Warrick entered slowly, looking like he’d aged ten years from the last time I saw him. His clothes were rumpled, shirt half tucked in, a few days growth on his normally smooth-shaven face. I met his bloodshot gaze, and he just stared at me like I was a stranger. “War,” I said kindly, not making a move closer since he was keeping his distance. “What do you need? Is everything okay with Cora and the others?” He wouldn’t be here while his pack mourned unless something was wrong.
As he continued to stare, I managed to keep my normally impatient nature under control. Give him a moment of grace. If I lost anyone in my pack, I’d have been a raving mess. Well, anyone other than Emmeline. If I lost her, I’d be dead too.
“Where’s the fucking witch?” His first words were a rasp of agony, and I felt them all the way to my soul.
“We don’t know.” There was no point in lying. We had no fucking clue where the witch was, and even with every contact we had out looking, there was no sign of magic.
There wasn’t even a regular witch to be found, let alone Jewels.
“She’s gone to ground with apparently every other witch in existence. I have no doubt her plan is to stay hidden until the next full moon.”
I’d told our closest allies about Constantine’s warning, and though Warrick hadn’t returned my message, it had come up as read.
A small tic started in the corner of his eye. He leaned back against the door like he needed the support. “I’m assuming you don’t plan on letting that stand. You need to figure out how to find her…”
“We’re working on tracking her through magic,” I assured him. “We’ll track other witches too, if we can find an object that would lead us to them. We’re going to head for Fletcher’s old compound tomorrow in the hopes of unearthing a clue.”
His throat moved roughly as he swallowed, and the cry of his beast echoed through my own. “What happens if we don’t find her? What’s the plan?”
“We will go to war with the witches,” I said without hesitation, feeling my beast rising up. “They might control our shifts, but we have other strengths. We will figure out how to fight them and destroy the curse somehow. Or wipe out all witches so no one will ever control us again.”
Warrick didn’t appear convinced, so I offered him extra hope. “I have a team outfitting select groups of enforcers and warriors. They don’t really understand why, but they will come to our aid if we find ourselves at war. We’re bypassing the useless councils though.”
Warrick nodded, as if for the first time he was also done pandering to their needs. “I want to be part of the hunting parties when you go after the witches.”
With that, he stood straight and strong, as if he’d briefly shook off the weight on his shoulders. “Bring me into the planning meetings and keep me updated so I can help in whatever way is needed. You can’t trust random enforcers in other cities but you ca—” His voice broke. “We are old friends, and I have to avenge Marcus.”
“You will have your vengeance,” I assured him. “Every witch can die for all I care.”
Except for my mate, but there was no reason anyone needed to know about her unique heritage. Especially not her friend, who was currently on a path of revenge against magic.
“Keep me apprised,” he said with a firm nod. “If you find anything, I want to be there.”
That much I could promise him. “You’ll be the first to know if we discover anything of importance.”
With that he stomped out of my office, his dark energy trailing through the building.
Leaving right after, I was tense all the way back to the house, only finding relief when Slade texted that he was on his way home with Emme. The long way, since the lucky bastard had her backpacking with him right now.
As I pulled my bike into the garage, Talon’s energy thrummed in our bond, and I wasn’t surprised to find him waiting in the entrance hall. We could all mentally check in now, though Emme kept us from communicating as a group. It was clear that one day we’d all freely speak when needed, but for now, Emme held tightly to her control.
“Hunter,” Talon called, leaning down to unclip his bag, pulling out clothing. When he was dressed, he looked around. “Where is everyone?”
“Slade and Emme are on their way home from training. Kellan and Fin are at hockey—they’ve got a few new team members, which means their coaches are forcing longer practices to team bond, and Slade left Constantine at the training facility to figure out his own way home.”
Talon’s smile was darkly satisfied, but before he could respond, Florence hurried into the room. “Alpha Hunter and Alpha Talon,” she exclaimed. “I’m so glad you’re both home. I left snacks in the gaming room. I wondered if you might like to… hang out there.”
She smiled softly, and I knew she was hoping I’d indulge in my usual place of calm—my place before Emme that was. Florence had been part of our lives for a long time, and knew me almost as well as my pack.
“Thank you,” I said, unsure if I was ready to game again after Sorenson’s betrayal. “We’re lucky to have you.” She smiled and half-bowed, before scurrying off.
“Gaming room?” Talon asked, a deeper furrow between his brows. “What’s a gaming room?”
Deciding I could at least use the snack, I waved a hand at him. “Come on, I’ll show you.” On the way through the house I ditched my jacket over a side table and was already loosening my cuffs and rolling up my sleeves.
I wasn’t sure Talon would enjoy gaming; Slade had never been into it. He preferred to be online, scouring the web to keep tabs on friends… and enemies. Slade also loved facts and figures. Knowledge was power, after all. He didn’t buy into escapism—I’d always been the dreamer, inventor, and fantasy fan.
If there was a sliding scale with me at one end and Slade at the other, Talon fell somewhere between us. So maybe he’d enjoy a littleCall of Duty.
