Bear’s attention darted to her. ‘What about it?’
‘Rav took my sister to the palace.’
It took a moment for her words to sink in, as Bear was quite sure he hadn’t heard her correctly, as Rav wouldn’t do such a dangerous thing without first talking it through with him. The confusion would have lasted longer, but Raven bobbed his head.
The roar that rattled the windows had Cary, Trinn, and Wynter rush to the hallway as Bear flew at Raven, slamming him to the floor.
‘Bear!’ screamed Wynter, and Cary and Trinn grabbed him, tugging him up, struggling to loosen his grip on Raven’s shoulders.
Bear’s growl took over him, waking his halfling, shifting his form at once. Sharp teeth bared towards Raven, and large claws as lethal as daggers gleamed as the huge brown bear rose to stand on back legs, his head close to the high ceiling.
Wynter placed herself in the middle of the feud, one palm facing up at Bear, the other aimed at Raven. ‘No, Bear.’ Her words were soft but firm. ‘Please, I need you to calm down. We can tell you our plan, and yes, I was also involved. But you must focus.’ Their mother’s favourite word.
Bear returned to his usual form, dark bottoms still intact, as was the way for the shifters. All clothing remaining when becoming human again. ‘I need a moment.’ His heart was thumping way too hard for him to think clearly, so he went to his bedchamber to shower, to straighten himself so he could deal with the danger Scarlen was in, and also so he didn’t rip into Raven again.
He pressed his head against the shower wall, his need to kill the king greater than ever.
The last time he spoke to Scarlen, he was angry, arguing, speaking of the problem instead of figuring out a solution, and now she was gone, to the palace, of all places, and he didn’t know if she was safe. If he would ever see her again. If she would want to return to his home.
With an ache all over, he got ready and stormed into the dining room, his glare demanding answers. ‘Well?’ he growled when no one spoke.
‘Yeah, I’m doing okay since you pinned me to the floor. Thanks for asking,’ said Raven, the only one not sitting at the table.
Bear wasn’t ready to apologise. ‘Why did you do it, Rav?’
There was no lie as Raven approached. ‘I’d rather it be her there than you.’
Wynter stood, hands on the table. ‘Scarlen is going to get the book we need to find the fifth knight. She’s the best person for the task. We all agreed.’
‘I didn’t agree to shit,’ snapped Bear. ‘Because no one bothered to ask my opinion.’
‘We guessed you’d try to stop Scarlen, that’s why,’ Raven told him.
Bear had no argument because it was true. He would have done everything in his power to keep her away from the king.‘You threw her into the hands of the enemy.’ All power was lost from his voice at the thought.
‘I’m sure my father won’t do anything rash just yet.’ Lancen didn’t sound too convincing. ‘Adoria is to have a ball for her birthday and unveiling. There will be people arriving from all over to witness such a big event, and that’s the best time for my sister to sneak away and get the book.’
‘And we’re going to have a boat ready the night of the ball,’ said Wynter. ‘With so much going on during the celebrations, we’ll blend in, as many vessels will arrive bringing guests. Plus, the king will be so busy with the event, it’s highly unlikely he’ll have time to visit the House of Knight book to see what the knights are up to. He probably won’t even care that day.’
Trinn started to sip some tea. ‘It’s just a few more days, Bear, then we’ll be there.’
‘My magick will sail us south faster, but we can only leave on the day. That way, we’ll have the best chance of mingling undetected. Like Wynter said, the king will be occupied,’ said Elbar. ‘Although, we could leave the knights behind, to be on the safe side.’
‘No,’ snapped Bear. ‘I have to be there.’ He needed to see Scarlen now. It was driving him fucking crazy not knowing how she was.
As though reading his mind, Elbar added, ‘I could use my magick to see how she’s getting on today.’
All eyes turned her way.
‘You can do that?’ asked Wynter.
Elbar nodded. ‘You know how Jesserlie shows the War Zone to the warden’sguests? Well, that’s a family spell. It’s not easy to do, but I could try.’
‘Yes, Elbar, try. Please.’ Bear approached the table, waiting to see a vision of Scarlen appear or something.
‘I’ll need my grimoire.’ Elbar went to stand, but Wynter said she would fetch the book, then darted off to the library where Elbar kept her spell books.
Bear started to pace, everything rattling within at what the spell might uncover.
