Page 47 of Bryce

“It gives me no pleasure.” Iris favored us with one of her rare smiles.

“We’ll have a tight squeeze on the way back, adding four to our numbers, but I think we can manage it.” And their assistance would be welcome. Very much so. I was beginning to like our chances.

“What’s this all about?” Bryce asked when I joined him. “We have two more coming along?”

“I think the presence of witches could only help us. We’ll have to squeeze in, but it won’t be a long ride.”

“The more, the merrier, I suppose.” He shrugged, looking a bit perplexed. “It seems everyone thinks of themselves as a leader on this team.”

“I hope your ego can handle it.” I wrapped my arms around his waist, grinning up at him.

“I don’t have an ego.”

“Don’t make me laugh!”

He kissed my forehead. “At any rate, it looks like we’re as ready as we’ll ever be.” Yes, and the sky was fully dark, and the trucks fully loaded.

My chest tightened. This was it. Cari’s words came back to me. How cruel was it that we’d found each other now, only to march forth into the unknown? What if this was the end of our time together, here on this mountain? What if the small window of joy we’d found was all we were ever meant to share?

My arms tightened. “If I don’t get the chance to tell you again once we’ve started out, I love you.”

He looked surprised. “Why would you not have the chance?”

“Don’t do that. Please. You know as well as I do.”

“Yes, and I refuse to entertain the notion. We have years ahead of us. All the time we want.” He looked over to where Smoke said goodbye to his daughter, while Alina looked on. “That will be us one day. Soon, I hope. Children. A long, full life together.”

It was a beautiful sentiment, one my heart craved so badly. “Aye. That will be us,” I agreed with a smile, if only for his sake. There was no shaking the sense of dread looming over me, no matter how I tried.

“Let’s move out!” Pierce shouted before climbing into the first truck.

“It’s time.” I looked back at those we were leaving behind and hoped we could deliver everyone they loved. The fact that none of the second team had returned was not a good sign. What would we find?

No sense wondering when we would know soon enough.

I joined Bryce, Logan, and Leslie in the second truck. Electra squeezed in with us. “I hope we destroy them all,” she muttered, sounding more dangerous than I’d ever heard her.

“I’d have to agree with you.” I waved to Molly as we pulled away, knowing her tear-filled eyes would haunt me until I found my brother and brought him back.

“See? I knew we should have traveled this way all along,” Leslie attempted to joke as the vehicle managed the rocky terrain.

“We aren’t interested in the element of surprise this time,” Logan reminded her. The fond little grin they shared made me wonder what had gone on between them while Bryce and I were searching the mansion. I hadn’t had time to touch base privately and wished I’d made a point to do so. When I caught her eye, my brows lifting, she only blushed and averted her gaze.

There was little time to turn this over in my mind, for moments later the truck came to an abrupt halt.

“What’s wrong?” I gasped, craning my neck to peer through the windshield.

“Pierce stopped.” Bryce rolled down the window and hung his head out. “What’s the matter?”

The rear doors of the truck opened, and out came Iris and Smoke. I watched, my heart in my throat, waiting.

When they returned to view, it was with my brother between them. They half-carried him out of the way.

“Owen!” I cried out, jumping from the truck. “Owen, what happened?”

They settled him on the ground, against a boulder. He was breathless, filthy, weak. “Found us right off,” he whispered, barely able to keep his head up. “Took us prisoner. Drawing blood. Heard… screaming…”

His eyes slid shut. I took his face in my hands, panicking. “Owen? Owen, please. Wake up.”

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