Page 69

My heart accelerates. I put a hand on the base of my throat. “Can I come on the rescue mission?”

Dad shakes his head. “It’s too dangerous. I have my best men going. The Rune Clan is also sending men, along with many other clans and allies.”

I take a deep breath and slowly let it out. “How long before we know something?”

“They’ll be leaving within the hour,” Dad answers. “The location is less than an hour by flight, so we should know within a couple of hours.”

A couple of hours and my mom could be rescued. I just have to be patient a little longer.

“You’re sure I can’t go.” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth.

Damek slips his arm around me. “Sorry, Maddie. I can’t let you go and get hurt.”

“Damek is right,” Dad says. “This is a rescue mission and you don’t have the training. I know you used your succubus powers to get away from Prince Lucas when he took you, but we can’t risk it. You’re too important.”

I take another deep breath. “Sorry. You’re right. I’m just ready to know that Mom is safe.”

She’s going to be home soon.

At least, I hope so.

“The council will be meeting this afternoon to decide what to do with the Nodin Clan,” Dad says. “Since you’re to be the crown princess of the Rune Clan, you are to be present.”

I swallow hard. “What?”

“You and Damek both.” Dad glances at Damek, then at me. “You deserve to know their fate. Neither of you will be voting since you’re not the head of your clan, but you will get to speak.”

Speak?

In front of people?

I nod. “Okay.”

At least I have a heads up so I can think about what I want to say.

A few minutes later, I stand outside and watch the vans pull out of the driveway. There are at least fifty people between the Scott and Rune clans going on the rescue mission, not to mention the other clans that are meeting them there.

Damek squeezes my hand and I lean my head over, letting it thump against his side. He wraps an arm around me and squeezes me to his side.

“Everything is going to be okay,” he promises.

I believe him when he says it.

22

TRIAL

The next two hours are tense as we wait around my dad’s phone, waiting for news.

Every time his phone makes a noise, my heart speeds up, which causes everybody to look at me. But it’s not as if I can help it. I’m anxious.

When Dad’s phone rings, I sit up straighter.

He shakes his head, silencing the ringtone. “Not them.”

I sit back in my chair feeling dejected.

I wish I could’ve gone with them to rescue her, but I understand why I couldn’t.