Kate’s POVMy fingers were pulling up the encrypted line I used for black ops calls. I didn’t hesitate, not even for a second.I took a walk away from the pool, heading for a quiet spot to make the call.The Delta Rogues were not just a strike team. They were banished soldiers, sniper specialists, ex-pack best who were cast out or dissolved by their areas and pounded themselves into mercenary gun-for-hire.I punched the phone and held on. One ring. Two."Speak." A gruff voice answered. The tone immediately told me it was Captain Zack."It's Kate. I have an op that must be launched tomorrow morning. 08:00 hours, coordinates will be disclosed en route."There was silence. I could hear crackling in the distance, like he was already on some far-off path with his men. "Brief me."I paced back and forth, thinking about how to deceive him without appearing deceitful."We're going behind enemy lines. I need your best and then, guns, snipers. Anything new and illegal you've been waiting to tes
Lyra's POVI raised an arm to protect my face, slipping underwater for a second as one of the birds swooped so close I could feel its claws graze my shoulder.They were attacking.The witches knew I was here.I burst through the surface, gagging, hair clung to my face as I landed on the riverbank, searching for my clothing with shaking hands.One raven dove again, talons for my throat. I screamed and ducked, then grabbed a piece of nearby wood and swung it in a wild arc, hitting one of them in mid-air.It let out a resounding, furious screech and fell to the ground dead.Another dove. Then another.Where is Orion?I sprinted to a large tree for cover, pulling the shirt over my wet skin, feet slushing across wet grass. Shallow breaths, and chest rising and falling in a rush.The ravens did not back off. They flew overhead again, slower this time, but nearer. One landed on a branch above me, head tilted to one side at me. Red glowing eyes. I backed away, step by step, until at last th
Lyra's POVI woke up with a soft start as the morning light slipped through the seam. I reached beside me for Orion, the spot still faintly warm, but empty.Again.The last time we slept in a tent like this, after that night by the river, I woke up to an empty bed as well.I should be used to it by now, and yet still, there was something about waking up alone after a night such as this that always strained my chest. This time, however, I knew he must have been close by.I ripped the blanket away, stretched a little, and sat up. The cold wind touched my skin as I stepped out of the tent barefoot, the forest surrounding us all still under morning sleep. But no Orion."Orion?" I called softly. Nothing. The only sound was the creaking of trees.My eyes darted left and right, and I took another step forward. And then I heard a quick, intent shift behind me, and my heart skipped, and I turned around out of reflex.And halted.It wasn't Orion.It was her.The woman at Ben's funeral. The sam
Lyra's POVHis fingers didn’t move away. They curled around my thigh.And neither of us said anything.The silence was louder than anything either of us could have spoken.And then his thumb stroked the inside of my thighs, slow, almost somnolent, but it ignited a fire in my chest. I knew that touch. Knew what it meant. Knew where it could lead.And I didn't do anything to stop him.I wanted it and more.His fingers slipped free of my thighs, rode up, stroking along the length of my arm, brushing against my sh
Lyra's POVBy the time we reached the other side of the river, the moon had shifted to its peak.Orion dragged the boat onto the bank and helped me step out. The earth felt soft under my boots, damp with river mist.We sat there, just breathing. The air here beside the river was thicker, quieter, more conspiratorial, as though it contained secrets."It's almost 11," Orion said, looking up at the sky as though he could read the time on his palm more accurately than a watch. "We camp here tonight. Leave early at dawn."I furrowed my brow. "Camp where? We don't even have a tent to sleep. And don't you think it's not safe, especially after the no-element-
Kate's POVI watched as Ruth walked away with that shady-looking guy she came with. My jaw tightened. I hated everything about her. The way she walked like the world owed her something, the way her eyes judged everyone like we were beneath her.If Kevin had tried anything stupid, I was ready to blow his head off, and hers without thinking. I'd do it for Ravenna since she didn't have the heart for it.Kira sat back in her chair beside me, sighing softly. “You didn’t have to pour wine on him, Kate.”I raised a brow, not even hiding my irritation. “Yes, I did. He deserved it and even more. He was lucky he didn't get a silver bullet in his skull."“She’ll know we’re onto her now,” Kira said, glancing at Keto like she was hoping he’d back her up.“Good,” I said flatly. “Let her know we know. Let her lose sleep for once.”Kira shook her head, clearly not seeing it the way I did. “That’s how you push someone into doing something reckless. She’ll be cornered now. And what happens when a snak