Se connecterGavin POVThe storm cover worked exactly as we intended. All teams reached the facility and checked in, ready for the next step. The north and south sides were the only ones with doors, so the teams on the east and west were going to stay outside as backup. They'd also catch anyone trying to escape once we entered. Within minutes, the building had been fully breached. My team—Declan, Ross, and Dimitri—moved with me through corridors that smelled of antiseptic and fear. We cleared multiple empty lab spaces, and as we moved through each one, my anger grew. These people weren't scientists. They were sadists on power trips. It was evident in the collection of tools that would have looked at home in the interrogation chambers of the palace. The place where only the worst offenders are questioned. And they were using them on their prisoners? It was beyond barbaric.We reached a large lab space that had an office attached. The four of us spread out, making sure there was no one hiding beh
Elara POV
Gavin POVThe lab rose out of the surrounding forest like a giant steel and chrome beast. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t something so…obvious. The structure in front of us looked like it didn’t belong, like it had been dropped down into the middle of the trees and hills from another world. After spending some time among the humans, I’d gotten used to their need to build large, imposing structures. The city was full of highrises with mirrored windows and people layered on top of each other. It was one of the many ways humans and shifters were fundamentally different. We preferred to be close to nature—not to wipe it out. “How has no one ever noticed this before?” Ross breathed, echoing my thoughts. Dimitri, who had been silent most of the drive, answered. “Because no one was looking.”He was right. The area was remote enough that you wouldn’t just pass by it. Anyone who came here was coming here for a purpose. And today, that purpose was rescue. The vehicles pul
Gavin POVI wasn't going to see Elara again before we launched the rescue.We decided moving quickly was critical, even though we had limited information. Waiting another night for the chance to reach her in the dream realm might have answered more questions, but it also risked costing lives.Once we realized the teams needed to be small, tactical groups, the operation came together quickly. We relied on our close personal guard in addition to ranked members. None of us wanted to risk leaking the plans and tipping off the hunters. After Declan had pointed out how well placed they were, no one could argue the conclusion that someone had given them the knowledge. We needed to find out if we had an active leak or if it was gained through years of kidnappings, but that had to wait until we shut this location down. As a result, my parents, uncle, and grandparents were coming with us. Part of me hated that they insisted on it. I wanted them safely behind the palace walls. The other part kn
Elara POVThe diffuser buzzed again. I covered my face and waited it out. After it stopped and the particles settled, I pulled my shirt away from my nose and went back to pacing. I'd been in my cell for at least twelve hours, if what the guards said about the timer on the mister was true. There had been no sign of the doctors in the hours that had passed since I woke up.Covering my face kept the mist from wrecking me completely, but still left my limbs feeling heavy. My mind was clear, though, and that was my best weapon right now. Being able to think was critical to escaping. My senses had returned after I'd blocked the poison in the air for the third time, and I didn't have to strain so hard to hear the guards now. They'd done their rounds, but chatter had been minimal. From what I could tell, everyone was worried about what had happened the last time I was in the lab. I wasn't entirely sure myself, if I was being honest. But maybe their fear could be used against them. They hadn
Gavin POVElaine arranged the candles in a circle around the map and anchored the four points with chunks of tourmaline. When she had the table set, she stepped back and gestured me forward, withdrawing a small knife as she did so. “I’ll make a small incision, just enough for a few drops. I need you to let them fall on the map,” she said. Her hand was warm, her grip firm but still gentle as she drew her knife across the flesh just below my thumb. The blade broke through my skin with a quick sting. I squeezed, letting the red blood fall onto the map as she’d directed. “That’s enough,” she said. Atka closed the wound quickly, leaving no trace of it behind. Elaine stepped forward, chanting over the makeshift altar. The flames spiked high as she said, “Hecate, Selene, I call unto thee. Help us trace this destiny. Show us where his essence resides, where a part of his soul now survives. Lead us to what we seek. As I will, so mote it be.”Air moved through the room, ruffling my hair as t







