Nix and Megan pulled back. But it was Nix that answered.As soon as Verity said the words, you dropped. Megan and I were still awake, but we wouldn’t control our body. Vince picked usup and climbed back onto Rick. Morgan had to let Brandon ride him with the missing fingers. He carried the pup, but… She trailed off.
What?
Megan stepped closer.We still can’t move. Vince is bringing us to a place I have never seen before. And…She looked away.
And what?I looked around. My dark forest was still the same. Comforting and safe. I pushed off the ground and walked to the edge of the trees, looking out. I finally figured out what they were too hesitant to say.Is Vince petting me?
My two wolves walked to my side.Yes…Nix sat next to me.He’s been doing it ever since he picked us up.
Megan shivered.He’s also been whispering to us.
Just as she said it, his voice was soft in my ear. “Such a strong-willed female. I think I want to keep you. Would you like that?” Vince’s fingers trailed along my fur. “You are stunning. Even if you’re only a Beta, I can feel your strength.” His chuckle was deep. “Too bad you had to run into my web, huh?”
His web?I looked at my wolves.What does he mean?
Nix looked at me.The traps Rick was telling us about? They were draining traps all over the woods. As we were running, using our magic, the traps were draining us and transferring it to Rick.
Megan nodded.That’s why Rick said they wouldn’t believe it if we got away from him…he was being fed our strength.
How is that even possible?I shook my head but my wolves were lost too. I thought of my book and my magic.It has to be a transfer spell…but how in the hell did they make it so it goes to Rick?
Nix nudged my side.Look at the back of his neck.She nodded outward. I made sure I was facing away from Vince and I cracked an eye. I hung in his arms, confused.
What are you talking about?
Nix nudges again.Look down to the wolf under you, his neck. There is something there. A burn mark.
I finally focused on the spot, and I had to hold in a gasp. On the back of Rick’s neck was a burned rune.The rune for quickening.I whispered.But it’s wrong.
What do you mean?
It’s poisoned.
Nix and Megan pressed against my side.What are you saying? It’s poisoned…poisoned how?Nix leaned in, trying to see it closer, but we were stuck where we were.
The rune on his neck was collecting the power the traps were pulling from me. The quickening. It says it right in the name. It converts your power into physical strength and speed. Like I was doing with our power, but this is for a person who doesn’t have magic.
Okay…I still don't know what’s wrong.Megan leaned against the barrier and I laughed.
Do you see the line that cuts through the rune?Both of my wolves focused on the rune that was bobbing in and out of our line of sight as he ran.
Yeah.Nix finally said.The part that looks infected?
Yes. That’s exactly what it is. A poisoning. It breaks the limits on the rune and pushes power into the person. Normally, the person will hit a wall. The wall being that their physical body can’t go any faster or it hurts them, breaking down their bodies. Like poison.
So you’re saying that because they removed the safety features of the rune, that Rick is being slowly poisoned.
I’m saying it’s not only his daughter that’s going to die.I stared down at the rune.
Do you think he knows?Nix stood and paced away.I mean, does it matter? He did this to his kid…
I turned to look at my wolf.We don’t know all the answers. We can’t make that decision. All we know is what we heard today.
Isn’t that enough?Megan paced away.He did this for his own benefit.
I sat back, watching where we were headed, with a growing pit in my stomach. The escalating horror of where we were going continued to build. Once I was sure, I turned away and focused on my bickering wolves.I know it seems like he is a villain, and he might be. But I feel like there is more to his story.
What else could there be? Some explanation that is going to make us overlook everything he has done? Unlikely.Megan scoffed.
