A shaky nod confirmed his suspicions. Keira lowered her head into her arms and sobbed. With a snort of disgust, Sam tossed down the amulet.
“The demons forced me to hurt him,” Keira said, crying. “I could not let my wolf kill him.”
The sounds of weeping tore at Kelly’s heart. She hesitated. Whatever the girl had done, she hadn’t done willingly.
With her help, Sam managed to bandage the worst injuries. His worried gaze met hers. “That damn chopper better get here quick. He needs a hospital, or he’s going to die.”
A low growl from the corner iced Kelly’s blood. Chills ran up her spine as she dared to turn around.
Keira was gone, replaced by a black wolf bigger than a Shetland pony. This wolf made Shay’s animal look like a toy poodle. Stunned, Kelly backed away. The beast raked its enormous claws over the concrete floor, leaving gouge marks matching the ones on Curt. Then the wolf raised its head, a silent plea in those green eyes. A moment of fierce connection flared between them.
Like her, this wolf had been a victim.
Shay moved forward, blocking Kelly in a protective manner. The wolf growled. Clenching his fists, Shay growled back. Sparks shimmered around him. Amber flashed in his gaze. He was going to shift.
Kelly placed a calming hand on his arm, feeling fur ripple along the skin. She drew him aside.
“Don’t, Sam. She doesn’t mean us harm. She’s scared.”
“Right. And she didn’t mean to turn Curt into shredded beef. Let me at her.”
“So you can turn feral, forget me, forget him?” Kelly stroked a single finger down his cheek. “Your commander needs you, soldier. So do I.”
Gritting his teeth, Sam closed his eyes. She could see the enormous effort it took to leash the spiraling fury. Finally he dragged in a huge breath and opened his eyes.
They were a normal hazel, shaded with green.
“Thank you,” she said quietly. “For Curt, and for her.”
He looked around, puzzled. “Where did she go?”
Kelly glanced down at the floor. The pendant had vanished, along with the wolf.
They’d waited outside for fifteen agonizing minutes, having secured Curt to a makeshift stretcher, before the rescue chopper arrived. The shocking extent of his injuries proved the Mage’s fierce will to live. After the chopper lifted off, Sam excused himself to call his lieutenant.
She couldn’t figure it out. The Arcane imitating Sam’s CO hadn’t killed him and siphoned his magick, so how could he duplicate Curt?
Sam opened the library door.
Kelly’s jaw dropped. Gasping, she took a step backward.
A ghost sat in the antique leather chair. Although Sam had warned her, seeing him in the flesh sent shock waves through her.
“Samuel.” The ghost offered a thin smile. “Welcome back home, son.”
“Goddammit, Dad. What the hell are you doing here?”
“It’s my home. I came here to talk with you.” Colton Shaymore’s gaze turned icy as he glanced at Kelly. “But not in front of her. Get out.”
Sam gave her an apologetic glance. All the old feelings rushed back. “I’ll wait outside,” she told Sam.
But as she hovered in the hallway, he left the door ajar. Enough for her to eavesdrop.
“Samuel, I came here to talk some sense into you.”
“I didn’t see a car out front.”
“Do you think you’re the only one who ever used the underground tunnels?” Colton chuckled. “I was sneaking in and out of the house long before you lost your virginity.”
A reluctant laugh from Sam. Forced. “How did you know I’d be here?”
“Your lieutenant, Matthew Parker, asked me to dinner. I wanted to meet your friends and colleagues. He told me you suspected the missing children were held here. So I followed you. Good job, son. I knew I could count on you to fight for our people.”
“Fight for our people? Kelly and I freed the children. And now my CO’s ripped to shreds. He could die.”
“You know every war has collateral damage. It’s why we must eradicate the Arcanes before another brave Elemental is injured. Eliminate the threat and cleanse our populace.”
Acid churned in her stomach. Kelly bit a knuckle. Eradicate. Colton talked as if her people were roaches.
“Jesus, Dad...I came here to stop the slaughter, not participate.”
“It’s your duty to protect Elementals, Samuel. Your heritage to your people and your birthright. Do you wish to throw it away for a manure-dwelling whore?”
“Don’t insult her.” Sam’s voice deepened to a dangerous tone.
“Kelly Denning is Arcane.” The chair creaked, as if Colton sat up. “Who suggested the children were here? Who was found with Billy Rogers? Everything points to her. She’s leading the uprising against us.”
“It’s not an uprising, just a few...”
“A few who will turn into a mob and take away everything we love.” Colton sounded anguished. “Is this how you chose to honor the memories of your mother and brother, by associating with the Arcane bitch whose father took them away from us?”
Kelly peeked through the door. Anguish twisted Sam’s face. Her heart ached for him.
“The committee’s leader wants her dead. He said if you kill Kelly Denning, make it look...like an accident, it will prove your loyalty to your people.”
“And you, Dad? Is that what you want most? Blood on my hands, the blood of an innocent woman?”
Silence for a moment. When he spoke, Colton sounded torn. “I have no wish to harm innocents.”
“But Kelly is one.”
“Let the committee be the judge of that. I am only relaying their wishes.”
The chair pushed back. Kelly ducked behind the door.
“I must head for a meeting tomorrow. The committee needs followers. Since the council refuses to take action, we must protect ourselves. By any means possible.”
Colton paused. “I’m proud of you, son. You’ve turned into a fine soldier, the man I knew you could be. If you respect my wishes, you’ll join us.”
Kelly ducked into the shadows as the door opened, watching Colton walk down the hall. When he headed down the stairs, she ran into the library. Sam stood at the window, hands jammed into his pockets. Deep grief lined his face.
“Sam...” Lost for words, she stared at him. “You let him go,” she finally said.
“I know where he’s headed. Dakota tagged him with the same GPS security chip installed in you and gave me the transponder to follow him, just in case. He’s...lost all sense.”
Sam scrubbed his face with a hand. “And he’s not the only one. There are more who agree with him. Tiger and Stephen pinned down the location of this meeting. Farm in West Virginia at four o’clock tomorrow. They’re planning to start rounding up Arcanes.”
Her throat went dry. “Can’t your team stop this?”
“Dakota tried, but Admiral Byrne’s hands are tied because of council politics. It’s not a military matter. Until the slaughter begins, he’s powerless to stop it.” Sam looked bleak. “My whole life, I’ve looked up to that man. I damn near worshipped the ground he walked on. And now...knowing he’s aiding in the slaughter of thousands?”
Silently, she slipped into his arms. As Sam embraced her, she whispered, “What are we doing to do?”
He tilted up her chin, his eyes fierce. “You’re going to J.T.’s sister’s house. I’ve made up my mind.”
