“Maybe if you hide in the back, my mom can talk us through,” Rage said, giving me a side-eyed look that offered zero assurance.
His lame-o idea better not be the best option.
We pulled over to discuss the others’ ideas, and I asked for the bottle of mage wine.
“You know those ‘special’ healing elixirs Surlama made?” I said, popping the cork.
Justice nodded as Noble, Elaine, and the Harvest girls leaned in.
“My blood, mixed with mage wine, is what makes that,” I whispered. “Well, not just mine, any high mage of spirit.”
Rage handed me a knife, and I pricked my finger before squeezing several drops into the bottle, and a purple magical haze wafted into the air.
The Midnight brothers and Harvest girls all gasped, and Elaine muttered, “I don’t think I want to drink that.”
Future daughter-in-law of the year.
Everyone drank until their skin was smooth and unmarred of bruises or cuts, which helped me not feel quite so guilty for having caused most of them.
Noble gave me a hug and whispered his thanks. “Turns out you do have a selfless gift,” he added, reminding me of the time just before the affinity stone meeting. “I’m glad we’re on the same team, Nai.”
My heart pinched at his words.
“Me too, Noble.”
Unfortunately for me, no one else had a better idea than Rage’s “hide Nai and hope they don’t catch us” plan.So lame.
“The king has a price on your head too, Rage,” I reminded my mate.
He nodded. “We’ll both hide.” Then he tossed the keys to Noble.
Five minutes later, I slunk down behind the driver’s seat and glared at Rage beside me. “Just so we’re clear, once we’re through the portal and in the mortal world,Iget the shower first.”
“Absolutely,” he said, nodding. “I promise.”
As he turned toward the others, his lips tipped up in a grin.
“I saw that,” I shouted, and then the first filthy shirt landed, followed by several more until I was buried under a pile ofdisgusting bloody clothes. Eww.“This isn’t going to fool anyone!” I growled.
My only consolation was Rage had to hide too.
“No more talking,” Rage muttered, shirtless and curled into a ball behind his mother’s seat as Justice draped clothing over him.
My mate spoke into my mind:‘That was funnier in my head. It actually sucked watching you get pelted with dirty clothes.’
Aww.‘You really know how to sweet talk me, Rage.’
I settled into the space and closed my eyes, wishing there was some way to block out the smell. Sure, hide the wanted criminal, but the shirtless dudes driving weren’t suspicious. Not at all. My heart jumped into my throat as Noble tapped the brakes.
We were at the portal already!
“Uhh … hi there,” a woman said, her voice vaguely familiar. “Can I help you?”
Noble cleared his throat. “Headmistress?”
“I’m sorry—” Headmistress Elaine said, her voice breathless and strained. “I thought … you reminded me of someone. I … uh … I’m Elaine, the alpha queen, and … uh…”
This wasn’t going well. What was up with Rage’s mom?
