I hoped that was all it was.
We popped up to the treehouse to find the guys in opposite corners, their backs to each other. Clay laughed. “Oh, come on. Why aren’t you guys enjoying this more? I think it’s hilarious how we all blow when one of our, uh, volcanos erupt. It’s like we’re all getting lucky at the same time.”
“Dude, stop.” Rob thrust his hand through his hair and scratched at the five-o’clock shadow, clearly uncomfortable talking about it. He regarded me, sweeping that dark gaze along my face and slowly down the rest of me. The mental contact sizzled my skin. “You okay?”
“Better than okay. Why?”
“We were worried.” Leo faced us, his cheeks flush from the recent orgasmic contact high. “It wasn’t until we all felt the uh, you know, that we knew you were safe and, uh…in good hands.”
Clay grinned. “Yeah, she was.”
Read the room, dude. The guys all stared at us, concern tightening their expressions. My anxiety spiked. “What’s happened?”
Bryan spoke up. “There’s movement outside the veil. The yetis picked up on it about twenty minutes ago. A few are checking it out along with the elder witches.”
“It’s probably just hunters on patrol. They won’t find us unless they know where to look.”
“And if they do?” Leo asked.
No one answered. We didn’t have to. We all knew how screwed we’d be if the Council found the grove.
That explained the lack of activity. Everyone had hunkered down, remaining hidden just in case the Council busted through the protective veil. I’d rather be out there with the elder witches protecting the grove than stuck inside our magical bubble doing nothing but waiting.
Shouting caught our attention. We all teleported to the entrance just as several treelike creatures at least eight feet tall burst through the veil, each holding their arms out as if carrying a load of wood, yet their arms were empty.
All but one.
“Serenity!” I raced to the tree giant as it laid her limp body onto the grass and hung its head. It backed away as the other tree giants followed the same motion, seemingly laying something or someone onto the ground. The grass was compressed in the shape of bodies at their feet.
But I only focused on the one I could see, the one lying motionless in front of me, her lids partially closed, her eyes glazed over in death. I dropped to my knees and took her hand. It was still warm. “What happened?”
“Ambush,” the one who’d carried her in rumbled. “We protect.” It shook its head. “Not save all.”
I didn’t bother to hide the horror in my expression. She was so kind and didn’t deserve this. I clutched the crystal she’d given and made a silent vow. I will not let your death be in vain. The crystal warmed in the palm of my hand.
“They knew to look for the protective veil,” Stace explained as she knelt next to me. “Someone has betrayed us.”
“Gee, that sounds familiar.” I stood and stormed off before my grief overpowered my reason and made me do something crazy, like forgive her.
I didn’t slow as I marched into the area lined with rows and rows of wall tents. “Margo Carson?”
She and Trevor poked their heads out of the one they’d been assigned. “Is it safe to come out?”
Not after I’m through with you. “A word, please? In private?”
“Stay in the tent,” she told Trevor when he tried to leave with her.
“But Mom…”
“No. You stay. It’s safe inside the tent. I’ll be right back.” She left the tent and cautiously approached, her eyes wide and taking in everything around her.
Until I had proof, I wouldn’t accuse her out in the open. But if she had anything to do with this, I’d make sure everyone else knew the identity of the person responsible for the death of one of the high priestesses.
“I had nothing to do with this, I swear.” She kept her voice low, for my ears only. “Please believe me.”
“I want to, Margo. I really do, but I’m having a hard time doing that. I just held the hand of a friend who died protecting this grove. Protecting you, Margo. Protecting your son. Please help me understand how the Council’s hunters had no idea where we were until you showed up.”
“It had to be a coincidence.”
“I don’t believe in coincidences. Everything happens for a reason. What was the reason for this, Margo? How did the Council know where we were, Margo?” Yes, I realized I was overusing her name, but I had to drive home my point.
“Maybe they just got lucky.”
“Or maybe you told them where to find us. I’ll ask you one more time before I have them take you away. It will separate you and your son forever. Is that what you want?” I felt like a pile of steaming donkey doo threatening her, but if it stopped this from happening again, if it kept the grove safe, I had no choice. “How did the Council know where we were?”
Margo’s shoulders fell as she hung her head, and I knew. She told them where to find us. Hopefully the veil hid us well enough that they wouldn’t be able to find the entrance.
“Why?” When she didn’t answer, I asked again, this time practically shouting. “Why!”
She said nothing and kept her head down.
“Look around. Look at all the innocent people you put in danger.”
“Me?” She jerked her head up and riveted a burning glare to me. “I’m trying to stop a war. I’m trying to save them. It’s you who’s leading them to slaughter. They’re not warriors. They’re men, women, and children. Entire families are relying on you, a dilute who didn’t even grow up in this world.”
“What did she just call you?” Clay surged forward. Leo and Rob stopped him from advancing on Margo.
“You have a kid who’s not a pure,” I pointed out. “How can you say such a hateful thing?”
“Trevor is a pure.”
“Yeah, don’t think so. You’re a Nelem.”
She
