“No problem. Thank you.”

  We pulled some tables together and made ourselves comfortable. Ziamara pulled her rainbow hair into a ponytail. “Are we close to finding Victoria? I’m really worried.”

  “It’s like I explained about the darkness,” Frida said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “What was it doing, exactly?” I sipped my highly-caffeinated pop.

  Frida frowned. “During the spell, every time I got close, it diverted me.”

  “Just like now,” Jet said.

  “Is that why your nose bled?” I asked.

  She nodded. “It was working against me.”

  Tap pressed his palms on the table. “Just as something is now.”

  “Maybe we should do another spell,” Soleil said.

  “No.” I shook my head. “I’m not going to put Frida at risk. We’ll work with what we have. The vision may be muddied, but we’ve worked with less.”

  We discussed options until three people brought over our orders. They had to pull another table over and put some of the food on that because it wouldn’t all fit. We scarfed down our meal in relative silence. As predicted, I was still hungry after eating three platefuls, but I felt better—ready to keep searching despite whatever was trying to keep us from finding Victoria.

  Other patrons gave us strange looks. Usually, we would have taken some in to-go containers to avoid raising suspicions.

  Once we got into the Hummer, Frida spoke up. “I’m not sure if it’s the food or from having taken a break, but I feel like I can see the path more clearly now.”

  “Seems suspicious to me,” Jet said.

  “Everything seems suspicious to you,” Brick muttered.

  Tap chuckled.

  I started the engine and backed out of the parking spot. “Buckle up and hold on, everyone.” I turned to Frida. “Where to?”

  “Head back the same way we came. I see a road we haven’t gone down yet.”

  The tires squealed as I tore out of the parking lot. I broke every speed limit on the way back to where we came. Just as I was about to turn down the same road we’d seen at least three times, Frida interrupted my concentration.

  “Turn left here instead of right.”

  I did, and we followed a narrow road full of leaves in the road. It wasn’t well-cared for like the others we’d seen. The houses were also different. Each yard had overgrown lawns and each home was in dire need of repair. “Maybe this is a good sign?”

  “Let’s hope,” Jet said.

  “Not for the people who live here,” Ziamara said. “This place looks miserable.”

  The road continued until it looked more like an abandoned county road instead of a neighborhood in a small town. Then fields of hay and cows showed up on either side.

  “Where are we going?” Brick asked.

  “Hopefully to find Victoria,” I mumbled.

  After miles of farmland, we came to a dirt road leading into a forest.

  “Is this a public road?” Ziamara asked.

  “If we get shot at, then we know it’s not,” Jet teased.

  “You’re a lot of help.”

  I turned to Frida. “Is this still part of your vision?”

  “It is. Keep going until we reach the end of the road. There should be a barn not far away.”

  “In the middle of the woods?” Jet exclaimed.

  “It’s no weirder than a bar in the middle of the woods,” Tap said.

  “Yeah, it is,” Jet argued. “Barns aren’t in the middle of the woods. You saw the other ones—they’re in big, open fields.”

  “Well,” I said. “If Victoria is in or near the barn, I don’t care how weird it is. I just want to get her back and never let her go.” Relief washed through me, thinking how close we were to making that a reality.

  We drove on in silence for nearly twenty minutes until the road finally came to an abrupt end. I cut the engine and turned to Frida. “Where’s Victoria?”

  “I’m pretty sure the barn isn’t far away.”

  “And she’s in there?”

  “Let’s hope.”

  “Wait,” Brick said. “What if your father and his pack are in there?”

  I looked around our group, my nerves on edge. I didn’t want anyone else to get hurt, and given how many werewolves my father had rounded up, it seemed likely we’d all end up injured if not dead.

  “Toby?” Jet asked.

  I frowned. “We should call to find out how far away the others are.”

  “Or,” Soleil said, “we can check it out without storming the place. What if they’re keeping her there, but staying somewhere else? He probably only has two or three guys watching her. We can take them. I could drink the essence from three if I have to. No more without getting sick, though.”

  “They have assault weapons,” I said. “We’ve got knives and a few guns with silver bullets, but I doubt we could even stand up to two or three of them.”

  Tap started texting. “I know some mesmers in the area. They could jam those weapons with just a thought.”

  I thought about it. “Let’s tell the others what’s going on and then check it out. We might be able to get her without much trouble. If it turns out to be more than we can handle, we’ll wait for the others to arrive.”

  Everyone agreed.

  Jet pulled out his phone. “I’ll make some calls and then catch up with you guys once the others are caught up. There are a number werewolf packs in the area.”

  “Okay. I want to check everything out first before we all storm in.” I turned to Frida. “Where to?”

  “Follow me.” She headed into the thick trees.

  “I’m right behind you,” Brick said.

  I turned to the others. “You all stay here and fill in the others when they arrive.”

  “I’m going with you,” Jet insisted.

  “No, you’re staying here to lead the others.”

  Soleil stepped forward. “I’m coming. You’re not going to stop me.”

  I nodded. My heart raced as we walked along the mossy path. Twigs crunched underfoot as we followed Frida in what felt like circles in silence. Finally, she stopped. In front of us loomed an old barn that had long ago lost its paint. Most of the beams were cracked and chipping. I was afraid to touch anything for fear the entire structure would collapse.

  Holding my breath, I turned to Frida and arched a brow.

  She nodded and indicated for me to lead the way. I walked ahead while studying the building. There were no doors leading inside from where we stood.

  I indicated for the others to stay put, and I crept around the right side of the building, sniffing the air for other werewolves. I couldn’t pick anything up, but my father always kept a large enough supply of wolfsbane on him to cover the scent of five packs.

  The next side of the structure had no doors, either. I peeked in between some broken boards, but saw only hay. It appeared to be stacked up against the wall—and it wouldn’t have surprised me if that was the only thing holding up the barn.

  My pulse raced through me as I made my way around to the other side of the building.

  A door. It would probably crumble if I pulled on it, but I didn’t care. I reached for the knob and turned the handle. It barely budged. I gave it a good yank and it creaked open, sending a flurry of dust at me. It took all of my self-control not to sneeze. I tiptoed inside and looked around.

  Nobody was in sight. I couldn’t smell any werewolves other than my friends outside. I went back to them. Disappointment flooded me.

  They all gave me questioning looks. I gestured for them to follow me. Once inside, I clenched my fists. “Tear this place apart! The spell led us here. Victoria had to have left a clue.”

  We all spread around, digging around hay bales and exploring stalls. Brick and Soleil went up a rickety ladder to the upper level. The wood beneath their feet—and over our heads—creaked and groaned, threatening to break any moment.

  I ran around the periphery of the building. If anyone had been there, they were gone now. I sniffed the air, but couldn’t pick up Victoria’s scent. They had probably managed to mask it.

  Soleil came down. “Nothing up there.”

  “Or in the stalls.” Frida came over.

  Brick turned to Frida. “You’re sure she was here? This place doesn’t seem like it’s been touched in ages.”

  “This is where the spell led me,” Frida said. “She had to have been here recently.”

  “That’s where we wanted it to lead you,” came a male voice from behind.

  I spun around. Norman, one of my father’s best friends, stood behind us with his arms folded across his chest.

  “What do you mean?” I demanded.

  He laughed and blocked the door. “I mean, we know powerful witches, too. She was never here. You’re not going to find Victoria that easily. James has already given her a good beating, but that’s just the beginning—he’s only getting warmed up. The best part is, we’re nowhere near the camp. You’ve been on a goose chase in the wrong direction.”

  I reached into the inside of my pocket for my silver-bullet bearing gun.

  Norman shook his head and aimed his rifle at me. “Do that, and I’m forced to kill you.”

  I lunged for him. Five more men came inside, all bearing fully-automatic guns. I froze, skidding on hay, mid-stride.

  “Have a seat,” Norman flicked a nod toward the nearest wall.

  Chapter 92

  Victoria

  Wilson shoved me in the cage and locked the door. “You’ve got plenty to think about until the next time you’re allowed out.”

  I landed on the cement, scraping my cheek along the way until I crashed against the bars on the far side. Wilson stormed away, spraying dirt into the cage.

  Charles whined and nudged me with his nose through the bars.

  “I’m okay,” I muttered.

  He whined again.

  Groaning, I pushed myself to sitting. “See? I’m fine.” I moved the chain out from under me and dug pebbles out from my knees. Any more crawling and my pants would turn into shorts.

  My entire body hurt, but there was nothing I could do about it. I lay on the concrete, doing my best to get comfortable—or at least be in as little agony as possible.

  Charles whined again.

  “I just need some sleep. It’ll help my body recover.”

  He pushed his nose through the bars and whined. I reached out and rubbed his muzzle as my eyes closed. I drifted to sleep and dreamed of running from monsters through a dark and treacherous forest.

  Laughter woke me. I cracked one eye. Wilson leaned against the cage with a phone to his ear. He laughed again. “Yeah, I’m stuck on babysitting duty for the pathetic piece of crap. What I wouldn’t give to just kill her myself. I would, too, if James wouldn’t kick me into next year for it.”

  I sat up and glared at him. My head ached something fierce. I tried rubbing it, but couldn’t with the spiked collar in the way. At least my wounds all felt better—even the ones laced with vampire venom. I cringed just thinking about it.

  “Uh-huh,” Wilson continued. “By the time James is done with her, we’re all going to be begging him to just kill her.” He laughed again. “I know, right? Well, he hasn’t said it, but I think he’s planning on forcing Toby into doing it. Can you imagine?”

  I gasped. There was no way Toby would kill me—he would never be able to live with himself. It would eat him alive and he would never forgive himself. Of course, that was probably the point. But it didn’t matter. He would never do it.

  What did worry me was whatever James had in mind that would lead up to that. It had to be beyond horrible. And if Toby didn’t do as his father wanted, would James kill him? Who was I kidding? He’d not only murder his firstborn, but he’d enjoy every moment of it.

  “I just can’t wait for all this to finally be over.” Wilson swung a whip in front of him. “I’m sick to death of the whole pack being focused on those two losers. Good riddance.”

  An ache ran through my right leg. I readjusted my position and the chain leash clinked against the floor.

  Wilson spun around and glared at me. “I gotta go.” He slid the phone into his coat pocket.

  I braced myself for a temper tantrum, and whatever that might mean for me.

  He hit a couple bars. “I don’t care what you heard—think you can do anything about any of it?” His eyes narrowed at me, and then he stormed over to a nearby tree and made another call out of my earshot.

  Charles whined. I rubbed his muzzle absentmindedly for a while.

  “I’m going to look for a way out of here.” I scratched the top of Charles’s head and struggled to get up without letting the chain make any noise. Just about everything hurt. It would’ve been easier to list what didn’t ache.

  I glanced over at Wilson. He was too distracted with his call to notice me. I wandered around the cage, studying the bars. I didn’t notice anything unusual—any loose ones that I could work out. None were cracked or broken. Nothing I would want to grab and try to loosen. I studied the ceiling and the floor, but there was no way out, short of using magic or a key, and I had neither.

  Something inside urged me to keep trying. I paced the length of the cage several times before giving up. Who was I kidding? James hadn’t left anything to chance. He’d given me a cage no werewolf could escape.

  I leaned against a couple bars and slid down to sitting. Across the cage, Charles whined again.

  “What am I supposed to do?” I asked. “I can’t get out of here.”

  A breeze blew by, giving me the chills. I pulled my knees up and wrapped my arms around them as best I could.

  Instinctively, I reached for the engagement ring, but I’d removed it before leaving for the werebears.

  Sighing, I leaned against my knees, ignoring the protests of my neck. I had two choices—figure out a way out or give up.

  But how? What could I do? I was caged like a dog—collar and leash included. The only thing they hadn’t given me was a water bowl. With as parched as I was, I’d have used it. If Benjamin guarded my cage, I would ask him again. My mouth was so dry.

  Tears threatened, but I was too tired to give in. Too exhausted to cry. I was pitiful.

  “I love you, Toby,” I whispered and then gave into sleep.

  When I woke, more of my pains had healed, though I had a new crick in my neck. I sat back and rubbed it as best I could around the spiked collar. Charles lay close to my cage, curled into a ball and sleeping. Wilson still stood over by the trees. No, wait. That was Benjamin. I rubbed my eyes. Definitely Benjamin. He was bigger and didn’t carry a domineering posture.

  I rose, dropping the chain leash on the cement. Charles jumped to his paws and Benjamin turned my way. He walked over toward the cage. I held my breath. Hopefully, they hadn’t convinced him to be cruel to me, too.

  He dug into his inside coat pocket and pulled out a water bottle. “I thought you could use this.”

  I nodded vigorously. “Please.”

  Benjamin loosened the cap and handed it to me through the bars. I grabbed it and gulped down the warm liquid as fast as possible without choking on it.

  He took the bottle and placed it back in his jacket. “Anything else?”

  I glanced around. “Pen and paper.”

  “For what?”

  A lump formed in my throat. “I need to write a note to Toby.” My voice cracked. “Will you make sure he gets it if I’m not able? Mail it to Moonhaven or something.”

  “A goodbye letter?” he asked.

  I looked away and nodded. That was exactly it.

  “Yeah, I’ll make sure he gets it.” He glanced around. “I’ll have to leave and come back.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I know. I just don’t want to get caught.”

  “Don’t worry about the paper. You’ve already done more than enough for me.”

  Benjamin shook his head. “It’s not a big deal. I’ve already decided I’m going to abandon the pack.”

  My eyes widened. “You are?”

  He nodded.

  “Why stay and help me, then?”

  “You need someone on your side.”

  “I’ll write in my note that you’ve been helping me. You can join our pack. I think you’ll fit in.”

  “You’re about to go through the—I mean, you’re in a cage, beaten, and you’re worried about me?”

  “You’ll need somewhere to go, and we have a pack full of ‘abandoners.’ Like I said, you’ll be right at home.”

  Benjamin looked around again. “I’ll be right back. Think about what you’re going to write, because I doubt you’ll have a lot of time.” He jogged away, continuing to look back and forth as he went.

  I leaned my head against a bar and closed my eyes, considering how to say goodbye to the love of my life through a note. Tears stung my eyes and the lump in my throat grew larger. Even with this amount of pain, my wolf didn’t even try to escape. I allowed the tears to flow freely until Benjamin came back into sight.

  He handed me a small pad of paper and a silver pen. “James and Wilson are busy with something, so you have a little time—but not a whole lot. They’re eager to get back to you.” Benjamin frowned.

  I wiped my eyes and sniffled. “It’s okay. I know what I’m going to say.” I looked into his eyes. “I can’t thank you enough.”

  “I wish I could do more.”

  “As long as you get this to Toby, you’ve done all I could ask.” I pressed my back against the bars and stared at the blank paper. The lump in my throat grew larger and my vision grew blurry again.

  Where would I start? We’d been through so much together, but had so much more taken from us. Should I focus on what we’d had or what we never would?

  “You might want to get started,” Benjamin whispered.

  I cleared my throat and blinked my tears away.

  Dearest Toby,

  Out of everything I’ve ever been through, this is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I’d die for you a thousand times, but saying goodbye… It’s infinitely worse.

  I’ll never forget the first time I laid eyes on you. I don’t know if you remember that day, but I can’t forget. We were young, and our fathers were arguing about some boundary line or something. Then you stepped out from behind your father. At first, I thought an angel had dropped down from Heaven—don’t laugh. It sounds so corny, but that was the first thought in my young mind.