He couldn't die. Surely the Fates wouldn't be so cruel. Cassandra let go of his hand long enough to pull her glove off, then took his hand again into hers. She needed that physical connection to him. He glanced at her and offered her an encouraging smile.
"Turn right there," Phoebe said, leaning forward between them to point at a small trail where there was no road. Wulf didn't question it. There wasn't time. Instead, he turned as she indicated. He was an idiot for trusting her, he knew that. But there wasn't any choice. Besides, Phoebe hadn't betrayed them yet.
Even if she did, he would make sure she paid for it. Along with anyone else who dared to come after Cassandra. They crashed through the woods, the armor plating of the SUV making it relatively easy to plow through smaller trees and travel over the snow, ice, and debris. Wulf cut the lights off so that he could see better as the Land Rover bounced over the uneven terrain.
Chris came awake with a curse. "Is Stryker back?"
"No," Kat told him. "We had to leave the road."
Wulf slowed a bit so as not to throw one of the tank tracks that had replaced the SUV's tires. They were a lot sturdier in this climate, but were still a far cry from being infallible, and the last thing he needed was to be stranded out in the open with daylight so close.
Just as the sun was appearing over the mountain, he broke through the trees and came to a cave. There were three Apollites standing outside of it. Waiting. Cassandra hissed and released his hand.
"It's okay," Phoebe said as she opened her door and sprang from the truck. Wulf hesitated as he watched Phoebe run to the men and point back at them.
"Well," he breathed, watching the sun starting to creep over the peaks. "It's a moment of truth. We can't run from them now."
"I'm with you to the end," Kat breathed from the back seat.
Chris nodded. "Me too."
"Stay here," Wulf said to Cassandra and Chris before he slid out, his hand on the hilt of his sword. Kat got out with him. Chris leaned forward so that his head was almost even with hers. "Are those what I think they are?"
"Yes," Cassandra said, holding her breath. "Those are Apollites and they don't look happy to see us."
The Apollites eyed Kat and Wulf suspiciously. The hatred between them was even more fierce than when Urian had faced Wulf in Wulf's boathouse. It made Cassandra's blood run cold. Phoebe motioned to the cresting sun and said something to the men. Still they didn't move.
Until Wulf looked over his shoulder at Cassandra. His gaze met hers and he gave her a subtle nod. His face unreadable, he handed over all his weapons. Cassandra's heart pounded. Would they kill him? She knew he would never have handed his weapons over to his enemies. He would have fought to the bitter end. But for her he had surrendered himself. The Apollites led him inside with Phoebe while Kat came back for them.
"What's going on?" Cassandra asked.
Kat let out a tired breath. "They're taking Wulf into custody to make sure he doesn't hurt any of them. Come on, they have a doctor inside waiting for you."
Cassandra hesitated as she looked in the direction where they had vanished. "Do you really trust them?"
"I don't know. Do you?"
She thought about that and wasn't exactly sure of the answer. "I trust Phoebe. I think."
Kat laughed at that. Cassandra scooted out of the truck and let Kat lead her and Chris into the cave where Wulf had been taken.
Phoebe met them just inside. "Don't be afraid, Cassie. We all know how important you and your baby are. No one here will hurt either of you. I swear it."
Cassandra could only hope her sister meant that. "Who are we?"
"This is an Apollite community," Phoebe said as she led them deep into the cave."One of the older ones in North America."
"But why are you helping me now?" Cassandra asked. "It's not like you haven't known I've been hunted all these years."
Phoebe looked pained by the question. "I knew you lived and I was hoping you would carry on our line. I was afraid to tell you I was still existing for fear of how you would take it. I thought it would be easier this way."
"Then why change now?"
"Because an Apollite named Spawn called a few days ago and explained what was going on. Once I talked to Urian and knew what his father had planned, I realized I couldn't leave you alone anymore. We are sisters, Cassandra, and your baby has to live."
At the back of the cave, Phoebe placed her hand against one of the stones where a spring release opened an elevator door.
Chris gave an over exaggerated gape. "Holy Hand Grenade, Batman, it's a bat cave."
Cassandra cast him a droll look.
"Oh, come on," Chris said, "someone other than me has to see the humor in this?" He looked around at their three un-amused faces. "Guess not."
Cassandra entered the elevator first. "What about the men I saw outside? Who are they?"
Phoebe entered next. "They are our ruling council. Nothing can be done here without their direct approval."
Kat and Chris joined them. The door to the elevator closed.