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“Your reinforcements.” Tyler shifted back into his human form. Clothes immediately covered his body, and Synica didn’t doubt that an ally fae had helped the alpha out. His dark eyes were hard but steady as he looked at the dormants. “You did well holding the line. Now, who’s in charge?”

There was a commotion beyond the line of elves and fae that had moved to keep the dormants in their view. Synica made a motion for them to part so she could see what was happening.

“I want to know who the hell authorized that helicopter to take off, and I want to know now!” A man dressed in a human military uniform barked. His face was an ugly shade of red, and he had a vein in his forehead that looked like it just might burst.

“I did.” Synica stood straight with her shoulders pulled back and her chin raised.

She let her power run over her body, knowing the slight glow of it would show.

She thought it might give the obviously angry human pause.

But he just kept marching straight for her.

When he was less than five feet away, Tyler stepped in front of her, placed a hand on the male's chest, and shoved him back a good twenty feet.

“It would be ill advised of you to approach a djinn elder with such little respect.” A rough growl filled Tyler’s voice.

Synica’s eyes narrowed as something about the man bothered her. A second later she realized that he didn’t seem to be in shock or the slightest bit surprised about the supernatural beings all around him. “You know what we are. How?”

The male’s jaw clenched, and she could tell that he really didn’t like being questioned. This was a male used to giving the orders, not taking them. And based on the contempt filling his gaze, whatever he knew about their kind, he didn’t particularly care for them.

“Answer her,” Drayden, who’d returned to human form, ordered as he stepped up beside the human. He towered over the male, but the human didn’t back away. Brave or stupid? Synica was going with the latter.

“I’ve had dealings with supernatural beings before you,” he answered, straightening out his shirt where Tyler’s hand had touched him.

“Why would the human military know anything about supernat—” Jeff’s words faded off as Synica could practically see the lightbulb go off above his head.

The Coldspring alpha stepped closer to the human.

“You have a daughter, a scientist who you forced to work with Cain.” He sounded so sure of his words.

The male's lips thinned. “How do you know any of that?”

Jeff looked at Tyler. “Fane mentioned that Alice’s father was military.

And let’s just say that the other healers were less than happy with what your daughter, Alice, went through.

All because you pimped her out to a vampire.

To build a stronger military.” Jeff’s voice grew more and more tense as he bore down on the man.

“As if you could control beings with power and magic. Your own thirst for it has been your downfall. And this”—he motioned to the carnage around them—"is on your head and the government who backed your idiotic venture.”

“I am Colonel Mark Douglas, and you, you measly peon, will speak to me with the respect that my rank affords! You will tell me where that damn helicopter went!” Spittle flew from his mouth as his hands fisted at his sides, and he shook with pent-up rage.

“First,” Tyler spoke up, “we don’t care about your rank. Second, even if we did know where the helicopter was going, we wouldn’t tell you. And third, how would you like to die? Broken neck or crispy fried?”

Mark Douglas’s eyes widened, though he tried to hide his fear beyond his blustering pride. “Die? You can’t kill me. I work for the President of the United States. I?—”

“You are a piece of shit who worked with the Vampire King, a sworn enemy of the alpha of alpha’s with the intent to build a super army to do who the hell knows what.

Not to mention, you treated your daughter like a commodity and not something precious.

So, on behalf of Fane Lupei, alpha over all our packs, I judge you, Colonel Mark Douglas, as guilty of treason against the supernatural community, which your daughter is a part of.

And considering we have more important things to do, there’s no time for last words.

” And with that Tyler looked at Drayden and gave the Canada alpha a nod.

Drayden wrapped his large hand around the colonel’s neck and, with a flick of his strong wrist, snapped the human’s neck.

From beside Synica, Raith whistled. “Damn, werewolf justice is swift. I like it.”

Synica looked at the dormants, obviously new to this whole world, and saw them staring at Mark Douglas’s body. Some appeared shocked, and others looked like it was just one more crazy thing to add to their day.

Tyler glanced around the group. “For real this time, who is in charge?”

A tall fae male stepped forward, commanding attention without effort.

His long silver hair was tied back, and his sharp, angular features were set in a mask of calm authority.

His violet eyes, glowing faintly in the lingering smoke, scanned the group with a calculating precision.

He was dressed in full fae warrior gear—leather armor etched with intricate runes that pulsed with latent magic and gleamed faintly in the firelight.

He carried himself with the grace and confidence of someone used to being in command.

“I am Temple.” His voice was smooth but laced with steel.

“I’ve been leading what remains of the fae and elf forces in this area.

These dormants fought bravely, but they cannot hold the line alone.

If we are to protect the humans here, we need structure, leadership, and resources.

Tell me, wolves—are you staying to help, or are you leaving us to fend for ourselves? ”

Tyler stepped forward, his dark eyes locking onto Temple’s.

The Missouri alpha, still streaked with blood from the wounds his wolf had obtained during the battle, stood tall, his powerful presence matching the fae warrior’s in intensity.

“We don’t leave people to die. Some of us will stay to help.

Alphas, to keep the wolves in line. You’ve got our support. ”

Temple’s expression didn’t change, but there was a flicker of approval in his gaze.

“Good. Then let’s not waste time. The demons won’t give us the luxury of rest. And the vampires seem to be multiplying like rabbits.

” He turned, gesturing to the dormants and the remaining fae and elf warriors.

“We need to set up a safe zone—a shelter where humans can seek protection and the injured can be treated. This area is too exposed. I suggest we secure the National Cathedral. It’s defensible, and the wards we place there will hold. ”

Synica stepped forward and narrowed her gaze. “The djinn will help with the wards. No demon will cross them. And we’ll ensure the shelter is equipped with everything you need to keep the humans safe.”

Temple’s violet eyes met hers, and for a moment, there was a quiet understanding between them. “Good. Your magic will make the difference here.”

“What about the wolves?” a young dormant asked, his voice steady but tinged with uncertainty.

“Angus, Alpha of the Ireland pack and Drayden, alpha of the Canada pack, will stay.” Tyler nodded to the alphas.

“They’ll keep the wolves organized and make sure everyone here is working together.

If more wolves show up to fight, they’ll listen to the alphas—and if they don’t, they’ll wish they had. ”

Angus grinned, his green eyes flashing with approval. “Aye, we’ll keep the pups in line.”

“Maybe you could explain what the hell is happening, what all of you are, and what we are.” A female, with blonde, chin lengthed hair and large, blue eyes, spoke up.

“I got attacked by a nut job who acted like a vampire and then told me he could smell my dormant blood. Then before I knew it I was surrounded by literal demons. These pointy-ear guys, who said they were here to help, showed up and all hell broke loose. It’d be nice to get a full explanation other than just surviving a fight against creatures that aren’t supposed to exist and then being told some werewolves would be watching our backs. ”

Drayden crossed his arms, his expression grim but resolute. “We will fill you in, and we’ll make sure this place holds.”

Temple’s gaze swept over the group, his sharp features betraying nothing of what he thought.

Then he nodded. “Very well. Let’s move quickly.

We’ll divide into two groups—one to secure the cathedral and establish the wards and another to bring in the injured.

” He turned to one of the fae warriors nearby, a woman with short, bright-blue hair and an air of quiet authority.

“Take three with you and start gathering survivors. Keep to the shadows. We can’t afford to lose anyone else. ”

The fae nodded and disappeared into the night with her team, her movements silent and fluid.

Synica watched them go before turning to Tyler. “The djinn will begin placing the wards as soon as we arrive at the cathedral. Once that’s done, we need to leave for draheim. Shade won’t wait, and every moment we delay, the veils weaken further.”

Tyler’s jaw tightened, but he nodded. “Agreed. Let’s finish this quickly.”

The National Cathedral was a towering shadow against the blood-red sky.

Its Gothic spires clawed upward as if reaching for salvation.

Despite the destruction elsewhere in the city, the cathedral stood intact, its stone walls unmarred by flame or claw.

It exuded an aura of quiet strength, an island of calm in the chaos.