“Let’s get you back into bed,” a familiar deep voice said, and then she was in his arms, scooped up as if she weighed nothing. He settled her down on the bed and pulled a blanket over her.

  Katy sank back against the pillow, taking in her surroundings with bewildered eyes. She was in an unfamiliar bedroom, plush and elegant yet rugged.

  A warm hand rested on her shoulder. She looked up into piercing, green eyes filled with concern.

  “Gage,” she rasped as the memories came rushing back. The voodoo spell, the cage room, Otto’s frantic face. “Otto.” Her voice was tight with emotion as she thought of her little sidekick.

  Gage’s jaw tightened. “You’re safe now. I’ve got you. Otto is safe.” Gage’s large frame seemed to vibrate with barely leashed violence.

  Katy’s chest tightened as a realization hit her. “The spell… Am I still tied to those women?”

  “The connections are still there,” Gage said grimly as he climbed into the bed behind her. “But our bond fights their hold. You’ll recover in time.”

  She could tell there was something he wasn’t telling her. But even still, Katy couldn’t stop from sagging back against him, weak with relief. She was free, sort of, from the Snake King, thanks to her unexpected protector.

  His body was warm against hers, and Katy found that even though she wanted to ask a million questions, and she wanted to see Lola and Maddie, and her dad, she also was exhausted.

  “Where are we?”

  “My home.” He paused and his body grew tense. “Our home.”

  Katy didn’t know what to say to that.

  “Sleep, Mate,” Gage rumbled. “Everything else can wait a little longer.”

  “Are you always going to be bossy?” Katy said just before an enormous yawn nearly split her jaw open.

  Gage wrapped an arm around her and tucked her in tightly to his side, her head pressed against his bare chest. His scent, cloves and pine, wrapped around her, and Katy didn’t have a fighting chance.

  “When it comes to you, and your safety and health, damn straight.”

  She’d argue with him later, when she wasn’t exhausted. Her eyelids felt so heavy that she gave up trying to keep them open, even if she wanted to take time to admire the very fine-feeling chest that currently acted as her pillow. Something was dragging her into the depths of sleep, and she couldn’t fight it.

  “Little Wolf.” A smooth, deep, soothing voice called to her. Katy’s chest hurt, and her heart felt as if it was attempting to beat while being squeezed at the same time. She gasped and clawed at her shirt.

  “Be still. Be calm,” the voice said.

  Katy dropped her hand and realized she was sitting on the bed where she’d fallen asleep, but something was different.

  “You’re dreaming,” the voice offered.

  “Who are you?” Katy looked around, searching for the owner of the voice.

  “I am Visata, Creator of the one destined to be yours.”

  Katy felt the urge to bow, or kneel, but then a hand touched her head, like a parent’s caress.

  “You are fine as you are. You cannot look upon me and live. My glory would be too great for you. There is something you need to decide.”

  “The women. I can feel them. I can feel their pain.” Katy took a shuddering breath.

  “What is happening to them is not natural,” Visata explained. “They were not chosen for this path, and yet it is being forced upon them. A choice must be made. Although they were not meant to be animi, they are becoming so. You must end this. And it must end one of two ways, Katy Dire. You can keep your life and sever the bond between the females. If you do this, they will die. Their life force is too entwined with yours. Or you could sacrifice your life so that they might live. They will go on to become animi and find mates if they so choose. And you will come home to me.”

  Katy felt as if all the air had been sucked from the room. Her lungs burned as she considered those options. They sucked. Like really sucked. Her mind reeled as she struggled to process Visata’s words. Sacrifice herself so the captive women could live? The thought turned her blood to ice. Yet, how could she condemn them to death instead? Either way meant unspeakable loss.

  “There must be another way,” she pleaded desperately. “Can’t the bonds be broken without someone dying?”

  A gentle pressure, like the brush of a feather, touched her hair and settled on her shoulder. “You have a compassionate heart, Dear One. But the magic used was too dark, too twisted. It will require a great sacrifice to break.”

  Katy’s stomach churned with despair. How could she make such an impossible choice? These women were innocent pawns. But was she ready to leave this world behind forever? Leave Gage? Katy’s throat tightened, tears blurring her vision. “It’s not fair,” she choked out. “Those girls didn’t deserve any of this.”

  “No, they did not,” Visata agreed, sorrow weighing each word. “Yet evil knows no bounds in its cruelty. Take heart though, Beloved. No matter the path you choose, goodness will prevail in the end. Although the path is obscured, have faith. Where there is selfless love, there is always hope.”

  Katy’s shoulders slumped under the terrible burden. How could she decide who lived and died? Doubt plagued her. “Even if I sacrifice myself, the women may reject the animus magic. I can’t force this fate upon them.”

  “Wise words. They will have a choice. But you must give them the chance to choose.”

  Even as despair threatened to drown her, she knew in her soul which path was right. She looked up with tear-filled, but steady, eyes. “Take me, then. Let them find the future meant for them.”

  Warm approval wrapped around her like a tender embrace. “You have chosen well, my daughter. Lay down your mortal life and earn eternal peace.”

  Katy’s breath hitched on a sob. To never see her loved ones again… She mourned all she would leave behind. But her spirit calmed, knowing she went to a greater purpose. As darkness crept in, she whispered, “Please care for them when I’m gone. Help Gage understand. Let him find happiness once more, even without me.”

  “Your wolf will be difficult to console.” Sadness tinged Visata’s ageless voice. “But his fate yet holds purpose. Rest now, Faithful One. All will be made right in time.”

  However this played out, Katy could cling to one truth—Azure’s depravity would not win. Life would find a way. Still, the thought of sacrificing herself filled Katy with bone-deep dread. She had only just found Gage, her mate. If their love had a chance of being even a hint of what she read about in books, then she wanted that chance. Could she truly give that up to spare the others? She wiped at her eyes and drew a shaky breath.

  As if sensing her turmoil, Visata spoke again. “Be guided by what is right—what is good, pure, and noble—not by fear. Set your feet on the path that is straight, and do not turn to your left or your right. Keep your eyes on me. I will guide you. Katy Dire, beloved mate, you know deep down what must be done. Trust your instincts when the moment arrives. Have courage, Daughter Wolf. You do not walk alone.”

  Katy closed her eyes, centering her chaotic thoughts. She searched within for that still, small voice and listened intently until, at last, the answer became clear. Her path forward would require courage and sacrifice. But she understood now why this burden had fallen to her. Because when push came to shove, Katy didn’t give up. And she wouldn’t give up on these women. She was strong enough to bear it. Opening her eyes, Katy lifted her chin with resolve. “I’m ready,” she whispered. “Tell me what to do.”

  Though she could not see Visata’s face, His tone held profound love and pride. “You are truly brave, Noble Heart. I picked you for him because he needed one with the heart of a warrior, but also one encased in compassion. Now listen closely…”

  As the first light of dawn peeked through the windows, Katy awoke with a sharp gasp. The dream flooded back in a dizzying rush. She clutched the blankets to her pounding heart, praying for the strength to see this through.

  She looked around and noticed a cell phone lying on the bedside table. Her heart soared. What she needed now was to see the faces of her two best friends. She needed to cry. Like a good, ugly cry because damn. Just damn.

  Katy snatched up the phone, thankful there was no password. She dialed Lola’s number and hit video call. Then she waited eagerly to see the two most beautiful faces ever. And the two people she knew would understand how to comfort her.

  “I’m going to kill you Gage-No-Damn-Last-Name.” Lola’s face suddenly appeared on the screen in all its pissed-off glory.

  “I call him Grouchy Pants Gage.” Katy grinned, even as her eyes filled with tears at the sight of her beautiful best friend.

  “Is that Katy?” Maddie’s voice came from somewhere in the background. A second later, her face showed up, her blonde hair a mess from whatever acrobats she’d performed in order to get there so quickly. Maddie brushed the hair from her face, and a huge smile appeared. “I knew you wouldn’t die! Not this girl!” Maddie pointed to the screen, as if anyone needed to know who she was talking about.

  “Gage texted us last night that he had you, but he wouldn’t let us speak to you.” Tears streamed down Lola’s face. She tried to wipe them away, but they fell faster than she could catch them. “He’s an ass.”

  Katy laughed. “I don’t really know him all that well, but he saved my life. So I think that makes up for a good deal of ass-ness.”

  “That’s a terrible word. Do better, dammit.” Lola glared at her. “I’ve missed you. And we were worried to death, and he said you needed sleep. And I just wanted to hear your voice.” Suddenly large arms surrounded Lola, and Maddie took the phone. Callon enveloped Katy’s best friend in his huge frame, and he leaned down so his mouth was close to her ear. He whispered something, and she nodded her head. Then she let out a small huff of laughter.

  “He just promised to buy Gage a shock collar for a mating present,” Maddie said. “You do look tired,” she added quickly. “Maybe it was a good thing that he let you sleep. What’s going on?” Maddie’s eyes narrowed. “Lo, pull yourself together and get over here.”

  Lola pushed away from Callon and joined Maddie, and both girls just stared at Katy.

  “I’m fine,” Katy assured them. Now she wasn’t sure if she wanted to tell her friends everything. They were so excited she was alive, and she was going to burst their bubble. “I’m just worn out. Azure is a piece of work.”

  “I’m going to have a new pair of snakeskin boots when we’re done with him.” Lola’s voice dripped with spite. “And a purse, and a dress, and whatever else that big-ass snake can make.”

  “Dang, girl.” Katy pointed to her hands. “You have claws. Literally.”

  “Oh, she can change into a lion!” Maddie clapped her hands, making the phone bounce. “It’s amazing.”

  Katy’s eyes got big. “That’s freaking awesome.”

  Lola waved her off. “You’ll be able to change into a dire wolf, whatever the hell that is. I’m sure it will be freaking awesome, too.”

  Katy’s stomach turned into a knot, and she felt as if she’d swallowed a brick that now just sat at the bottom of her guts.

  “Okay, Kat, I’ve known you your whole life.” Lola folded her arms in front of her and cocked a hip to the side. “And I don’t care what your words are saying. Everything else is saying the complete opposite. Spill it this instant, or I’m going to make Callon get the private jet and fly me wherever the hell you are now.”

  Katy took a shuddering breath and then she did what she always did with her two best friends. She trusted them. By the time she was done filling them in on what had happened with Azure, little Otto, and the dream with Visata, all three of them were sniffling, and Katy was pretty sure she was going to puke.

  “Callon,” Lola called out.

  “Sazzi,” his deep voice responded.

  “Have they found the snake yet?”

  “You know I will tell you the minute he’s found. Don’t doubt me.” Bossy. It had to be a Damarian thing.

  “I want to cut him. Chop him up into little pieces and make a stew. Then feed it to pigs so he can be pooped out of a pig’s ass. That’s what he deserves.”

  “This is a new side of our friend I’m seeing.” Katy looked at Maddie.

  “I think the animal inside of her is making her a little more aggressive than she used to be.” Maddie wiped away a stray tear. “Who the hell knows what being a wolf is going to do to you?”

  This made all three of them laugh. Maddie wasn’t wrong.

  “There’s got to be a different way,” Lola whispered. “I can’t lose you, Katy.”

  “I can’t let those women die, Lo. I’m sorry.” Katy shook her head. “I’m terrified. I won’t lie. I want this life.” She looked around the room, trying to get a feel for what Gage must be like. The room was masculine, and yet not ridiculous. It was warm and inviting with the warm colors, greens, browns, and touches of deep red and gold. It was like he’d brought an autumn day inside his bedroom. “But I don’t think it’s meant to be.”

  “Are you freaking kidding me right now?” Lola snapped. “You’ve been chosen to be the mate of a mythical being, the last of his freaking kind, and you think it’s not meant to be?”

  “No.” Katy shook her head. “I don’t doubt I’m his. I just think that my life has a different purpose than being his mate. And I have to find a way to be okay with that. I need you two to find a way to be okay with that.”

  “Nope.” Maddie practically growled. “I will never be okay with you sacrificing your life. Sorry. I’m just not as good a person as you are.”

  “That’s not true, Mads.” Katy sighed. “I’ve seen you drop money and tell someone else they dropped it because you knew they needed it more than you. You’re totally the martyr type.”

  “Dammit.” Lola cursed again. “There’s got to be another way.”

  Katy shook her head. “Visata made it pretty clear. This is the right thing to do. Those women are innocent.”

  “So are you!” Lola and Maddie yelled at the same time.

  “Shhh.” Katy put her finger to her lips. “I’m not ready to tell Gage.”

  “Oh, don’t worry about that.” Lola laughed, though it was not a humorous sound. “I’ll tell him for you. Callon, can I see your phone?”

  “Lola Katz, don’t you dare,” Katy snarled.

  “It’s Lola Leo, butthead, and how about don’t you dare? Don’t you dare give up on life, on hope, on us figuring something out so that you aren’t signing your own death warrant. Because I cannot, I will not, just stand by and let you sacrifice yourself. I can’t.”

  Katy’s lip trembled, and her gut twisted as she stared at her two best friends. “It’s not your decision to make, Lo. I’m sorry.” There was a knock at the door and then a voice Katy had come to love.

  “Kat,” Otto said tentatively.

  “I have to,” she said quickly. “I love you both. So much.”

  “Don’t you dare end this call, Katy Dire,” Lola warned. “Don’t⁠—”

  “Sorry, babe. But I gotta.” Katy hit the end button and then quickly wiped her tears. She took several deep breaths. “You better have some food in those little lizard hands. I’m starving.” She climbed off the bed just as Otto opened the door. His eyes lit up when he saw her. Then frustration clouded his face.

  “I bite you,” he growled.

  “Yes, you did. But I forgive you.” Katy pulled her shoulders back and raised her chin. “It was sort of my fault, after all.”

  “All you fault.” Otto walked in, carrying a tray with a sandwich, chips, and a large glass of water.

  He set it down on a small end table next to a plush chair then looked up at her. “I heard. You not pretend for me.”

  Otto watched her with large, sorrowful eyes as he climbed up onto the chair and took a seat. The little lizard was distraught, and she had no way of offering him any comfort.

  “I can’t let those women die for my sake, Otto,” she said fiercely. “Their lives matter just as much as mine. I won’t trade one life for another and call it fair.”

  Otto shook his scaly head sadly. “But Katy is good. She helps people. If Katy goes, who helps?” His voice wobbled with emotion.

  Katy’s heart squeezed. Her dear friend only wanted to protect her. But she wouldn’t budge on this.

  “You’ll find others to help people in my place,” she told him gently. “But if I choose myself over innocent lives, what does that make me, Otto? How could I live with that shame?”

  The little lizard peered at her for a long moment. Then his shoulders slumped in defeat. “Katy is brave good. Like Visata.”

  Emotion clogged Katy’s throat. She crossed the space between them and sat next to him, then pulled Otto into a fierce hug. “You’re the best friend I could have asked for in all this madness,” she whispered. And he really was. Otto was a gift, and she was so thankful that she’d gotten to be a small part of his long life.

  “I never had a Katy before.”

  She smiled. “You mean a friend?”

  “Someone not want something in return,” Otto explained. “I would serve you, mistress. How Otto serve you if you be gone?”

  His voice cracked, and Katy’s heart did as well. No matter what decision she made, she was going to hurt someone.

  “I’m sorry. I’m sorry you were forced to bite me, and I’m sorry I’m hurting you. That’s not what I want.”

  Otto patted her hand and then jumped down from the chair. “Eat,” he told her as he headed for the door. “Otto need think.” Then he was gone, the door closing behind him.

  “Damn,” Katy muttered as she stared at the place he’d sat moments ago. Was everyone going to be mad at her for doing what she thought was the right thing?

  Katy paced the plush carpet of the bedroom, worry gnawing at her gut. She paused to peer out the window into the moonlit night, hoping for some sign of Otto’s return.