“And yet you attacked my mate!”Jericho snarls, flying towards Kaine and clasping a hand around his throat.
Kaine immediately creates two ropes of water and ties them around Jericho’s neck.
“Stop!”
They both freeze.
“Let him go, Jer.”
Jericho doesn’t budge.
I walk over to him and touch his back. “I know how you feel, but think about it. This man isnotour enemy. Foxx is. Listen to what he’s saying. He wants Foxx dead as much as we do.”
After a long moment, Jericho releases Kaine. The water around Jericho’s throat splashes down, soaking his bare chest and pants.
Jericho shivers and glares at Kaine one more time before stalking out of the cellar. I follow, Grant and the others close on our heels.
When we get outside, I’m not surprised to see the rest of the pack standing in the grass waiting.
“Call the other packs and tell them to meet us in the apartment parking lot.”
“Why?” Red asks.
“Because we’re out of time!” Jericho says. “The coven is onto us, and they know where we live. It’s only a matter of time before they come here!”
“But how will we get in?” Rowen asks. “Orem has sealed the entrance.”
“I’ll get us in,” Jericho says.
Grant tips his head. “You think a fire portal will work?”
“I’m willing to try.”
“Will it get us out?”
“If we can’t, then we’ll need to kill Orem,” Red cuts in. “Binding spells usually only work if the mage who conjured them is alive. Once he’s dead, it should break the spell.”
Kaine climbs out of the cellar, eyes wary and alert. “I’m going.”
I nod.
The rest of the pack was standing close by, as if afraid another fight was going to break out. Taren holds Aster to her chest with tears in her eyes, torn between fighting with her pack or protecting her child.
My mom reaches for him. “Let me take him,” she says. When Taren hesitates, Mom steps closer. “They need you, Taren. This fight is no place for a child. He’ll be safe with me.”
“I’ll stay,” Forest says, “to keep you and Aster safe.”
Taren nuzzles her son, fighting back a sob. “Be good for Mommy, okay? Miss Evelyn is going to hang out with you while we go into town.”
“I go!” Aster cries.
Taren kisses his head. “Not this time, sweetie. But soon, when this is all over? Your daddy and I will take you to that jump house you like, okay? And we’ll even get some of those nachos.”
Aster’s face lights up. “Pwomise?”
“I promise.”
Jericho turns to me, jaw set in a firm line.
