I nodded once, but not before catching something in Cas’ expression, a flicker of resignation, buried deep. Not at her,neverat her, but at the situation. At the knowledge that on top of a drooly,stunted, mute dire wolf pup, he now had to deal with a moon-damnedgoat.
But he didn’t hesitate.
Didn’t argue.
Because it was forher.
Seri’s fingers dug into my chest, and I cupped the back of her head in my palm.
“We’ll find him, baby.”
Her breath shuddered against my chest.
She didn’t answer.
But I felt the way she clung to those words.
Felt the way she clung tome.
#
Casimir
I didn’t say a word when I stepped outside.
Didn’t trust myself to.
My fists were clenched. My jaw locked so tight it ached. I didn’t move. Didn’t pace. Just stood there on the driveway, staring out at the treeline like there was something I could fight.
Like there was something I couldfix.
The door creaked open behind me, then Zane’s voice, dry and unimpressed.
“Well. That was a fang-rotted disaster.”
I said nothing.
Z sighed, waiting like he expected some kind of response. When I didn’t give him one, he made an irritated noise and kicked the door shut.
“You wanna break something, Cas? Because you’re giving me that look, and if you’re gonna try to snap my spine in half, at least give me a five-second head start—”
I turned.
Didn’t speak. Didn’t look at him. Just started walking.
Then running.
The pounding of my feet against the driveway was the only sound I could focus on, the only thing sharp enough to cut through the frustration, the helplessness, the absolutefuryroiling under my skin.
Zane kept pace, a silent shadow beside me, and we sprinted faster and faster until we were nearly flying, lungs burning, cold spring air slicing deep.
We didn’t stop until we hit the end of the five-mile drive.
The wrought-iron gates loomed in the night, the gargoyles turning just enough to see it was us, then resuming their endless watch.
I braced my hands on my thighs, breathing hard.
It wasn’t enough.
