Nixโs voice screamed through my mind. โAMY! LISTEN TO US.โ Megan screamed next. โWhy wonโt she listen to us?โ
โAmy!โ Toya caught me. She grabbed my arm and spun me around. I had to stop myself from attacking her, my mind was half crazed. Something was wrong. Really wrong. โWhere are you going? We need to get to your fatherโs pack lands.โ I could hear the worry in her voice, and that made my mind settle. She grabbed my face. โStop it.โ I tried to pull away again. Toya slapped me, catching me off guard.
โWhat the fuck, Toya.โ I growled.
โYou were panicking, Amy. More than you should be unless you know something we donโt.โ Rowan grabbed for me, and I felt a calm settle over me. The panic I was feeling was still there, but it was dulled, like there was a thick comforter thrown over it.
โWhat are you talking about?โ
Amy, Nix called out. Megan and I were both trying to speak to you, but you didnโt hear us.
Megan nodded. We felt your panic, but you had never ignored us like that before. Something fishy is going on.
Rowan grabbed me and turned me to face him. โTalk to us. We have to head to the airport, donโt we?โ He looked around. โUnless you have another closet somewhere out here we donโt know of.โ He smiled, trying to cover his worry.
โWhat?โ I shook my head to clear it. I felt confused. โI ignored you?โ
He nodded, pulling me closer to him. โEven now, you smell of pure terror.โ I looked at Rick and Toya, who just nodded. โWhatโs going on? Talk to us.โ
โNothing.โ I started but stopped myself when I saw their faces. Even my wolves scoffed at me. I dug deep, and I could feel something eating along my skin. โMagicโฆbut it doesnโt feel bad. More urgent.โ I felt along the spell. It felt familiar.
โWho still has magic?โ Toya furrowed her brows.
โThat we know of?โ I thought for a second before my stomach dropped. โFor sure? Only my dad.โ I felt fear crawl up my spine.
โSo your dadโฆโ Toya thought for a second, and I saw when she thought of the same thing I did. โWhere do we go?โ
Rick furrowed his brow. โI feel stupid. Why are you both worried?โ
Rowan stared at my face before nodding. โSomeone who has magic sent a spell to make you feel panic or fear, and the only one you can think of is your dad.โ
I nodded. โI donโt think the spell was meant to cause fear, just the urge to head there, but I think his intention, and his actual feelings got mixed.โ I swallowed past the worry. โI think heโs panicking, and that threaded into his spell.โ I looked over at my mate, and he squeezed my hand.
โThen lead the way.โ
Relief hit me. โThis way.โ I headed to the edge of the cliff.
โAmyโฆโ Rick called out as I dropped down to the first step of the stairs cut into the cliff side. His arm shot out and grabbed me, causing my foot to slip.
I looked back. โRick? What the hell, man?โ
His confused eyes cut from my face to the steep stairs below me, and he blew out a huge breath. โMy goddess woman! TELL US before you step off a cliff.โ Sweat beaded across his forehead.
โThere are steps here.โ I pointed down again.
โI realize that now. But you looked like you just stepped off the edge of the fucking cliff.โ He dropped my arm and wiped the sweat off his palms on his pants.
Toya laughed. โIt did look terrifying.โ She wiped her face.
I turned to Rowan, but he just smiled at me. โWhy donโt you look surprised?โ
He stared down at me. โBecause Iโve been down here before.โ
โWhat?โ I was stunned. โYou said nothing.โ
โI just remembered it. It was a few years ago. Before we even talked on the phone.โ He gazed at me. โErebus was out for a run, and I caught the scent of the most delicious thing I had ever smelt before. I followed it down here, but it ended at the wall.โ Rowan closed his eyes. โI just realized it was your scent. My mate.โ His eyes snapped open, and I could see the whiteโblue eyes of Erubus. โI called for you, mate, but I think we werenโt destined to meet yetโฆโ
The memory hit me like a train. I was running panicked through the underground passage, and his bellowing call bounced off the stones. Nix panted as she fought the need to turn back. Nix pushed forward. โThat was you?โ Rowan nodded. โI was stupid. I should have turned back like my instincts were pushing me to do.โ
โIt happened this way.โ Erubus faded, and Rowan kissed me. โLetโs go.โ
I nodded, turning back to the stairs. My mind still spun. How many other times did we almost meet each other in our lives? Nix shrugged as she stalked back to her spot next to Megan. Who knowsโฆheโs ours now. Letโs go find our father, and then we can spend the next hundred years comparing stories with our mates.
She was right. I turned into the cave and waited until the rest joined me. I pointed to the crack. โWe have to get in there.โ
โThere is no way Iโll fit.โ Rowan shook his head.
โThe magic will allow you through.โ My grandmother stepped out of the wall. โNow hurry. Before they die.โ