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“We’ll see about that.” She glanced at the sky. “The moon’s almost here. Any last words?”
“Die, witch!” Uncle lunged with his silver knife, but Circe easily stepped aside.
She laughed. “How does it feel to know you’re the reason why your entire pack is going to perish?”
For a second, Baptiste saw fear on Frederick’s face. Then arrogance straightened Uncle’s spine as the full moon appeared in the darkening sky. “You chose the wrong night to confront, witch.” And with that threat, Uncle’s face began to change, elongating into a muzzle, his limbs contorting, the flesh sprouting fur. The dagger fell to the ground as his fingers turned to paws.
Rather than look afraid, Circe clapped her hands. “How delightful. I could use a fur coat, and a rug, ooh, and a blanket.” With that taunt the witch simply held up her hand and Uncle froze mid-shift, his body contorted and still standing on two legs. Circe bent and plucked the dagger from the ground. Before anyone realized her intent, she slashed it across Frederick’s throat.
There was something horrifying about watching him bleed out, his eyes full of panic and fear. The man who’d tried to murder Baptiste shouldn’t have deserved any sympathy, but Baptiste remembered the uncle who used to play football with him in the yard, who stood by his side when his father died and did his best to guide a young boy.
In the silence that followed the killing, the emerging moon struck the Pack standing still in shock. It changed them from men and women into wolves. Snarls filled the air as the beasts dropped into a low stance, readying to attack.
Circe’s lips curved in amusement as she said, “Now the real fun begins.”
Chapter 18
Daphne left the apartment with Nelly, Clive, and Marissa. They still didn’t have a real plan because they had no idea what to expect other than wolves. Nelly and Clive did manage to borrow some sleep bombs from the SMU office across the street but had to do so furtively given their actions would be considered out of the scope of their employment.
Or as Clive said, “We’re going somewhere we’re not allowed to be and will have our asses reamed if caught.”
Daphne admired the fact they didn’t use that as an excuse to bail on Baptiste. It had been a long time since she had bothered to have friends. Her loss of her sisters in the grove made it difficult for her to allow anyone to get close. But it appeared time had healed that wound because look at her, collaborating with others, even planning for the future. When Nelly said, “I’ll bet Baptiste’s mom makes an awesome feast once we get him back home. Wait until you meet her. She’s the best,” it warmed her that Nelly assumed she’d be present. Even odder, she kind of looked forward to it.
But first, they had to rescue Baptiste.
They took a battered vehicle that Nelly claimed the SMU had confiscated from someone who’d thought to raid the Monster King’s newly excavated palace. “Dumbass thought he could steal from a dude with literal monsters as his guards. It didn’t end well for him. He’s still not able to sleep, and he screams nonstop if they don’t sedate him.”
A god who didn’t mess around. Daphne approved.
They ditched the junky car a half mile from the compound and continued on foot. The Mother had been mostly silent, her last words being: Take care, Paladin. You are about to face your greatest challenge. Some might have found that statement demoralizing, but Daphne never shied from a confrontation.
“Stay sharp. The compound property begins just beyond this bend in the road.” Nelly indicated with a pointed finger. The main entrance was a mile past, but they didn’t plan to enter that way.
Around the curve, they came in sight of a fence cleared of vegetation for several feet on either side. The barrier was metal, strands of it woven to make something called “chain link.” Easy to climb. The sight of it had Daphne frowning. “I thought you said the area was secure.”
“Don’t let the benign appearance fool you,” Nelly cautioned. “That fence is electrified and will knock you unconscious, maybe even stop your heart.”
That explained the faint hum Daphne could hear. “How do we get past it?”
“Marissa and I will handle it. Rather than take out the power for the entire boundary which would warn those within we are coming, we’re going to provide a bridge for the electricity, creating a dead spot in the fence that can be traversed.” Clive glanced at the pink-haired witch. “Ready to block the current?”
The witch nodded and stood a few paces to Clive’s left and raised her hands.
The moment Clive muttered, “Go!” Daphne and Nelly sprinted for the chain link, gripped the diamond-shaped holes, and quickly climbed. Daphne landed on the other side first, Nelly a few seconds after. Clive’s expression took on an even more serious mien as he murmured, “Okay Marissa, your turn next. When I say go, climb over. Once you’re on the other side, let me know when you’re ready to grab the current from me.”
Marissa nodded and her hands came down just as Clive said, “Go.”
She vaulted for it, nimbly making her way over and immediately putting out her hands, expression taut. “I’ve got it. I think.”
“So reassuring,” Clive replied as he came to join them.
The moment he landed, Marissa let out a breath and huffed, “Damn, that’s quite the electrical load they’ve got running through there.”
“More than usual,” Clive agreed. “Good thing it worked, or we’d have been barbecued.”
“Mmm. I love barbecued meat.” Daphne hummed.
When three sets of eyes stared at her she shrugged. “What? It’s delicious.”
