Chapter 73-1
Kiana
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It was a full thirty minutes after I’d returned to the apartment that there was a shimmer in the air.
It’s clear,” I said in a low voice and moved to the television. I picked a music channel with angry
chick rock to play just in case the guards could hear through the door, which I doubted.
“If you’re here to trick me, I won’t think twice about shoving a knife through your heart,” I told her.
“I expect nothing less. I assume from your get-up that Willa is here?”
“My outfit is none of your business. Tell me what the hell is going on.”
“Very well. The short version is that unlike the other pack witches, I did not ask for sanctuary and
protection. I was taken nearly three years ago. I’ve never been to this godforsaken mountain in my
life. I was taken by another witch with a spell much like what happened with Anya, only I wasn’t
killed. I’ve been used ever since, and when Morven learned that my magic isn’t all that strong,
abused.”
“Why didn’t you say anything to the other witches?”
“There’s a listening device on my person. It feeds straight into security. If I mention anything about
my kidnapping to anyone, Morven is immediately notified.”
Quickly, I backed up and looked at the door. “So you’re risking both of our lives?”
“It doesn’t work around you. I hacked into the feed a couple of weeks ago and listened to my
conversations when you were around. Dead silence. As far as I can tell, the guards didn’t think
anything strange about it. They just assumed I stopped talking. You’re a null.”
It was a good story. Convenient? I couldn’t tell if she was lying or not. “What do you want from me?
”
“I have information about Morven. Important information. I know you’re working on an escape
I
plan. Involve me, get me out of here, and I’ll tell you everything that I know.”
“What makes you think I’m working on an escape plan?”
Janelle smiled grimly. “Because no one in their right mind chooses to be here.”
Risk.
Everywhere I looked, there was more risk. This wasn’t just my freedom. I suspected that if Morven couldn’t have me, he would kill me. Future plans be damned.
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Chapter 73-1
The witch could be just another plant, like all the employees and patrons in the bar.
Claim
Closing my eyes, I tried to think through all scenarios. Once again, I was a child, going over every possible thing that could go wrong with a plan. Weighing the risks. Sometimes deciding it was
worth getting caught.
And I’d always gotten caught.
But I wasn’t a child anymore. Grabbing a piece of paper, I scribbled on it and held it up to her. “Use
your glamour. Be here at midnight. I’ll meet you, but I don’t know how long it will take me. It could
be several hours. Will your glamour last that long?”
“It’ll have to, although I may not have the power to help you if you need it.”
“If all goes well, I won’t need it.” Before she could grab it, I ripped it to pieces and took it to the
bathroom. The witch didn’t say a word as I flushed it down the toilet.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“Don’t thank me yet. Just because you’re there doesn’t mean I’m going to be able to take you with me. You should go. I’ve got a run to prepare for.”
“A run?” Her eyes widened. “Your wolf? You’re letting her out for the escape?”
“She’s stronger than you think.”
It was midnight when I met Willa by the door. She glanced at my jeans and T-shirt and made a show of looking behind me. “I notice you have guards with you everywhere you go. Don’t tell me you’re still trying to make your way back to Troy.”
“I don’t plan my whole life around a man, Willa. Maybe you should think about doing the same,” I
told her quietly.
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