Dimitri scowled. Ha.
Goldwyn continued, oblivious. “Each instructor has a map to give to their pack. On the back is written a quest item. And fair warning: there is one group among you that’ll be given the task of capturing a recruit of their own choosing from a competing pack. They’ll be hunting the hunters. However, at no point is this group permitted to use weapons and endanger life or sabotage the packs’ mission. And to be clear, if a recruit is taken, they won’t be kicked out. As long as their team members complete their quest.”
Holy courts.
Wilder cut in. “We’ve circled the general area you can expect to find your pack’s item. We’ve been generous with you—don’t waste it.”
“Also, don’t feel the need to come back too soon. We like having the place to ourselves,” Goldwyn added to a spattering of appreciative laughter.
Dimitri interrupted, scowling. “Let’s get on with it then.”
“Excellent idea,” Goldwyn said with a brazen smile.
The mentors broke formation and went to hand a map to their pack leader. Goldwyn gave ours to Cai and backed off quickly. “Good luck.”
Her yellow wings spread out and whoosh, she soared upward. The rest of the instructors followed.
A burst of frenzied activity came next. Three packs instantly scattered, flying or running, if human, for the nearby hillsides. As for us, Cai passed Liora the map and stepped in front of her. Adrianna nocked an arrow. With sudden violence, Frazer grabbed my arm, whirled me behind him, and sunk low, growling. All this happened in the space of a breath. Reeling, I peered around Frazer. Tysion’s pack, comprising Cole and four other deadly looking fae were moving, prowling. As if they wanted to cut off escape routes. As if they wanted to trap us. It wasn’t hard to guess which quest they’d been given—capture a hostage. And they’d chosen our pack. Big surprise.
Mocking laughter filled the air. Tysion. “Don’t worry. We won’t take your two weaklings yet. Where would be the fun in that?”
“Don’t even think about hunting us. Not unless you want me to rip you to shreds.” Cai’s voice was guttural, vicious. At odds with his character.
Stay behind me, Matea. Frazer’s mental voice sounded cold enough to fill my belly with ice.
Tysion sneered. “Your threats are empty, Caiden. You know it; I know it. Your pack knows it. All you’ve got are two decent warriors, a redhead who can just about wield a sword, and a stick who’s as useful as a drunk whore.”
Frazer snarled and pushed me back another step.
Tysion’s black eyes focused in on me, narrowing into slits. “You’re very protective of the girl, Frazer. Tell me, what was it like to rut a human?”
He gave me a serpentine smile. Frazer only growled deeper.
“You seem to have forgotten about me,” Cai said, composed.
Cole chuckled dimly. Tysion dismissed him with a snort and a head shake. “Take your sword away and any fae here could crush you with their little toe.”
“Doubtful.” Cai’s voice had deepened, now hoarse and husky.
Their pack stilled while their leader’s expression hardened. “Some dirty witch’s trick won’t save you,” Tysion retorted.
“Sure about that, are you?” No laughter. No mockery. Only wrath. A very different Cai. Bringing his inked hand up and baring his palm, he conjured a groaning, howling wind behind him. A pause and silence.
He flicked his wrist. A whirlwind broke out and barreled across the meadow, ripping their wings open, sending their pack careening backward. Before they could recover, Cai turned to us, snapping out orders. “Adrianna, take my sister. Fly into the forest. Frazer, can you run with Serena?”
A blunt nod.
“Good.”
“What about you?” Adrianna asked while lifting Liora into her arms.
“I’ll find you—just go.”
“Cai …” Liora moaned softly.
“No arguments.”
Adrianna didn’t hesitate. Extending her wings, she sprang into the steely sky. Heaving me into his arms, Frazer sprinted for the shelter of the trees. His long legs ate up the meadowsweet grass while I watched Cai over his shoulder.
Is he running? Frazer projected.
Yes, but he’s not as fast as you.
He huffed. Obviously. Are the others in pursuit?
No, they’re still looking kind of stunned.
Good.
I felt a blast of relief shudder along our bond. Surprise claimed me. You’re scared of them?
No. But they can fly; I can’t, which means I’ll always be at a disadvantage.
The temptation to ask about his wings was almost too much.
Now’s not the time child, Auntie reminded.
That much was obvious. He’d never tell me anyway. How far until we reach cover?
I’m sorry, should I put you down and you can carry me?
Ho, ho. Definitely grumpy. No, I was just worried. Cai’s flagging and I think …
I squinted, hard.
What is it? Frazer asked.
I think Tysion’s pack are moving; maybe getting up. D’you think Cai can blast them back again?
Depends how powerful he is. Magic’s not without limits. Frazer put on a quick burst of speed that put us within touching distance of the tree line. Can you still see them? Have they taken to the skies yet?
No. What’ll happen when they do?
The hunt begins.
We entered the forest; the thick canopy dimmed the morning light to eventide. Frazer whizzed past trees, crunching down on pine needles and whipping up leaves in his wake. Cai was nowhere to be seen.
“We have to go back. Leave me—”
My leader gave me a command.
“So?” I glared.
He snorted through his nose. Give it up. There is absolutely no scenario that has me abandoning you for him. You’d be as helpless as a newborn against six fae.
That ended my objection. I hated him for pointing it out. Even if he was right.
Frazer sniffed at the air. Liora and Adrianna are close.
Where? I was desperate for any sign of our fractured pack.
Soon.
I almost snapped my teeth at him. Gods, I’d been spending too much time around fae.
A minute more and Liora appeared in a clearing. Seeing us, she hurried over with windswept strawberry locks and wide eyes. No sign of Adrianna.
“Where is he—where’s Cai?” Liora demanded, her gaze flitting between us.
Frazer came to a halt and set me down.
I answered. “The last time I saw him he was heading for the forest.”
Liora’s throat bobbed.
Tell her that he’s probably taking a longer route to throw them off and divide their forces, Frazer projected.
I blinked. How can you know that?
He stared me down. Right. Whatever.
I relayed what he’d said. Liora spun away, her eyelids fluttering. I glimpsed tears and forced myself to go place a hand on her back. Shame and guilt writhed in my gut. “Can I do anything?” I asked, feeling helpless.
She shook her head and hastily dashed the tears from her cheeks.
I whispered into her ear, “Where’s Adi?”
Liora stepped away and turned to face me. She nodded up to the tree canopy. “Acting as a lookout.” Her expression smoothed as she looked to Frazer. “You should sit. Catch your breath. Serena and I can keep watch.”
By now the bond had made me finely tuned to his mood. One look was all it took. “He’ll want to keep watch.”
Liora gave a nod as if she’d guessed as much. “Then we should look at the map. I don’t even know which task we got given.”
“Where is it?”
Liora dragged the now tattered parchment from her jacket pocket. And Frazer faced out toward the forest, his head cocked, listening.
Liora turned the map over.
“What do we have to get?” I questioned tentatively.
She was silent, unblinking. I moved next to her, gripping my Utem? sword.
“A lock of hair from a swamp witch,” I read aloud.
Frazer circled the clearing as Liora unfroze and blew out a shaky sigh. She pocketed the map once again. “I don’t know much about the witches in this area, but I doubt they’ll give us the hair willingly. They might think we want to curse them.” She shot me a look laced with anxiety. “And now, we’ve got those jackals hunting us.”
“We’ll find a way.”