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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

T he sound was lodged in my throat. My heart pounded against my ribs like a drummer announcing war.

His eyes softened. “If I meant you harm, Ember, you would’ve never made it to that prison.”

My mouth snapped shut. He had to be talking about the forcefield that had surrounded the Accord when the vampires had thrown a grenade at it.

Ember, are you hurt? Ryker linked, and the front door opened.

No. It’s the strange man—he’s here talking to me.

I’m on my way, Ryker responded.

Only you right now, please. I want him to remain willing to talk, and he helped us earlier with the grenade. I pushed my worry toward him. I need to give him a chance to explain. Please.

My wolf was still growling low in warning, but my instincts… they didn’t scream danger. “Who the hell are you?”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Names hold power, and I’ve given enough of mine away. But you may call me what you like.”

“Stalker? Creeper?” I shot back, voice sharper than I intended. My hands trembled, but I didn’t lower my guard.

He tilted his head. “Fair. But I wasn’t following you. I was observing. There’s a difference.”

“And why, exactly, were you observing me?” I needed answers before I went insane.

His gaze shifted toward the house. Ryker’s frantic footsteps came toward us.

He focused on me once more, brows furrowed. “Did your father not tell you anything about me?”

I took a step back. “My father ? You’re not making any sense.” What did Dad have to do with this man?

The man’s expression softened, almost regretful. “You were supposed to be told when you came of age.”

My pulse stumbled. “Told what ? And what does ‘come of age’ even mean?” I had no clue what this strange man’s definition of that would be.

“Told that your blood carries more than just wolf magic.” He took a careful step closer, his voice quieter now. “That you were never just one thing.”

My panic heightened, and Ryker reached me, tugging me behind him.

“What have you done to her?” he snarled.

“Nothing.” The strange man shrugged and rolled his wrists. “Just informing her of her heritage.”

“Bullshit.” My voice cracked, and I stepped to Ryker’s side for a clear view. “My father would’ve told me if—”

But then memories popped into my head. Different times when Dad had told me he needed to tell me something alone. Right before I was rejected and everything went to hell.

I staggered back, breath catching in my throat.

“I kept waiting for you to locate me, and when I was going to approach you for the first time, I saw you were with them .” The strange man wrinkled his nose. “I could not believe that you would choose to join a pack full of violence, but for some reason, your magic still called to me. But after what I saw you do today—what you’ve done these past weeks while also changing the violent nature of your new pack—I realized we must meet.”

I don’t like this, Ember. Ryker’s concern and worry weighed on our bond. I think he’s messing with you.

Though I knew he had every reason to believe that, something inside me resonated with this man. I need to hear him out. I hope you understand.

Ryker took my hand and moved so close to me that our arms rubbed and the fated-mate bond flared between us.

“Why do I feel a connection to you?” I was tired of the vague answers and needed the truth. “Dad did tell me he needed to speak to me, but he died before he had the chance.”

The strange man’s eyes glistened, making his irises look even more otherworldly. “Ah, that makes sense. You are confused and have no clue what’s going on inside you.”

“Ever since Dad passed, a warm sort of magic has filled me. One that isn’t my wolf.” I’d thought it had to do with grief, but now I was certain it was whatever linked me to this man. “None of this makes sense.”

Ryker’s jaw twitched.

“My dear girl, of course it doesn’t.” The man frowned. “When your father passed, your dormant magic activated.”

The world tilted. “My what magic? And why did Dad dying turn something on inside me?”

“Many centuries ago, I fell in love with a human.” The strange man pressed his lips together and stared into the distance as if he’d gone back in time. “And then I returned to my realm without knowing she was pregnant until months later, when something yanked at me.”

With a dry snort, Ryker placed an arm around my waist and drew me even closer. “Realm? What are you fucking talking about? Are the vampires using you to mess with our minds?”

“Vampires have been vile creatures for many centuries.” Strange Man wrinkled his nose. “They’ve grown more courageous over the years.”

“What?” I felt like my brain wasn’t working anymore. Maybe with all the fighting and chaos, it had fallen out, and I wasn’t aware. “Your words have meaning, but they aren’t making sense put together.”

“Of course. Let me continue my story.” The man crossed his arms. “Needing to investigate what called to me from Earth, I returned and learned that I had a son. He was half wolf and half fae, and his pack name was Sinclair.”

My breath punched out of me. “Are you saying you’re my great, great, great, great, great, grandfather?” I had no clue how many greats to add, because he’d mentioned “many” centuries.

“You’re lying,” Ryker barked. “Fae aren’t real. They’re in story books.”

“Fae are real, but we don’t visit Earth often. Though we do enjoy seeing how different you all are.” The man shrugged. “But our magic works differently here, which is why only one of my descendants at a time can have their magic activated. When your father passed, Ember, you were the oldest, and thus, your magic activated within you.”

I couldn’t breathe. Not because I didn’t believe him.

Because I did .

The way his magic felt familiar. The way his voice settled something buried deep in my bones.

The way my father would look at me sometimes—like he was on the edge of revealing something that never quite made it to the surface.

“I don’t understand,” I whispered. “Why talk to me now?”

“Because you’ve proven that your instincts lean toward justice, not vengeance. That matters, Ember, to fae like me, because we are of the Aureline line. A very special line where we do Fate’s bidding and ensure that everything is balanced between good and evil.”

My brain buzzed. “What about Briar?”

“Your sister.” He rubbed his hands together. “She is of the same line as you, but her fae magic won’t ever activate if you have children. If you die before having children, then the magic will activate in her upon your death.”

Ryker tensed. I don’t trust him.

Before I could respond, Briar’s voice came through the link. Breakfast is done, and Cassi says the witch’s pulse is steady. You guys coming in or what?

I exhaled, heart thudding. Ryker looked to me for direction, and I hesitated only a second.

We’re coming, I linked back. The last thing I wanted to do was worry her or try to explain this right now. I kept feeling like I was hitting my head against a wall, but if this man—our many-greats grandfather!— came inside, he could tell her. “You should come in with us. You could speak with Briar and tell us more.”

Do you really think that’s a good idea? Ryker’s arm tensed.

Strange Man’s smile faded. “No.”

“Why not?” I asked, frowning.

“There are witches inside.” He gestured to the house.

Ryker stepped forward again, shielding me slightly. “How the hell do you know that?”

The man’s lips twitched. “Because I watched two ladies with darkness attached to them walk inside. Their magic works similarly to ours but is of this Earth and can’t be used in our realm. I can see it. Mine is stronger and I can use it here, though not for very long.”

“So that’s why you didn’t contact me ’til now?” I asked, trying to make sense of all this.

“No. I stayed away because I needed to see if you were neutral and on the side of justice for everyone. Seeing you influence these men to change, and how you released every witch, proved that you’re worthy of learning about your fae magic.”

I bit my lip. I didn’t want him to go, but at the same time, I needed a moment to catch my breath. “Will you come back?”

“I will return when the sun sets, but only if you’re alone. I’m interested in discussing your role on Earth.”

“Absolutely not.” Ryker bared his teeth. “I have to be with her. She may want to trust you, but I don’t. I won’t allow anything to happen to her.”

A lump formed in my throat. The last thing I wanted was for Ryker to scare him off, but I also understood how Ryker felt. If our roles were reversed, I’d be saying the same thing.

“So much anger resides in your soul.” Strange Man’s shoulders sagged. “I’ll be glad when it’s eliminated. But yes, I will tolerate you because you care for her and protect her. But no one else.”

“Thank y—” I started.

“ Never thank me.” He cut me off. “I don’t want my family to be in debt. I will see you soon.” Then he vanished.

No pop. No shimmer.

Just… gone.

Ryker let out a growl and pulled me into his arms. “I don’t trust him.”

“I kind of do, which is why I want you with me when I talk to him.” I rested my head on his chest. “I think I need him. I believe some of what he’s saying because this magic inside me is definitely not wolf.”

Ryker’s chest rose against my cheek, and he murmured, “Then I’ll be by your side the second he steps out of line.”

We stood there for a breath longer before turning back toward the house where breakfast waited.

Are you two coming or what? Briar linked again. If you’re out there having sex with wolves constantly on patrol, you’ll be giving a ton of people a show.

Ryker snarled and yanked the front door open. No other man will ever see Ember that way. I refuse to share, even visually.

We stepped inside, and the warmth of the house wrapped around me. The scents of bacon and eggs wafted through the air, cozy and grounding after everything that had just happened outside.

Kendric, Gage, and Xander were already at the table, heads down, forks scraping plates. They looked up as we entered and gave us brief nods, no questions.

Briar handed me a plate and offered one to Ryker. “Eat.”

He muttered thanks under his breath and took the seat beside Kendric. I sat next to him, still shaken but trying not to show it.

Briar sat across from me and studied me, her expression unreadable. “Something wrong?”

I forced a smile. “Nothing I’m ready to explain yet. Today’s already been too much. I just want to sit here and eat.” I reached for the spoon that was dug into the eggs and scooped some onto my plate.

She gave a curt nod. “Okay, but I want you to tell me later.”

“Okay.” I grabbed some bacon, using the trick of saying okay as a form of acknowledgement of what she wanted, not that I’d actually do it.

Cassi joined us last, moving slower than usual. Her ankle was now the size of a grapefruit, and she limped noticeably as she crossed the room and dropped into the empty chair near the couch. She didn’t touch a plate, just tore at a piece of bread like she wasn’t really aware of what she was doing.

I looked around the table. It was clear we were all beat up. The rescue mission had lasted almost two hours, but it felt like it’d taken an entire day.

Halfway through the meal, Kendric set down his fork and looked around. “Anyone else wonder why the vampires weren’t cloaked when we came back?”

All of us glanced at one another as Gage added, “That’s a damn good point. They came at us loud and proud. No hiding.”

Cassi glanced up, dark circles prominent under her eyes. “The little girl. When she revealed the cloaked vampires earlier, she disrupted the spell holding the magic in place. The witch doing it… she’s been draining herself nonstop. That kind of sustained cloaking over a wide area—especially with combat happening—would rip through her reserves.”

“So she finally had to recharge?” Ryker leaned back in his seat.

Cassi nodded. “Exactly. She can’t cloak and fight. Not like that. Especially if she’s been working alone or without magical relay points.”

“Which means we have a small window,” Briar said. “To move, plan, and maybe strike.”

I was about to agree when a sound cut through the air.

A groan.

All our heads turned toward the couch.

The witch moved slightly beneath the blanket, her head turning against the pillow. Her mouth opened, cracked lips forming words too soft to hear.

Cassi was on her feet instantly, limping toward her. “She’s waking.”

Ryker stood as well, heading over to monitor the exchange.

I chased after them, and everyone followed behind me.

The witch’s eyes fluttered but didn’t open. Her face twisted as if she were caught in a dream that hurt. “Need to break free and help.”

I grew dizzy.

Leaning over, Cassi placed a hand on the woman’s cheek and asked, “Help who?”

“They need help,” she whispered. “Quickly. They won’t last much longer.”

My heart slammed into my ribs. “Who is they?”

The room stilled. Every breath held.

Her lips moved again, barely audible. “The royals.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

“The royals?” Briar echoed, voice hushed. “What royals?”

“Captive.” The woman's words were almost inaudible.

Ryker gripped the woman’s shoulders and shook her a little. “Who’s captive? What royals? The vampires?”

“No.” The woman groaned. She muttered something else, but I had to have misunderstood. There was no way she said what I thought I heard.

I spun to Ryker and asked, “Did you hear the same thing I did?”