Jax scoffs. “Forget about him, Sol. He’s just pissed because he’s failing as a commander. The job is harder than you gave Wilder credit for, huh?”
Isolde sighs, saying nothing. The cold between us settles in for good.
I push through a wall of branches, heat burning in my palm. If she didn’t whisper she loved me, I’d swear I was just a distraction to her, good for a secret fuck and nothing more. When we aren’t naked, I’m invisible. Love shouldn’t be another thing I have to hide. Maybe I’m an asshole, but at least I own it. She pretends not to be, which is worse.
A branch snaps somewhere ahead. All of us freeze, our magical flames guttering down. My hand goes straight to my gun.
What was that?
Before I can move, Ravi jogs into the clearing. He’s dripping wet, waving his arms, face set with determination.
“I’m so glad I found you,” he pants, hands braced on his thighs.
“We’re in the middle of nowhere, Ravi,” I say. “What are you doing out here?”
He glances at Jaxson. “Didn’t you see Wilder’s text?”
Heat creeps up my neck. “Wilder isn’t part of this case.”
“I got a text from him, but I didn’t read it,” Jax mutters, defensive.
Ravi frowns. “The gateway. Wilder sent you the coordinates.”
Jax’s head snaps down to his phone. The screen flares bright as he scrolls, then— “Shit.”
Unbelievable. I snatch Jaxson’s phone from his hand. Wilder’s thread is open, coordinates right there.
I tap the numbers, and the GPS springs to life. “This spot is close,” I manage to say, biting back rage. Why the hell would Wilder send Jaxson the coords and not me? Jaxson might be his best friend, but I’m the goddamn Borealis Commander now. Jax is just Glaucus Domna.
“It is,” Ravi agrees.
Isolde grins. “Way to go, Wilder.”
How did Wilder find the gateway before I did? The thought alone makes me grind my teeth. “Did he just take a walk and stumble upon the rift everyone’s been searching for months?”
Ravi hesitates. “It’s a long story. But he wants you to set up a blockade. He said nothing goes in or out—unless it’s him and Leigh.”
“Is that right?” He’s not even in charge, but he still expects everyone to jump when he barks.
“Wait”—Isolde’s gasp is sharp—“does that mean Wilder and Leigh went through the gate?”
I remind myself that her panic is for both of them, not just her ex.
Ravi nods. “Leigh went after the boy and the Dullahan.”
“And Wilder went after her,” Isolde whispers, clutching her chest.
My pulse stutters. A child has been snatched, the queen is missing, and now Wilder is off playing hero while Isolde gazes after him as if he hung the moon.I can’t even get her to look at me in public, but one grand gesture from Wilder and she’s ready to write sonnets.
Enough. There’s no room for jealousy while three people are missing on my watch.
I need to establish that blockade. Now. No one else vanishes tonight. Not while I’m in charge.
A little competition with Wilder can be good for the soul, but not if he’s dead.
“Follow me,” I bark, leading the charge toward the lake.
“Wait, give me my phone,” Jax shouts. “I need to update my commander.”
