Especially when Warrick said, “They attacked us at home, baby.” He lifted her upper body into his arms. “A magical bomb detonated when we stepped out the front door. It knocked me out, and when I woke, you were gone.” His voice broke. “Marcus was the closest to the blast and… he didn’t make it. I left his body with Richard and Sierra and got over here to you.”
“Marcus is gone?” Cora sobbed, and I pressed my hand against my chest, wanting to shatter apart with her.
I’d feared it was Warrick her wolf mourned, but Marcus was almost as bad. He was one of their quintet. A brother. Their family. My best friends were suffering, and I couldn’t help them.
Tears streaked Warrick’s face too as he held her—mates locked together in grief.
Eventually, they got to their feet, and I had no idea what to say as they stared at me.
“Where did the witch go?” Cora asked, her voice growing harder.
I shook my head. “We don’t know. She transported herself out of here as soon as super dragon appeared.”
They both blinked at that, and I pointed toward the other side of the street, where Slalon had finally figured out how to usehis giant body. The huge wings were spread wide for balance, and he had started to move more easily.
Warrick narrowed his eyes on the beast. “What in the goddess’ design is that?”
“They’re twin souls,” Hunter said, with a shrug. “Slade and his twin, Talon, merged during battle. We don’t know what it means or what this form is capable of, but I would guess it’s a much stronger beast than their individual ones.”
“When the fuck did you find a second dragon?” Warrick growled, and I got the sense he was pissed we hadn’t shared that information with him.
I met Cora’s gaze, wondering whyshehadn’t shared it, but she only shrugged. “You trusted me to keep that part secret and I did.”
Goddess, I loved her for her loyalty and true friendship.
Warrick’s expression softened as he glanced down at his mate. “You’re too good for our fucked-up world,” he told her, and I could see his utter relief that she was alive and relatively unhurt. Unlike Marcus. When he returned his attention to us, it landed on me: “How does this other dragon fit with you?”
“Talon is one of my mates too,” I said, not caring who else heard. We were pretty far past keeping secrets, as the dragon-size hole in our garage wall could attest. “We believe we can still form a completed quintet. It’s not about numbers, but energy and essence. Together, Slade and Talon are considered one essence.”
No one looked at me like I was crazy, and in fact, both Hunter and Warrick nodded.
“The quintet is onlyfivebecause the essence of our beasts and bond works best with that number,” Warrick said slowly, as if he was thinking it over as he spoke. “If their essence is one, then you’ll be a quintet. A very powerful one.”
His voice broke, and we fell silent at the reminder that his pack would never again be a complete quintet. I felt helpless against the sorrow that they’d forever carry. “Jewels will pay for what she did,” I said forcibly, anger tainting my sorrow. “I don’t care what it takes, or how many holes we have to dig to find her. This is the last death we’ll ever suffer at her hands.”
Warrick’s wolf rose until it was clear in his gaze. “On that, we are in complete agreement.” He wrapped his arm around Cora, drawing her tighter to his side. “Now, we need to get back to our pack and update the council. Call if you hear anything about the witch… we will be ready to take her down.”
I took a step towards Cora, who stood there looking broken. Her expression was filled with anguish, and I had to suck in a deep breath to be able to say, “I’m so sorry about Marcus. I wish I could offer you both relief from this pain, but just know that I’m here for you. Whenever you need.Whateveryou need.”
Cora reached out and I clasped her hand, relieved that she didn’t appear to hate me for the role I played in this. At least not yet. Maybe once her shock eased up, she’d feel differently.
“I have no idea how we navigate forward withouthim,” she rasped. “But I do know we need to be together. I’ll call you soon, Emme. Please stay vigilant. The witch could be back at any time.”
Warrick’s chest rumbled. “Call me later,” he said to Hunter, and then they headed down the street toward their car.
When their car vanished from sight, there was a shout, and enforcers poured into the street, racing for us. The shout hadn’t been to alert us to their presence, but to the magic filling the air, turning the skies darker.
“Get to cover,” Hunter shouted to any friends and family still here, and most of them took off, though I noticed Kenzo was nearby, along with Kassidy.
Alarms were sounding around Golden Claw as their warning system for witches came into effect. But it wasn’t a single witch this time.
The sky filled with them, and Jewels hovered dead center, her hands wrapped around Fletcher’s shoulders. The evening sky was dark enough at this point to showcase the huge, red-tinged moon. An eerie backdrop to their arrival.
Jewels smirked our way and carried Fletcher across the street, the alpha staring greedily at our super dragon. Without thought, I raced for Slalon, fearing that their lack of control in this new form would make them an easy target. Even with their size and magical resistance, there were enough witches to truly make this the fight of their lives.
CHAPTER 61
EMME
