"Fuck," Ryder growled, dropping into the nearest armchair.
"High Advisor Malachai, as usual, tried to calm Elder Alaric but he wasn't having it. Losing both of his children will do that to a man."
"Sarah isn't lost," Blake snapped suddenly. Then he looked across at Jace, his face softening. He sighed, "I'm sorry it's just…"
"It's ok Blake, I understand. It's just Elder Alaric doesn't know that Sarah is still alive and after what happened to Liora…" his voice trailed off.
Blake saw Ryder tense but he didn't say anything.
Jace looked between the three men, face tense. "When Elder Alaric left First Claw Magnus rained fire and brimstone on the Sanctum. Let's just say I won't repeat what he said concerning his only two sons, just that he's disappointed."
Jace turned his attention to Blake. "He said if anyone knew where you were it was me, and not to come back without you. So I came, not to bring you back but to deliver the message about the war."
He looked across at Ryder. "And don't worry, your whereabouts are still hidden. A few guards tried to follow me but I lost them."
Ryder didn't speak, just gave a firm nod, a grave look on his face.
Then Logan said quietly, "Ryder, the ball's in your court now. What are you going to do about Cassiopeia?"
Jace frowned. "Who's Cassiopeia?"
Ryder said firmly, "My daughter."
"Holy Moonstones," Jace gasped. "But, Ryder, that means when you die…"
"I'll be turned into a Shade…" he said grimly.
"As will I," Blake mumbled.
A choice they both made for love.
The only way to prevent someone from becoming a Shade was decapitation, but it couldn't be premeditated. If the act was planned, if the intention was known, the curse would trigger early, turning the individual into a Shade before death could even claim them. It had to be sudden, unexpected. Only then would death be enough to sever the soul from the curse.
This was how Liora's soul had been severed from the curse, her body was found in the forest near her home, decapitated and mauled, as though she'd been torn apart by claws.
One of Elder Alaric's men had claimed to see Ryder and Liora together that night, and the Elder had been quick to accuse Ryder of being a monster, of killing his firstborn.
To make an example of him and to prevent an all-out war, Ryder was stripped of his birthright and exiled.
Jace frowned. "But how did Liora hide her pregnancy? It's not like she stayed away from home for months."
"Nyara. The same wyrdwitch who gave me the serum to help you. Liora was enchanted, her pregnancy was hidden from everyone except us. Nyara has Cassie cloaked the same way. She can't be detected."
"Where is she?" Blake asked.
"She's in the human world. In her final year of college. She turned twenty-one yesterday," Ryder said, a rueful smile tugged on his lips.
"She's there alone?" Jace lifted a brow.
Blake wasn't surprised by the question. Jace was the only one with a sister, and even though she was five seconds older, he was fiercely protective of her.
"I've had someone watching over her since I placed her there."
"So he'll bring her back?" Jace asked.
"No. The enchantment is starting to break. If someone picks up her scent, it'll bring trouble. She won't just need help getting out of the human realm, she'll need help slipping into this one undetected."
Blake stood. "Then let's go. We'll bring my niece home. We know vampires and wolves walk among humans, if they smell a hybrid and she can't control her powers…"
Ryder stood too, jaw ticking, a shadow of worry passing over his face.
"Ryder," Logan said, reading him, "once she gets here, we'll protect her with our lives."
Ryder nodded, though unease still rolled off him.
"Blake, give me a minute to pack what we'll need."
Ryder disappeared into the back room. Blake stepped to the cave entrance, his thoughts spinning. He felt like a bastard, part of him wanted Cassie back for Sarah and Mira's sake. But another part feared what would happen to Ryder. If Cassie was in danger, Ryder wouldn't think, he'd act. And that could get him killed.
"Let's go," Ryder said, reappearing with a bag slung over his shoulder.
"Keep an eye on Sarah," he told the others.
Jace and Logan nodded
Blake stepped through the mouth of the cave. But when Ryder followed, he slammed face-first into a force field and was knocked flat on his ass.
"What the fuck?" he snarled, scrambling up.
He tried again, harder, and got blasted back with a jolt of lightning that threw him across the cave, slamming him into the wall with a sickening crack.
"Ryder!" Logan rushed over to help.
But Ryder didn't want help. He was shaking with fury. The cave trembled as his roar echoed off the stone, bits of the roof crumbling down. His eyes glowed gold, claws fully extended, chest heaving as he paced like a feral animal. He was about to charge again when Logan stepped in.
"Wait! Hold on!"
One by one, Logan, Blake, and Jace tested the entrance, each one could leave freely. Only Ryder was trapped.
He growled dangerously, murder in his eyes.
Blake stepped in front of him and gripped his shoulders.
"Do you trust me?"
"With my life."
"Then trust me to bring your daughter home."
Ryder's jaw clenched, but he nodded once.
Blake released him. Ryder reached into his bag and pulled out a navy-blue baby blanket, embroidered with tiny silver moons.
"This has her scent. I didn't keep a photo in case someone found it. Her protector, he's one of Lord Therion's sons. You'll know him by the sigil on his upper arm." Then he slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. "And this is her address."
Blake took it, read it and slipped it into his pocket. Ryder then handed him the bag and blanket. Blake lifted the blanket to his nose. The scent was unlike anything he'd ever smelled. Werewolf and vampire hit him instantly, but the other layers, he couldn't decipher.
"Bring her back to me, Blake. I'm counting on you."
"You have my word."
Blake exited the cave. He had only taken a few steps when Jace caught up beside him.
"I'm coming with you."
Blake didn't argue. Once Jace made up his mind, no force in the Seven Realms could sway him.
He just nodded.
And as they disappeared down the mountain slope, Blake sent a silent prayer to the Ancients.
This wasn't just about bringing home a girl.
This was about what would be waiting for them if they didn't.