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Raine stood. “That’s an excellent idea. I know exactly who to influence.” He glanced at Ferguson. “Stay with Dannika until I return.” He kissed Dannika’s temple before he strode from the room.
Ferguson moved to Dannika’s side and sat at the table. If there was any doubt about the trust between the reaper and the Wolf clan leader, it was just eradicated. “I could take a few shadows, and do some recon on the demon stronghold. It would have to be perfectly timed and quick.”
Steele nodded. “I agree, but until we find an antidote for Colton, he can’t go near the demons.”
Colton’s jaw ticked, but he didn’t disagree with his leader.
Dannika nodded. “I’m sorry, Colton, but Steele is right. I don’t want Riley near them, either.”
Colton stood. “You’re right. I’d like to go apologize to Darren, then we will head back.”
Riley hugged Dannika, then Ferguson. The reaper was clearly uncomfortable with the show of affection. Dannika winked at her, clearly enjoying the reaper’s discomfort. She took Colton’s hand as they walked from the room.
While they had planned to head to Darren’s room, he was walking in the tunnel when they exited. His pupils turned to black saucers when he saw Colton.
Colton stopped the clearly uncomfortable cartographer. “Darren, can I have a quick word with you? I wish to apologize for my actions.”
He squeezed Riley’s hand. “Wait here. I want to have a quick word with him alone.”
Riley smiled. This was the reason she was in love with him. He made a mistake, but he could swallow his pride and own up to it. She turned as she felt a prick in her arm.
She stumbled, falling into Irdane’s arms. She tried to call out, but her body was limp. Paralyzed. Her eyelids drooped as Irdane sneered at her.
CHAPTER19
Riley opened her eyes, attempting to bring the room into focus. The cave walls looked different from those of the wolf clan. Bits of granite sparkled in the rock, alerting her she was in a different area of the mountain. She licked her dry lips, spitting dirt particles from her mouth.
“Good, you’re awake.”
Her hand fisted on a tattered blanket. She glanced over to find Irdane looking down at her. “What did you do?”
Irdane shrugged. “I would say I gained your trust until I could abduct you. But the truth is, no one trusted me. But they didn’t watch me as they should have.”
Riley reached out, realizing her hands were shackled. The thick metal cuffs were made of a strange material. It possessed an unusual silver sheen that warped the tiniest amount of light. “What are these?”
“I don’t know what they’re made of, but neither a shadow nor a demon can break them. And you can’t utilize your shadow abilities, nor can you shift. You aren’t going anywhere.”
Riley’s gaze narrowed on Irdane. “Why give us Intel, just to turn on us? Dannika would’ve let you back into the clan without it.”
Irdane shrugged. “I didn’t tell you anything you wouldn’t learn on your own, but I needed a small amount of trust to get you alone.”
Riley huffed. “Did you even try to rehabilitate? Or was that all part of your ruse?”
Irdane nodded sadly. “I did. Once I was in the Wolf clan, I considered turning my back on Breck and the demons. I knew I could stay there and Dannika would protect me, but the hunger. It’s like glass ripping apart your intestines. I tried animal blood, attempting to appease it. My demon was not satisfied, and I was forced to take a human that same night.”
“You’re pathetic. You’re addicted to blood. Every addict goes through withdrawal. And before you say it’s not possible, keep in mind more than half the reaper clan is doing it.”
Irdane hissed. “They won’t make it. As soon as Breck is established here, the remaining reapers will defect from Dannika’s clan.”
Breck entered the room with a smile on his face. “Well done, Irdane.”
Irdane nodded. “I was just telling Riley that I believe that most of the reaper clan will join us in time.”
Breck’s eyes roamed over Riley’s body. “I agree. You may go Irdane.”
Irdane’s jaw tensed, but he nodded and left.
Riley’s eyes trailed after the exiting reaper. “You’re not winning any friends.”
