Page 28 of Shifter’s Promise (Devourer of Magic)

I didn’t expect to be back underground so soon, but Lifal hadn’t had much interest in the Leopard Clan house.

Making my way into a larger chamber than Lifal usually occupied, I found the entirety of Ghost Squadron along with Lifal, Willow and Shannon. The triplets greeted them first, Leona and I second.

I still hadn’t forgiven them for attempting to steal away my sister, but I could berate them later. Business first. It wasn’t until we’d all sat around the makeshift conference table that Lifal addressed the room.

“You all did well,” he said. His rumble of a voice commanded attention. Not quite as much as Leona had in the bedroom, but that was hard to beat.

“Thanks,” Taka said dryly. He faced the Ghost Squadron. “But for real… Thank you all. We couldn’t have done it without you.”

“He’s right,” Aya agreed. “Thank you.”

Raxa nodded his thanks as well as Leona .

“I hope we can continue working together,” I said. “So, thank you.”

Lifal chuckled, realizing we’d all directed our thanks to Ghost Squadron and Shannon, not himself. He didn’t seem to hold it against us though, his easy smile not so much as twitching.

“We’ll need to continue working together,” Lifal said. “Sooner than we thought.”

My brows furrowed. “What do you mean by that?”

Sighing, Shannon shifted closer to the table. He’d been the only one to prefer leaning against the wall.

“Jeremiah is only a small piece of the puzzle,” he said. “This runs much deeper than Jaguar Clan, as I’m sure you’re aware.”

My jaw hardened. “I’m well aware.”

“We know,” Alysia said, the only Ghost to speak up since we’d met. “That’s why we’re all going to need each other’s help.”

I nodded, resolute. “Whatever you need to bring some justice back to the Beast Kingdom.”

“I was hoping you’d say that,” Lifal said. He sat back, motioning at Willow.

My gaze shot to her yellow eyes, surprised to find more determination than ever blazing within them.

“There’s been a rumor going around that we only managed to confirm earlier today,” Willow began. Her serious gaze darted to each of us before settling back on me. “Cinna’s been hard at work. She’s dismantled a few more slave houses and even a breeding ring in the city.”

I gasped along with the triplets and Leona.

“Breeding ring?” Aya’s hand shook on the tabletop .

“They’re breeding beastkin for this?” Leona snapped.

Willow nodded. “Cinna’s kind. The ice wolves.”

Cold dread spilled through me. This was a new low, even for them.

“There’s more,” Lifal said.

“How can it get worse?” Taka asked no one in particular.

“It doesn’t,” Willow said, much to our collective relief.

“Then it gets better?” Raxa inquired.

“It does.” Willow smirked as she held my gaze. “Cinna’s coming, and she’s bringing The Wilds.”

I shot to my feet, wicked joy and relief clashing within me. The ice wolf with crystal eyes flashed in my mind. Her power came next, those swaths of ice that had filled Elherd’s manor. The most powerful wolf alive was on her way.

“The slave trade will be no more,” Lifal said firmly.

Finally . All beastkin would get the revenge we were owed. The justice we were due.

I laughed. “They’re so fucked.”