The fracturing of our quintet had severed all connections, even those between us, and I couldn’t feel any of them. My bear was all I had inside myself, along with a heavily frayed sanity. He pushed me to release him, but I couldn’t shift. There was no Emme to bring me back, and I wasn’t sure even my therapy and healing would be enough to save me from the bear’s protection today.
We descended into the lower levels via an industrial elevator, stepping out into a cool, silent room, heavy with the scent of disinfectants. Everything down here was state-of-the-art, with a filter and ventilation system designed to keep out every known contaminant.
It wasn’t always necessary for Hunter’s and Slade’s inventions, but they would never risk a cross-contamination.
We moved past zones that were clearly being used for the testing of armored vests and other magically resistant weapons. Casey led us through a series of locked doors, using fingerprints and retina scanners at each checkpoint.
“I suspect this is a dragon labyrinth,” Kellan joked, though his voice was flat. “Designed to prevent even the staff from finding what they need.”
Casey shot a look over her shoulder, sniffling lightly. “Alpha Slade never cuts corners on safety. All of your tech is protected.”
Of course it was. The dragon protected what was his, and his beast must have been losing it at Emme in danger once more.
The prototype was housed in a small lab, the door labeled with a sign that readMagic Disruptor.
“Their aim was to invent a laser which could disrupt the natural order of magic,” Casey explained, waving her hand toward a piece of equipment sitting on a pedestal. It looked like a cross between a nail gun and a mini jackhammer. “Magic is composed of matter, like everything in nature, and it can be disrupted with the right tools. This uses magical frequencies, along with a physical swing, to shatter the natural order of a spell.”
When I stepped closer, she stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. My bear immediately erupted into growls, which had Casey removing her offensive touch.
“No one touches me but my fucking mate,” I bit out, my voice so low I was surprised she understood the words.
She understood my intention at least, backing up quickly. No matter how great Hunter’s assistant was, I’d kill her if she touched me again.
“Apologies, Alpha Finley. I was just going to say that it hasn’t been properly tested.” She continued to back away, until she was almost out of the room. “It’s nowhere near ready to be used.”
I lifted it to let the solid weight rest in my hands. “Doesn’t matter. It’s our only chance, and we will risk it. Do you know how it works?”
She shook her head. “No, I wasn’t here for any of the preliminary testing.”
Which meant she was of no more use to us.
Kellan followed me from the room, and when we passed some of the other labs again, he grabbed a few of the armored vests and Taser S weapons. “We might need the extra help,” he unnecessarily explained.
“Whatever it takes to save our mate,” I said, my hands twitching on the disruptor as my bear grumbled.
Hold on, darlin’. We’re coming for you.
CHAPTER 46
EMME
The slap of magic against my face roused me. I jerked my head up to find myself sprawled on the bedroom floor, my hands bound in front of me by shining magical strands. Jewels stood over me, slapping my face and neck with bursts of energy.
“Bitch,” she snarled as my wolf howled, the emptiness inside us near debilitating.
Every part of me hurt, but the physical held nothing on the emotional. In fact, I’d never felt more physically strong, and it took mere seconds for me to recall that my amazing, incredibly self-sacrificing mates had sent their energy into me before I severed the bond.
Leaving me powerful but completely devastated over the loss of our quintet bond.
I hadn’t truly realized how warm and safe I’d felt in their cocoon of beasts, our quintet essence always surrounding me, until it was gone.
Now I was alone.Eternally alone.
“You think you’re so clever,” Jewels hollered between strikes, the hits barely registering. My magic was naturally shielding me, and it appeared she had no idea how much power was coiled inside me, waiting to be released.
She paused and sucked in a deep breath, muttering to herself: “Never mind. I just need another plan. I always have more plans. I’m the queen of plans.”
She was the queen ofdesperately-in-need-of-therapy-or-prison.
