Charlie POV
Sadie has disappeared from the earth. After exhausting all my resources in the werewolf world, I called in a favor. A human friend of mine works for the police department. Justin works his magic on his computer and finds the last location where Sadie's cellphone was used. He pulls up the map, and I groan loudly. Sadie is a fucking idiot. I would leave her to rot if I didn't need that book so badly.
"What the fuck is she doing there?" Justin asks. "There is nothing up there. Just trees and rocks."
I rub my temples. "I wish you were right."
He prints out the map and hands it to me. "Is this wolf shit?"
Folding the paper carefully, I tuck it into my pocket. "Something like that."
He taps his fingers on the desk. There is something he wants to ask, but I think he might be afraid. I give him time, letting him work up the courage. Finally, he breathes in deeply. "Will there be another war?"
I wish I could give him a definitive answer, but I don't have one. The war with Selene didn't just rock the werewolf world; it destroyed the human world as well. We were pushed into the open, no longer able to hide in the shadows. Humans were forced to put their trust in creatures they believed only existed in fairy tales. Some of them, like Justin, are willing to accept the new norm, while others hunt us down. They believe that if they kill us all, another supernatural war won't plague them. They might be right.
"I don't know," I finally answer him. "Things are complicated."
"Do you want me to come with you?"
I laugh, clapping him on the back. "Nah. I can get there faster without having to drag you along."
Justin rolls his eyes, but doesn't argue. He has seen my wolf and knows he would only slow me down.
He gets to his feet when I do. "Call if you need anything."
"Thanks." But as I leave his office, I know this will be the last time I see my friend. Once I have the tome, I will stay behind in the Immortal Realm. I don't plan on coming back here.
I leave my truck at the bottom of the mountain. It won't make it as deep into the forest as Sadie is anyway. I strip off my clothes, packing everything into a backpack, before letting Rolfe take over.
The shift is seamless, but it feels different this time. We haven't shifted since entering the Immortal Realm. Rolfe feels stronger, faster, and more alert. He weaves in and out of the trees quickly, staying away from the trails. We don't want to scare any unsuspecting humans on our way up the mountain.
Rolfe heads in the direction Justin pinpointed on the map, but we don't need to look at it. Sadie came this way. Her scent still lingers in the air.
When the mountain becomes impassable by car, I find her pink sports car alongside the road. I shift back for a moment, giving Rolfe a much needed break. The front end of the car is dented in. I am surprised she made it this far. It looks like she hit every tree on the way up here. The doors are locked, but it looks like she left everything inside, like she was planning on returning.
'How long did Scarlett say she has been gone?' I ask Rolfe.
'A few days, maybe a week.'
I grunt in response. It doesn't make any sense. Her scent is still strong in the forest, like she was just here. It should have faded by now. At least a little. It is almost like it was preserved so I would be able to follow it.
"Shit," I growl. "This is a fucking trap."
'What do we do?' Rolfe asks.
'I am not walking into a trap set by Selene,' I growl. 'I have already given up the ability to have children with Wren. I am not giving up anything else.'
'But Sadie is our friend,' Rolfe reminds me.
'I am not leaving her behind,' I assure him. 'But there needs to be a plan.'
He grumbles in my mind, but he doesn't disagree. This is no different than war. We wouldn't charge into battle without a plan.
Rolfe takes back control and heads down the mountain. He leaves my truck sitting at the base of the mountain and heads straight for the portal.
Sadie POV
I don't know how long I have been her prisoner. The sun doesn't shine inside of her castle. The only light comes from the candles she has lit around the throne room. She rarely leaves me alone, but even if I could escape, where would I go? I have no idea how to get home.
At first, I watched her, trying to see the good in her, but there is none. Wren was right; she is a cruel and bitter Goddess. I can't believe we bothered to worship her for so long.
Now she is perched on her throne, her eyes glazed over, and a wicked smile on her face. Her eyes come back into focus, and she turns her gaze onto me. "For a moment, I thought they were going to try to save you."
"They aren't coming?" I whimper.
"I'm afraid not," she smiles. "It appears that you don't have any friends left in the werewolf world."
It's not true. I know it isn't true, but her words still cut me deeply. My sisters have found their mates. Destin is happy with Wren, and so is Charlie. My parents are long gone. There is no one else for me. No mate, no family, no friends. Maybe it is true, and no one will come to my rescue.
"What do you want from me?" I ask.
Selene strides across the floor, running her fingers across my cell bars. "That is to be determined, but I think this cage is a bit overkill. Don't you think?"
The cage disappears from around me, and Selene offers me her hand. I hesitate before taking it, but I do. Magic flows from her body into mine. I feel stronger than I ever have, and it is addictive. In an instant, I have forgotten that she is keeping me her prisoner.
"Come with me, child," she says as she leads out of the throne room. "I have prepared your chambers for you."