Rhogun dropped his hand, and his eyes rolled to the ceiling of the truck. He recited,“A starred female, celestially joined, is born with the will to evade the demon. The Tether weakens.”
Sage shook her head, not understanding.
He patted his chest, wincing when he touched the mark. “I’ve been connecting prophecies in my mind. No one has ever put afoxento that prophecy and many think the event has yet to happen. No one ever quite dared name Abigail, because she’s so secretive about herrenqua, but I think it belongs to her.” He bent close, dropping his voice. “I think she’s a Primary, and Boeson’s sister. I think the Tether has been weakening for the last 300 years, as a direct result of Abigail’s defiance.”
Sage’s heart raced. She looked out the window, knowing she would have to explain all of this to Canyon and Timber. She tried to listen well and connect the dots of what it all meant.
“So Boeson didn’t serve all 300 years of the Bondservant Tether himself?”
“I believe he did, but not because he was a singleton like has been theorized, but rather because his sibling was Abigail White, and she wasborn with the will to evade the demon.
Sage clenched the back of the seat, knowing it was a will Abigail had passed on to virtuallyallher progeny.
78—Only aFoxen
Eventine Mundelein sat next to her mate in his truck, holding hands with him while he drove, studying the street, looking for signs of anything out of order. She rolled down the window, vaguely scenting cows and various trees in the cold, fresh air.
Harlan pulled into the driveway of Rogue’s two-story house. He parked and turned the truck off. The atmosphere in the truck grew thick. Eventine looked over at him.
Harlan took her hand. “Last time I came out here, you were still… gone.”
“I’m here now,” she said, squeezing his hand.
He gazed at her for several long moments, then said, “I didn’t think we were going to have pups, Evie. I’m old. I could be… too old for a young male’s job.”
She gave him a small smile, his upset breaking her heart. “I thought you wanted pups, Har.”
He shrugged, smiling for the first time since they’d tracked Conri down. “Thirty years ago, maybe, but now? Things are different.I’mdifferent.”
“In all good ways,” Eventine said, smiling at her male. “You’re wiser. You’ve learned restraint.” She grinned at him. He barked a surprised laugh but didn’t return her smile. He shook his head, staring out the window.
“I’m not making it up. I’m glad you didn’t kill Conri, and you’re staying away from him at the station. That’s restraint.”
Harlan nodded heavily. “Something’s wrong with him, babe. Whatever the witch did, it’s not undone.”
“I think you’re right.”
“He’s not safe,” Harlan said, pounding on the steering wheel, his expression tight. “And he never will be again as long as the witch is running around. She could get to him at any time. We can’t ever trust him again.”
Eventine kissed her male’s hand. They sat there in silence, each thinking their own thoughts.
Harlan raised his chin at the house. “Ready?”
She nodded and he opened his door, pulling his hand away.
“Harlan?”
He stopped and looked at her. She locked eyes with him.
“You’ve carried me enough today. I’m walking into this house on my own.”
His expression battled with itself, then he nodded. He got out quickly and came around to help her down and hold her hand.
They walked to the door together. It was unlocked.
Inside, three big males in uniform stood near the foyer—Trevor, Trent, and Wade. Past them, in the living room, Trent’s mate, Rowan, was looking through a stack of books. Eventine took a moment to study her. She stood 5’8’’ or so, wearing blue slacks and shirt with a tan blazer and tan flats. Her blond hair was carefully styled, and she wore a silver ribbon around her neck with a tiny silver bottle suspended from it. She noticed Eventine and smiled, putting the book down and crossing the room.
“Hey, Eventine,” Rowan said.
