But I pushed through, forcing myself to lead them all to safety. To leadLaylato safety.
One step at a time.
Toward the sitting room.
Only Layla wasn’t following us, she’d stayed at the kitchen doorway, her expression pained.
I paused, turning toward her. “Why aren’t you following?”
“I can’t leave without Novak or Auric,” she said, her eyes glittering with challenge.
It was then that I realized they weren’t here.
I hadn’t really noticed before, their scents always a note in the air around Layla, suggesting their constant presence.
I glanced up and down the hallway. “Do you know where they went?’
She frowned.
Hmm.“Then we wait,” I told her before turning to the others. “The tunnel is—”
“No,” Zian interjected. “We’re not leaving without Novak, either.”
“Raven is in no shape to fight,” Sorin said, hoisting her up to his side. She groaned as her eyes rolled back in her head. “I’ll go with you and wait in the tunnels. Give her some time to recuperate.”
He glanced at Zian, and the two seemed to have a moment of unspoken conversation, coming to the agreement that Raven’s well-being came first.
I didn’t blame them. Every instinct in my body told me to protect Layla even though we weren’t even mated yet. I imagined if we were, that bond would be impossible to ignore.
“We’ll wait for you,” Sorin said, speaking to Zian.
“Don’t wait long,” Zian replied. “If we’re not there in ten minutes,run.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY
NOVAK
SEVERAL MINUTES EARLIER
Where are you?I demanded, my nostrils flaring as I searched for Auric’s scent.Don’t tell me you’re dead because I’m not buying it.
Because that was the only explanation for his missing scent.
And I refused to accept that fate.
I’dfeelit if he’d died.
So no.
He was alive somewhere.
Just hidden.
My eyes narrowed as I prowled through the palace, my rage building with each passing second that I couldn’t scent my commander.
I took you last night. You’re mine. I fucking bit you. Now where the fuck are you?My thoughts stirred a rumble in my throat that matched the pulsating walls around me.
But I ignored the chaos, my focus resolute.
