I sigh, choosing not to fight this one. She’s not wrong.
“There aren’t any humans close by,” I tell her, hoping to ease the tension in her shoulders. She’s wound so tight—I don’t know if it’s because she’s worried about me like always, or if something Pedro said is still bothering her. “But I do hear one soul that’s close—”
I don’t finish the sentence before the disturbed hum echoes again.
I press my hand gently over Bay’s mouth before she can say anything. I glance around, scanning. That soul is getting close. Very close. I think it’s running.
I grab Bay’s arm and shove us behind one of the tall, bushy hedges—shaped like some weird bird, only God knows why—but it’s big enough to hide us. So I can’t really complain.
Pedro must’ve driven off while I was too caught up focusing on the souls.
I don’t know these people’s faces like my father or uncles do. I can’t make a rushed move and blow up Dad’s plan too early.
Bay’s glaring at me like a beast ready to pounce the second I release her.
“Myko, tell Bay someone’s closing in. This soul’s… different. We need to be ready—I don’t know what we’re dealing with.”
Myko growls low in agreement but doesn’t add a snarky comment this time.
Bay’s body relaxes against mine as she nods. Only then do I let go of her arm. She crouches behind my back to peek out from beneath the hedge, our heads popping up like a pair of peeping toms.
“You really aren’t scared of anything, huh?” I huff. I should’ve known.
“Shut up.” She shoots me a glare before scanning the street again, waiting for something—anything—that’ll prove me right.
Footsteps. Just one set. Are those… heels?
“Woman?” I murmur.
Bay kicks the back of my calf. “Shhh!” she hisses.
I roll my eyes—but the second I look back at the empty street, I see it.
A ridiculously puffy white dress enters my line of sight. A wedding gown.
A woman’s running frantically toward the white gates of the mansion across from us. The gate’s locked up tight with thick chains, but she doesn’t even hesitate. She’s running from something.
Her soul is trembling. She’s terrified.
She glances back the second she reaches the gate, then starts climbing like she’s in some undercover mission. She moves like a little monkey—those awkward steps fighting against her heels.
When she reaches the top, she pauses, looking between her feet and the ground. Probably realizes she’ll break her legs if she jumps wearing it.
“Malec… I think that’s Ivan’s bride,” Bay whispers. For a moment, I forgot she was even here.
“Ivan’s bride?” I echo quietly, more to myself.
My mind races. A runaway bride… the idea forms fast.
“Tell the others to stop everything,” I snap. “Now.”
Bay’s eyes widen, but she doesn’t question me. She nods quickly and types out the message.
“Pedro asks what’s wrong,” she says, glancing up as if she’s the one wondering, not my uncle.
“Oh,” she murmurs a beat later. “That’s actually… not such a bad idea.” A cunning smile spreads across her lips.
I snort. Myko must’ve updated her before I could.
