I clamped my lips together to keep from laughing.
“Where is the male who claims kinship?” Brigid asked.
“Outside of the wards,” Rowan said.
One of the goddess’s eyebrows rose. “Show me to him.”
Rowan’s jaw tightened at being ordered around, but he escorted Brigid outside.
Our walk to the front of the wards was silent. The only sound was Brigid speaking quietly to the child. When Barrett spotted us, he slammed his fists against the wards. The impact reverberated through my skull, though not as painful as it must have been for Rowan, who winced with every blow.
We stopped before Barrett. The male always looked well put together every time I saw him, but the baby’s presence had shaken something loose inside of him. His hair was mussed from its normal, neatly combed appearance. His irises were ringed with crimson, and his chest heaved with every breath.
“I am trying to be reasonable, Rowan.” Barrett’s voice was guttural and hoarse. “We both know I can break these wards.”
“If you do, you will find yourself in a war with my people,” Rowan said mildly. “I’d recommend you maintain your restraint.”
Brigid stepped up, smart enough to shadow the baby’s face with the blanket. She eyed Barrett for a moment.
The hair rose on the back of my neck. I glanced at Rowan. He straightened, a slight furrow between his brows.
Mom sucked in a breath. Her eyes widened and flashed with azure-colored magic.
“I have to go,” she whispered, her face stricken with fear.
Mom blinked away. I stepped forward, my hand outstretched. What was happening?
“HOPE!” Rowan called, his voice booming through the clearing.
Brigid smiled at Barrett, a slow, satisfied curl of her lips.
Barrett smiled back, a roll of crimson magic shining from his eyes.
Rowan’s wards shattered, a boom of sound that launched us backward through the air.
Shadows melted from the tree cover. Hundreds of shifters appeared, swans, wolves, and a few others I couldn’t make out as I flew through the air.
I flung out a hand, commanding the earth. Vines ripped from the earth and wrapped themselves around me and Rowan, bringing us to a gentle stop. I glanced behind me. Rowan’s eyes glowed that strange new color.
Moira, Hope, and Declan came over the rise, my friend in the lead, her dark hair streaming like a ribbon behind her.
The vines released Rowan. He rose, a terrible look on his face. “I’ve called the others. This will be a difficult fight. Evacuate the children. You know the plan. This is what we’ve practiced for all these years”
Hope nodded and turned back toward the dorms. Declan shifted, a massive brown bear in the place where the male had just stood.
“The moment they step into Keep territory, down as many as you can,” Rowan commanded.
Moira came up beside me. “What can I do?” My best friend wasn’t scared, her lovely face set into a determined expression.
Rowan looked to me. “Whatever you say, Rowan.”
My mate nodded. “Same instructions I gave to Declan. No mercy, Moira. Kill or be killed. They want to come onto my land and take what belongs to us, we will show them why that’s a terrible idea.”
Brigid turned, still holding the baby. “Thank you for your hospitality.” She started to shimmer away, but Barrett came up behind her. I spotted a flash of black as his arm rose.
Brigid’s eyes widened. She tried to spin, but stumbled, blood arcing in a half circle above her back. Her lips parted, crimson streaming from between her lips. The goddess went to her knees, the bundle in her arms slipping. Barrett bent and removed the child, tucking Misty in his arms.
Moira swore. “What the hell did he stab her with?”
