“Should we talk about it before we get back?” Winona asked.
Reagan had been so lost in her thoughts, she almost forgot about her sister.
“Which part?” Reagan didn’t mean to sound flippant, but there was no end to what they could discuss. “We could start with the fact that Cheveyo knew.”
Winona hung her head. “I wish he would’ve told us. But I do believe he had his reasons for not doing so.”
“I know, or I think I do. I’m starting to wonder what to believe. I know none of us want to talk about this, but who do you think the traitor is?” Better to talk about it before opening up the discussion to the whole group, Reagan figured.
“Lucent was my first thought.”
Shaking her head, she knew his name would be tossed out a lot. “The thought crossed my mind, although I’ll never forget his face as he stood before the angel of mercy, but I keep getting hung up on the ‘For amongst those you hold dear’ part.”
“You’re right. I think my heart just wants it to be him so we don’t have to consider other options.”
“I’m with you there.”
“But another name came to mind…” Winona’s words trailed off.
“Who?” Reagan stopped and put her hands on Winona’s shoulders. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”
She nodded. “Jessica.”
Reagan dropped her hands and stepped back. Hearing the name felt like a stab to the gut, followed immediately by an image of her brother’s face. “I just can’t believe that. You and I both read her mind. I think we would’ve uncovered treacherous thoughts. I can’t imagine she could mask working with Rafe. Plus, she passed the stone test. She does love my brother. Our brother.”
Reagan racked her brain to remember every memory they’d pulled from Jessica. Could they have missed something? “No, it has to be someone else.”
“As much as it may pain us, we’ll have to consider everyone. Papa. Madeleine. Rowan. Ricardo. Heck, every single member of the pack. In essence, they’re all dear to us.”
With each name, Reagan felt herself wince. “The sooner we figure it out, the better. We can’t afford for this traitor to know any of our secrets or our plan, whatever that may be.”
Rafe always seemed to be one step ahead of them. A traitor made sense. But how could they move forward? It was more crucial than ever, knowing the battle could happen at any second and waiting until April no longer mattered, to attack Rafe as soon as possible.
“We have to talk to Papa in private. Maybe Rafe has someone doing a spell and has locked on to one of us. Maybe the traitor doesn’t even know they’re doing it.” Wishful thinking usually wasn’t her style, but she wanted a simple, and less heartbreaking, answer.
“Or, maybe it’s a member of the pack we haven’t noticed on a daily basis,” Winona said.
“Again, I go back to the ‘you hold dear’ factor. But it’s not like most of the advice we’ve been given hasn’t been cryptic. Hell, we’ve been spending the last few months dreading our birthday because we thought it was the day of the battle. So much for anything being straightforward.””
“I agree, Flame.” A half-smile crept unto Winona’s face as she said it.
Even with the weight of the world on their shoulders, Reagan appreciated the ability of humor to cut through despair. “Very true, Night.”
As the last syllable left her mouth, an irritated voice broke through. “Really, this is the time to joke?”
Madeleine. Reagan cringed. She’d worked so hard to earn Madeleine’s respect, only to be caught in a moment Reagan knew her friend wouldn’t understand. It wasn’t her way of dealing with things.
“No. It’s not. We were just easing the tension a bit,” Winona said.
Reagan let her shoulders relax, grateful for her sister’s response. “We’ve spent the last half hour considering that one of our friends has betrayed us. Betrays us more every single day. And now we know this battle could happen any minute. So, yes, a bit of humor seemed like a survival option.”
Kicking at the dirt while walking, Madeleine blew out a breath. “I’m sorry.”
It was all Reagan could do to not say anything. Madeleine and sorry went together like donuts and kale.
“A traitor makes sense in my head, but my heart is rejecting the idea.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself. Even when I try to go through the list of suspects—”
Madeleine interrupted. “Me included.”
“Yes.” Reagan couldn’t look anywhere but the ground when she said it. “Everyone’s included.” Her heart seized as a thought emerged.
“Are you okay?” Winona said, stopping her forward motion and putting a hand on Reagan’s arm.
“Oh, God. I just realized that five of the suspects are my family. Not that I want to consider Papa, Mom, Dad, Sam, or Aunt Sarah.” Saying their names out loud physically hurt, as if a sudden case of strep throat had hit her, making every movement of her mouth sear like a hot flame—the odds weren’t in her favor.
They walked another fifteen minutes, and the cabin came into view.
“I have an idea,” Madeleine said, motioning for Winona and Reagan to come closer. “Why couldn’t the two of you ask each person to sit with you? Look into their minds and see if it becomes obvious. I mean, after all, wouldn’t a traitor have been meeting with Rafe or some of his cronies to pass the information?”
“We could try that, but I have a feeling it wouldn’t be that simple. Think about it,” Reagan said, pacing and moving her hands to expel excess energy. “Whoever has been doing this isn’t a good guy, to put it mildly. I have no doubt they could mask their intentions even with us probing. Or, worse, there’s magic involved. Something the likes of which we haven’t seen.” She shuddered.
Before they could discuss the matter further, the van pulled up to the cabin and the others arrived. Papa led everyone inside and announced the need for a debriefing, as he put it.
“Today changed everything. Not only is the battle with Rafe imminent, but we have a traitor in our midst. We can’t go to war with Rafe while he has an insider. We’re a family. I’d put my life on the line for any member of this pack. However, I will not tolerate mutiny for those same reasons. This person is putting all of us—no, let me correct that, because this is bigger than our pack. This person is putting the world in danger.”
Reagan crossed his name off the suspect list, not that it had ever really been there. Everything in his body language—from the tightening fists, to the way he stomped around the room, and even his breathing—showed his anger. He had given up so much to fight Rafe. His family and his wife. Then again, who in the room hadn’t lost something?
“What do we do now?” Jessica asked, her hand squeezing Sam’s.
“We get to our new location. Everyone needs a lot of rest tonight. We’ll have a good breakfast in the morning and leave mid-day. If we travel through the night, we’ll be able to get there without stopping again. Sarah, Susie, and Steve will go by van, with me driving.
“Everyone else will be on foot and in groups of three. Nobody is to go off alone. If you’re separated from your group for even sixty seconds, I want to know about it. And if you notice anyone off to themselves, I want it reported. Understood?”
Around the room, each person took a turn either nodding or agreeing verbally.
“Nobody knows the location except for me and Rowan. And, of course, the pack members who are already there. Once we arrive, we’ll focus on specific training needs and plan our attack. I’ll disseminate details in a way that nobody has the full plan. I hate to operate this way, but I don’t see an option until the traitor is revealed.”
Nobody spoke or even moved except for Papa, who seemed to be assessing each face as he slowly swiveled his head—pivoting on his feet so as not to miss anyone—from one end of the room to the other.
“We’ll take shifts on patrol tonight. Again, in groups of three. Reagan, Rowan, and I will take the firs
t shift. Ricardo, Sash…” He paused, obviously realizing his mistake. He walked over to Ricardo and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’ve said your names together for so many years.”
“I know.” Two words were all he seemed capable of.
“Sam and Steve, you’ll join Ricardo.” Papa then instructed Madeleine to take the final shift with Jessica. “Rowan or I will join you.”
Everyone moved, heading to their assignments or sleep as Papa had indicated.
“Much of what we thought we knew changed today. So, watch your backs and stay on guard,” Papa said. “Don’t assume anything. The fate of the world is in our hands.”
Normally, patrol duty entailed taking a post in wolf form and walking a small area, being alert to any trouble. A team would form a five-mile radius around the watched area. But with everyone on high alert about a possible traitor, Reagan, Papa, and Rowan made rounds together, like three beasts circling their prey.
She replayed the day over and over in her mind, each face in the tree etched in her memory. Tired of considering a possible traitor, she focused on the other news. Eighteen years had started the day life began. Had Rafe known that all along? Was that why he attacked so early? Why he tried to influence her before she even knew about the prophecy, her angel blood… before she changed.
“I feel like someone’s turning the radio dial, and I’m only catching bits and pieces,” Rowan communicated.
She often forgot how little privacy she had in wolf form. “Sorry. I can’t stop thinking about today. Here we are walking around this cabin when Rafe could strike at any minute. He probably even knows where we are thanks to his person on the inside.”
“Why do you think we’re out here patrolling? I’m taking every precaution I can,” Papa said.
A rustling of leaves drew Reagan’s attention, and she took off toward the sound. Her nose picked up a familiar scent, like a strong musky cologne, as a figure came out from behind a tree. At that range, Reagan could normally detect a heartbeat. There was none. A vampire.
She slowed her movements, bent her head, and growled.
“It’s Nicolas. Don’t you remember me?” He stepped into the moonlight and out of the shadows. “Lucent sent me.”
Rowan and Papa were at her side, and she and Papa shifted.
“You discovered the attack on our base,” Reagan said.
“Yes. I’m here with a warning. Lucent is sensing quite a lot of vampires in the area, and they aren’t with us. They’re mobilizing, it seems.”
“Dammit!” He kicked the nearest tree trunk. “They keep finding us.”
“It’s not safe here. Lucent sent a few of us—”
Out of nowhere, a body slammed into Nicolas, sending him to the ground, but only for an instant before he kicked the body off.
“Ricardo, back off!” Papa yelled.
“What’s he doing here?” Ricardo asked as he brushed the snow from his pants.
“I could ask you the same question.” Papa’s stern, commando voice took over the small space between them.
“It’s time for a shift change. Wasn’t expecting to come out here and find you three talking to this vamp. Thought I’d bring some supplies.” He tossed a bag at Reagan.
She threw on some clothes behind a tree, readjusting the angel sword, which had become a permanent accessory. Thanks to some elastic cording, it stayed on her even through her transformations. Suddenly, Steve and Sam joined the ruckus.
“I only came to warn Jed.” Nicolas focused on Papa. “Lucent suggests you travel tomorrow during the day and make sure you’re safely secured by nighttime. We’ll keep our most loyal on watch as we try and figure out what’s going on.”
Papa extended his hand, and Nicolas shook it. “Tell Lucent we appreciate it.”
“Will do,” Nicolas said and, within a blink, disappeared.
“I’m not sleeping tonight. There’s too much at stake. Rowan, why don’t you and—”
A muffled scream interrupted Papa’s commands. Reagan knew immediately who it was. “Mom!” she yelled, racing toward the cabin.
Reaching the porch, she took two steps at a time to throw open the front door and dash to her mother’s room. Once there, Reagan found her mom sitting straight up in bed, the covers clenched in her hands.
“Oh my God, Mom, are you okay?” In two heartbeats, Reagan was by her mom’s side.
“Winona. Where’s Winona?” she asked, trying to get out of bed.
Reagan’s eyes scanned the room and landed on her dad first. Before she could ask him to find her sister, she appeared and joined Reagan by their mom’s bed.
“Oh, thank God,” Susie said, reaching for Winona.
“Is everything okay in here?” Papa asked.
Several people had entered the room, and Reagan waved them off. “We’ve got this.”
“Okay, let’s get back outside. Steve, you coming?”
Reagan’s dad seemed conflicted, hesitating at the doorway.
“Honey, go, it’s okay. The girls are with me.”
He nodded. “You sure?”
As her father took a step out into the hall, he motioned with a couple of quick jerks of his head.
“One second,” Reagan mouthed. He responded with a curt nod and hung out in the doorway. She turned back to her mom and sister. “I’ll be right back. I want to make sure they don’t need me on patrol anymore.” Both women nodded.
When she stepped into the hallway, he was pacing. “Has your mom mentioned her visions?”
Reagan shook her head. “Are they getting worse?”
“She tries to hide them even from me, but I can hear her talking in her sleep, feel her trembling. Some nights she’ll scream, and then try to play it off as nothing, as just a bad dream, but I’m worried.”
She placed a hand on her dad’s arm. “Winona and I will talk to her and see how we can help.”
“Okay, I appreciate that. How are you after… well, everything?” he asked, putting his hand over hers.
“I’m actually relieved that we can face Rafe and stop running, but this traitor thing…”
“I know. Trust me. When I find the son of a… well, let’s just say I won’t be the worst person he’ll have to face. Your grandfather is out for blood.”
“Why do you assume it’s a he?” Reagan asked, wondering if her father was privy to some new information.
“That’s what my gut is telling me. What’s yours telling you?”
“Not as much as I’d like.” She squeezed his arm and dropped her hand. “I better get back to Mom.”
They each turned on their heels, back toward their destinations. When Reagan returned to her mother’s room, she saw Winona sitting next to their mom, holding her as she wept. Reagan rushed to her mom’s side.
“What’s going on?”
“The vision is becoming clearer. It always starts like a movie with a broken projector. There’s sound but no image. But each night it becomes clearer.” Her body shook so hard, almost a convulsion, and Reagan wondered if her mom was sick.
“I was telling her it might be easier for us to look at the vision versus having her explain it,” Winona said.
Reagan nodded. “Okay, mom. Try to remember the dream. Do you think you can do that?”
“I couldn’t forget it if I tried. It’s burned into my memory,” she said, never making eye contact, her chin resting on her chest.
“Concentrate,” Winona said, as she and Reagan each took one of their mother’s hands and closed their eyes.
Slowly, the vision formed. Although darkness clouded everything at first, the moonlight reflected in the snow brightened the scenery. Human forms blurred in different directions, as if moving in fast-forward. Vampires. Taking in the entire scene, Reagan noticed Rowan and Madeleine standing off to one side—he cradled her in his arms—and then Reagan saw herself racing toward something. Focusing her vision in that direction, Reagan saw Winona. A human figure cloaked in the shadows of a large tree had his hands w
rapped around her neck; the size of his hands giving away his sex. Male. She had a hand on each of his arms, trying to break the hold.
As Reagan got closer, she noticed something strange. A tear rolled down Winona’s cheek just before the scene faded to black.
Reagan could hear the creak of the bed and feel the weight adjustment of a missing body before she even opened her eyes. Winona had moved to the end of the bed, her hands gripping the footboard.
“Mom’s visions are a warning, not a pure prediction,” Reagan said, trying to ease her own fears as much as her mom’s and Winona’s.
“Vampires. You sensed them, too, right?” Winona asked.
“Yes.” Reagan knew where the conversation was heading.
“Everything’s pointing to a vampire being involved. If it’s not Lucent, then it could be one of his men.”
“It just doesn’t make sense. He had nothing to do with us early on, at least not on any consistent basis. You were both there. Tell me you honestly think Lucent is the traitor after seeing him fall to his knees. Tell me.” Reagan’s voice had climbed two octaves during her small speech. Even she wasn’t sure why she felt such an intense need to defend Lucent. “As far as one of his men, I actually hope that’s the case. Then, Lucent can take care of it.”
“I’ve lost a child, and although I got him back, I don’t ever want to feel that kind of pain again. And my mom…” Mom’s voice broke and she sniffled. “All those lost years. I won’t lose anyone else. Not if I have anything to say about it.”
She got off the bed and walked over to her girls, pulling them into a hug. “We need to seek more guidance, prepare our magic to take down whatever blocks our path. Weapons and combat skills won’t be enough. Even the angel sword. We aren’t just going up against Rafe; we’ll be facing his army.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
Reagan jumped at the sound of Madeleine’s voice.
“We’re going to be greatly outnumbered, but none of that will matter if we can get to Rafe and kill him with the sword. Once their leader is gone, the demon wolves will disperse. Maybe even disappear. Hell consuming its defeated, if you will.
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