Finally, Cyn looked back and waved them over.

  Twenty minutes later they had put some miles between themselves and Ruse, and some poor man that was sitting at home thinking his car was getting repaired and would be returned as soon as it was in a safely operable condition.

  Cypher drove in silence as he tried to contemplate the ramifications of what they were getting ready to do. He had never considered that he would one day have a human mate. And, now that he did, he was beginning to realize just how dangerous the match would be for her. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye as she sat in the passenger seat. Instead of eagerly watching the sights and sounds of a country she had never seen, her eyes were focused on the road ahead and he would bet his life that her mind was focused on the coming trial. Pride swelled in his chest as he thanked the Fates that they had given him such a strong mate, a mate who was willing to do what was necessary.

  Lilly felt Cypher’s eyes on her. She looked over at him and met his yellow-eyed stare. Her breath caught briefly as she took in his inhuman beauty. She had to admit that if she was going to be married to someone, she could do much, much, much worse. She smiled at him and then went back to staring at the road ahead and trying not to worry about Jacque, trusting that Fane and his pack would take care of her. She missed her daughter with an ache only a mother would understand. She knew if she wanted to see Jacque again, then they had to do the things necessary to keep the world, as they know it, safe. If they didn’t succeed in stopping Desdemona, the repercussions would be devastating.

  Lilly didn’t know how long it had been since they had last stopped for a bathroom break, which under her current circumstances she did not want to discuss when Cypher pulled over on the side of the road. He parked the car as far off the road as he could without driving into the forest. He climbed out of the car without ceremony and Lilly scrambled to join him. Cyn moved so quietly that Lilly hadn’t noticed the Fae exiting the car. Cyn pointed up into the forest. “We are going to have to hike up there. We need to move quickly, but we must be wary as we get closer to their veil.”

  Cypher nodded and looked down at Lilly. “Are you ready?”

  Lilly took a deep breath and let it out with puffed cheeks, the air blowing the wisps of hair around her face. “Cypher, sweetie, no one is ever ready for this kind of thing.” She patted him on the back and walked passed him, following Cyn as she started off.

  ***

  “What brings you to me Perizada, high Fae, friend of the pack, teacher to the healers?” The troll’s voice was deep and gravely as if he’s spent a millennium smoking Pall Malls.

  “Thurlok, bridge master, gatekeeper,” Peri gave the troll a slight nod; not because he deserved her respect, but because it never hurt to flatter the one you needed to bargain with. She stepped around so that he and the bushes, which the others hid behind, were in sight.

  “I’ve come to make an exchange,” said Peri with deliberate slowness. Trolls were not the smartest of creatures on a good day, and Thurlok had been stationed at the bridge for a very long time. She imagined his brain might be a bit sluggish from lack of use.

  “A bargain?” He asked eagerly as his hands rubbed together and his eyes widened like a greedy child in a candy store. Peri nodded and he grew impatient. “Come now, female, what is it?”

  Peri was purposefully piquing his interest, leveraging the troll’s natural appetite to possess things of great power or value.

  “First, I will tell you what it is that I want in exchange for what I will offer.”

  Thurlok motioned with his gnarled hand to get on with it.

  “I, and eight companions, would like passage into and out of the In-Between. Upon our exit, we will be bringing back prisoners who were unjustly captured. Nine will go in and seventeen will come out. We will be unharmed as we enter; I fully understand you are powerless to protect us once we enter. Upon our exit, we will remain unharmed. You will not share the knowledge of us ever being here or of the identity of the individuals being rescued.” Peri went over the request in her mind to ensure that she did not leave any loopholes that the troll might use to his advantage.

  Thurlok’s stared at Peri, his overlarge eyes growing even bigger. In his time as the guard of this waypoint, few beings ever requested to go involuntarily and he certainly hadn’t had anyone be rescued on his watch. He knew of the ones she spoke of, the males that Desdemona had cast into the In-Between. He also knew that if they got out somehow, she would be out for blood, and it would probably be his blood she would seek first.

  “That is a very dangerous request,” he responded calmly, trying not to show her just how curious he was. “What do you have that is of such great worth that I would give up the witch’s prisoners?”

  “Something one such as you could never imagine, ever even laying eyes on.” She paused dramatically before she spoke. “A stone of the Fae,” she finally said.

  If Thurlok’s eyes were wide before, now Peri was certain they were going to pop out of his head. She was right to say that he would only ever dream of laying eyes on the stones, very few ever did, no matter the length of their lives.

  Peri watched the troll closely. His thoughts flickered on his face. She could tell he was examining the situation from every angle, trying his best to determine if she was trying to trick him somehow. Her plan hinged on his lack of knowledge of the stones; very few understood how they actually worked, or the purpose behind them. She waited patiently, not wanting to appear too eager and stir Thurlok’s suspicion.

  “Do you think he’s going to hurt himself thinking that hard?” Jen whispered as she and the other females watched from the cover of foliage.

  “It’s quite possible his head might explode,” Sally answered.

  “That would suck, seeing as how we need him to let us into that hell,” Jacque added.

  “Okay, can I just ask; is that what you thought a troll would look like?” Jen asked no one in particular as she watched Peri talk to the short male with dark skin, a tuft of white hair on his head and small pointed ears. His eyes were large and black, but his face was otherwise unremarkable. His nose was not large or small; his lips were neither plump nor thin. His body was bulky and he seemed to stand a little crooked. He wore brown pants with suspenders and no shirt. His chest was bare and his belly round and plump. He didn’t wear any shoes and didn’t seem bothered by the rough ground.

  “What did you expect them to look like?” Crina asked.

  Jen shrugged. “I don’t know. More troll-ish maybe.”

  “Troll-ish?” Cynthia snorted, with her brow raised.

  “Yeah, you know, less human,” Sally agreed.

  “You guys watch too many movies,” Cynthia told them.

  “You can only have so much sex you know,” remarked Jen, nonchalantly.

  Jacque looked over at Jen and wiped a hand across her forehead, “Whew, so glad you said that. I was beginning to think that being pregnant might have curbed your pension for mentioning sex at the most inappropriate times.”

  “I’m a little out of practice. Dec is my inspiration for inappropriate sexual comments. When we get him back I’m going to have to make sure to make up for lost time.”

  “Well, we eagerly await all the witty comments that you are storing in that wicked mind of yours,” said Alina.

  And, though Jen couldn’t quite decide if the Alpha was being sarcastic or not, she added, “Never fear, I will not disappoint.”

  “Of that, we have no doubt,” Crina muttered with a sly smile.

  As they continued to watch the stalled exchange between Peri and the troll, they all muttered a collective about time when the troll finally spoke up.

  “You have a deal Perizada of the Fae.” Thurlok made a motion with his hand and suddenly a dagger appeared. He held out his left hand and sliced open his palm. A thick line of bright red blood oozed from the cut as he held out the dagger to Peri. She took the dagger and, without hesitation, sliced her own palm. She held out her hand to him and he took it in a firm handshake. As their hands clasped, Peri spoke clearly into the quiet forest.

  “Blood of yours, blood of mine,

  The truths I speak now entwined.

  All we’ve said shall come to be,

  Or death to you and death to me.

  The ties that bind can’t be undone,

  Not by many, not by one.

  Fulfill this bargain from me to you,

  Then it will be finished and finally through.

  They both watched as the magic wrapped around their clutched hands, and then around them, digging deeply into their bodies. As suddenly as it had begun, it was over.

  Peri stepped back and made a motion with her right hand. As if on cue, the other women emerged from the forest. Thurlok took a step back but caught himself. Backing away from a predator only encouraged it to chase. The eight other females stood beside Peri and stared at him.

  “Are you expecting me to do a trick or something?” He snapped at them.

  “Now, now, Thurlok,” Peri crooned. “Play nice. The she-wolves and healers won’t hurt you.”

  Someone cleared their throat and Peri glanced over at Elle who was staring at her.

  “What?” Peri asked, shaking her head, her voice rising in exasperation. “I can’t guarantee what you will do. You pink haired fairies are always unpredictable.”

  Jen started to speak but stopped when Sally stepped around Peri, directly in front of the troll.

  Peri laid a hand on Sally’s shoulder stopping her from speaking. She leaned forward and whispered into her ear.

  “I know you are ready to get to your male, but it is never wise to offend the one who holds the cards.”

  Sally’s shoulders stiffened, but she gave a curt nod to let Peri know she understood.

  Peri motioned towards the bridge as she looked at Thurlok. “We’ve made our bargain troll. Open the veil.”

  Thurlok spoke in an unusual language as he drew symbols in the air. His eyes closed as his voice rose and the air around him swirled.

  Sally and the others stood transfixed as they watched the veil to the In-Between appear. Suddenly where a bridge and trees had been there was a cavernous opening with stairs disappearing into the darkness beyond it.

  “The veil will remain open for two hours,” Thurlok told them.

  Anger flashed in Peri’s eyes as she realized she had missed a very important detail. Time.

  “Is that going to be enough time?” Sally asked.

  “Yes,” Alina spoke from Sally’s right.

  “How do you know?”

  “Because there is no other option.”

  “We’re wasting time,” Jen hollered as she headed towards the veil at a jog.

  The stairs leading down into the In-Between were narrow and only allowed for them to be single file. Peri had moved Jen out of the way and taken point, and, as usual, Alina pulled up the rear. The stairs were clearly visible but Sally couldn’t figure out what was emitting the light that illuminated them. The walls around them were made of gray stone and felt warm to her fingers as she pressed against it for balance. She followed behind Jacque and, like the others, her eyes constantly moved, watching for danger. Her skin tingled and she felt the magic inside of her welling up, like a charged battery waiting to be plugged into something. As they descended further down the stairs, the air began to grow thick and warm. Sally felt the hair on the back of her neck begin to stick to her as sweat began to dampen her skin. She glanced back over her shoulder to Elle and saw that she too was sweating. Elle gave her a small smile and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand.

  Finally, the stairs ended. One by one, they each took the final step, emerging into a wide hallway. They all stood restlessly shifting from one foot to the other. The need to move, to take some sort of action was palpable among them. Peri closed her eyes, her lips moved as she murmured. A few moments later, her eyes snapped open and she pointed to the right.

  “That way,” she said curtly and began walking. Peri felt the undeniable urge to hurry, the knowledge of their limited amount of time, foreboding, in the back of her mind.

  They hadn’t been walking for longer than two minutes when Jen suddenly stopped. Her eyes were unfocused as she looked down the hallway and her breathing had become labored.

  Cynthia stepped up beside her and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Jen,” Cynthia spoke her name softly, trying not to startle her. “Are you alright?”

  Jen’s hand went to her abdomen as she gasped. Her blue eyes widened and a sob broke from her chest. “Tell me it’s not real,” she whispered.

  Sally stood directly in front of Jen and placed her hands on either side of her face. She closed her eyes and reached into Jens mind. She felt the darkness before she saw it, a swirl of black evil surrounding Jen’s mind. And, in the center of that darkness was Decebel. Sally’s eyes opened and her head jerked back.

  “It’s Decebel’s mind that she’s seeing and his emotions that she is feeling,” Sally told them.

  “We must be getting close to them if the bond is beginning to open up without any help from the mates,” said Peri. Again, she felt a sense of urgency. Behind that urgency was something just out of her grasp, something more than their ever shortening allotment of time. But, when she tried to pinpoint her fear, it would scurry away and all that was left was the part of her urging her forward. Move fast, Peri. Can’t stop. Have to hurry, her mind told her. Even as they stood looking at Jen, Peri knew they should be moving.

  “Jen,” Sally patted her friends face. “It’s not real honey. It’s what Decebel is seeing. Come on Jennifer, pull it together.”

  Jen squeezed her eyes closed, but then quickly opened them as the images burst forth even more strongly across the back of her eyelids. She nodded and patted Sally’s hand that was still against her face. “I’m alright gypsy lady.” She took several deep breaths attempting to push away the panic attack that was brimming up inside her.

  “Ladies, you need to be on your guard. Your minds are your enemy in this place. Your mates are going to be broadcasting and you mustn’t react to the things you might see or…” Peri’s words were cut off by an ear piercing howl and it was joined by another, and another, and still more until the walls shook from the noise.

  Without thought, Sally took off at a dead run. She knew that howl, knew it like she knew her own voice. She felt the pain radiating in the sound, felt the hopelessness and the loss. Something inside her reached out for the wolf she claimed as hers. “Costin,” she called his name through the bond that had opened when the howl came. “I’m here. I’m coming for you.” Another howl, another lash of pain that took Sally’s breath away as she ran. She heard heavy breathing beside her and saw that Jacque and Jen were on either side of her running just as hard and with just as much determination in their eyes. There were footsteps and heavy breathing behind them and Sally knew that the other women were right on their heels. She had no clue where she was going, but she knew it was the right direction.

  Jacque pushed her legs as hard as she could. The air brushed her face and the hot air brought no relief from the heat. Her lungs burned with the effort to take in more oxygen as her muscles cried out in need. She ignored the pain, and thought of only one thing, get to Fane. He was on the verge of losing control of his wolf. Peri had warned them that it could happen and Jacque knew if she didn’t get to him very, very soon it would be too late.

  “Jennifer,” Jen heard the desperation in Decebel’s voice, it was a sound that she never wanted to hear again, because she knew what he was seeing, and it nearly broke her. “Decebel, hold on a little longer babe. We’re almost there.” She could feel the confusion in his mind. He didn’t know what to believe, or what the lie was? What was an illusion and what was real? She pumped her arms faster and called on the speed of her wolf. He needed her; she had to get to him.

  “STOP!” Perizada’s voice reverberated off the walls. The hallway that had been filled with howls, heavy breathing, and stomping feet, was suddenly silent.

  “Look at me,” Peri’s voice was a command and slowly, one by one, they turned to look at the Fae. Alina’s eyes glowed dangerously at the one who would keep her from her mate and she took a menacing step forward.

  “Do not do something you will regret Alpha,” Peri’s eyes met Alina’s briefly, and then looked back at the group.

  “What are your greatest fears right this moment?” She asked them.

  “Can’t we have this little discussion after we have the guys back?” Jen growled.

  “NO!” Peri snarled back. “We will have it now. What is your greatest fear?”

  “We aren’t going to make it in time,” Sally whispered as she met the Fae’s eyes. “We’re going to be too late. Their wolves are taking over.”

  Heads nodded as the others agreed with Sally.

  “Exactly,” Peri smiled at Sally as if she were her star pupil. “Now, what did I tell you about this place? It uses your biggest fear. You think that you hear your wolves howling for you and instead of stopping for a moment and thinking you take off like a bunch of yahoo’s running to who knows where into who knows what.”

  “What are we supposed to do?” Alina growled, her eyes still glowed in anger.

  “Use your bonds. Jen just proved that they are fully operational, so suck it up, and accept that what you are going to feel and see from your mates is going to be unpleasant, but it will tell you if what you are hearing is real. Your fears had you running towards a noise that was only in your mind and you would have continued to run, never going anywhere because your fear is that you won’t make it in time.”

  Sally’s hand slapped over her mouth as a gasp escaped and her eyes widened. The realization hit Jacque, Crina, Elle, and the others.

  “We would have run forever,” Crina muttered.

  Peri nodded. “Until there were no more shoes left on your feet. Now, the worst part,” Peri motioned to their right. “What do you see?”