“We just kicked manticore ass.”
Ben grinned and kissed his mate, but Phoebe wasn’t satisfied with Koios’s answer.
“I meant with your wings. How did you make them metal? Mine don’t do that. I want metal wings.”
Koios laughed and lowered his wings. The shimmer disappeared as they folded against his back the way his wings were meant to. Ben choked on a half laugh turned sob and pulled Koios against him again.
“You’re not allowed to come up with any more plans,” Ben said. “I don’t like your plans.”
“It worked.”
Ben huffed. “We’ll argue that point later. I have patients to take care of first.”
“And there’s the doctor face. Fine. Go save lives.”
Ben turned for Silenus first. The king hadn’t regained consciousness after Gideon had managed to free him. Ben checked him for injuries, then moved on. He couldn’t restore magic, and that’s what Silenus needed.
He went to Thudlez next. The collar around his neck no longer glowed with magic, which meant the other spells he’d used had also died with the manticore. “Koios, cut the bracelet off Dick’s wrist. We need to destroy it completely.”
Ben tried to find a way to free Thudlez, but the collar seemed to be one solid piece. “Jack! Take Thudlez to his mate. I’ll be there as soon as I check on the guards.”
“What can I do to help?” Phoebe asked.
“Go check on the others with Jack. I sent Iris back to the hidden chamber with Cosmo. Have we heard from Dasan, Aleron, and Coal?”
Ben realized he’d been tuning out the flood of voices coming through the comms as he worked.
“They’re fine,” Logan knelt beside him and looked at the collar. He growled and shook his head. “They managed to get the other two knocked out, so they’re bringing them inside.”
“Silenus is going to be pissed,” Ben said.
Logan nodded. “However, all of this has revealed problems with the security of this new realm. He’ll be stronger with the knowledge.”
Ben knelt by the guard Gideon had shot twice. “Connal?”
“My king?”
“Alive but unconscious.”
Connal glanced over Ben’s shoulder at Logan. “You challenged four of the king’s guards.”
Logan shook his head. “No, I challenged guards who fought a powerful compulsion. We are well aware of your skills, Captain.”
Connal pushed Ben’s hands away from his leg. “Our lives are forfeit. Go to our king.”
Ben opened his mouth to argue, but a familiar voice appeared in his ear. “Don’t bother arguing with him,” Cosmo said. “The stubborn fool won’t listen to anyone but my mate.”
“Cosmo,” Ben said. He smiled and looked over his shoulder at Logan. “It worked.”
Cosmo’s displeased grunt came through the comms loud and clear. “Poisoning me with my own potion. Garzaxie tried to warn me about you.”
Logan held out his hand and pulled Ben to his feet. “Go find the others. I’ll stay with these two until the rest of our pack joins us.”
26
KOIOS
Koios carefully followed Garzaxie’s instructions as he added ingredients to a large cauldron. Iris and Phoebe both assisted, as they were the only fae available at the moment.
