Page 25 of Guardians of the Assassins
“You’re the key,” Caedmon responded.
Because of course she was the fucking key.
That seemed to be the story of her life.
She was almost afraid to ask what he meant, knowing she wasn’t going to like the answer.
“Explain,” Ryder rumbled, not looking very impressed with the idea either.
“Paranormal creatures were created from the void. Even centuries later, they still hold a tiny spark of creation.” Caedmon’s face softened when he saw her apprehensive look. “You have an almost unnatural affinity for void magic. We justhave to search for a place that has a large amount of it or one that has absolutely none.”
Atlas nodded slowly, understanding dawning. “The gods are the purest form of void magic. You should be able to sense it when they’re close.”
“I don’t like placing Morgan in danger,” Draven countered, his blue eyes stormy, and she’d swear she heard lightning crack in the distance. “If she can sense the gods, then they can sense her. They’ll know that she’s coming, probably long before we’re aware, and set a trap.”
“Loki was able to track Athena at the Academy.” Ascher glanced down at the gardog, who was busily chewing on his own tail. The big beast stilled when he noticed he was the center of attention, lifted his massive head, then spit out his tail without missing a beat, like he hadn’t been caught mauling it.
When it thunked to the floor, she realized he’d turned it to stone. He’d been sharpening the barbed tip with his teeth in preparation for their guests. He placed his paw on the end, shoving it under his bulk, and gave them a toothy, innocent smile.
The goofball.
Draven chuckled, which he turned into a cough when the big beast swung his head in the siren’s direction and cocked his head in consideration. “Don’t even think it, you mangy mutt.”
Drops of water formed in the air, and he shot a stream of it directly in Loki’s face.
But instead of being discouraged, the beast just opened his mouth and chomped on the water like it was a new game.
Morgan chuckled at the slightly panicked expression on Draven’s face…no doubt Loki would increase his stalking of the siren now that Draven had upped his game.
Though Morgan was grateful for the distraction, she sighed and got back to the issue at hand. “Loki is too young. While he would be able to help track the gods, he would see it as a game. One that the gods wouldn’t appreciate. I won’t risk his life.”
Kincade didn’t give up so easily. “We could split into teams, keep him out of trouble?—”
“No,” Ryder interrupted, shooting that down before she could even open her mouth.
When he rounded the desk, she noticed the tense way he held himself, and her stomach churned with dread. “Shit…what did you learn about the wolves?”
“They’re in an uproar.” He raked a hand through his hair, his shoulders bowed like all the life had been sucked out of him. “They’re going to be coming for you.”
She raked her hair away from her face, pissed the wolves were being such pricks. She hated that Ryder was caught in the middle of their squabble. “How is that different? They were always coming after us. Now everyone just knows about it.”
His eyes widened with surprise, then his brows lowered like thunder, and he stalked toward her. He grabbed her shoulders, his grip bruising to prevent him from shaking her, if the look in his eyes was any indication. He leaned down until his nose touched hers, then roared, “If he marks you as feral, they will send hunts after you. It will be a kill on sight order.”
He’d been close to being labeled feral. The only thing that saved him was pledging himself to the Academy. If she hadn’t claimed him, she hated to think of how his life would’ve ended.
Worse, Ryder had been forced to kill his own father when the man lost himself to his beast. He had to hunt the man who raised him and put him down like a rabid dog.
She hated that the situation brought up bad memories.
She reached up and placed her hand on his chest, feeling the frantic beat of his heart, wishing there was something she could do to ease his anxiety. Fur brushed against her palm, his wolf seeking comfort, like he didn’t know how to calm his human, and her heart cracked.
“Even if they want to mark me as feral, they can’t.” She kept her tone soothing, giving him a gentle smile, then turned her arm up so her mark showed. “I’m the alpha queen. The wolf packs would revolt if they tried.”
“Normally, you would be right,” Caedmon interrupted, a troubled expression on his face. “Alpha queens are rare. They’re equal to the Alpha Assembly, and usually take a seat on the board. Morgan is valuable, and shame on them for even pretending otherwise. An alpha queen only shows up in a time of strife. That they would go to such extremes?—”
“Means they’re desperate.” Kincade cursed, the need to commit murder darkening his light green eyes. He fisted his hands at his side, and she’d swear she heard stone rubbing against stone.
“They seemed more interested in theloup garouthan me being a queen.” Morgan rubbed her forehead, scrambling to recall everything she could about the meeting, but the information was scant. “They swore theloup garouwould be able to save them. Are they under attack and trying to build an indestructible army?”
