“Mixed reports,” Owen says. “The girls have been trying to figure that out. Some say he lived a long life here and died an old man. Other reports say he died on a hunt. Others say that he left the area completely.”
“That seems strange,” I reply, frowning. “We don’t even know what happened to our own monarch?”
Rhys shakes his head. “Darian appointed a council not long after he ordered the execution of all witches. From there, he sent out kill squads and hunting parties. There isn’t much news on the man himself after that.”
“Well, we need to figure out what became of him,” I say. “Obviously, he’s the one Lynette wants revenge on.”
“You’re talking about them as if they’re really here,” Owen replies.
“They are,” I answer. “They are just as real as we are. Everything that is happening right now is happening because of them!”
Silence falls around the table, and I know the others are probably thinking the same thing.
“We buried too many wolves tonight,” I say. “And neither of you has to deal with that anymore. I’m exhausted and terrified. I don’t know what to do.”
Rhys puts a hand on my shoulder. “We have to trust Sadie,” he says. “She knows what she’s doing.”
Anger rises in me, and I have to bite my tongue. I’m so tired and strung out, I could easily yell at him, but I hold it in.
Deep down, I don’t know if I believe the witches are helping us. What if this is part of their grand plan to exterminate us?
“How did it work?” I ask, trying to focus on the matter at hand. “I know both of you have dealt with the hopelessness of watching your people die, and it was your mates who healed them. Is there anything I should be doing to help?”
Rhys shakes his head. “It was up to the girls. They had to find their power, and once they did, they were led towards the actions that were needed to break the curse.”
“The curse isn’t broken,” I mutter.
“No, of course not,” Owen replies. “Not entirely. But for us, it was. I felt it. The release of power was… extreme.”
“Yes,” Rhys adds thoughtfully. “It was felt through every member of the pack. Sadie getting close to people definitely helped, I think.”
“I agree,” Owen says. “Trina connected much more after meeting the pack. She seemed to grow in strength immediately.”
“Okay, great,” I say. “I’ll introduce Hyacinth to the pack. But was there something, anything else? I feel like I can’t waste another second here, and if there’s a magic bullet, I’ll use it.”
“Well…” Rhys says, fidgeting uncomfortably.
“Well…” Owen echoes.
I look between the two of them in disbelief. “If you know something, then tell me!” I demand. “I can tell you’re keeping some kind of secret. If it can help my people, you have to spill it.”
“Sex,” Rhys says.
“Sex,” Owen echoes again. “The girls didn’t start to embrace their powers until after we had sex.”
I stare at them in disbelief, but nobody laughs.
“You’re really serious,” I whisper.
Rhys nods. “I’d like to say it’s a coincidence or something, but it’s not. Once we were physically connected, the magic was unleashed.”
“It wasn’t easy,” Owen warns. “In fact, leading up to it was pretty much hell. I’d be very careful about how you bring this up.”
“Ain’t that the fucking truth,” I groan, putting my head in my hands.
My body awakens, just a little, and the spreading heat inside me makes me think about Hyacinth. Images flash through my mind, teasing me as excitement rises in my chest.
Mental pictures of her beauty and her smile are suddenly shattered by the memories of her crying, yelling, or running away from me. My heart sinks, and my stomach churns, leaving me feeling worse than I have all day.
