Page 66 of Prisoner of the Lycan Prince

I stared at Myrna, the faintest hope stirring in my chest. As swiftly as the emotion arrived, it succumbed to frustration. “I believe you, but I don’t see how I can face him. Without Arlo’s magic, I’m trapped at Draithmere.”

Adina stepped forward. “You don’t have Arlo’s magic, but you have us.” She looked around those assembled on the lawn. “If we combine our efforts, we might be strong enough to bend the boundaries long enough for you to slip through.”

Leander nodded. “Yes. I’ve read of such things. Draithmere’s boundaries were raised with magic. Maybe magic can bring them down.”

“I’m in,” Goliath said. His fangs flashed as he grimaced. “Whatever it takes to finish those Puget Sound fuckers for good, I’m all for it.”

The hedges rustled, and then Rolfe emerged in human form. He towered above the rest of the group as he spoke in a soft rumble. “I’d like to help, too. You gave me a home, Prince Einar. My magic is yours for as long as you need it.”

“Mine as well,” a centaur said, striding from the maze with a sword strapped to his back. His tail swished, and his expression was forbidding as he stopped at the edge of the crowd. “I refuse to cower in fear while two of our own are threatened. I will fight.”

“As will I,” Keir said. The vampire was pale, but he stood tall, his shoulders thrown back. “The werewolves hurt people we love.” Keir looked at Goliath. “What was that phrase you taught me? Fuck around and…?”

“Find out,” Goliath said, a smile spreading across his face. He turned to me. “Reverdin fucked around. It’s time for him to find out how stupid that was.”

The hedges shivered again, and more people emerged from the maze. Sirens and ogres. A pair of mermen with fish scale clothing and glittering tridents. Several jaguar shifters with deep amber eyes. One by one, the residents of the maze offered their magic. The lawn filled with supernaturals. Power hummed in the air.

Adina came to my side, a look of wonder on her face as she surveyed the crowd.

“Do you think this can work?” I asked her under my breath.

She turned to me. “Some of us are weaker than others. A few of us are broken. But together, our magic is strong.”

Hope tried to rise again. This time, I let it.

“All right,” I said, looking around at my people. I lifted my voice. “Let’s go knock down that barrier!”

Cheers went up, along with a few battle cries. We left the maze behind and rushed through the night, arriving at the first barrier in under ten minutes. Magic prickled against my skin, the stinging sensation like static electricity on steroids. It was nothing compared to what Harper had endured. Was probably still enduring.

Fresh anger surged, but I forced it down. If I wanted Harper back, I had to keep control.

“Line up!” I shouted. Draithmere’s lights shone in the distance. Trees rose around us. Out in the open, the maze’s inhabitants seemed fewer. Not much of an army at all.

But they were all I had—and I had to try.

“Everyone join hands!” Adina called, taking mine. Goliath appeared on my other side.

“So…” he said, “should we just rush it?”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Adina said. “Magic is grounded in intention. And the barrier is metaphysical.”

“Yeah, you’re going to need to explain that to me like I’m five.”

Adina adopted a patient tone. “If we merely envision ourselves tearing it down, we might not make it happen. But if we run at it, we’re putting actions to words.”

Goliath flicked his tail behind him. “Let’s do it. You ready, Your Highness?”

“Yes,” I said, sweat trickling down my back. My heart raced. I had no idea what would happen if the barrier held. It might injure me. Or kill me.

“For Arlo,” Goliath murmured.

Adina squeezed my hand.

“For Harper,” I said, squeezing back. Looking down one side of the line, then the other, I raised my voice. “We’re going to crush this thing! Then we’re going to find Armand Reverdin and deliver the death Myrna promised him!”

Roars split the air. The ground shook as hooves and talons clawed at the earth. Power swelled, lifting the hair on my nape.

I’m coming, Harper.

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