“That’s not good. Whoever is running the labs knows a lot about magic if they’re studying it by type. Either their research has gone on a long time, or…”
“They came from somewhere that openly taught about it and have personal or cultural knowledge to rely on,” he finished. “Either way, it’s a problem.”
Urgency stirred inside her as she considered the depths of the problems emerging. “Where are the vials? I’ll get it to someone as soon as I can,” she promised.
“Already in your suite.”
Celina shook her head as Morgan’s gaze returned to the snowy yard. “Taking a page out of Cass’s book?”
Instead of laughing like she’d expected, only the ghost of a smile tugged his lips. His eyes darkened with emotion again as they met hers. “You know I was the one to teach her to break her first lock?”
“You did? She never told me.”
It made sense. When they were young, before Cass had become a wolf, Morgan had been her constant shadow. The two had been inseparable.
“It was my bedroom window lock,” he said quietly. “So she could reach me when she needed help. Had somewhere safe to run when things escalated at home.”
A chill ran through her as it always did when she thought about Cass’s childhood. “What changed?”
“She needed me, and I wasn’t there.” Morgan’s icy gaze stormed over with guilt. “By the time I was, it was too late.”
As a fearsome warrior, Cass adamantly needed help from no one. Celina had always attributed it to her Wolflumen training, as the hardening of her personality had happened around the time she’d joined the clan, but maybe there was more to it than that.
Cass’s long-time habit of antagonizing Morgan by breaking into his personal office suddenly shone with deeper meaning. That breaking and entering wasn’t just to annoy him as Celina had always assumed, it was a connection point exclusive to the two of them Cass hadn’t given up.
“Morgan—”
“Forget I said anything. It was a long time ago,” he said, cutting her off.
The guilt she’d glimpsed in his eyes wasn’t that of an adult. It was that of a boy just old enough to have a man’s understanding of honor. One who believed he’d failed to protect his best friend from dangers much bigger than either of them were prepared to handle.
“Keeping Sarai safe means getting to the bottom of this drug lab. If it’s someone with connections, they could come after her again. I’ll do whatever it takes to see her safe.”
Morgan was the youngest and most decorated commander in the Lightning Forces. He’d built his career with an intense focus she’d always been intimidated by. Old memories and new understanding slotted into place in her mind, letting her see him more clearly. Not just his strengths but how solitary he was.
Celina squeezed his arm to show him she understood. “We’re in this together, Morgan. We won’t let anything happen to her,” she promised.
“Thank you.” He covered her hand briefly before stepping away.
Deciding she wouldn’t be a good friend to either of them by keeping entirely silent, Celina called out to stop him as he turned to leave. “Just one thing—Cass wouldn’t still be breaking into your office if she didn’t care.”
His brows rose in a rare show of surprise. “You know about that?”
“Sisters keep few secrets.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled thoughtfully as he absorbed that.
She mentioned it for two reasons. First, because there was significance to Cass’s behavior. She could feel it. She just didn’t know what it was. And second, because while society could think what they liked about things, she considered Cass to be a sister, and she protected her family, always.
The side of his mouth twitched. The hint of a smile brightened his eyes, softening the harsh gleam into one of affection and satisfaction.
“Noted.”
Moving past the younger children, he walked over to the bench where Cass now sat with Sarai and Marin, going over weaponry of some kind. Winking at his daughter in greeting, Morgan leaned down and braced his arms on the back of the bench. Hovering closest to Cass, his arm brushed her shoulder as he bent to participate in the conversation. Cass stilled for a moment before continuing, but didn’t move away, allowing him to stay in her personal space. Their body language was familiar yet apart, an odd juxtaposition she’d always dismissed before.
Feeling her mate approach, Celina pulled her attention away from her friends. Rodric’s arms wrapped around her from behind and pulled her close. She sighed in delight as the feeling of home swirled through her and smiled up at her mate.
“What are you smiling about, love?” he asked.
