LOGINVictoria’s POVI ran down the path to the car. The driver looked at me, confused.Phone, I said, out of breath.He handed me the satellite phone.Dad, dad... I started to cry. Makarius got Cadmus...Victoria, listen to me. Come home, and we’ll make a plan.I can’t. He said he’ll kill him if I use the animals or get any help. I wanted to argue, my fingers tightening on the phone, but I remembered the rules. My gift lets me talk to animals and call them for help, but every time I use it, I risk exposing myself. Makarius is always watching for signs of magic. If he thinks I’m using my powers, he’ll hurt anyone I care about. Using my abilities now would only put Cadmus in more danger. Makarius isn’t afraid to punish people close to me if he senses a threat. That’s why I can’t risk it.What does he want?Abrax. Just him. He wants to use him.Okay, I will bring him.No! I shouted. Don’t, Dad. He’s just trying to use him. But please, come, I need you.I heard a commotion. Dad, I have to go.
Victoria’s POVCadmus, you’re spoiling us, I said, laughing. Then I let myself fall backward into the snow.Where did she go? Cadmus asked Thalia. Thalia’s small hands moved and she gasped.I’m here, I said, jumping up and startling her. She giggled.Cadmus put Thalia on the sleigh, and I sat behind Abrax.Last one is a bugger, Abrax said.Oh yeah, Cadmus replied. We raced to the bottom, all of us screaming.Cadmus and Thalia won.He did a silly dance with her. I watched, realizing how much Cadmus had changed. He used to be guarded and serious, always focused on duty.Now, I saw a gentler side, a willingness to be playful and open, especially with Thalia. My heart swelled as I watched him. Seeing this side of him made me love him even more, and I knew we were building something new together. Our eyes met, and I blew him a kiss.Balthazar walked over to us. "Kiddos, let’s go. I have a surprise for you. Well, mostly for you, Abrax." He took the kids, and Cadmus lifted me over his should
Victoria’s POVI watched him talk on the satellite phone. His deep voice was the only sound in the quiet room. The phone's blue light cast shadows that danced on the stone walls, and the air felt tense.His long hair fell over his face, hiding the look in his eyes. He was bare-chested, looking wild and tense, every muscle tight. I felt a cool draft on my skin, mixed with the smell of rain from the open window. My heart pounded as I wondered what he was feeling.Then I turned to see so many packages. I questioned him with my eyes. He smiled.My heart skipped another beat. I wanted to kiss him.I turned to open a box, and he came behind me, kissing my neck.I let the towel fall to my feet as his hand touched me gently."Just do what I asked, you’re on the right track." He hung up and set the phone down.Why are you tempting me? he whispered.He picked me up and threw me on the bed. So you wanted to kiss me...Later, I walked downstairs, and the nanny walked in with the kids."Mama," Abr
Victoria’s POVWhat if I were? I said defiantHis amber eyes locked on mine, and I could feel his strength as he moved toward me with a predator’s grace.I backed up until my back hit the wall."Victoria," he said softly. "Say that again."Do I have to tell you everything?"Am I talking to myself this whole time?" He slammed his hand against the wall, and little flakes of paint fell.I need to find the witch. Yes, I’m going on a trip. I must get answers. If Gerda can help me prove Makarius's betrayal once and for all, I need to hear it from her."Do you understand how this works?" He gestured between us."What do you mean?" I asked, confused."Go on, go," he said as he sat down on the couch, picked up his wine glass, and took a sip."I can’t be apart from you." "We will both suffer." I sat next to him. "Cadmus, please take me to find Gerda."You still think he’s innocent? Or do you want to hear from someone else?I’m pretty sure I felt you were telling me the truth."Then why look fo
Victoria’s POVCadmus didn’t pay attention to the drive at all. Instead, he turned to Thalia and gently touched her small hand.She giggled and blew raspberries.The car stopped. I looked at him, confused.It’s time to walk now. I’ll carry her, don’t worry. Abrax, can you walk?Of course, I’m not a baby, uncle. Then he turned to me. Do I call him uncle?You can call me uncle, Cadmus said. I’m not here to take your dad’s place. Now, follow me.As we walked through the forest, the trees grew thicker. We were deep in the mountains.He turned to look at me and handed me the water.How did he know I wanted water? It felt like he could read me, peeling back the layers I kept hidden, and yet I barely understood myself right now. This whole thing was too much, too fast. My heart was pounding, caught between panic and a strange excitement I couldn’t name. I wasn’t used to someone being so firm with me when following orders.And still, every time his eyes caught mine, I felt my thoughts muddle,
Victoria’s POVI heard his muffled voice telling me, "Victoria, open your eyes."Cadmus...He hugged me, and when I opened my eyes, his amber eyes were shining.He carried me into the shower. I watched blood swirl down the drain as Cadmus gently washed me while I sobbed.Cadmus knelt beside me and tucked a damp strand of hair away from my cheek. "Victoria, I know this has been too much for you. He attacked you tonight. You saw him die. That is a lot for anyone to handle in just one day."His voice softened, gentler than before. "I tried to prepare you, but maybe I did not make myself clear enough. I want you to understand you are safe now. Please, don’t cry anymore."He wrapped me in a bathrobe and helped me into bed."Who...was that?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear.A rogue, bold enough to challenge me. He wanted to prove his strength, but someone must have sent him. Do you want me to tell you who did it?I shook my head. Deep down, I already knew. Makarius. Why does he want m
Nearly a week went by, and Makarius stayed back, only checking in here and there. It felt like I was getting a cold shoulder, and the whole situation just made me more tangled up in my own head. Then he walked into my room.“What do you want?” I snapped, not bothering to hide the edge in my voice.
The scent of flowers hit me first, then something off, chemical, maybe. Funeral vibes, I thought.My eyelids felt like bricks. When I finally pried them open, I was in a cramped room. Makarius was beside me in bed, and Pirate was slumped in a chair, head lolling like a broken doll.I shifted my arm
He kissed me, and I kissed him back, my mouth still half-full.Silence.“Say, something, Pirate. I need…”“Stay away from him,” he blurted out.“Why?”“I mean, he’s hot, not going to lie…”“Focus, Pirate. Yeah, I got that part. And, you know, planning on having some fun,” I added with a wink.“He l
" Do you have a death wish?" he whispered.I tried to lift my head. "Why do you care?" His hand pressed me back down, gentle but firm."I want in," he said. "On your escape plan.""I don't trust someone who won't even share his name.""Makarius."A wild laugh escaped me. "No... how?" I squeezed my







