“Izzy?” Ice trickles into my veins. “She’s not with you?”
Emery stops shaking long enough to focus on Gerry, waiting for his answer. Even Ashton gives the older shifter his full attention.
“That’s what we need to talk about.” Gerry nods in the direction he came from, where gnarled tree limbs braid themselves in the air, blotting out the setting sun. “Come on.”
We don’t need to be told twice.
Eleven
REID
Gerry leads us back to where the party was held—on the road between four houses. Everyone is crying and hugging each other. I don’t see any bodies, though the picnic table is still stained red with blood. As I watch, a shifter drags a hose to the wood, attempting to wash away the horrors of the day.
I’m not sure that will be enough.
I’m not sureanythingwill be enough.
The closer we get to the largest house—the one that wasn’t reduced to rubble in the attack—the more wolves I see. All of them are huddled around each other, whispering and pointing. At first, I don’t understand what they’re looking at, but then I see them.
I seeher.
Witches.
Only the one at the front captures my attention. The similarities between Izzy and her are unmistakable.
“Delaney.” Gerry forces a smile. “What a pleasant surprise.”
He sounds as if this meeting is as “pleasant” as getting his toenails removed with rusty pliers would be.
“You kept me waiting long enough, old friend.” Delaney’s gaze shifts from his face to mine, then Emery’s, then Ashton’s. Her upper lip curls. “These are hers, I’m assuming? Not the most attractive bunch, are they? I suppose the dark one could do—if he wasn’t covered in dirt and blood.”
She gives Ashton a slow once-over—though her expression is more assessing than sexual.
Is she talking about us?
God help me, for the first time in who knows how long, I feel the familiar pang of self-consciousness. I hate my looks, and I hate even more that Izzy is tied to a beast like me. But for her only living relative to point it out? Yeah. That makes me feel pretty shitty.
“You wanted to talk, so talk.” Gerry scowls. “Where’s Izzy?”
“She’s fine. Already enjoying her first day of classes.” A smug smile unfurls on her lips.
“Her first day of classes?” Emery murmurs, his nose wrinkling.
He glances at the setting sun and then refocuses back on the witch bitch.
Gerry doesn’t take his attention off of Delaney as he answers. “Time moves differently at the covenstead. An entire week could pass, and it would only equal a few hours here. Maybe a day.”
“Why is she with you?” Emery demands, refocusing on Delaney.
Delaney gives Emery a look that would make milk curdle. “Because she has witch blood, of course. We need to know her potential, especially if she’s capable of being as powerful as her mother.”
My wolf howls and rages inside of me, demanding release. Only the cage Michelle trapped him in keeps him contained.
“You kidnapped our mate?” Emery yells.
“I did what was necessary to protect both her and our coven,” Delaney says with a haughty sniff. “But don’t worry. I made a deal with my niece. She’ll be permitted to visit you every weekend.”
“Her weekend or our weekend?” Gerry asks, his right eye beginning to spasm.
