Page 56 of Night Sector

“I can’t really blame her,”Fritz told Kyra. “But I did it to protect her.”

“Sometimes we don’t need others to protect us, Fritz. We have to learn how to protect ourselves.”

Her reply resonated in my mind, her words that of a warrior who had survived so much pain in life yet found ways to continue forward.

Although, her mind told me she thought that statement sounded like something Quinnlynn would say, not her. I disagreed. That sentiment was all Kyra.

“I’m starting to realize how true that is,”Fritz admitted before disappearing.

Kyra sighed, the sound heavy and sad.

It had my wolf pacing inside me, demanding that we go to her.

But I held us captive in Blood Sector, forcing my feet to remain on the ballroom floor as I watched all of our guests celebrate the new King and Queen.

Quinnlynn had asked Kyra to come, but Kyra hadn’t felt right about it. She’d said the Sanctuary needed her.

It’d been an excuse to avoid me.

And also a way to avoid her guilt over everything with Quinnlynn.

Kyra was hell-bent on fixing things by getting to the bottom of Fritz’s secrets. But so far, she hadn’t had much luck in deciphering his motives.

I hadn’t had much luck here with Myon either. It didn’t help matters that Cillian believed him. He could sense the truth of his thoughts, which made it difficult to find a starting point for my search. Everything wasn’t adding up.

And still… it felt too easy, just like Kyra had said, and just like I’d said to Cillian.

I glanced at him, ready to reignite the conversation, but I found his gaze on a white-haired female near the doors.

Ivana.

She had her head down, her submission uncharacteristic of her.

Sure, she was an Omega, but she usually faced the world by meeting everyone’s gaze without a hint of shyness. It was that boldness that allowed her to constantly approach Cillian. Most Omegas tittered and blushed around him. But not Ivana. She always stared straight at him as she made her demands.

Her shoulders hunched a little, then straightened as she took a fortifying breath.

Did an Alpha spook her?I wondered.Who did you send her off to dance with?

No one in particular. I just told her to find someone else to ask, as I’m not here to celebrate. I’m working.

Do you think someone rejected her?

If they did, I’ll kill them.

I gave him a look.Technically, you rejected her. You reject her all the time. Are you going to punish yourself?

That’s different and you know it.

But does she know it?I asked him.

He sighed, his gaze tracking Ivana’s every movement. Then he frowned as she shadowed out of the room.I’ll be back.

My lips twitched as he disappeared.

And he accused me of having a distraction.

Which, of course, I did, because said distraction was lying in bed and dreading her nightmares to come.