His question was met with silence, because the two of them didn’t know a fucking thing.
“I know where she is.”
When Maya unexpectedly intervened, with surprisingly good news, the red in Antonio’s vision and the ringing in his ears began to lessen. When sight returned to him again, his eyes fell on Maya, who stood among everyone as proudly and as cocksure as to be expected. “Do you?” Antonio’s voice lowered a few octaves, miraculously.
Hands on her hips, she gave him a nonchalant shrug. Her nonchalant demeanor was infuriating, but he knew better than to anger the tight lipped sorceress.
“I want to kill you -slowly- for destroying that amulet. You know that, don’t you?”
Antonio struggled to rein in his anger. At least until she provided them with information,ifshe chose to do so. He needed her to choose to do so. “I understand. I shouldn’t havedone that. I should know, I’m paying the price for that foolish decision.”
“Foolish is an understatement. You acted barbarically, at the very least.”
Antonio ground his teeth together. “I know, and I’m sorry.” It was a struggle to get out each word.
Lance made no effort to hide the wide-eyed look he gave Antonio, seeming shocked by his friend’s ability to control his temper.
Hell, Antonio would be lying if he said he wasn’t shocked himself.
Maya took the time to look at every one of them individually, sizing them up one at a time. Drawing on every bit of patience Antonio could muster, he allowed it.
In fact, it was Conall who lost patience first. “So… Can you lead us to Sophia or not?”
The corner of Maya’s mouth curled as she told the elf, “I can. But I want something in return.”
“What do you want? I’m sure King Valaris will give you anything you want for helping us locate Sophia. She’s like a niece to him too, you know.”
“I don’t want anything your king can give to me. I don’t care for riches or status. What I want is your help.”
“Then you have it.” Antonio didn’t care what it was that she wanted help with. He’d do anything to save Sophia.
A nod. “I want Drusilla dead-”
“Done.” Antonio responded so fast she didn’t have the time to finish speaking. He wanted Drusilla dead anyway.
“You know where the witch is?” Lance asked, balling his fists up at his sides, seeming to prepare himself for whatever battle he might be stepping into. For Antonio, the friend he never stopped loving and never would. Antonio was glad he recognize that love now.
“One thing you should know about me,wolf,is that I’m not one to lie.”
Remaining calm, as Lance usually did in such situations, he asked, “Then bring us to her.”
“Tell us where we have to split everyone to and we’ll do it.” Cauladra said and her brother nodded in agreement.
“Have you two ever been to Alaska?”
They nodded.
“Great, because that’s exactly where we’re going.” Directing her attention to Antonio, Maya asked, “So tell me, teammate, did you ever think we’d be fighting side by side again?”
“It might’ve crossed my mind, but I didn’t think I’d be so damn happy to do so.”
Maya shot him a devilish grin. “I’d say the same, but as I just explained to the other wolf, I’m not one to lie.”
Chapter Sixty-Three
Sophia Brenning
Hearing Casper’s voice through the thick stone wall did come as a surprise to Sophia. A surprise that, if her state of mind wasn’t almost completely deteriorated, would’ve prompted her to ask endless questions about why and how he ended up there. But her mind did deteriorate, and because of that, she couldn’t find enough strength in her to do anything but keep her head pressed to her knees while she rocked her body back and forth. Doing anything more than that, including responding to Casper, required far too much effort.