She took a slow look around. A small kitchenette sat against one wall that had a narrow counter, dented sink, and a hot plate. A cupboard above the sink most likely held canned goods. A battered table with two chairs was pushed near the hearth. A plain door led to a compact bathroom. “I take it this is a bachelor pad.”
He snorted. “It’s a safe house.” He dusted off his hands. “The exits are front door, back door, side windows both up in the loft and down here,” he continued, practical as ever. “If you need one, follow me. But we should be okay. I don’t think anyone’s going to find us out here for now. As long as Bussy managed to keep anyone from following us tonight, the storm should erase our scent.” He paused. “By the time they come looking?—”
Her phone dinged. She pulled it from her pocket.
He jolted. “You brought your phone?”
She gave him a look. “My pack doesn’t have GPS. There’s no way to trace us. You know that.”
“Oh.” He exhaled, visibly mollified. “That’s a good point.” He looked down at his snow-covered jeans. “I’ll get our bags,” he said, stepping back outside. The door shut behind him with a dull thud.
She lifted the phone to her ear. “Hi, Em.”
“Oh my God,” Emily said. “I just heard. Are you safe?”
“I am.”
“Did you really steal the grimoire?”
Nadia grimaced. “Yeah. I mean, I didn’t steal it. I borrowed it.”
“Oh my God. You know they have to come after you, right? You can’t have the grimoire.”
“I’m not done translating it,” Nadia burst out. “There’s got to be a way to fix this, and I will find it.”
Emily breathed heavily. “You and Caidrik need to get to our territory. We’ll protect you.”
“Hold on,” Nadia said. “Let me see if there’s any way out of this by using our laws. I mean, before we have two packs go to war over this, which would blow the entire Stope Pack coalition apart. We can’t afford that right now. The Ravencalls and the Ghostwinds made a move last night, and Caidrik set them back. They’ll be coming again.” She looked toward the door as Caidrik came back inside, snow falling from his shoulders. “We’re safe. Let me translate this thing before I have to give it back.”
“All right,” Emily said. “I’ll see if I can run some interference.”
Nadia had to keep her pregnant sister safe. “Thank you. But do it from where you are.”
“Of course,” Emily said thoughtfully. “Maybe I can call Solomon and see if there’s any way you can just borrow the grimoire.”
“Yeah, right. Not in a million years,” Nadia said. “But I will get it back to him. Tell him.”
Emily huffed. “Okay. Thanks. I love you.”
“I love you too, Em. Don’t worry.”
Her sister clicked off.
Nadia’s phone buzzed again. She lifted it to her ear. “Hello?”
“Hey, it’s Bussy. Did you get to safety?”
“Yes, we did. Thank you for having bags packed.” Nadia hesitated. “Did you know this would happen?”
Bussy coughed. “No, but it’s good to be prepared, and I am the lupine aunt, which means this sort of thing falls on me now.” She cleared her throat. “I think we should meet. Okay?”
“Absolutely.”
Bussy’s tone warmed. “I’ll bring Solomon. You bring the grimoire.”
“I’m not done translating it.”
“You have all night, and then you have to give it back. It’s the only thing that’s going to keep the pack from coming after you.”
