Page 56 of Rise of the Witch

Head clearing, I released Nox and took a hesitant step toward my grief-stricken Rider. “Asa…” I began, although I knew nothing I could say or do would bring him comfort at this moment.

Surprisingly, he immediately quieted at the sound of my voice. Slowly standing, he lifted his head to look at me, tears mixed with blood and dirt freely streamed down his face as he stared at me in utter devastation.

“Vasi…” he croaked, taking a shaky step toward me. “I never told him…”

“It’s okay,” I soothed, although it was the farthest thing from the truth. “We’ll get him back, I promise you. We’ll get him back.”

Asa took another step in my direction, his expression a mask of pure anguish. Suddenly, he froze, eyes widening as he clutched a hand to his chest, all color leaving his face.

Is he having a heart attack?!

Pale blue eyes locked on mine as Asa gingerly removed his hand, revealing a perfectly neat incision that had magically appeared over his heart.

“Oh, fuck,” he breathed the instant before a massive whirlwind descended, wrapping around him with the force of a hurricane. I screamed his name through the blinding wind, flying debris scratching my face and arms as I fought to reach him, fought against Nox’s hold on me—screaming Asa’s name again as the whirlwind began to pull on me as well until Nox tackled me to the ground, covering my body with his own.

When I opened my eyes again, all was quiet.

And Asa was gone.

Goddess, help me...

“Vasi!” Nox was calling my name from somewhere far off as I struggled to comprehend what had happened, although I knew exactly who commanded that magical whirlwind.

Koschei.

“Vasi!”I was startled back to reality by Nox’s rumbling voice. “Vasi, stay with me.Breathe.”

I choked in a breath, gasping for air, trying to claw my way out of Nox’s hold so I could rescue Asa, find Tan, fix this, get my Riders back with me where they belonged.

“Breathe,Vashka,”Nox helped me stand, tree trunk arms still wrapped around me, holding my broken pieces together. “I’ve got you. I’m not going anywhere.”

I collapsed back against his broad chest, trying to catch my breath when suddenly an unfamiliar man’s voice echoed through the canyon. “Well, isn’t this a touching scene?”

Nox stiffened around me. “Shit…” he whispered, slowly straightening, releasing his hold to carefully shift me behind his massive frame as he turned.

I realized it was an admirable but pointless attempt to protect me as I took in what waited for us on the edge of the crater. The sheer number of men surrounding us was astounding, every one of them dressed in tactical gear similar to my Riders’ and all with guns aimed at us. As if drawn by a magnet, I instantly located the man who had spoken. He dwarfed the others around him, dark eyes fixed on me, his scowl so similar to Nox’s I immediately knew who he was.

Which meant the Facility had found us.

“I thought I’d taught you better than this, Nox,” his father—Matthew—chuckled. “Always stick to the high ground. This,” he waved an enormous hand at where we stood, fully exposed in the crater, with nowhere to hide. “This would be like shooting fish in a barrel, no?”

Nox nudged me imperceptibly, “So why don’t you do it, then.” Another nudge. “We both know we killed some of your men.”

“Mmm, yes, I do know about that,” his father mused, although he didn’t sound particularly upset. “But I’m more interested inhowyou killed them. Very mysterious…”

I received another nudge and realized Nox was trying to get me to run, knowing I could probably spirit myself out of here while he sacrificed himself.

Not going to happen, you big idiot.

Shoving my way past him, I boldly glared up at the giant above us, amplifying my voice until it was deafening. “Matthew! I know you’ve been illegally tagging and capturing shifters frommyforest for your Facility. Let us pass, and I will allow you to live!”

“Holy fuck,” Nox gritted out from beneath his beard, lips barely moving, glaring at me out of the corner of his eye. “Shut thefuckup, Vasi.”

His father cocked his head with interest. “Little spitfire! You act as though we wouldforceyou to come with us.” He dramatically brought his hand to his heart as if the thought offended him.

I blinked in surprise. “Why else would you surround us with guns?”

Matthew threw his head back, laughter booming off the crater walls. Apparently, this was a threatening occurrence as some of the men shifted uncomfortably, and Nox protectively moved closer to me. “Oh, this is simply an armed escort, my dear,” his father chuckled. “A friend of yours has requested your presence, and I wanted to be sure you arrived safely.”

A chill ran down my spine. Tan was in the Nav, and Asa had been taken by Koschei. There was only one other creature on this earth who could be used as ammunition against me.

A sinister smile stretched across Matthew’s face, the evil delight in his eyes causing my claws to twitch beneath my skin. “That’s right,Yaga.Your friend Anthia is justdyingto see you.”