"Her name is Grace."
"Uh. Yes. G-Grace." He pushes his glasses higher. "When I try to track her, something pushes back. It's why I couldn't get a clear location until we were practically on top of her."
My phone buzzes again. Another update. Same format. Different angle of the same scene—Grace sleeping, Lyre reading.
Even with these updates, I feel uneasy. Why is the rainbow-haired brat no longer messaging me?
She's been silent since I left the area.
Does she really think she can get by with ignoring me?
My jaw tightens as I pick up the device again. Enough of this silence. I swipe to Lyre's contact and type out a message with more force than necessary.
CAINE:
Any medical updates on Grace? Real ones, not just photos.
The message sits there, undelivered.
I rub at my eyebrow again, waiting. But she doesn't read it, or respond.
The audacity of Grace's little nuisance.
CAINE:
If anything changes with her condition, I expect to be informed immediately.
Still nothing.
I slam the phone down beside me, causing Thom to flinch violently, nearly toppling backward.
"You'll be joining us for the banquet tonight," I say absently, my mind still on Grace.
"M-me?" Thom's voice cracks. "I don't usually... I mean, I'm not typically invited to—"
"It wasn't a request."
He swallows. "Y-yes, High Alpha."
Which brings me to another annoying issue: the Blue Mountain pup who dared to spirit my Grace away. He's been tucked away upstairs since our arrival.
He can't be left unsupervised.
I reach for the link I share with Jack-Eye. Our connection snaps into place at once.
Bring Andrew to the banquet tonight. Keep him in your sight at all times.
A beat of silence, then Jack-Eye's consciousness floods with irritation.
Seriously? Now?His mental voice sounds strained.
I frown.
Is there a problem with my order?
An exasperated groan fills my head.Can you stop interrupting at the most awkward fucking times?
I narrow my eyes, even though he can't see me.What could possibly be so—
