Page 27

My wolf surged forward, and my fae magic blazed inside me, but the pressure from the witches’ vile magic wouldn’t let me move faster. I raised my gun and tried to fire at Ambrosia, but our group got in the way.

Multiple footsteps stomping down the stairs had me glancing over my shoulder just as twenty vampires flooded in, guns raised, fangs bared.

“Vampires,” I yelled, but it wasn’t soon enough because they opened fire.

My ears rang as bullets tore through flesh and bone, and several of our people dropped. Blood pooled beneath their bodies, the metallic scent making the stench of blood stronger and mixing with gunpowder.

Adara’s mother tried to call her magic, but all I could see were faint whisps pulsing from her body before they faded once again.

Fear poured from Ryker, but I couldn’t see him. All I could see were vampires rushing past me as if I weren’t even there, and my people falling.

I’m coming, Ember, he vowed, panic urging him to locate me.

Pay attention and fight, I replied, not wanting him to be careless and be harmed.

Three wolf shifters dropped to all fours, bones cracking and reforming as they shifted. Their clothes shredded as massive wolf forms emerged, and they snarled and lunged at the nearest vampires.

The rest of the wolf shifters opened fire. The witches tried to use their magic, but it wasn’t nearly as strong as earlier. They hadn’t had time to recharge.

A silver flash caught my attention. Ryker leapt over a fallen body, his dagger slicing through a vampire's throat. Blood sprayed across the concrete as a witch with auburn hair moved with deadly precision toward the witch casting the spell on the royals.

A vampire took aim at her back, and I screamed, “Watch out!” But with all the noise, I couldn’t even hear my own words.

The distraction cost me. Cold fingers wrapped around my throat and yanked me backward with inhuman strength. The world blurred, and suddenly, Queen Ambrosia's face was inches from mine, her perfect features twisted with rage.

"You've been quite the thorn in my side," she hissed, her breath like winter frost against my skin. Her grip tightened, cutting off my air. "I’ve been trying to kill you ever since I realized you could see our hidden vampires."

This close, I could see how dark her soul had become. The humanity-cloaking magic blocked out her true eye color with black tendrils that covered her irises and smoked outward.

Black spots danced at the edges of my vision as I clawed at her fingers. My wolf thrashed beneath my skin, desperate to break free, and my magic burned as hot as a blue flame.

The magic from the witch spelling the royals continued to weigh on me like iron chains, pressing on my chest even as Ambrosia's fingers dug into my throat. My lungs burned, desperate for air that wouldn't come. I thrashed in her grip, my fingers scrabbling uselessly against her marble skin.

"You should have died months ago," Ambrosia snarled, her fangs gleaming. "My shadows should have taken care of you. But at least I can watch your life fade in front of my eyes and know that you’re dead."

I summoned every ounce of my strength and drove my knee upward. It connected with her stomach, but all she did was flinch. Panic clawed at me as the edges of my vision darkened further.

My wolf howled inside me, the sound echoing through my mind even as my physical voice was silenced. The fae magic within me surged, crackling beneath my skin.

Ambrosia's claws sliced into my throat. My fingers tingled with numbness as I wrenched my arm upward, my hand aiming for Ambrosia's eyes.

She jerked her head back, but my nails scraped her perfect cheek, drawing four crimson lines. The vampire queen hissed, her grip faltering for a split second.

I gasped a shallow breath, not enough, but it was something. The chaos around us blurred—gunfire, snarls, screams—and I focused everything I had on survival.

"You're stronger than I thought," Ambrosia whispered, her tone almost admiring. “Too bad you’re not willing to be on the right side.” She moved so that one of her knees kept my arm down, and her free hand bound the other.

Something had to give, or I’d die.

Ember, Briar linked. No!

A blur slammed into Ambrosia from the side, and her grip on my throat vanished as she was knocked sideways. Her body crashed into the concrete wall with enough force to crack the surface.

Ryker stood between us, a savage snarl twisting his features. Blood matted his hair and streaked his face, but his eyes burned with primal fury. He crouched low, and daggers gleamed in both hands.

“Touch her again, and I’ll rip you limb from limb.”

I dragged in desperate gulps of air. My hand touched my bruised throat, and I felt the trickle of blood running down my chest. The witch's magic still pressed on me like a physical weight, making each movement feel like pushing through mud.

Ambrosia laughed, the sound musical. She straightened and smoothed her lace dress as if we were at a garden party rather than a battlefield.

"I've killed alphas centuries older than you, pup." Ambrosia beamed. "Your little daggers won't even slow me down."

Ryker lunged forward and slashed at her throat. She evaded with barely a shift of her head, her expression bored. His second blade carved through empty air where her heart should have been.

"Too slow," she taunted from behind him.

Ryker spun, but her fist connected with his jaw. The crack echoed through the chamber as he staggered back. Blood trickled from his mouth, but he regained his footing.

I struggled to my knees, still fighting the witch's magical pressure. I couldn't stay down. Not now.

The room spun as I forced myself upright, my vision clearing enough to take in the death and fighting around me. Bodies littered the floor—at least half our people lay motionless, blood pooling beneath them. The survivors fought with desperate ferocity, but the vampires were getting an edge.

My gaze went to the far corner where Briar huddled, her face pale with shock. Blood soaked one of her sleeves. She pressed her hand against the wound, crimson seeping between her fingers.

Ambrosia's laughter rang out as she dodged another of Ryker's attacks. "Your sister will join you soon enough in death."

Something inside me snapped. The witch's magic still pressed against me, but my focus on Briar broke something loose inside me. If I didn’t do something , she’d die. And I also had to save Ryker.

My power surged, rage and desperation fueling it beyond the magical restraints. My fingers found the dagger at my hip, and I charged at the vampire targeting my sister.

My dagger sliced through the air. He was fast, but desperation made me faster. The blade sank deep into his neck, hitting the spot where spine met skull. His body went rigid, mouth frozen in a silent scream as I twisted the blade and yanked it out.

Blood spurted from him as he crumpled to the floor.

Ryker’s fear spiked, and I spun, dagger still dripping with blood, only to freeze at the sight before me.

Standing with an arm wrapped around Ryker's throat, Ambrosia’s other hand tangled in his hair, she wrenched his head to expose his neck.

"No!" I screamed, abandoning my position near Briar.

I sprinted toward them, moving purely on instinct. The dagger in my hand felt like an extension of my arm as I hurled it with all my strength. The blade spun and sliced across Ambrosia's forearm. Her grip on Ryker faltered just enough for him to wrench free.

Ember, stay back, he yelled.

Like hell I would, but even if I wanted to, it was too late.

Her head snapped toward me, and she bared her teeth. "That’s fine. I’ll let him watch you die first." She moved with blinding speed, crossing the distance between us before I could blink. Her hand clamped around my throat, lifting me off my feet. She then slammed me against the wall in front of the staircase.

The impact forced the air from my lungs.

“Here, no one can intervene as easily.” She smirked. “I’m going to take my time killing you and then make sure your mate suffers pain ten times worse when it’s his turn.”

I clawed at her hand, desperate for air. My vision wavered, darkening at the edges as Ambrosia's lips curled into a victorious smile.

Still, I’d take it if it meant Ryker would survive. Run now!

Like hell. Ryker struggled to his feet, his eyes wide with horror. Blood streamed from a gash on his forehead as he lunged forward, but his legs buckled. He crashed to his knees, still too far away.

"Any last words?” Ambrosia threw her head back and laughed like she’d just told the funniest joke in the world. “No? Okay." She raised her free hand, allowing her nails to lengthen into razor-sharp points. Then she slashed at my exposed throat.

A deafening crack split the air, and a millisecond before her claws could connect with skin, her body jerked violently. She dropped me.

My knees hit the concrete, and pain erupted on impact, but I looked toward the staircase.

I inhaled sharply, my lungs filling once more as I took in Raven, lying belly-down on the concrete stairs. One of her arms was crooked beneath her while the other stretched out, holding a gun.

A slick ribbon of blood marked her crawl from the upper landing to here. She whispered, “I’m so sorry. I should’ve done that a long time ago.” Then the gun slipped from her fingers and clattered down the steps. Her eyes rolled back, and she went still.

“Raven?” The name rasped from my shredded throat.

No answer—only the slow spreading pool beneath her.

Behind me, Ryker pushed himself upright, disbelief pouring through our bond.

The moment Ambrosia’s body hit the floor, a strange hush rippled through the basement, followed by a series of dull thuds.

A few gasps came from the open area where the royal wolves lay, and the battle continued.

Five of the ten remaining guards crumpled where they stood, their guns clattering to the floor.

My stomach flipped. They must have been sired by Ambrosia. And she’d pretended it was illegal to do that. I couldn’t help but wonder if anything she’d ever said was true.

Raven just killed the vampire queen, I linked.

There was a pause before Kendric replied, Raven?

The surviving vamps broke ranks, some snarling, some bolting for exits. The wolf shifters who were in animal form tore into the panicked stragglers.

The witch conducting the spell over our royals still chanted.

Adara’s mother stepped to the witch’s flank. “I will protect you,” she vowed, looking at me but lifting trembling palms as though to shield the ritual.

The witches moved in synch, preparing to attack, but Ashlyn stepped between them and Adara’s mother. The little girl said, “I will not allow you to harm her.”

My heart shattered. Out of everyone, I’d truly believed Ashlyn was on our side.

Adara’s mother dipped to one knee and snatched a dagger from a dead coven-sister at her feet.

Time hinged on a breath.

A wolf shifter lunged, but Ashlyn batted him down.

Adara’s mom whipped around and drove her blade into the dangerous witch’s back.

The witch gasped and spun around as the magic that seemed to explode from her began to lessen. She swayed on her feet, blood already trickling from her lips. “You betrayed me.”

“No, you betrayed us. I only did what I had to do to protect my daughter.” Adara’s mom grasped the front of her black dress right where her heart was. “I will never forgive myself for what I’ve done, but I can stop it from happening in the future.” She then yanked out the dagger, and the other witch crumpled.

Ashlyn had read her intentions and hadn’t betrayed us.

The crushing magical weight evaporated, and air rushed into my lungs. My head spun, and suddenly Ryker was there beside me. He pulled me into his arms, and the buzz of our connection sizzled between us.

Wolves finished off the remaining monsters in seconds. Then—silence.

Uh… Gage connected. About a quarter of the vampires dropped dead for no reason, and half the others just ran away.

Same, Xander replied. We’re heading to the basement.

Our survivors rushed to the royal wolf shifters as panic took over once more.

My mind went to Raven.

Could I save her? She’d ended the war.

I pulled away from Ryker, who tensed.

What are you doing? His eyebrows rose, causing blood to run down his nose from his injury.

I want to try to heal Raven.

I ran up the stairs and dropped beside her.

Her eyes were half-lidded, lips already a waxy blue. Her heartbeat was faint and growing weaker.

“Stay with me,” I begged as I slipped my hands into the top of her dress so I could place my hands over the wound.

Yanking hard, my fae magic spread like wildfire through my veins like it had for Kendric and myself.

Please don’t let me be too late.

Ryker slid in beside me, and Briar knelt on my other side, silent, eyes shining. None of us spoke.

The heat exploded through my fingers, but it hit the resistance of what I realized was Raven’s vampire essence. The two forces bucked against each other, cancelling each other out until nothing but a faint spark remained.

I tried again and again and again, until I wound up leaning against the wall in exhaustion. Still, I kept trying. Ryker’s arms braced my back, supporting me.

I could feel his worry, and I knew what it meant. He was afraid of what would happen if I couldn’t save her but also knew he wouldn’t be able to stop me from continuing to try.

“No, no, no—” My tears blurred Raven’s face. I poured out everything—my strength, my heartbeat, my hope—until my vision tunneled.

Raven’s pulse continued to slip away under my hands.

A sob ripped free. I bowed my head, shoulders shaking, hot tears splattering her blood-slick skin.

Hurried footsteps came down the stairs, and Kendric arrived with Xander on his heels.

Raven’s chest hitched.

A ragged gasp scraped past her lips. Her eyes fluttered open, focusing on me, then toward the footsteps.

“Kendric…”

Something shattered in his expression, and he dropped down hard beside us.

“I’m here.” His voice cracked.

Raven’s fingers twitched. Kendric laced his hand with hers as his lips pressed into a hard line.

I’m sorry. I sniffled. I can’t save her. I tried. My head swayed as exhaustion closed in on me once more.

“I was wrong,” she whispered. “I thought loyalty mattered more than… than what I felt.” She coughed, crimson flecking her mouth. “You made me see her lies.” Her gaze moved to Ryker and me. “And neither of you did anything wrong. You shouldn’t have trusted me after what I did. Don’t carry the guilt.”

“Do not say goodbye.” Kendric shook his head, tears streaking the grime on his cheeks. “We’ll see if a witch—”

“It’s too late. But listen.” Her bottom lip quivered as she took in a rattled breath. “I did love you. That part was real.”

A sob tore from him. “And I love you. I’m sorry I didn’t listen.”

A faint smile curved her lips. “Worth it.” Her fingers slipped from his. The last breath left her in a soft exhale. Stillness settled.

Something inside me caved. The fae fire that had been keeping me upright flickered, drained by the failed healing. I lay my head on my mate’s chest.

“Ember.” Ryker’s hold tightened.

The world rocked, and I pressed into his chest as Briar’s cool hand touched my cheek, distant voices echoing.

“I—I tried,” I mumbled, eyelids too heavy to lift. “I’m sorry.” The guilt crashed over me, even though Raven had told me not to let it.

You did more than enough , Briar linked, kissing my cheek “Rest, sis.”

Through the bond, Ryker’s fear bled into relief as he cradled me. Rest, lil rebel. I’ve got you.

More footsteps raced down the stairs, yet I couldn’t make out who it was. But then I heard Adara scream, “Mom!”

Darkness swept in—quiet, painless. The last thing I felt was Ryker’s heartbeat thundering against my ear and Kendric’s broken cry carrying Raven’s name into the silence.

* * *

One week later

The setting sun blossomed in beautiful colors—pinks, purples, and oranges, cast over the royal graveyard at the very edge of the Grimstone pack territory.

Fresh earth stretched in tidy rows, and Kendric laid the first white rose on Raven’s granite stone. It was one of many denoting the true warriors who’d fallen in the war. For the first time ever, people outside of the royal family had been buried amongst them.

The recovering wolf shifter king Harry had decided that those who’d fought the night that he and his daughter had been saved would be buried alongside the twenty royal family members who hadn’t survived, including the witches and Raven.

Kendric stood, squaring his shoulders, but the pain and regret haunted him so much that his skin seemed to sag from his bones. He didn’t speak; he didn’t have to, because every single one of us knew what he felt.

Briar followed with a sprig of lavender and placed it on the tombstone of King Harry’s brother.

King Harry and Princess Liv laid an intricate floral collage over the queen’s stone.

More survivors moved forward to show their respect to the dead, including the witches.

Ryker’s hand slid into mine. Guilt still sat heavy under my ribs, but it had begun to shape itself into something useful. Every morning since the battle, Ryker and I had shifted and run the Grimstone perimeter twice, determining how we could best support the king and bring true peace between shifters and the remaining vampires.

Our pack and the witches who’d fought with us had remained at the palace, including Ashlyn. Reid and Sun had gone home to take care of their pack after losing half of them. The fact that Ryker, Sun, Reid, and I had managed to forge a new alliance between us would make things go so much easier.

Similarly, Bruce had gone home to his own pack to ease the turmoil there.

Life was slowly settling into this new normal, but we still had to define it.

When the last shovel tamped the soil, Kendric cleared his throat.

“She saved more lives than she took,” he said, voice steady. “That’s the story I’ll tell. And I loved her.”

“And we will always be grateful.” King Harry limped up to Kendric and patted his arm. “She helped us truly turn the tide.”

The king then spoke of the rest of the dead and broke down at the end, when he had to say goodbye to his wife—his fated mate. The other half of his soul.

The strange warm tingle that always happened when Greats-grandfather was watching me raised the hair on my neck. But I didn’t bother looking for him. I now understood I’d only see him if he wanted me to, and when he did, he would always appear in front of me.

When the ceremony was over, Ryker led me back to our new home, Briar on my other side.

Kendric, Gage, and Xander stayed behind with King Harry and his daughter, seeing them back home to the palace.

The Grimstones’ reputation had been restored and, per the king, had always and would always be the protectors of the royal family. The declaration had meant the world to Ryker, and I felt him start to believe he was worthy. And I loved being part of his story and to be able to watch him lead like he was meant to by his side.

I say we do some baking when we get back. Briar took my hand. The family favorite. I think it’s time to share it with our new pack.

I smiled as both sadness and joy competed inside me. Sadness that Mom and Dad couldn’t be here with us, but joyful to share this special dessert with our new pack.

Sounds like a great time, I replied, knowing that Briar would be by my side, helping me make it.

I remembered Raven’s words from that night in the SUV, when she’d been driving while I’d tried to save a dying Ryker. The meaning finally clicked. We did need to enjoy the time we had and relish the moments that made us smile. Life was too short, even if we were immortal. And I would spend the rest of my life appreciating them, with the people I loved by my side.