“What? I can’t do that. You have no idea what you’re asking me to do.” My surprise slowed my pace, and my legs groaned miserably as I pushed them harder, forcing us to keep up.“They’ll want something in return, right?” She huffed, continuing without waiting for an answer. Her voice cracked, desperation bleeding through. “Don’t use them to kill them, just to get us away—a distraction or something that’ll help us get a head start. I assume you’ve got somewhere safe to go?”I nodded, “there’s no way they’ll mess with us once we’re back in pack territory.”“Good, because you’re taking me with you. I was safe and sound until you two busted into my dressing room—for the most part, anyway. What matters is I was out, and you two dragged me right back in.” I had no clue what she meant, and neither did Brandon from the confusion that creased

I’d never been on a plane before, much less a private jet that could easily double as an apartment if you ever found yourself without somewhere to live. I shuddered at the thought of being on a flight long enough to make use of the walk-in shower and king-sized bed in the back of the plane.The only positive things about this flight were the tiny bottles of liquor that chased away my gnawing worry, cuddling up to Asher for the next hour, and the fact that there were no shadows forty thousand feet in the air. Everything else—down to the turbulence and the pitch-black sky, I absolutely hated.“Asher might be alright with waiting until this plane lands to ask what the hell happened, but I’m not. Give us the details, starting why you’re dressed like a movie star and this one…isn’t dressed.” Zeke leaned in; his hands clasped tightly together. I didn’t miss the way his eyebrows were creased, or the way the vein in his ne

“Are we on the same page with this?” I asked Asher, holding back my third yawn. One more and he threatened to carry me to bed, even though we both knew neither of us would be getting any sleep. The sun would be rising in an hour or so, which meant we had no choice but to start our day. There was too much to do, but I refused think about that right now. I was happily curled up in Asher’s arms, surrounded by his scent and the soft material of the sectional we sat on. We’d been silent since getting home, both of us lost in our thoughts as we replayed the sad ending to Flora’s story. Almost ten months Flora’s mother had until the witch gave birth to a little girl. One week later, Flora and her mother watched as their housed was engulfed in flames, destroying what sliver of home they both had. After that, life grew dark for the widowed Luna. Flora recounted the numerous times they moved over the years, always somewhere new. They stayed longest in other packs, but

Tristan stalked off once Giovanni came downstairs, not giving the vampire so much as a glance. Clearly things were still tense between the two, but that was something they’d have to figure out on their own.‘We need to talk to Brandon and Clara about this.’ I told Asher through mind-link, ‘it’s no coincidence the place is destroyed hours after we left.’“This…” Giovanni’s gravely voice filled the air. In his arms was a thick leatherbound book. The pages were stained, but it was in surprisingly good condition. “…took a lot of convincing to get my hands on.”My best-friend hovered nearby, always glowing whenever he was in the room. I looked up at him, taking in his mountainous physique and curly hair. Thick brows hung low over eyes so dark they looked black. The connection between myself and the vampires under my rule wasn’t as strong as an Alpha and his pack, but I could tell th

“Spirits from the other side……hear my words, hear my cry…Only one of you we do seek……a mother of two, whose secrets still sleep…We ask you to cross the great divide……to share the truth you chose to hide.”I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath until I felt Asher’s eyes on my face. Still, I couldn’t exhale. There was this part of me that was terrified I’d be disappointed, that the worst would happen, and she wouldn’t come.Through all the fights I loved the mother I knew, but I wished she were here to tell me this herself.Cordelia repeated her chant a second time, and then a third. The air around us was thick and heavy, like a tangible substance that weighed us down. I watched as Breyona wiped the sweat from her forehead with the sleeve of her hoodie. She pointed at it and grimaced, regret in her eyes. Asher was stoic, his