Benny lifted a mammoth shoulder. “We’re probably gonna die, and you know it. I wouldn’t mind a decent sendoff like you got last night.”
He’d only gotten a bit of what he’d wanted last night. “Ben, if we’re going to face death together next week, it’d be smart if I didn’t want you dead.” He said the last on a growl. Even though he didn’t care what Jacki did, he didn’t like Benny’s teasing tone of voice. The time for levity had passed.
Benny lifted a hand in mock surrender, instantly piling the SUV into a berm of snow on the right side of the road. “Sorry. I give up.” He used both hands to jerk the vehicle free, sending it bouncing over ice and rocks and forcing Adare to grab onto the door handle to keep from falling over.
Adare tried to regain control of the situation. “When are we going to transfer our explosives to the Ladonis? I’d rather everyone didn’t know the location of our safe house.”
“Oh, they’re in the back of the SUV already,” Benny said casually.
By all that was holy! Adare pulled the Max out of his boot and pressed the barrel against Benny’s neck. “You’ve been driving like a maniac for the last ten minutes, and there are explosives in the rear of this thing?”
Benny’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Well, yeah. Why do you have a gun to my neck?”
Hadn’t there been enough explosions in the last twenty-four hours? “Stop the SUV and pull over, or I swear to all the fates that I’ll shoot you through the head,” Adare growled, his ears ringing with the heat rushing over his skin. “I’m driving.”
* * * *
While the snow gently fell, Grace set out across the state of Colorado, letting the navigation in her phone direct her. Even though it was snowing, the sun pierced the clouds, brightening the day beautifully.
For five long years, while going through hypnotherapy, physical therapy, and mental exercises, Grace had avoided returning to Denver; now she had no choice. The Realm doctors she’d worked with had said that returning to the scene of her accident might jog her memory, but the soldiers had warned that the risk was too great.
Plus, she’d promised both her sister and Adare that she’d left that life behind.
They didn’t know the full truth, and even if they did, they probably wouldn’t like her plan. She’d seen pictures of herself before she’d gone into a coma. She had looked lively and fun and extroverted. Had she completely lost that woman?
Memories of her childhood, teenage years, and early adulthood had slowly returned, but the night she was injured, she couldn’t remember. In fact, the months leading up to that night were hazy and only came back in spurts, often right after awakening.
Right now, her stomach ached and her head throbbed with a low pulse of pain, her constant companion since her health had started spiraling down.
Her phone dinged, and she pulled into the parking area of a community park to answer. “Hello?”
“Hey, sis. Just checking in,” Faith said.
Grace winced. “Everything is fine. How’s the Baltic?”
“Amazing and beautiful. You really should’ve come with us,” Faith said, sounding relaxed and happy. “Speaking of which, Adare called and said you’re on the way to Realm headquarters. I’m flying home with the queen and will meet you tomorrow.”
Grace froze. “You’re coming home early?”
“Yeah. Something’s up and Dage has to return home, so Emma, Ronan, and I are going, too. Before you ask, the king doesn’t share, and I have no idea what’s happening. Could be anything.”
King Dage Kayrs had always been an intimidating figure, and Grace was fine not hanging in his inner circle. “It’ll be good to see you.” Relief filled her that she’d get the appointment with Emma sooner rather than later. Her energy was definitely ebbing and not returning. “I’m glad you’re coming home.”
“Me too. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine,” Grace lied. She never should’ve let Faith know that her mating mark was fading. It was a darn good thing she hadn’t mentioned the broken wrist. She’d come clean when they were in the same room once again. “Don’t worry.”
“If you’re fine, why do you want to meet with Emma next week?” Faith’s voice held a mix of irritation and sisterly concern.
Grace flipped on the windshield wipers as the snow began to pile up. She might as well tell Faith some of the truth. “I’m going to take the virus and end this mating.” She’d been getting weaker and weaker for about a year, and she’d rather make the transition happen more quickly so she could get on with her life. “It’s my choice, Faith. I don’t want to argue about it.”
Her sister was silent for a moment. “You know the risk of that. Even if you could negate the mating bond while Adare is still alive, we don’t know what will happen in your case. You were in a coma and you could very well return to that state. This is an enormous risk you’re taking.”
Her life force was fading anyway, and the excruciating slowness of it all was terrifying. “We don’t know that. It’s possible I could be fine. Maybe even human again.”
“We’re going to talk about this before you do anything. A lot,” Faith warned. “I’ll support whatever you decide, and you know it.”
She did know that. Finally, Faith was happy, and Grace hadn’t wanted to worry her about her own decline, since there was nothing that could be done. It wasn’t like she’d just accepted her fate. She’d met with several Realm doctors, and they’d all been stumped. The queen was her last option. “I agree about talking.” At that point, she’d have to tell Faith everything.
