The fae’s long green hair floated in the breeze. His skin had a yellow hue similar to the yellow-haired fae beside him, the same fae who had attacked us. Roxy and Axel sat on his other side.
They were also in wolf form. It took me a second to notice the semi-glowing, transparent cage wrapped around them. The power radiating off it hit me in my core.
“What do you want?” Obviously, they were after something.
“To know what you are.” The green-haired one stepped closer to Donovan and squatted next to him. “We tried talking to you last time and didn’t have much luck, so we thought this strategy might work better.” He snaked his fingers into Donovan’s fur.
“You attacked us. That was a strange way to start a conversation.”
“We need you to come with us,” the yellow-haired one interjected like he was afraid he’d be ignored. “As soon as you do, we’ll let your pack go.” He said the word like it disgusted him.
“There’s no chance in hell that’s happening.” Winter stepped beside me and stared down the fae. “Why don’t you let the wolves go and be on your merry way?”
“Now, that isn’t a possibility.” The green-haired one arched an eyebrow. “I’d reconsider starting something you can’t handle.”
“We’re good.” Egan appeared on my other side. “Let them go or there will be consequences.” He breathed raggedly, ready to fight.
“They can’t say we didn’t warn them.” The green-haired one lifted a hand, and a spark of light sped across the clearing toward us.
I dropped to the ground, narrowly avoiding the light. Something huge hit the ground behind me.
Four wolves lunged forward and attacked the green-haired fae, causing him to drop his focus from me.
My eyes went to where the light had hit right behind me, and I found a tree sliced right down the center. The top half had fallen over.
They hadn’t started the fight half-heartedly. They had struck to kill.
More fae ran from the woods as Egan had warned us. There were ten to our thirty-seven, but unfortunately, it seemed like an uneven battle since the fae were naturally more powerful than wolves when they initially arrived on Earth.
Titan’s pack charged at the fae, leaving my pack wide open.
The fae weren’t trying to harm the wolves like they had tried to harm me, which I found so odd. I would talk to Winter about this when it was over. It was time I put my stubbornness aside.
I raced toward Donovan, and Egan followed my lead, heading to Axel and Roxy. I wasn’t sure what the hell to do, but there had to be a way to get them out.
Sadie, I don’t know how to get out of here. Donovan stood on all fours but hit his head on the ceiling. I have no clue how they’re keeping me in.
It had something to do with nature or energy. Does it hurt when you touch it?
No. He shook his wolf head. But I can’t tell what it is.
I touched it, and the magic vibrated deep inside me. What strange magic was this? How did it almost feel like part of me?
Are you okay? Donovan’s voice pulled me from my daze.
Yeah. I closed my eyes, letting whatever was inside me take over. That had to be the key, right? Give me a second. Something churned inside me, and static electricity overtook me once more. It funneled into my hand and zapped from my fingers.
The resistance vanished. Try it now.
Donovan jumped to his feet and shook his entire body. It worked. What the hell?
A fae gestured toward me. “Look at what she did.”
“How the…?” The green fae frowned and pushed two wolves off him and into a large tree. “You’re—” Before he could finish that comment, Winter charged him, growing her claws, and sank them into his arm.
“Agh!” the green fae yelled and grabbed Winter around the neck.
Titan was there in a flash. “No, you don’t.” He punched the fae hard in the face, and light pink blood poured out of his nose.
“There are too many of them,” a fae near Egan said. “And it smells like vamps.”
“Dammit.” The green fae stumbled back and pinched his nose. “They’re going to outnumber us again.”
“We’d better go.” The yellow-haired one vanished from sight.
“We won’t make the same mistake twice,” the green-haired one snarled and stared at me with hatred before turning to Titan. “You’d better get your affairs in order because, next time, this will end at any cost.”
And just like that, all of the fae were gone.
I fell down and wrapped my arms around Donovan. He licked my face, and I smiled.
Thank God you’re safe. I buried my face in his neck, breathing in his musky, rainy scent. I hated that I’d gotten him all wrapped up in this. I love you so much.
I love you too, he almost purred.
“Are you okay?” Winter squatted next to me. “Did you get hurt?”
“No, I’m fine.” I took a deep breath, realizing I’d been so stupid. By not facing the truth, I’d potentially put us in more danger. “But I think it’s time to be honest and answer some questions, even the ones you won’t like.”
Chapter Eleven
Something unreadable passed through Winter’s eyes. “Okay.” Her voice lacked the thrill from before.
She knew I would ask things she didn’t want to answer. Maybe she’d been foolish to think she’d only have to tell me the parts she wanted me to know, but that wouldn’t cut it.
People became uncomfortable when someone wanted to learn both sides of the story, but that was the only way to really learn the truth. Because the truth usually was somewhere between the two tales. Not just one person’s version but everyone’s. The truth seldom painted anyone in the best light when looked at from all sides. No decision or action was ever perfect, and we all had our own hidden agendas. Hell, a person could even paint Roxy and me as villains for forcing a life upon Donovan and Axel that they hadn’t accepted or asked for. We’d saved them, sure, but we’d also done it because we didn’t want to live without them.
Are you sure now is the time for this conversation? Donovan asked as I focused on Egan and the rest of my pack.
We have to know what we’re up against. If facing the truth could put us on even ground with the fae and Tyler, then it was worth hearing. Otherwise, someone will get hurt or worse.
Some help would be appreciated here, Roxy whined and pawed at the ground. Dragon boy can’t get us out. Isn’t he originally from the fae world?
I walked past Winter and headed straight to them. Hey, he’s trying, so don’t give him hell.
Egan’s hands shook as he clutched the bars of the force field, veins bulging in his arms. He groaned, and his face turned red from the strain. It looked like he was trying to force out a poop. After a second, he blew out a breath. He looked so defeated. “I can’t get them out. Can you?”
“I’m hoping so.” I prayed whatever was inside me would reveal itself again. “Let me try.” I touched the barrier with both hands and closed my eyes. I wasn’t sure how I’d managed it before, but nothing stirred inside me. “Dammit.”
Cassius and the rest of the nest raced into the clearing, ready to attack. Dawn was on one side of him and Lillith on the other. Katherine stood beside Lillith with her parents and brothers right behind. Cassius, Paul, and Athan held guns while Luther held a bow and arrow. The women had knives, prepared for an attack.
When the elder vampire saw we weren’t fighting, his body relaxed marginally. “It appears the fae have already left. Is everyone all right?”
“Yeah, they left moments ago. Thanks for coming so quickly,” Titan grumbled behind me. “None of us sustained any serious injuries, but we need to free those two.”
Titan must have had someone from his pack go get the vampires. My attention turned back to my pack members I was struggling to free.
Can I help? Donovan leaned against my leg, comforting me.
No, but I don’t know how the hell I got you out. I needed a repeat performance, pronto. It just happened, and I can’t recreate it.