Chapter 485
The hive stood as tall as a telephone pole, teeming with thousands of bees. A searing pain shot through me as a bee targeted me, but the boost I'd received provided the energy I'd lacked.
I looked around the clearing, searching for help, but found nothing. “Amy…this is stupid, even for you,” I mumbled, scanning the ground for anything usable. Fight bees? My wolves couldn't maintain that frantic circling indefinitely, and there was no other way around these damned bees. They only died after stinging.
The hive grew more agitated. Something was increasing the bees' activity, so I cautiously approached. They began swarming around their home. Three stings in rapid succession nearly sent me to my knees. Then I heard it—the source of the agitation.
“They’re gone, Verity,” Vince said, his voice panicked. I scanned the clearing, realizing we were in Rick’s mind; Vince wasn’t anywhere near. “I know they should be here, but someone obviously got them out!” he screamed in frustration. “Obviously,” I muttered, piecing together the fragmented conversation. I somehow knew this was what he was yelling about. I moved closer, enduring three more stings, until I stood beside the hive. Biting my cheek to stifle a scream, I focused on hearing the rest.
“What are you up to?” I whispered, surveying the clearing—nothing but the hive. I summoned some magic, creating a raven. “Search for another hive hidden in the forest.” It croaked deeply and flew off. I turned back to the hive and Vince.
“Verity, I’m serious. Rick, Shelly, their dead kid…all gone. They even took the omegas!” Vince growled. “What’s the big issue?” he snarled. “Yes, I know they’re useless, but I needed Rick.” He paused. “What did you just say?” His voice dropped. He was fighting to control himself. “Not you, Verity, Brandon, what?” Vince growled. “The omega was pregnant? How can you be so sure?” Brandon’s response elicited a dark laugh from Vince. “When we find them, I’ll enjoy punishing her. She was only lucky to find her mate before I could get my hands on her.” Verity’s apparent response snapped him out of it. “No! I can’t trace them. I tried! That’s why I called you!” I snickered; he was losing it over a few people he deemed useless. “The power was cut off. So no, I can’t just take everything from them. Are you stupid? You said yourself the kids weren’t ready…AGAIN.” Goddess, I wished I could hear the other side of the conversation. “Yes, I’m still connected to the pack. Those connections remain, thank the goddess.” I growled, earning another sting. Vince’s gratitude to the goddess, as if this were part of her plan, infuriated me. “The Rick one? What are you talking about?”
“Fuck.” The hive grew more agitated by my proximity. Vince’s voice faded in and out, barely audible over the buzzing. I stepped closer, earning another sting. Nix and Megan’s howls pained me, but this was the only way.
“I haven’t checked if Rick’s power rune is still active. What good would that do, other than waste power?” There was a pause. “I haven’t even thought about him. But we might as well. I don’t need him opening his mouth. If Gavin were still alive, I’d be more worried, but what’s he going to do?” Vince’s laugh was cut short. “What do you mean the king is still tracking Amy? I thought you had him under control?” The entire hive vibrated. “So if Rick gets closer to the king because of that bitch, we’re fucked?” Vince growled, louder this time. “Fine, kill him, but make it painful.” The bees seemed to mobilize simultaneously.
The hive shook violently, poised to empty. If I didn't distract them, Tick would die. I searched the ground again; my foot struck a thick branch beneath the hive. I crouched, grasping the club. The buzzing intensified as I stood.
I took a step back as the first bees emerged from the nest, and I swung…