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18
SHANE
“Oh, oh!”Ariella put a hand over her eyes, turning around. “Bad timing for that, don’t you think?”
With a groan, I let go of Raika. “Just …” I found my bag, put on some pants, and said, “You can turn back now.”
Ariella spun on her heel, her silver-blue eyes amused. “So, Raika, I would say nice to meet you, but first I would like to know what you were doing with the bad guys.”
Raika looked at Ariella but didn’t say anything. Instead, she picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. She walked past us, toward the tunnel’s mouth.
I sighed and shoved a T-shirt on, socks, and my shoes. “She doesn’t remember anything.”
“What do you mean?”
I told her that Raika only remembered things from two weeks ago—after Paimon had killed her right in front of my eyes. And that all she knew had been twisted and she was living a lie.
“I think it’s a spell,” I said.
Ariella nodded. “It sounds like it. I’m sure Thea, Almae, or Lavinia can undo it.” I nodded, hoping that was true. “Am I the first one you encountered?”
“Yeah.” I rehashed our time in the caves, except for the parts where I had almost kissed Raika.
Ariella stared from Raika to me, her eyes wide. “What the hell? It took me hours to finally make it through the tunnels and out of the mountain, but I didn’t see any other living soul. Or demon. And you guys found two different kinds?”
I looked at Raika, still standing at the tunnel’s mouth. She hadn’t glanced in my direction since Ariella found us.
“We should go,” I said, still unsure if I should stay and help Evelyn and Ash, or if I should take Raika and bolt before the others found us.
We took two steps toward the exit. Roman and Ivy appeared beside Raika. The three of them faced us.
My muscles locked up and I let out a snarl.
“Thank you for rescuing my mate,” Roman said with a grin. He placed an arm over Raika’s shoulder—and she flinched.
“You’re a traitor,” I said through gritted teeth. I could feel the Shadow Wolf asking for release again. He had killed demons, but he still wanted more violence. And I wassoinclined to let him have it. “When I get my hands on you, I’ll rip you apart limb by limb.”
Roman’s grin faltered. “It’s a good thing you won’t, then.”
Ivy lifted her hands and shot darkfire bolts at the tunnel’s mouth.
“No!” Raika yelled.
The tunnel shook and rocks slid down and blocked the exit.
* * *
My Shadow Wolf surged forward.I started shifting, consumed by rage.
“Shane, no!” Ariella created a bubble of light around me. I closed my eyes against the brightness. “Listen to me. You have to calm down. Don’t lose yourself to the darkness. We’ll fix this mess. I promise.”
Easier said than done.
But I knew she was right. If I lost it now, I could end up hurting my friends and it would only delay everything else.
I inhaled deeply and focused my mind on getting out of here and rescuing Raika. For that, I needed a clear head. I took another deep breath and the Shadow Wolf stepped back. He was never gone, but for now, I could keep him at bay.
When I opened my eyes, the light bubble was gone and smaller light balls floated around the tunnel like lanterns.
