by Kamryn Hart
“No. I’ll take your word for it. You’ve never been wrong before. Just tell me what you need me and the rebels to do.”
“Just make sure you have enough guys to sneak us out of there if there’s trouble with the watchtowers and the river—which there shouldn’t be. I can handle it.”
“Always so much resting on Rodrick’s shoulders,” Jobe remarked. “Merik told me to relay a message. He says you’ve been doing good work. Those pieces of tech you’ve managed to steal and hand off to me have been a great asset in helping Freedom build into something more than a temporary camp. Eventually, we’ll be able to bring Wolf Bridge down. We’re working on developing new tech based on what you’ve brought us and what we know of the Heart, but it’s been a bit difficult with our meager resources. This Todd Bizimunt is a quite a genius. His tech outdoes the tech we’ve been able to analyze from Paws Peak.”
“You could say that. The guy definitely has a brain that works differently than anyone else’s,” I agreed.
“The vampires and their tech are a wildcard, though. They may have retreated as far as they can from the war since Phantom Fangs made its debut a couple months ago, but we think it’s for something big. No one knows what they’ve been up to underground. Whatever it is, it can’t be good. Everyone believes Phantom Fangs killed their last male. It explains their sudden withdrawal, but they could also be planning for something big like when they took down Howling Sky.”
“The vampires have nothing on Todd. One thing at a time,” I said. “We’ll cripple the werewolves first. Besides, we did kill their last male. You weren’t there. I was. Todd used his underground radar shit to scope out the area all around Crimson Caves on our first mission. That was how we found him. They kept him isolated outside of their caves in a metal prison underneath earth they dug up themselves. I always knew the bloodsuckers were crazy and that they kept their males separate, but hell. Not like that. Not even inside of their own caves.” I shook my head because I didn’t want to remember the rest. “Doesn’t matter. Made things easier for us since infiltrating Crimson Caves is going to be way more difficult, but we’ll have to do it eventually to eradicate any pregnant females. The vampires will be done after that whether we slaughter them all quickly or let them die out slowly.”
“Indeed. The war is coming to an end. If we have the Lost Princess, we’ll be able to make that happen sooner. The werewolves will try to bargain with us. She’s too valuable not to. And since no one knows where Freedom is, since we’ve been so spectacularly ignored, it’ll be even better. We’ll rise up from the ashes and show them humans aren’t to be trifled with.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “Let’s bring back real freedom and human dignity, starting tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow night then.”
I followed Jobe to his motorbike. It was much smaller and much quieter than a roader, perfect for a runner. When he took off, I lost sight of him pretty quickly in the dark. The hum of the engine lingered in my ears a little longer.
A frown crept onto my face. It felt like there was a heavy rock glued to my chest. I was second-guessing myself, unsure of if I did the right thing or not. I never second-guessed myself. I knew I was doing the right thing. I was tethered, but I was a human first. My allegiance was to humans, rebels. They were white, everything else was black. I knew that. I never doubted that.
But Caspian could have killed me when I was captured outside of Wolf Bridge on a mission to steal tech, a rebel, an enemy of Wolf Bridge. They all knew what I was. I was an “agitator” to them, and I was marching on my way to death for that. I was fine with that, but I knew I’d be better use alive than dead. When I overheard Caspian was putting together a squad, I volunteered. It was a joke. I never thought he would actually take me up on it. I didn’t know why he did or why he never bothered to keep a sharp eye on me. I understood Aerre’s frustration there.
Did Caspian think me being tethered to him meant I couldn’t be a problem? Or did he really believe in change? I knew Caspian wanted more, but I also knew he was playing safe. He would never make a real change. It would be too big. He was wrong. I told myself over and over that he chose black, so why was I thinking about this now? I already knew the answer. Caspian, Aerre, and Todd were my enemies, but they also had my back when we were on missions. Like a real squad. I was meant to be a warrior, not a spy.
Perhaps the princess really did have witchy powers. My resolve came unhinged with her arrival, and that was unprecedented. Beautiful monster. Spitfire. Little fighter. She was only eighteen and so commanding. I was a punk at eighteen and probably not much better now at thirty.
I shut my thoughts down and returned to Wolf Bridge the same way I had escaped. I just emerged from climbing back up the water-slick ravine when I noticed movement in the shadows. Shit. I scrambled my way toward some shadows as well, hoping I hadn’t been seen, but I had. And it was fucking Aerre who had seen me.
“What the hell are you doing out here?” Aerre asked, glowering at me. “Sneaking in and out of Wolf Bridge and simultaneously trying to get yourself killed by the river. You are an adrenaline junkie, or you have a death wish.”
“I get antsy when I’m cooped up,” I said with a shrug. “Needed some fresh air.”
“Don’t lie, agitator scum. I know exactly what you were doing.”
Fucking Aerre. He wanted to protect his family, but he was going about it the wrong way. He chose black. That little tear up I was having earlier got cured quickly. It was obviously complete bullshit, and I did do the right thing with Jobe.
“Where’s your proof?” I asked. “As far as you know, I was just out for a midnight run, which is, in fact, what I was doing.”
“Rodrick,” Aerre pleaded—yes, pleaded—“why can’t you understand? You’re going to get my family killed.”
“And your family is all that matters.”
Aerre fell silent. He put his commsbud in his ear, pulled up his wrist, and tapped the touchscreen on his inteliband. I rolled my eyes when he brought up Caspian’s name and pressed call.
“I caught Rodrick sneaking out,” Aerre said. “The south towers and the fucking Quicksilver River. Guy’s a maniac, Caspian.”
I dug into my core, accessing that cold pool of moonlight that rested there until I activated it, transforming it into fire. I concentrated the moonlight in my ears and kept the blue glow to a minimum. Aerre didn’t need to know I was listening in.
“Fine.” I heard Caspian’s slightly distorted sigh. “Bring Rodrick back to the lair. We’ll talk.”
Hah. That was just like Caspian. Maybe he didn’t believe Aerre since he had been trying to get me to fall ever since Caspian put me on this team.
Aerre growled. “You aren’t taking this seriously. What possible reason would Rodrick have to sneak out like that other than to contact agitators? He’s going to ruin everything.”
“I’m not going to let anything happen to your mother and sister, Aerre,” Caspian said.
“I’ll bring Rodrick to the lair.” Aerre ripped out his commsbud and closed down the call from his inteliband as he screamed, “Fuck!”
“You’re going to wake people up,” I said, releasing my activated moonlight and allowing what I had left to drip back into my core.
“Are you coming or do I have to force you?”
“I’d like to see you try that.” I laughed. “But I’m coming without a fight.”
“Perfect,” Aerre muttered.
I didn’t like Aerre, and I didn’t hate him. I knew what was right and wrong.
But Phantom Fangs was a loose thread dangling from my resolve. The Lost Princess kept tugging at it, threatening to unravel it all.
CHAPTER 18
SORISSA
PHILIP DIDN’T MAKE ME stay in the throne room for long. Maybe he could sense I was distracted, or maybe he saw that I had no interest in the sons he was showing off. I spoke to each of them, but I couldn’t remember the conversations. I didn’t ask any of them to show me around. My mind
had been preoccupied with Phantom Fangs. It still was. I wanted them to show me around.
My freedom in Wolf Bridge far outdid Paws Peak. I was allowed to wander the castle, and I did before getting lost. I was trying to find my way back to the Heart to see if I could find Todd there, but I got tired and hungry. I ended up asking a guard to take me back to my room. He also provided me with a prime cut of smoked venison for dinner which I was allowed to eat by myself in my room. In hindsight, I could have just asked the guard to take me to the Heart. He probably would have. So far, Wolf Bridge wasn’t terrible. I kind of liked it, but I wanted to see Phantom Fangs again. Nobody would tell me where they were. That was something I asked the guard. I just kept getting told they were indisposed.
After getting dressed in a lightweight gown that was actually comfortable, and seemed to be designed for sleeping, I stared at my mother’s journal, resting on the headboard of my rounded bed. I sat on the fluffy mattress, and it tried to swallow me up. All I could think about was falling through a puffy cloud in the sky. I didn’t know if I’d be able to sleep on it. Then there was the sheer fabric cascading from the ceiling. I didn’t know what the point was when it was too sheer to even hide me from view.
I took my mother’s journal and leafed through the pages. I was curious, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to read any more of it. The werea on these pages was a stranger to me. She was my mother, but I felt no connection to her. This was all Babaga left me. She was telling me I didn’t belong with her, that I belonged to this stranger—or at least to her legacy.
I navigated to the page where my mother’s second journal entry started.
The 2nd Month of Winter, Day 60. 2525
It’s every mother’s dream to give their cubs the world. I’m glad I’ll get to give you the world, Sorissa. I think about you so small inside of my belly and how you grow bigger every day. Your father rests his head on my stomach at night because he wants to feel as close to you as I am. He loves you, and he’ll get to hold you soon enough, but no one can take a mother’s place or the connection I have to you inside of me. Right now, you are all mine.
King George ve Paz of Paws Peak has chosen your mate, his son, Prince Charles. You are betrothed as of today. He is a fine young cub, one I’m sure will grow into a strong werewolf deserving of you.
One day, when you are sealed to your mate, you will know what I mean when I say this time with you inside of me is precious. This private time with your cubs, your children, is the most beautiful thing. I will raise you to be the best of nurturers, the most elegant and poised of all wereas. Such a presence will need to be upheld as the Moonlight Child blessed by Lureine and mother-to-be of an all-new generation. All who see you will revere you.
I know I’ve put a lot of emphasis on your future, your legacy, but I can’t help it. Thinking about all you will do makes me giddy, Sorissa.
For now, know that I can’t wait to show you the world. This private time with you and I is glorious and quiet. No words need to be spoken. But I look forward to the day you open your eyes, and I too can hold you in my arms. When I can speak to you and have you speak in return.
You are loved, Sorissa. So loved.
I closed the journal. My mother’s words tied my stomach into knots. She was referring to me as a breeder again, and then she proceeded to tell me how loved I am? I didn’t understand. Worse, she said Charles was meant to be my mate. Babaga read this journal, then? That was why she gave me to Paws Peak? But what happened to my mother? What happened to Howling Sky? Both were dead according to what George said to me in Paws Peak, but how? Why? The Prime War?
War. And more war. That was all this world was. It was in my mother’s journal. It was all around me.
Kingdoms and their citizens died, and only their memory remained. If even that.
Whenever I would ask Babaga about the world outside of the woods, she would deflect my questions. She would tell me to read the books she brought me. Werewolves, vampires, humans. Babaga never said much about the three species. She seemed to think their fairytales were all the education I needed. She told me once that their hearts were inside these old fairytales and that hearts told a different story than cold, hard facts. Maybe she was right. If I had grown up on these war stories instead, the actual history of this world, I would have had a different outlook on all three. But the history was the truth. The fairytales were a dream. I wished Babaga had told me the truth.
What did it matter what was inside a heart if it was never allowed to manifest anyway? That seemed to be something left to individuals, not entire kingdoms. Individuals were hearts. Kingdoms were a collective of cold, hard facts. That also made things more complicated. Was it okay to like Phantom Fangs when I didn’t necessarily like Wolf Bridge?
I placed my mother’s journal back on the headboard. It was late, and I had been up all day, so it seemed like a good time to try and get some sleep. I was exhausted. I crawled under the covers of the fluffy, puffy bed and closed my eyes. Sleep refused to find me.
I tossed and turned because I was tired, and I really did want to sleep, but my mind wouldn’t rest—and the bed was too soft.
Phantom Fangs.
I wondered if Trace would have told me their location if I had asked. By the time I got back to my room after Philip showed off his sons, she was gone. I hoped that meant she got some time to herself. Maybe some time with Koren.
But I didn’t want to be alone anymore. It was suffocating. The world was bigger than ever, with more people than ever, but I felt alone in this room. Isolated.
What if I searched for Phantom Fangs myself?
Before I could think it through, I hopped out of bed and went to that humongous closet in search of some shoes. I found a pair that felt kind of like slippers, but they had good, sturdy soles. They looked funny with the nightdress I was wearing, but I didn’t care about that. I only needed them to be functional.
I crept to my door, though I didn’t know why. No one here had told me I couldn’t do anything yet. The memory of Paws Peak wasn’t even a day old, though. Caution was in order.
I opened the door a crack and peeked outside. The coast was clear aside from a guard disappearing down a hall after making one of his rounds. This was my chance to sneak out. I took my first step forward and felt my heart pound against my rib cage with each following step.
CHAPTER 19
AERRE
“THAT’S IT?” I DEMANDED. “You’re just grounding him to his bedroom?”
“You don’t have any proof, Aerre. Not about him being in contact with agitators,” Caspian replied.
“So you won’t do anything until I get you proof. The implications of him sneaking out aren’t enough for you.”
“Aerre, I just think you’ve been obsessing over this too much.”
“How? He was going to be put to death for being an agitator, for trying to steal our tech. Then you decided to put him on this squad and your father backed you up. We have the fucking tech guy in our squad, too!”
“He’s tethered to me just like you are. That’s why the king allowed it.”
“So keep him on a tighter leash.” I couldn’t stop my teeth from grinding together or halt the growling rumble in my throat. “You’re too trusting, Caspian. Or maybe you’re just way too forgiving. Maybe that’s why you allowed Zecke to walk after what he did to my sister. Maybe you’re just afraid of real conflict because you bend over backward just to keep things ‘peaceful.’”
“Am I excused?” Rodrick interrupted.
“No,” Caspian said firmly, which surprised me. “Don’t leave Wolf Bridge again. Whatever you both think, I’m not an idiot. I’ve included you, Rodrick, and treated you like the other members of this team. I know you didn’t volunteer for Phantom Fangs and follow through because you were scared to die. You have your own reasons, and I won’t throw around accusations—but Aerre likely isn’t far off. I let you join this team because I’ve been hoping you’d see things from our point of view.” He paused. “
My point of view. There’s a reason I have two tethered in this squad instead of limiting it to pure werewolves. There’s a reason I chose a former agitator.”
He sighed and pressed his hand to his forehead. “I want something more than this, this world, and I thought you did too. Don’t sabotage us. Don’t break us. I’m begging you as a friend and a teammate. What have these past couple months together meant to you? I had your back. I still do. Do you have mine?”
Caspian hadn’t changed at all from when he was a kid. This was proof. He was trying to win Rodrick over the same way he had won me over when we were kids. I would have laughed if I hadn’t thought it was so fucking pathetic. And confusing. Because it worked on me, hadn’t it? Even though he was a werewolf, I was supporting Caspian right now because I trusted him with my damn life, my sister’s and mother’s too. He was far from perfect, but I knew his heart. Apparently, that was enough.
Rodrick was standing with his arms folded. He was looking Caspian straight in the eye, defiant as always, a lost cause.
“I won’t leave again,” Rodrick announced. His voice was solid, and I couldn’t detect the lie, but I knew it was there. I knew he was lying.
Caspian shook his head. “I’m going to the castle. The king wants to see me. Behave yourselves.”
“I’m always behaved,” I replied.
Rodrick snorted.
“This really is your last chance, Rodrick,” Caspian reminded. “So make your choice. I’ll be back within an hour.”
“Is it really a good idea to leave him here by himself?” I asked.
“Your choice, Aerre. You can go to your old home in the Tech Off Zone to watch over your mother and sister like you usually do, or you can babysit Rodrick. Either way, if he’s not here when I get back… Well, I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“What about Todd?”
“He’s busy.”
“Fine,” I said reluctantly.
Caspian left the lair without another word. I got the feeling he couldn’t get away from us soon enough. That left me alone with my favorite tethered.
