Page 77

“If you decide not to cooperate,” I said in a dark voice, “then I’ll let my wolf out to do what he wants with you.”

Geraldine’s eyes bulged, and her breathing turned ragged. She started gasping, each inhale sounding like a choked wheeze. “No. Please. I—I’ll tell you where they are.”

“Damn,” Tavik said.

“Hush. She’s giving us what she wants.”

“Elvira kept the journals in that r-room there.” She inclined her head toward the white-walled room visible through the smaller tunnel. “There’s a m-metal panel in the left wall that comes loose. Everything is—is there.” She rasped out the words as if she was having trouble breathing. Her eyes sparkled with tears as she gave me a pleading look. “Please don’t use your wolf on me. Please.”

I gave her a disgusted look as I rose to my feet. “If I did release my wolf on you, it would be no less than what you deserve.”

“You should still let me toy with her a bit,” Tavik said, bouncing restlessly against the walls of my mind.

“I still might,” I admitted as I climbed through the short tunnel leading to the white room. It was small, perhaps the size of a broom closet, with a cushioned chair in the corner alongside a desk and some loose pieces of parchment. The chair was facing a wall made entirely of glass, through which I could see…

I gasped, my stomach roiling with horror.

The chair was facing a glass room with blood-soaked chains nailed into the ground. Dark stains and loose white fur covered the floor.

I inhaled a shuddering breath, my heart freezing in my chest. That was the Rogue’s prison. And Elvira must have watched from the cushioned chair while she observed and took notes from behind the glass.

“Oh gods,” Tavik whispered.

My hands trembled with rage as I stared at the lonely room that had been the Rogue’s home for years. It had nothing but shackles inside. No bed. No clothes. Only a cage.

Tears burned in my eyes, but it was nothing compared to the fiery inferno blazing inside me. I clenched my teeth so hard I felt my jaw crack.

From within me, Tavik let out a low, menacing growl, his rage simmering. “Tear her to shreds,” he hissed.

I had to struggle to keep my breathing even, because a strong part of me wanted to do as he said.

But I had to get the journals.

I blew out several sharp breaths, my chest heaving with my fury. I took a moment to recall Geraldine’s words before I moved to the left wall, running my hands along the white panels. Eventually, I found one that wiggled. After tugging on it, I managed to pull it free, revealing a small rectangular hole filled with several worn leather-bound notebooks. I carefully eased them out, releasing a cloud of dust particles. Waving my hand to clear the air, I opened the first journal and glanced over the spiral handwriting. Before I could read any of it, a shout from the other side of the tunnel stopped me.

“Wolven!” Geraldine cried, her voice full of panic. “You’d better get over here!”

My eyes narrowed. If that despicable woman had a problem, she would just have to deal with it herself.

“It’s Cerise!”

At that, my insides froze, and I looked up toward the tunnel in alarm. A faint golden glow emanated from the other room.

In a flash, I was hurtling through the tunnel, journals pressed to my chest. When I emerged, I found Cerise still lying on the ground, her body twitching uncontrollably. Her hands emitted a blinding golden glow, and her eyes rolled back until they were all white.

“Oh, shit,” I whispered, panic flooding my senses.

It was just like when I’d first met her, when she’d lashed out with her magic and⁠—

“By the gods, Alaric!” Tavik roared, suddenly thrashing violently within me. “Make it stop! Make it stop!”

“Tavik!”

“So much pain. It’s everywhere. It’s burning me! Help!”

I was panting, staring wide-eyed at Cerise, torn between rushing to her aid and trying to help my wolf.

But I couldn’t do anything for Tavik. Not unless I shifted, and that would be far too dangerous with him so volatile.