Page 114 of Taming the Beasts

“You’re probably right though.” Emma sighed and leaned against the counter. “I’d feel bad if they did that thing to her that they did to those people in the hay maze.”

I pressed my lips together. Why was it my boyfriends doing the murdering in this scenario? I hated that one of them had lost control. I’d never asked them which one. I wasn’t sure I could handle the truth.

We were so close to them never having to lose control again. This coin was supposed to work. It was supposed to fix everything.

I stared at the vault door. But maybe nothing needed to be fixed. I felt guilty for even thinking that the guys weren’t perfect exactly the way they were. And they had the magical pocket watch to help control them. There were solutions other than a cure.

“Ugh this is taking forever,” Emma said.

“I can’t wait any longer. Screw them being protective. I want in.” I walked over to the vault and started typing in the code.

Emma laughed. “I totally forgot you knew that.”

“I was showing restraint.” The vault door hissed as I unlocked it.

Otto pushed the heavy metal door open from the inside. “Zoey, we need a few more minutes...”

I ignored him and stormed into the vault.

Callum and Bennett were inspecting a few relics. Huxley, Ace, and Titan were looking at several other relics.

What were they doing? “We want in on the plan,” I said.

Bennett lifted his head. “No.”

It was such a simple, infuriating response. “What do you mean, no?”

“I mean absolutely not.”

I knew what the word meant! “Bennett!”

“It’s a no, Zoey. It’s something Callum and I finally agree on.”

Callum nodded. “We want you and Emma as far away from Kebe as possible. One of the guys will drive you out of town tonight...”

“We’re not leaving you alone with her,” Emma said. “She’s dangerous.”

“Which is exactly why neither of you are going anywhere near her,” Bennett said.

This was ridiculous. “We’re not skipping town and leaving you guys high and dry. We want to help. Besides, Kebe is comfortable around us. We can lure her into a trap or something. Now tell us the plan. Are you going to use one of those relics on her? Which one? Because that sword over there looks useful.”

Bennett turned to Titan and nodded.

Titan handed Ace the gold goblet he’d been holding and walked over to me.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

He ignored my question and lifted me over his shoulder.

I screamed. “No! Let me down!”

All I could see was the ground as he carried me out of the vault.

“Titan, put me down this instant!”

He kept walking.

“Release me!” I slapped his butt.