Page 9 of Savage Sacrifice
We need to fix it, and fix it fast.
My gut clenches. The only way to speed things up usually involves… The Crow. I don’t want to turn to him. I definitely fuckingshouldn’tturn to him, but if push comes to shove, it might be the only option we have.
Squandering the thought, I try to clear my mind altogether, but it’s embarrassing to even try. I just don’t know how to feel unless it involves getting lost in Polaris, my Silver; it’s the only feeling I’ve craved enough to want more. Now, I want to go back to hibernating in my bleak, numb state of mind.
If I focus on everyone else’s problems and worries, I’ll keep myself afloat. I have to.
All too quickly, the stone path turns to wood chippings beneath my feet and the wolf building looms before me. I don’t feel any solace from seeing it.
Lincoln takes the lead, swinging the door open before trudging toward his office. To my surprise, Blaze holds back, nodding for me to pass before he steps inside with us. As he kicks the door shut behind us, I can’t help but feel cold. My usual wolf-heat feels weak, and my temperature only drops further when I hear Lincoln curse.
Hurrying to see what the issue is, I make my way past the others so I can stand shoulder to shoulder with Lincoln at the door. He doesn’t make any effort to try to step inside, and I don’t blame him. What awaits is not something we’re ready for; I know it.
My defenses are raised, my concern growing stronger by the second, and it takes root deep in my stomach. Squeezing Lincoln’s shoulder, I step past him and head into the office. A crisp card is folded on his desk, placed neatly beside the golden chalice and six familiar coins.
I don’t need to guess who put it here, I already know, but the signature crow emblem on the top corner of the card confirms it. What bothers me more is how the hell he managed to get them to begin with. How they wound up here, right under our noses.
Just as Lincoln and Minnie feel the weight of their parents’ actions, I always feel the swarming guilt of my uncle’s. It’s irrational—I know it deep down—but his blood still runs through my veins and I feel guilty by association.
With that in mind, I cut the distance, striding through the room with a sense of purpose that burns through my veins. Grabbing the card, I scan my eyes over the text once before I sigh, peering at my friends for a moment before I read it out loud to the others.
“Dearest wolves. Hmm, is that the right way to address you when I’m sure the vampire will be there too? Maybe I should address you as The Savage Six, but that doesn’t really include Minnie and Bryony now, does it? Because we all know Lincoln wouldn’t do a thing to hurt his sister’s sweetheart.” My blood boils at the joy he takes from this. Regardless, I shouldn’t stray from the topic at hand, and I’m sure we all know what that is. I clear my throat, but it does nothing, so I do it again, though the tightness in my chest only rises. “The witch is dead.” Minnie lets out a strangled sob that I feel in every part of my body, but despite my desire to comfort her, I try to get the note over with. “How sad. I had such great plans for her. Alas, I didn’t expect her to react so rashly, but there is always room for adjustments. You will continue what I planned for her to do, and in return, I will concede Blaze’s current deal. The Crow.”
“I fucking hate him,” Wylder grunts, and I nod in agreement, though hate doesn’t feel strong enough of a word.
“At least Tatum is safe,” Lincoln murmurs as everyone slowly enters the office.
Turning away from them, I look down at the chalice and coins, wondering what the hell we’re supposed to do now. Especially when we’re desperately clinging to the hope that she’s still alive… somewhere.
Helplessness threatens to claim me. This is just another piece to a never ending puzzle that my soul must solve.
“As always, his timing is impeccable. Like we need to add anything else to our plate right now,” Minnie grumbles, appearing at my side, and I instinctively curl my arm around her shoulders, silently trying to comfort her.
“Well, I’m about to call our parents so you can stay or?—”
“Oh, you bet your ass I’m staying,” Minnie interjects, shaking my arm off as she stands tall, and I watch as she infuses herself with determination and strength. “Get them on a call, now.”
Lincoln doesn’t need to be asked twice, and a moment later, the room draws quiet as the dial tone echoes through the room.
“Hey, handsome, is that my Lincy-poo?” Mrs. James’s voice cuts through the air, sweet as always, but the sour remnants it leaves after today’s findings leave a sickly taste.
Bryony snickers before slapping her hand over her mouth while Lincoln rolls his eyes at his mother like she can see.
“You’re on speakerphone, Mother,” he retorts, and she sighs at him, all light-hearted like she has no clue what’s about to come.
“Is my Minnie-girl there too? Hey, sweetpea, and please tell me my boys are there as well, I?—”
“Our blood kins were called today,” Lincoln barks, cutting through his mother’s words, and the line goes quiet for a second before a soft whimper cuts through the air.
“What happened? Are you okay?”
Lincoln’s eyes cut to Bryony’s for a second before they settle on Minnie. “My blood kin is still alive, but Minnie’s, she…” He blinks slowly, letting the words settle into his mind before he speaks them out loud. “She took her life to save Minnie’s.”
A gasp rings from the other end of the cell phone, but before Mrs. James can say a word, Minnie slams her palms on the desk and glares at the device. “My blood kin was Polaris, mother. My friend, the one I told you about, the one who was raised at Florentine’s, the absolute hell-hole, and now I learn that it’s because of you? What the hell?” Her shrieks grow higher in pitch with every word as she struggles to contain her rage and emotions.
“Minnie, sweetpea, I?—”
“Don’t you ‘sweetpea’ me! How could you do that to her? How could you do that toanyone?” Tears stream down Minnie’s face and Lincoln reaches out, encasing her hand with his.
