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I studied him, weighing his words. It was too convenient, too well-timed.

And yet…

Maybe the only rational thing to do was to ally with him.

Rowan must have come to the same conclusion, because he crossed his arms and exhaled loudly. “So, let’s say we do this. Let’s say we help you. What happens after?”

Varek raised his eyebrows. “You want to overthrow the bastards in the city? I have the men, the weapons, the intel you need. You help me, and I help you.”

Lia stepped forward, squaring her shoulders, her hands tight fists at her sides. “Before this deal is official, you need to understand something,” she said, voice firm. “This isn’t just about fighting some external threat. Or even just taking down the city’s regime. We’re getting Mariah back too. And as many other women as we can.”

Varek turned toward her, a hint of curiosity in his expression. “Mariah?”

“She’s our best friend,” Lia said, lifting her chin toward Kendra. “We tried to escape the city together, but the soldiers took her.”

Her voice was steady, but I could smell the emotion wafting off her in waves. The guilt.

Kendra stepped up beside Lia, arms akimbo. “Mariah’s tough, but she’s in danger. We don’t know what they’ve done to her or where she is.”

Varek tilted his head slightly, considering. “And you think she’s still alive?”

Lia’s jaw clenched. “I know she is.”

I wasn’t sure if that was blind hope or something more, but either way, I wasn’t about to argue with her. I knew how important saving her friend was to her and I’d do everything in my power to make sure we got her out alive.

I turned to Varek, watching him closely. “You want an alliance, then saving Mariah is part of the deal.”

Varek exhaled through his nose, frowning. “You’re awfully demanding for someone who needs my help.”

I held his stare, my face expressionless. “You need my men just as much as I need yours.”

A flicker of something sharp passed through his eyes—irritation, amusement, respect?—then, after a long pause, he shrugged. “Fine.”

Lia let out a breath, but she caught herself before anyone else could notice.

“Mariah’s part of the mission,” Varek said. “When we go in, we get her out.”

I nodded. “Good.”

Varek gave me a toothy grin, all bold confidence. “Then I guess we better not waste any time.”

CHAPTER14

Silas

The fire burned low, embers popping and swirling up into the dark sky. The camp was quiet, save for the rustle of wind through the trees and the distant sound of my wolves patrolling the perimeter.

Lia and Kendra had turned in for the night, leaving just the three of us—Rowan, Varek, and me—seated around the fire. The unease between us had settled into something more like a cold truce, but I could feel it still simmering in the air. Three dominant wolves sitting too close to one another, all of us used to being the one in charge, did not make for a relaxed atmosphere.

Varek sat opposite me, the fire casting shadows over his angular features. He had stripped down to just his undershirt and his pants, leaning forward with his forearms on his thighs, his face blank. Rowan sat to my right, silent and waiting for whatever came next.

“Tell me more about these things, these burrowers,” I said finally, breaking the quiet.

Varek exhaled slowly, tilting his head toward the fire. “We don’t know much, really.” He dragged a hand through his dark hair, like he was remembering something unpleasant. “My men called them burrowers, but the locals call themNyktos.”

I frowned. “Nyktos?”

The corner of Varek’s mouth twitched upward, but there was no humor in it. “Yeah. Best we can tell, it means something like those who dwell in darkness or night born.” He rolled his shoulders. “Fits, considering no one’s ever really seen one.”