"This isn't going to be any run-of-the-mill operation." Cade watched me solemnly as I told him my fears. "Compared to this, the war against Victor was a walk in the park."
We had only ever fought against our kind. This was the first time as far as any of us could remember we would be going up against a foe that was so much more powerful than we were. We were the underdogs and the outcome wasn't looking good.
We had no idea what the retaliation would be for taking Flynn. They might already be planning their attack. I closed my eyes briefly, trying to rein in my fear. I had to believe we could overcome this.
"We can do this," Cade said, pulling me back to the present. I wasn't the only one who knew it wasn't looking good for us. "We have to get Crystal out and return Flynn to them."
Despite my dislike for the Keeper, he hadn't given me a reason to end his life. Besides, he was more valuable alive.
"He might still be worth a swap to the Keepers."
"You think so?" he asked.
I nodded. "There aren't that many of them here and despite their way of existence I think they would still consider him a soldier worth fighting for. To replace him would take a lot of time and energy."
Keri and Blake had left earlier, leaving Curtis to help. We still had to maintain some sort of cover and we couldn't have a load of werewolves missing school. They would be back tomorrow afternoon.
Scarlett and Cade had remained with me. When Cade had suggested she go back home while he stayed with me to help, she had told him in no uncertain terms it wasn't an option.
I smiled at the fierceness my sister displayed. Our bond, even with so many years missing, was becoming stronger every day. There were moments when she was around I knew how lucky I was to have her in my life.
Claire wants to see you, one of my guards mind-linked me.
I was tired and not in the mood. The anger I felt at Claire's deception was still a raw wound that hadn't healed. But even with time, I didn't know if I could forgive what she'd done, even if she'd done it with Crystal's welfare in mind.
"I have to go see someone," I told Cade.
"Go and get some sleep. We can pick up again in the morning." He nodded before I left. Maybe a little shuteye would help clear our minds, although I wasn't feeling that hopeful.
I walked out of the house and down the compound. There wasn't much activity. It was late and most of the pack was asleep. A few guards walked the perimeter of the compound, keeping watch.
Outside the room Claire was in, I stopped to greet the guard. He opened the door and I entered the room. Physical exhaustion was setting in but my curiosity had gotten the better of me. Maybe Claire was ready to reveal Crystal's secret.
"Hello, Kyle," Claire said from the rocking chair on the one side of her room. She looked tired and was dressed in a nightgown with a blanket covering her lap.
It was hard to look at this old lady and not feel she was in some way responsible for the situation Crystal was in. I stood open-legged with my arms crossed as I nodded my head in brief acknowledgement of her.
"What do you want?" I asked, getting straight to the point.
"I heard rumors about the man you captured earlier today."
It wasn't exactly a secret but few people knew what he truly was.
"And?" I prompted, feeling my patience evaporate. I didn't have the time and energy to spend it on an old woman who had tried to keep my mate from me.
"Well, it's just I wanted to know if it's true. Is he a Keeper?" she asked.
I frowned slightly. She seemed really interested in it. Why? Did she know he'd been the one to save Crystal from the rogue? Or was it something more than that?
"Why are you so interested?" I asked, watching her carefully for any clues to what she was thinking.
"I need to know if it's true," she insisted. It was then I noticed she looked more than just tired. There was a fear in her eyes that I had never seen before.
Crystal
Thankfully Hayden was too involved with the taking of Flynn to worry about my dressing. Which was a relief. And I had already decided that if he did ask about my wound again I would lie and tell him someone else had already helped me with it.
I was running out of time and so was Dean. The Keepers were all busy trying to locate Flynn. If there was ever a time to try to escape, it would be now. But I was scared.
