Page 25 of Savage Sacrifice (The Savage Six #4)

POLARIS

“ A re you sure you’re okay, Polaris?”

I blink up at Bryony, a heavy sigh falling from my lips as I fail to plaster a smile on my face. Shaking my head, I manage the tiniest curl to the corner of my mouth, but it’s only fueled by apology.

“I’m sorry, my head is just not in it,” I admit, glancing down at the card in my lap.

The dreaded card.

It’s been in my grasp since the moment we left Florida and headed to the undisclosed location of where the wolf party would be taking place. Stepping through a portal without magic of my own somehow feels strange. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but it sent a shiver running down my spine.

The card remains in my grip as we approach the farmhouse. Bryony waves at us, her cell phone pressed against her ear as she closes the portal. We don’t stop to chat, instead opting to head inside.

The guys and Minnie are nowhere to be seen, but they should hopefully arrive soon, seeing as the sun is setting. Blaze shows me to the room I’m sharing with the girls before stepping out to take a call, leaving me to take in my new surroundings.

A huge four-poster bed sits centrally against the wall on the right, while a large dresser is set up to the left, featuring a fancy mirror framed with spotlights.

The window is grand, with velvet-draped curtains tucked away on either side, as the view looks out over the acres of land on which the house sits.

A plush cream rug fills the center of the room, offsetting the various shades of pale pink that color the space.

There is also a chandelier that hangs overhead, and two additional doors that lead to a bathroom and a walk-in closet.

All of this luxury, and apparently it’s one of Minnie’s family vacation homes. No one even lives here full-time, which is why we have full use of it tonight.

It’s insane. But if I’ve learned anything about Minnie and Lincoln, it’s that they wear their insanity like a badge of honor, and they have to have gotten that level of confidence from someone, somewhere, so this level of extravagance won’t even register to them.

My gaze darts back to the card in my hand, which is nestled in my lap as I sit cross-legged on the bed.

As if sensing that my thoughts are about to wonder, Minnie and Bryony burst through the door.

The second Minnie’s gaze lands on mine, she shuffles to the foot of the bed, staring down at me with concern glistening in her eyes while Bryony relaxes on the seat by the dresser, quietly watching us.

I run my finger across the front of the card where my name is scrawled, but there’s not a single thing inside.

It was a statement, a warning that he’s aware.

I’m torn between wondering whether we opened his eyes to something here or whether this was his plan all along.

Especially since he led us to the coin that Krystal had.

I’ll be damned if I know. I’m sure he’ll make it known soon enough, but for now, I’m supposed to just sit and wait. He causes me more stress than necessary, and I hate it.

Minnie plants her hands on her hips as she takes a deep breath.

“Nope, The Crow doesn’t get to take a good time away from us.

Politely,” she states, aiming a finger at me.

“I thought you were dead because of me. I’m running on guilt alone right now, which isn’t your fault.

Well, maybe if you hadn’t stabbed yourself, then things may be different, but I’m demanding this moment in time with you to just be two girls enjoying a party before the craziness gets any… crazier.”

A genuine smile ghosts my lips, but before I can say a word, a scoff echoes behind me, and I tilt my head to find Wylder filling the door frame with his arms folded over his chest.

Nobody should be allowed to look that hot while doing… absolutely nothing.

“Minnie, are you blackmailing her?” he asks, making no move to enter the room as he gives her a pointed look, but I see the humor sparkling in his eyes.

Minnie rolls her eyes at him as she waves him off. “You don’t know the meaning of the word if you think that’s what this is,” she smarts back, and it’s his turn to wave her off.

“Regardless, stop bulldozing her.”

She gapes in disbelief at him. “I’m not bulldozing, am I?” She turns to me and exhales slowly as her arms fall loose at her sides. “Yeah, I’m definitely bulldozing, I’m sorry.”

I instantly hate seeing the hint of defeat in her eyes and I want to eradicate it.

“No, you’re right,” I state, watching her eyes widen in surprise. “We deserve this,” I insist, and Bryony leaps to her feet.

“Ready for me to work my magic?” she asks, and I nod.

“Okay, bring it on,” I declare, swinging my legs over the side of the bed so I can stand. I eat up the distance between us before I change my mind, and the second I take my seat in front of the mirror, Wylder appears behind me.

“It’s good to see you smile, Little Witch. I’ll give you some time, but we’re all downstairs when you’re ready,” he explains, pressing a kiss to my crown before disappearing.

I smile, basking in his touch, and as I consider the fact that I risked it all, risked losing them and their touch, my body thrums even more. I need to cherish every moment, every touch, because they almost vanished from my memory, and the only reason they didn’t is because they came and found me.

Me.

The sad, lonely girl from Florentine’s. Now I have people I would literally die for, and people who are desperately seeking me because they care. In these people, I found a family, a set of insane ride or die fools, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

“Hit me with it, Bryony,” I breathe, and she smiles, running her fingers through my hair.

Muttering under her breath, she reaches for a small vial on top of the dresser, and my heart clenches at the reminder that I can’t do it myself, but I squash the sadness down, refusing to let it show when we have a carefree night planned.

Instead of wallowing in my lack of magic, I observe my transformation, watching as the bright silvery locks draped around my face soften to a mixture of chestnut browns and honey blondes.

Once she’s done, each strand is curled to perfection, falling over my shoulders before she turns her attention to my eyes.

Bryony presses her thumb right between my eyes and my eyelids fall closed as a tepid warmth spreads across my face.

It feels strange that, for the first time, my cheeks are not heating from my blush.

It’s even stranger when I pry my eyes open again to find that they’re no longer blue, but a shimmering emerald green, and is that…

? There’s a smattering of freckles dusted over my nose too.

Three little changes and I don’t look like myself at all.

I tilt my head to the side, trying to decide how I feel, but the main reality that holds me captive is the lack of bite-sized scars that were ingrained into my skin. I hate the fact that they’re gone again, but I guess it’s essential for the disguise.

My eyes meet Minnie’s in the mirror and I clear my throat. I feel awkward for asking, but now that I’ve thought about the wolf bite marks, I have to know. “Has Lincoln’s wolf made an appearance yet?”

She grimaces. “No, but I’m hoping tonight is the night since it’s the blood moon.”

I nod as my chest tightens with concern when Wylder appears behind me in the reflection.

“Little Witch, it never fails to amaze me how hot you are, no matter what color your hair is. If the simple black hair threw him for a loop last time, I can’t wait to have fun with this.

” He wiggles his eyebrows playfully and I shake my head as a soft hum of amusement floats from my lips.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him no, but the idea of somehow getting under Lincoln’s skin sounds exciting.

“Agreed,” Minnie interjects, turning to Wylder with her arms folded over her chest. “Now, get out so we can get dressed.”

Rubbing my lips together nervously, I look out over the acres of land we’re surrounded by as I let the atmosphere wash over me.

It feels weird being at a wolf party that’s not in the woods on campus.

Sure, trees frame the outskirts of the main setup, but it’s completely open otherwise.

The focal point tonight is a massive bonfire where people are already dancing and mingling.

Witches, wolves, vampires, and humans.

They’re all here, lowering their inhibitions along with the invisible barriers between factions.

From my spot on the outdoor deck of the house, I have a few extra feet of height, allowing me to scan the entire crowd.

Other than the bonfire, there’s a bar set up to the far left, Wylder in place, just like he was the first time I attended a wolf’s full moon party.

The reminder makes me smile. Turning my attention to the other side of the gathered group, I find a food station set up too.

I should eat, we all should, but when Minnie links her arm through mine, dragging me down the few steps and into the crowd, it’s toward Wylder I find myself moving.

“Are we not eating?” Bryony asks, seemingly just as hungry as I am. Minnie has her other arm linked through hers, tugging us both along, and the wolf gives us both a pointed look.

“I need these boys to see her in this dress first,” she states, like that’s a valid enough reason, but as much as I shake my head in denial, my cheeks heat in anticipation of their attention.

Food can wait.

Just as my mind comes to the same conclusion as Minnie’s, Wylder lifts his gaze and his eyes instantly settle on me. I fiddle with the hem of my dress with my free hand, feeling his intense stare rake over me from head to toe as I watch a smirk spread across his cheeks.

There are a few people at the bar, waiting for his attention, but he doesn’t see any of them as he moves to the far end, pulling two shot glasses from beneath the counter before proceeding to fill them with the same liquor I shared with him the first time we met like this.