Page 108 of Savage Sacrifice
“Then you’re a fool.” His words cut through the air as I sense the presence of another.
“I did not just hear my brother speak to my woman like that.” Wylder’s immediate irritation is evident, and I glance over my shoulder at him, willing a smile to come to my lips, but I fail miserably.
Asher snickers, the sound dark and hollow, like a flame turned inward, burning nothing but itself, or in this case, himself. “Maybe tell your woman I’m fucking dangerous,” he grinds, and my body deflates at his self assessment again.
Wylder eats up the distance between us, not bothering to offer me his hand as he stops beside me. Instead, he slips hishands under my arms and pulls me against his chest, my feet an inch or two off the ground as I wrap my arms around his neck. The second our bodies collide, the dam breaks and I sob.
I allow myself ten seconds to wallow in my shattered world before I suck it up again. As my hold relaxes, so does Wylder’s, and a moment later, he slowly lowers me to my feet. He brushes his thumbs over my cheeks, ridding my skin of the evidence of my tears.
“You’re only a danger if you choose to be, Asher. Remember that,” Wylder bites, and I shake my head.
“I don’t think it’s as simple as that,” I whisper, hating to take Asher’s side, but truthfully, I know it’s not completely him underneath that mask.
Wylder’s mouth sets in a thin line as he draws us back a step. “How did any of this happen? I know you explained a little on the call, but… this is insane.” He pushes a hand through his hair desperately, while Asher’s head slumps forward once again.
“The Crow told him to take the mask. Everything just unraveled from there,” I breathe, and Wylder’s brows gather in confusion.
“For the sacrifice?” he clarifies, and I nod, slipping my hand into my pocket to reveal the six coins that our lives seem to depend on. Only one remains gold, confirming The Crow was right—only Wylder’s remains.
Before I can answer his question, the door creaks open farther, and everyone hurries inside. Lincoln is first, tension rippling from his body as he blinks at his friend, while Tatum remains a step behind him, eyes wide in disbelief as he soaks in our new reality.
Minnie darts to my side immediately, pulling me into a tight hug as a sob breaks her lips, and for the first time, I hold it together. Acting as Minnie’s pillar of strength, I let my attention fall to Asher, hating to see him so defeated.
The second Minnie steps back, I glance at the door to find Blaze standing beside his mother, Beatrice. Blaze cocks his head to the side, his silent come closer command, but before I can take a single step, his mother makes a beeline for me.
“Polaris, Dear,” she breathes, arms outstretched as she tugs me against her chest, hugging me tight. She rocks us from side to side, soothing me as she runs her hand up and down my back.
“Beatrice, is that you?” Minnie asks, making us pause, and I follow Beatrice’s line of sight as I watch them both assess each other.
“Oh, Minnie. It’s so good to see you.” She releases me to embrace my best friend as the rest of the room looks on in confusion.
“Is anyone going to explain how my mother knows your sister?” Blaze grunts, still standing by the door.
Beatrice waves him off. “She’s Kristy’s daughter, you fool.”
Blaze’s jaw falls slack, but it’s Lincoln who speaks next. “You’re telling me, my mother’s best friend is Blaze’s mother? I think I might be sick.”
Beatrice cackles. “You boys were always this dramatic when you were small too. That’s why we decided to keep you separated, so you didn’t interrupt our girl time,” she states, like it’s as simple as that.
Blaze and Lincoln glare at one another, but nothing changes between them as Beatrice turns her attention to Asher.
“This is bizarre to say the least. Someone please catch me up to speed,” she insists, and Blaze sighs, stepping closer.
“You don’t need to be here for this, Mother.”
“I can help.” She cocks a brow at him and he rolls his eyes.
“You can’t.”
“Blaze Williams, I will whoop your ass to Timbucktu if you don’t stop underestimating me.” The standoff between them isimpressive. She doesn’t wither under his glare. If anything, I can see where he gets it from.
Eager to get to the matter at hand, I clear my throat. “I told you the majority of it on the call, but The Crow said something before he left,” I explain, gaining everyone’s attention but Asher’s.
“What?” Lincoln asks, standing right beside his chained-up friend without question.
“He said Wylder needs to find Sian, and whatever we do, don’t lose Bryony.”
Wylder shakes his head, irritation making his nostrils flare. “Yeah, about that, she’s gone.”
