Page 160 of Wicked Bonds

She nodded. “The one Vera learned the truth from about Balthazar and Leela.”

“What’s he saying?” Lucian demanded, his calm facade slipping marginally. Issac could understand the concern, given everything the Hydraian King had just endured with the loss of Aidan. It had left them all on edge, Lucian even more so.

“I don’t know. I wasn’t close enough to hear.” Caro’s blue eyes lifted to the sky. “But the lack of energy in the clouds tells me he came alone and he’s not here to fight.”

They all fell silent as they waited for Vera or Gabriel to return.

Aya shivered again, another wave of that dark energy seeming to swirl around them.

I don’t like this,she told Issac.Something isn’t right.

I know.He attempted to see beyond the island again, but nothing caught his attention. Just the usual minds.

Skye’s continued to whirl with visions of the future, her visuals spinning rapidly and changing every few seconds.

Blood.

Aya.

Bright light.

Aya.

Broken feathers.

Aya.

Elizabeth screaming.

Aya.

Issac swallowed, not liking the changing expressions in Aya’s eyes. She went from murderous rage to gleeful to loving to furious again. But the worst one was the one with a dead expression, as though she didn’t care at all about life or meaning anymore.

He hoped that vision never came to fruition.

Pushing the haunting images from his mind, he searched the rest of the island for anything out of the ordinary. He found nothing other than a sense of preparedness and unwavering determination, the Hydraians ready for battle.

“Balthazar’s in Buenos Aires.” Vera’s voice preceded her appearance, her navy wings disappearing in a flash. “Melanythos found them. Several warrior Seraphim, too. They need us.”

Gabriel misted down, his red feathers vanishing as he returned to his corporeal state. “It’s a risk,” he told her. “We do this, and they’ll know our allegiance.”

“They’ll know as soon as Melanythos attempts to alter their memories again,” Lucian interjected, folding his arms. “Balthazar and Leela are worth more than any risk. Take whatever resources you need. Any Hydraians that you think can help. Whatever it takes. We need them here. And we need them here now.”

“Your resources won’t help us,” Gabriel returned, his focus going to Vera. “We go. Leave Sethios, Caro, and Stas here to protect the boundaries. That’ll buy us maybe thirty minutes.”

Vera nodded. “Looks like that nap I wanted isn’t going to happen.”

He blinked at her. “You’re immortal. Sleep isn’t a requirement.”

She sighed, long and loud. “Just when I thought Clara might be impacting your sensibilities, you go and say something likethat.” She shook her head.

He studied her for a moment. “You’re wasting time.” He vanished with the words, causing Vera to mutter a curse.

“Thirty minutes,” she echoed, looking at Sethios. “If we’re not back by then, assume the worst.”

She disappeared before anyone could reply, leaving them all staring at the place she’d just occupied.

“Failure isn’t an option,” Lucian said into the silence. “I need to go prepare the others. Notify me of—”