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I shifted my right arm and raised it, poised to strike.
“Wait!” he called out. I paused. “I-I … Conri told me to run with them. So I did. But you killed him, and I had no use for the damn crystals. I was trying to sell in the supernatural black market.”
What if he had sold it before we got to him? The buyer could be someone even worse than Conri. And we might never find the buyer. We were lucky we had found him when we did.
“Any last words?”
Dixon pressed his lips tight.
I lashed my claw across his neck, opening deep gashes. The vampires let him go and he fell at my feet, a pool of blood spreading fast.
I picked up the box with the crystals, glancing at my friends. “Let’s go home.”
9
RAIKA
Shane had kept his promise.Well, sort of. He hadn’t texted me every two minutes, but he did keep me informed about what was going on.
I felt like he was off on this big adventure, while I stayed back watching the babies. I knew my job was important, but I wanted so much more.
The day went by fast, especially since the alpha and one of his betas were away. Vallin stayed in charge, and he wasn’t as kind, charismatic, or good-to-look-at as Shane. Between Minsi and Tyren, the library, and the school, I was too busy to notice the time passing.
In the middle of the afternoon, I got a text from Shane.
We’ve got it. On our way back. Should be there late tonight.
My heart soared. By the moon, they had done it. They had the crystals. All would be well now!
The news that Shane had retrieved the crystals spread fast, and I bet that if we did some research now, his approval rate had gone up tenfold. There was a buzz around town and a spring in everyone’s steps.
Everyone talked about being there for when they returned, but Shane had informed Vallin (and me) that they decided to stop to rest. After all, this would be the second night they were away and sleepless, and they should be here early in the morning.
Because of that, Vallin told the pack that Shane and the others would arrive sometime tomorrow. No set hour.
But he and I knew better. He didn’t know I knew, though, so after Shane texted me at six in the morning to let me know he was almost here, I texted Lucille and Roman. I thought it would look weird if I was the only one standing there with Vallin to receive them.
I also texted Rue and asked her to stay at the house with Minsi and Tyren, but I shouldn’t have bothered. Minsi and Tyren were on high alert, waiting for their brother. When I started moving in my bedroom, they got up and ready to go with me. I texted Rue again, to let her know she didn’t need to come, and she replied she would be in the main square, waiting for the group.
I made some to-go coffee for me and Tyren—tea for Minsi—each of us grabbed an apple muffin I had made last night before going to bed, and we headed to the main square. I carried a small brown bag with a muffin and to-go cup for Shane, in case he hadn’t eaten yet.
Behind the trees in the distance, the sky was shifting from dark blue to orange as the sun rose. On the way, I couldn’t help but notice how much chillier the morning was, even from yesterday. I tightened my thin leather jacket around my body, glad I had brought Minsi’s jacket with me and that Tyren had a hoodie on.
The flowers that had been planted a few days ago looked droopy and sad. I made a mental note to check on them. Maybe they needed water. Or was it too cold for them?
Not having the barrier was really messing with everything.
As I expected, there were only a few of us in the main square, standing like silly ducks—Vallin, Roman, Lucille, Rue, Tyren, Minsi, and I. Somehow, Serge had heard and was here too, with two of his friends.
I stood as far from him as I could.
Minsi, Tyren, and I had finished our coffee when the black SUV and the silver sedan rolled in the main square. It was rare to see cars around. They were usually kept away from the town’s center, but this time, I knew they were eager to do this.
The cars stopped along the main square and they spilled out—Killian, Lavinia, Taos, Louis, Kalon, Dom, and Shane. My heart squeezed at the sight of him. I let out a huge, relieved breath. He was all right. He seemed all right.
His eyes met mine as soon as he hopped out of the car, then he glanced at his siblings, smiled, waved—Minsi waved back—and he walked to the back of the SUV. The trunk opened and he picked up a medium-sized black box.
Shane walked to one of the corners of the main square, and we all got a little closer. The stone bench and its debris were gone, but the trap door was locked. He placed his hand on the five ridges on the top of the trap doors. A quick sting pricked his fingers.
