Serenity shook her head. “Kind of. We got out with just enough time to grab the essentials. We left everything elsebehind. The note was a threat, and after what we saw at the human embassy last year, we couldn’t take any chances. Estelle is nuts, so I wouldn’t put anything past her.” Her eyes dimmed at the memory of what happened. The way my aunt Elodie died in that cage underneath the embassy.
I frowned at that. That meant Estelle might have access to whatever they left behind; things like laptops or phones could easily be tracked if they weren’t careful.
“Maybe Atlas can send someone to sweep it. SOmeone from the coven who can get in and out discreetly."
She nodded in agreement. Gareth came over to us then, his eyes dark and fierce. I could feel his protective instincts on high alert as he wrapped an arm around my waist.
“Any news on your end?” Serenity asked, her expression tense.
I shook my head. “No, not yet. But we’re working on it. How areyoudoing, Lox?” I asked, noting the dark circles under my friend's bright eyes.
Her dark hair was long enough to reach her butt now, and she was looking thinner than ever, her skin pale, and her lips blood red. She was a beautiful Dhampir. Beautiful and strange, covered in tattoos similar to Thane. She was a hard nut to crack, but I liked her a lot.
She gave me a tired smile. “Shit sucks pretty bad, not gonna lie.”
I nodded solemnly. Loxley never held back. She said exactly what she was thinking at all times. Sean reached out and placed a hand on Lox’s shoulder for comfort, and my eyes followed the movement. I arched a brow and glanced at Serenity, who wore a shit-eating grin.
This was definitely a new development. Sean wasn’t much for physical touch these days. A hug here and there was fine, but for him to reach out on his own to comfortsomeone who was not blood family? That meant something. What it meant, time would tell.
We ushered everyone inside, the guys unloading the luggage while I showed Serenity and Loxley around the cabin. We kept all of the furniture in the living room arranged on one side in a tiny square by the fireplace, with the sleeping cots at the other end.
Thane was already in the kitchen with Bastian, making some hot wildflower tea for everyone. I watched them talk animatedly. Two powerful warlocks playing scullery maids.
I smiled when Thane glanced over, as if he could sense my eyes on him. He gave me a wink, and Bastian caught it, elbowing Thane as he whispered something I couldn’t hear. Thane threw his head back and laughed, and the sound warmed something inside of me.
War was deep in conversation with August and Faust. The three of them stood in a small group with their arms crossed over their chests. I couldn’t help but snort at the picture they painted. Threepissed-off-looking males that were so large that they dwarfed the room we stood in.
Merrick was unpacking and speaking with Atlas. His laugh was boisterous as he tried to make my cousin laugh, the thick Irish accent only adding to it. I always liked Merrick. There was something so warm and safe about his presence.
Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that it was Merrick who carried me out of that prison cell that day at the facility. After Serenity found me, Merrick carried me out and set me down under a large tree, ordering several wolves to fetch me some much-needed water.
That’s where Gareth found me and scooped me up in his strong arms, telling me everything was going to be alright and that they were going to get me somewhere safe.
He and Merrick had fought off so many armed humans that day. I remembered the bloodlust in their eyes and the ferocity of how they killed. All the while, they protected me.
I’d passed out sometime after that and later woke up in the safety of the Blood Moon pack house. That was the last time Gareth ever looked at me kindly—until now.
Sean and Gareth were now bringing in the rest of the luggage from the cold, the icy snow blowing in after them. Gareth kicked the door closed behind him, and I ran over to lock it up.
Loxley made herself comfortable with a cup of tea that Thane handed to her and sat on one of the chairs next to the fire Bastian just started with a wave of his hand, violet magic crackling at his fingertips.
Soon the cabin was filled with voices, new scents, and laughter. Even despite all the absurd shit going on lately, the fact that we were all here safe and sound together was enough to take a few moments to appreciate.
I joined Loxley by the fire, and Serenity ambled over a moment later, two mugs in hand, passing one to me. I took it gratefully, my fingers still chilled from the frozen air.
We sipped our tea while the guys situated everything for us. I wasn’t complaining. The moment they showed up, every ounce of feminist energy in my body flew out the window.
The night wore on, and everyone settled around the fireplace, some perched on cots and others sharing the couch or the comfy shag rug on the floor. It was getting late, but everyone was on edge, wondering when the other shoe would drop and Estelle would make more problems for us.
“I've been in contact with the prosecution in Sol,” Bastian said. “You’re due in court to give a statement in three days, Trix. It’s happening fast. They're impatient.”
I sucked in a breath, dread pouring through my body. I knew it was coming eventually, but I wasn’t ready to leave the safety of this cabin. “Am I going to be arrested again?”
The thought of being locked in a cell for any length of time had me grinding my teeth and my skin itching uncomfortably.
“It’s just a formality, but no, you won’t be arrested. It’s a private hearing, and once you give your statement, you’ll be free to come back here for a few weeks while we wait. That is, unless the jury can make a decision in just a few hours. That's the best-case scenario. ”
"That's good news," I replied, feeling some relief wash over me. I gave Bastian a watery smile. “I never thanked you for helping me. For acting as my lawyer. You have no idea how grateful I am.”
