Page 64 of Freed Wolfsbane

“I don’t have any threats. Just please come back to me.” Bastian’s emerald eyes are swirling with a potent mix of fear and helplessness. I wish I could make it all better somehow. But the only way they’ll feel better is for me just to get this over with and come back safe.

“I will, Bastian,” I vow.

The twins hold me for a moment longer before reluctantly letting me go. Saint steps up behind me and wraps his arms around my front. He hugs me to him and rests his chin on top of my head. “I know you can do this, little shadow. Stay alert, don’t take any unnecessary risks, and get out of there as soon as there’s any trouble, okay?”

I soak up his comfort and confidence in me for as long as I can. “I can do that,” I whisper before pulling away from him. “So how do I do this?”

“You need to swim to the defensive wall, climb up it, and then take the photographs your mages require. I will exit the veil with your mates to let it focus its powers on hiding you. Once you get what you need, you will have to swim back to us. I would be hesitant to use mage magic while you are there to portal back because it may alert their defenses.”

I manage to hold in my groan at the prospect of having to swim two miles there and back. While I’m physically capable of swimming four miles through rough ocean waves, it’s not my ideal way to spend an evening.

Hanging my head, I walk to the edge and peer into the inky depths of the water. Then I realize a problem. “How am I going to keep my phone dry without using any magic?”

While my phone should have some water resistance, I doubt it will survive the trip there and back in the salt water.

Without saying anything, Jad reaches into a compartment on his leather belt cinching his tunic in. He pulls out a deep blue roll top pouch. Opening it, he pulls out his phone and holds the bag out for me. “This is a dry bag. It will protect your phone. I would wear it around your neck so it does not escape your pocket.”

I don’t know why I’m surprised to see the old man with a modern piece of technology, but I am. Shuffling the few steps over, I take the offered pouch. “Thanks.”

Digging my phone out of my pocket, I drop it in the bag and roll the top tightly closed. After fastening the multiple buckles that hold it in place, I slide the black cord dangling from the top around my neck.

Walking back to the edge of the boat, I take a deep breath and jump in, hoping I’m not making a colossal mistake.

CHAPTER31

BRIAR

Iresist the urge to scream in surprise as I plunge into the surprisingly chilly water. I would’ve thought the Mediterranean Sea would be nice to swim in year-round, but I was apparently wrong.

When I break the surface, I gasp as the cold feels like it invades my bones. My muscles are sluggish to respond as I try to swim away from the boat, still in shock from the drop in temperature.

I grit my teeth and focus on kicking and slicing through the water with my arms. It’s slow going though, and I feel my frustration mounting.

“Call on your wolf, child.”

What?I ask, wondering what that has to do with anything.

Dido sighs, like I’m being purposely obtuse.“She has better temperature resistance than you do. Her fur would keep her warm on this type of swim.”

What if shifting causes the veil not to recognize me anymore?

“I am not suggesting you shift. Simply call on the magic that keeps her warm and wrap it around yourself. It will make the water significantly more comfortable. Trust me. I swam in these waters for most of my life all year long.”Dido’s chest puffs up in pride at the mention of all the swimming she used to do. I bet she was awesome at it, unlike me. I’ll take running any day of the week to slogging through cold salt water.

Pausing my forward momentum, I tread water for a second as I try to visualize my wolf. She’s sitting alert and ready right next to the flame of blue magic. It’s still a relief to see her here every time after she was missing at the Knights’ facility.

Not knowing exactly what to do, I say,Hey. Can I borrow your warmth for a hot sec?

I snort to myself at my unintentional pun, and I swear my wolf rolls her eyes. She chuffs before she glows a soft light blue, the same color as our eyes. When she doesn’t do anything else, I hesitantly peek open my eyes.

Instead of being on the verge of hypothermia, I feel almost pleasantly warm. A huge grin breaks out across my face, and I resist the urge to fist pump. It actually worked. I can’t believe it.

“Of course it worked, child,”Dido comments dryly.

I wince.Sorry. I didn’t mean to doubt you. I’m just not used to my magic responding to my commands yet.

Dido smiles at me in my mind.“It is okay. I was only giving you a hard time, as the kids say these days.”

I choke on my laugh at Dido trying to use the slang of “kids these days.” Shaking my head at her with a stupid smile still plastered on my face, I resume swimming toward the hidden city.

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