Chapter 403

I heard a chuckle and then a soft whisper, “Slepta noir sha dineh por clotin.” Then the world went dark.

Amy, stay awake. Nix called me, but I couldn’t move. Everything was heavy. I felt like I was snuggled under the best blanket in a dark room.

Amy! Megan called after me, but I was snuggled deep into slumber.

“A few more minutes, guys,” I called back to my wolves. I heard them both growl.

“What is the point of having magic if we fall victim to it?” Nix growled, but Megan just sighed.

“It wasn’t an attack, like Verity said; it was a gentle spell to put her to sleep. We are still awake, and if anything happens, I’m sure we can force her awake. But there is a bright side.”

“What’s that?” Nix sounded doubtful but open to listening.

“Amy will be rested and fully recharged. Then we can figure out what the actual fuck happened. Like, how did Rick catch us?”

I felt my wolves settle near me, and I rolled to touch them. I wanted to wake up. This seemed like something important. Something was wrong.

“Are you sure she won’t wake up unless something happens to her?” Nix sniffed close to my face. Her breath made my face twitch as I swam in the darkness.

“She said she shouldn’t, and Vince was cuddling us to his chest.” Megan sounded disgusted. “Why?”

“Because I’m sure she is about to wake up.” Nix shuffled closer and pressed her nose against my face. “Amy, if you are about to wake up…”

“Wait,” Megan cut in. “If you can understand us, give us a minute so that we can adjust your scent.”

My scent…

Nix seemed to know what my question was. “Your body produces more of your scent when you’re awake. Your body becomes more active, so wolves can scent when you wake up. It’s built into our survival instincts. We need to adjust your scent with our magic to stay the same before you’re fully awake, so Vince doesn’t know.”

I pushed harder. Something was happening, and I needed to know what was going on.

“Don’t push too hard, too fast, Amy. If you twitch or jolt in his arms, he will know. Stay still, slow, deep breathing, that’s it.”

“Is she awake?” Megan trotted back over.

“Yes. Just barely.” I opened my eyes. “What’s going on? What happened?”

Nix and Megan pulled back, but it was Nix that answered. “As soon as Verity said the words, you dropped. Megan and I were still awake, but we wouldn’t control our body. Vince picked us up and climbed back onto Rick. Morgan had to let Brandon ride him with the missing fingers. He carried the pup, but…” She trailed off.

“What?”

Megan stepped closer. “We still can’t move. Vince is bringing us to a place I have never seen before. And…” She looked away.

“And what?” I looked around. My dark forest was still the same, comforting and safe. I pushed off the ground and walked to the edge of the trees, looking out. I finally figured out what they were too hesitant to say. “Is Vince petting me?”

My two wolves walked to my side. “Yes…” Nix sat next to me. “He’s been doing it ever since he picked us up.”

Megan shivered. “He’s also been whispering to us.”

Just as she said it, his voice was soft in my ear. “Such a strong-willed female. I think I want to keep you. Would you like that?”

Vince’s fingers trailed along my fur. “You are stunning. Even if you’re only a beta, I can feel your strength.” His chuckle was deep. “Too bad you had to run into my web, huh?”

His web? I looked at my wolves. “What does he mean?”

Nix looked at me. “The traps Rick was telling us about? They were draining traps all over the woods. As we were running, using our magic, the traps were draining us and transferring it to Rick.”

Megan nodded. “That’s why Rick said they wouldn’t believe if we got away from him…he was being fed our strength.”

“How is that even possible?” I shook my head, but my wolves were lost, too. I thought of my book and my magic. “It has to be a transfer spell…but how in the hell did they make it so it goes to Rick?”

Nix nudged my side. “Look at the back of his neck.” She nodded outward. I made sure I was facing away from Vince, and I cracked an eye. I hung in his arms, confused.

“What are you talking about?”

Nix nudged again. “Look down to the wolf under you, his neck. There is something there. A burn mark.”

I finally focused on the spot, and I had to hold in a gasp. On the back of Rick’s neck was a burned rune. The rune for quickening. I whispered, “But it’s wrong.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s poisoned.”