“Aw, look at that—Booger and the Draxon. Sounds like a movie title. Anyone else feeling the need for popcorn?” I mimicked eating popcorn, smirking at my two siblings.
Chloe glared. “Don’tbe a dick.”
I snickered, “Just fucking with you.”
Nathan elbowed me. “You’d better watch yourself. My Nexi would totally approve of me holding you down so Chloe could kick your ass.”
Chloe grinned, “Yes, she would.”
I grinned back, truly happy to see my sister. “So, wanna tell us why you’re strolling around Bellona like you’re on holiday?”
Deshawn answered before Chloe could. “Because she didn’t listen to me.” His voice was smooth, low, with the kind of lethal calm that came from killing more people than he wanted to count. “I’ve been in the coliseum posing as one of their warriors. Trying to get close to Reverie.”
My stomach clenched. “And?”
“I saw her, spoke to her.” He said simply. “Seems that she’s fighting again tonight.”
Oren’s jaw tightened. “Then we move sooner than planned.”
Deshawn’s gaze swept the street, calculating. “You’ll need the eastern tunnels. Less patrol coverage, and the old arena channels still run power from before the war.”
Jet nodded slowly. “That’s good. The distraction of the crowd will mask our approach.”
Chloe’s voice cracked as she said, “I’m happy you're all here.”
Zeke sighed. “You realize Mom is shitting a brick about you being here.”
Chloe winced. “I figured.”
“Zane?”Reverie’s voice brushed my mind, soft and unaware.“Everything all right?”
“Everything's fine, precious, how about on your end?”
“All good.”The connection broke abruptly.
“Liar,” I murmured out loud.
Oren frowned, “She didn’t mention anything about being put in the arena again tonight.”
“Nope.” Nathan scowled.
“I’m going to spank her ass.” Jet growled.
“Get in line.” I waggled my brows and grinned.
Chloe huffed, “Fantasize on your own time. We have to rescue my bestie before she gets her ass killed. The fight in the coliseum will start in just a few hours.”
My grin vanished. “Then we stop the show.”
Before anyone could respond, the air shifted—thick, heavy, wrong. The sound was almost a growl, but too deep, too intelligent.
A shadow peeled itself out of the alley behind Chloe. Four paws the size of dinner plates hit the cobblestone, claws whispering against stone. Quieter than anyone his size had the right to be.
Pantar.
He seemed bigger than he’d been just a few days ago. Sleek black fur rippling like smoke, amber eyes glowing like twin suns. The tentacles along his shoulders moved with eerie precision, tasting the air.
Pantar’s voice rolled through our heads like thunder.“I tracked her to the compound. The time to move is now.”
