ログインThe jeep door had barely slammed shut when a heavy, brutal engine roar exploded from behind.
Darcy turned in the snow below the Main Peak suite building. A heavy armored patrol SUV with military plates came tearing around and braked hard by the steps, wheels churning up a wave of half-melted black slush. The roof searchlight was still blazing.
The jeep door had barely slammed shut when a heavy, brutal engine roar exploded from behind.Darcy turned in the snow below the Main Peak suite building. A heavy armored patrol SUV with military plates came tearing around and braked hard by the steps, wheels churning up a wave of half-melted black slush. The roof searchlight was still blazing.The door was kicked open. Asher strode out.His leather military coat still carried the biting wind from the southern checkpoint. His collar was open, exposing his hard throat, his chest heaving. One look at Darcy standing there in one piece, and the tight, pale line of his jaw finally loosened a fraction. He climbed the steps, heavy boots thudding dully on the floor.
Old Lynch cut away the heavy plaster brace on Darcy's shoulder with a pair of scissors and fitted her with a light, breathable black elastic support instead. Asher stood at the clinic door, fully geared up.His patrol saber hung at his waist, leather gloves gripped in his hand. He crossed the room in long strides and caught Darcy's right forearm the moment the brace was on, his fingers tracing along the healed bones inch by inch, his palm frighteningly hot."Bone's solid? Does lifting still hurt?""Doesn't hurt. Just can't carry anything heavy." Darcy raised her forearm and rotated her wrist, easy and natural.Asher stared at her shoulder for a full half minute before the tight line of hi
Asher sat on the carpet, his long legs boxing Darcy into the corner of the sofa. He held a deep white porcelain bowl and fed her spoonful after spoonful of thick, creamy wild mushroom and chicken soup, blowing each one cool first."Slow down. Old Lynch simmered it with crushed rosemary and tender chicken breast. Good for your strength." Asher held the spoon to her lips, chin tucked, focused entirely on feeding her one bite at a time.Darcy swallowed the warm soup, her left hand resting naturally on the back of his lean, strong neck. His skin was hot beneath her palm, his short hair prickling against it. She could feel each breath he took.When the last spoonful was gone, Asher set the big bowl down on the solid wood coffee table with a dull clink.
"Thirty sleds?"Asher grabbed the messenger by his sweat-soaked collar, veins rising on the back of his hand, but he didn't draw the black steel saber at his waist. He looked down at the messenger's pale face, speaking fast. "Casualties at the checkpoint? What time did they break through? Which way were they headed when last spotted?""Alpha! Four brothers wounded, no deaths!" The messenger swallowed, words spilling out. "Half an hour ago. They rammed straight through the northern Third Gate. All light tracked sleds, following the old frozen riverbed north toward the wastes!"The civilians queuing for supplies in front of the depot heard the commotion. The line stirred."Mona, keep distri
Dawn hadn't even broken when the top-floor suite door was nearly pounded off its hinges."Asher! All three West District depots are blocked! Hall's loyalists stirred up over two hundred low-ranking wolves to raid the cold-weather grease. Two patrol squads have drawn blades and can't hold them back!"Mona's hoarse voice poured through the thick oak door, mixed with the biting wind outside.On the big bed, the covers were still warm.Darcy was jolted awake. She'd barely cracked her eyes open when a strong arm slid across her waist from behind, pulling her flush against a broad, warm chest.Asher didn't even open his eyes. His nose rubbed deep into the smooth curve of Darcy's nape, his hot jaw pressed against the back of her neck."Anyone hurt? Where's Gideon?" Asher's voice was rough, but it carried no sleep. He was already reaching for the bedside comm unit."Two guards took hits, nothing serious. Gideon's holding the line," Mona answe
The pickup pulled up in front of the Main Peak building.The moment the truck stopped, someone walked out the main entrance.Rowan came down the steps quickly with Darcy's thick coat over his arm and opened the door for her. He didn't give Silas in the truck a second glance. He draped the coat over Darcy's shoulders and pulled the front closed.Silas leaned on the steering wheel, tilted his head, and raised an eyebrow at Rowan. He chewed on a toothpick and said nothing.Rowan helped Darcy out and looked down at her arm. "It's cold. Let's go upstairs. The West District paperwork came in."Darcy waved at Silas in the truck. "Drive slow."Silas hit the gas. The big pickup swung around, kicking up snow, and drove off.Darcy rode the elevator to the executive offices with Rowan.Inside, she took off her coat and dropped into the big leather chair. Rowan poured a cup of steaming hot water and set a thick stack of documents in front of her."All three of Hall's private storehouses are sealed







