might. The wood shatters beneath his rock-hard form. He turns to me with unnatural slowness, but that split second allows Zadyn to land a knock-out punch to his face. I gape at him, impressed, before he pulls Sorscha and me from the room. The rest of the girls race toward us, their captors incapacitated by Jace and Dover.
“Let’s go!” I shout, ushering them from the room. Dover grips Jace around the arm and hauls him off the bloodied, unconscious male beneath him. Zadyn slams the door shut and rips off the handle in the process, discarding it as he hurries us forward. Loud bangs sound from behind the door as we fly down the hallway.
“Where the hell is Kai!” Dover shouts from behind us.
