The fire in my palms flares brighter, the heat licking my skin. “You betrayed me. You made me believe I could be Domna and we would fix things together. Instead, you just planned to use me to aid in a terrorist attack. You knew Chiron kidnapped Leigh and locked her in that vault, yet you said nothing!Why?”
I trusted her, believed in her, and she used that trust to further her agenda, to manipulate me into becoming her pawn.
“Tell me,” I demand, searching for a glimmer of the person I once thought she was. “Tell me why you tarnished everything we stood for. Tell me why you are here now.”
“I saw no other option to make things right for the Nebula,” Marlowe says, running a hand over her face that’s lost some of its fullness. The dark bags under her eyes tell me she’s been troubled these past few months.
Some of the fight drains out of me. “None of us knew what the letters said. You kept things from me, Wilder, like how you and Leigh had teamed up with Chiron to find the letters. Even though I was in charge, I also expected more from you.”
I scoff. She can’t fault me for her actions. “I should arrest you.”
“I am under Leigh’s protection. She gave me immunity in exchange for the information about her grandmother and the wolves.”
I look at Leigh. She pardoned Marlowe? My girlfriend is a stranger.
“Wilder, Zeus has my grandmother. Marlowe told me about Stellan’s duplicity.”
“Believe it or not, I am here to help,” Marlowe argues.
“This is un-fucking-believable!”
Leigh flinches.
“Save your freak out for later,” Marlowe begins. “While outside, I overheard some of Stellan’s men talking. The wolves are here. Zeus and his brother’s troops arrived an hour ago. Stellan’s gone to see them.”
Leigh’s mouth hangs open. More tears fill Gianna’s eyes. The sisters swear.
Wolves in Aurora? I am living in a goddamn fucking nightmare.
“I need to warn Eddo and the other Blades,” I say, my voice steady.
Leigh stands. “I’ll notify the Council.”
I nod, pushing aside my resentment for now. “Good. We don’t have much time. If Stellan and the wolves join forces, it could be too late. We should move fast before they can consolidate their power.”
Determination hardens their expressions. Even Marlowe is ready to fight, though I am hesitant if we can rely on her. She may run again the second things don’t go in her favor.
“Let’s go,” I say, resolve strengthening. “We have a city to save.”
We’ll deal with our personal issues later. Right now, Aurora needs us.
When we burstinto the Aurora garrison, the heavy wooden doors slam against the stone walls with a bang that startles several uniformed Blades and their leader, Commander Eddo.
The commander takes in our rain-soaked clothes and worried expressions. “What the hell happened to all of you?” Eddo asks over the distant thunder rattling the windows.
I eye the Blade Commander. Wilder can bring him up to speed. I need to find a phone charger to call Janus. I need to tell her Lua invaded and have her order Soter to detain Alden at the palace before he becomes aware I know about his brother being in Aurora. If we can use him as leverage, we can avoid going to war altogether. It’s a risky plan, but our best chance at preventing bloodshed.
“Did you know Stellan had an agreement with Zeus Lupas?” Wilder asks, marching straight to the commander in the large foyer. Eddo’s eyes widen.
I peel off my sodden jacket and say, “I need a phone charger, or can I borrow someone else’s phone? Mine is dead.”
“I knew Stellan had friends in high places,” Eddo says, scratching his head, “but I swear I didn’t know it was Zeus.”
Both he and Wilder ignore me.
“I knew,” Brigid says smugly, entering the room.
I roll my eyes. Of course, the girl trying to steal my boyfriend knew about Stellan’s misdeeds. How trite.
