“You don’t have to remind me.” Her wolf yowled sadly. It had been so excited to see him enter the conference room. And there was a tiny part of her that soared with hope and joy. Even now, he was doing what he said he would—get Evan back. But the betrayal was still weighing heavily on her.
“Are you gonna tell him?”
“About what?”
Julianna gave her that ‘don’t-look-innocently-at-me’ look. “You know—”
“Bad news.” It was their father. “Daric did a surveillance of the area in Lake Hope where the mages are. They have some sort of red glass dome over the hostages.”
Julianna’s eyes widened. “Just like the one in Central Park. That means no one will be able to get in or out.”
“It’ll be tricky, but Daric and some of our witch and warlock allies are working on a way to break the spell.” He turned to Isabelle. “Almost ready, sweetheart?”
“As I’ll ever be. Dad—”
“You can do this.” He kissed the top of her head. “You’re the daughter of two Alphas. Now, go get my goose.”
“I will, Papa.” She took a deep breath and grabbed the door handle. I can do this. I have to, for Evan’s sake.
“Isabelle.”
That voice never failed to make her knees weak. She didn’t turn to Ransom or acknowledge him, though her hand did not turn the door handle.
“For what it’s worth, I want you to be safe. And I love—”
“Thanks.” No, she couldn’t bear to hear those words. Not now. Her aching heart wouldn’t be able to take it, and damn it, she needed to keep her head clear.
“I’ll see you on the other side, Belle.” Julianna said before flashing a dirty look at Ransom.
“See you, Jules.” Turning the handle, she opened the door and walked into the stairwell. It was about three flights up to the roof. When she stepped out, the cool night air hit her face instantly, drying the tears pooling in her eyes.
She moved forward until she reached the helipad in the middle of the roof. Her watch said it had just turned two. So, where were they?
The air was suddenly filled with a salty, metallic tang. Her wolf went on full alert and raised its hackles, while every bit of hair on her arms and the back of her neck stood on end.
“Good evening, my dear.”
She turned around. Behind her was a group of mages, all clad in their usual red robes. One of them, the same one who had kidnapped Evan in Kentucky this morning, stepped forward.
“I’m glad to see your Alpha has followed my instructions.” His red eyes grew wide as he greedily stared at the dagger in her hands. “Give it to me.”
“Where’s my son?” Her fingers curled tighter around the dagger. “You’re not getting this until I have him. I want to see him first.”
“As you wish.” The mage waved his hand at his followers, who parted like the Red Sea. Ransom was right. Joanie stepped out from behind the mages, Evan in her arms.
“Evan!” Her rage began to bubble when she realized he was totally limp, his head lolling back as Joanie walked closer. “What did you do to him?”
“Your little brat wouldn’t stop screaming his head off,” she complained. “Don’t worry, a little sleeping potion never hurt anyone.”
“I’m going to kill—”
“Shut up, both of you,” the main mage said.
“But, Krogan—”
“Let’s stop the theatrics.” Krogan turned back to Isabelle. “There’s your precious boy. Now, hand over the dagger.”
“No, I want him first.”
“I can kill him with the snap of my fingers.” Krogan’s voice was cold and emotionless. “Do you think I care for this child? I have no other use for him.”
Isabelle gritted her teeth. “But you need the dagger. Once your plan succeeds, you’ll kill him, and all of us, anyway. Just let me have this last night with my son.” Her own words made her want to vomit, but this was part of their plan. And the cue for the next part.
“Mother!”
They all turned to the doorway that led to the stairwell. Ransom stepped out, his arm around her father, a knife to his throat.
“Ransom?” Joanie’s voice shook. “Is that you?”
“Yes, it’s me.” He dragged Grant with him as he shuffled forward. “I have him, Mother. See? Grant Anderson. He’s here.”
Joanie’s expression turned from shock to disbelief, until finally, her lips curled up. “Oh, Ransom! I knew you wouldn’t betray me. Darling boy, come here.”
He moved closer, keeping the knife pointed at his hostage’s throat. Isabelle could see the sick pleasure on Joanie’s face, and it made her stomach curdle.
“What the hell are you doing, woman?” Krogan groused. “We’re supposed to get the dagger! You can have your stupid revenge later!”
“When?” Joanie cried. “I’ve waited thirty goddamn years for revenge. You had so much power, and yet this one thing you couldn’t do for me. You kept me waiting, dangling Grant Anderson in front of me like a carrot on a stick. Well, no more. I don’t care about your stupid dagger!”
“Woman …” The mage warned. His followers moved forward, but he held them back. “Be reasonable, Caroline. Soon, they’ll all be dead, even Anderson.”
“Dead? Ha! Death would be too good for him.” Her teeth bared. “I want him to suffer. For every humiliation and indignity I’ve had to go through because of him!”
“That’s right, Mother,” Ransom said. “We’ll make him suffer. For what he did. Now, why don’t you hand Evan over to Isabelle, and we can get our revenge?”
Joanie laughed. “Oh no, Ransom! Can’t you see how perfect this is? How we can make him really pay for what he did?” Her eyes widened as she stared at Isabelle. “What better way to make Grant Anderson suffer than to hurt his precious baby girl and grandson, right in front of his very eyes while he can’t do anything to help them.”
The bile rising from her stomach made Isabelle’s throat burn. “You’re insane.”
“Shut up, you
