Page 18 of Their Crowned Mate
"We're going in," I muttered.
"We're what?" Cole groaned.
"She disappeared right in front of us," I said. "I don't know how, but somehow, she must have traveled to the fae realm. It's the only explanation."
"How do you figure that?" Marcus asked.
"For one thing, I don't recall her being able to teleport, do you?" I challenged.
"Is that something that can happen with her power?" Cole asked warily, but I could see the wheels turning behind his eyes. "You know more about it than anyone."
"I don't know," I admitted. "I've heard of dreamwalkers—people who can travel through different realms in their sleep—or astral travel, but I've never heard of them physically disappearing like that. Although she's something completely unique, and there's still a hell of a lot we don't know about fae magic, so there's no way of knowing for sure."
"Great," Marcus muttered. "Is it possible that fucker from the other world took her?"
"I don't believe so," I answered. "That was my first thought, but if the portal hasn't been tampered with, it's unlikely. And there are wards in this place against that type of fae magic, which makes it an even lower probability."
That seemed to give them both the small semblance of comfort it gave me, which really wasn't saying much. But it was something.
"We have to go back in," Cole said with determination I couldn't really blame him for. "With backup."
"I'm making preparations," I assured him. "If she's in the other realm, we'll find her. But why do I get the feeling you have something specific in mind?"
"Because I do," said Cole. "Lavinia only went back home so she could get her army, and as far as I'm concerned, it's time for the wolves to pay up."
I hesitated. "Getting that many people through the portal is going to be a challenge."
"So fucking figure it out," he snapped. "We can't take any chances. Not with her."
"He's right," said Marcus.
I stared them both down, realizing they weren't budging. They did have a decent argument, though. As many vampires as I could rally, I still needed my most trained specialists on this side of the portal to make sure it didn't collapse and leave us all stranded inside in case Lavinia wasn't actually there. And an army of wolves was better than nothing.
"Fine," I muttered. "I'll prepare the magic for the portal, but you two are in charge of getting the shifters on board."
"Piece of cake," said Cole.
Marcus didn't look quite as convinced, but he nodded. "We'll go now. How long do you think this'll take?"
I paused to consider it. "Depending on the numbers... anywhere from six to twelve hours."
Cole grimaced and I could tell neither of them liked that conservative estimate any more than I did, but it wasn't like we had a choice. Interdimensional travel was neither easy nor energetically cheap.
It didn't matter, though. There was only one cost I wasn't willing to pay.
And that was her.
CHAPTER11
LAVINIA
Okay, this was... not great.
I was lost in the middle of the woods on enemy territory without a single weapon to my name, unless you counted the claws and fangs of a wolf who didn't like to appear when it wasn't on her own damn schedule.
Oh, and I was in my nightgown, so that was awesome.
But I had to find the portal. I had to find my way back.
