She’s a constant in my mind even when I’m not thinking about her directly, and it’s a strange thing to contend with now.
Footsteps crunch against gravel behind me just as I climb back down to the main level, and before I even turn around, I realize there’s more than one set.
I already know who it is.
“So is this why you’ve been dodging our calls?”
Caleb.
Putting my hammer aside, I straighten slowly and roll my shoulders before finally turning.
The guys are all here…even Sera has tagged along with little Fern in her arms, and they’re all looking at me like I’m in serious trouble.
Caleb’s arms are crossed while his expression is already tight with vague irritation. Luke stands next to his mate and watches while Dominic and Hunter linger nearby, not quite as stern, but still obviously wanting answers.
Then, Dominic’s lips pull faintly as he leans against one of the beams. “Are you going to start talking, or do we need to drag it out of you the old-fashioned way?”
Wiping my hands on my jeans, I force my expression to stay neutral. “Whatever you have in mind, I don’t think it’ll be necessary.”
“Then you should probably get to the point where you explain why you brought a Voss here of all places, outside of Wraith Peak,” Caleb presses, obviously unimpressed by the radio silence I’ve been giving off the last little while.
I glance between them, knowing I’m caught, but silently deciding how I want to face this. “Is this an interrogation now?”
“Call it what you want, but we need answers, Zane,” Luke says, firm but not unkind.
There’s no point in dodging it now.
“I stumbled upon a situation, and I handled it. I’ve been gathering intel; that’s all.”
“You created a situation, is more like it,” Hunter murmurs.
“Sometimes, a plan doesn’t unfold like you think it will, and you have to improvise. So I did,” I counter, waiting for them to challenge that.
Caleb’s disbelief is subtle, but it’s there. “And bringing Naia Voss into enemy territory is supposed to help?” When I don’t say anything, he forces out a breath. “Start from the beginning. We’ll talk all night if we have to.”
I know full well he means to stand by that promise, so I brace myself.
“There’s a group of wolves operating between the Willow island and Ashford. They’re from all different packs, but they’re working together, and they’re hosting auctions in the city,” I tell them, straight to the point.
“You mentioned that part already,” Hunter says, lifting a brow.
“They aren’t just going after wolves,” I continue, taking in their reactions. “I believe they’re targeting magic-users, specifically. They’re using them to suppress and capture others before selling them off, but I don’t know what their endgame is.”
That gets their attention immediately.
“To get rich quick, I’d assume,” Dominic suggests with a shrug.
Concern etches into Sera’s features. “Like a black market for magic?”
I nod. “That’s what it seems like. That’s how they captured Naia.”
The mere mention of her name makes them all go still, as if I’m summoning a bad omen or something.
“So, what, you found her there and that’s why she’s here?” Caleb asks pointedly.
“They were selling her off like livestock, so yes, I got her out of there.”
“Why her?” Luke asks, not exactly with accusation in his tone, but more curious. “I assume others were being auctioned off, so why Naia specifically?”
