Chapter 126 Nico
NICO
Sinthy was gone for a long time, holed up in her room, if I had to guess.
My head was still spinning as I tried to make sense of the last hour.
I’d never seen the witch look so upset and confused.
Since I’d met her, Sinthy had been the face of calm and usually acted like a goofy kid.
But that rage she’d shown when she realized her mother’s magic had been stolen had…
well, it had terrified me. Not only had her mother’s magic been stolen, twisted, and tortured into some kind of weapon, but it had twisted that poor kid into some kind of monster for Viola’s needs.
Somehow, every passing showed me another layer of the vile human she was.
“I’m gonna go check on her,” Maddy said when Sinthy had been gone for over an hour.
“Okay. Let me know if I can do anything for her.”
Maddy returned a half hour later, looking forlorn.
“What happened?” I asked as she came in the front door.
“That girl is not okay. She’s depressed and sad and a little out of it.”
“Is she still out in the woods?”
Maddy nodded. “Yeah. Said she was re-strengthening the wards. She told me she was mentally tired from using so much power earlier against the intruders. She needs time alone to get her mind back on track. That, on top of learning what happened to her mother? It’s a lot to process.
I think she’ll be all right. I guess we’ll see.
I do think she liked that I went to check on her, though. ”
“If she needs anything, just tell me. I’ll even risk sending someone to town for it. Whatever she needs, I’ll get it. She’s done too much for us for me to let her fall apart.”
“That’s sweet of you. Where did everyone go?” Maddy glanced around. For once, the house was empty.
“The guys went out to check the perimeter and do some ass-chewing. Dad should be back in a minute. He went to get the alpha bunking with them. Norman. He, Dad, Tiago, and I are gonna talk. Of all the shifter packs here, we lead the largest three.”
Like clockwork, Dad walked in with Tiago and Norman in tow. Norman was younger than Tiago but older than me. A broad-shouldered shifter who looked like he could handle himself.
Maddy waved to the stairs. “Go, have the boy talk. You can fill me in later.”
I led the guys upstairs to my office. Once they were seated, I spent ten minutes relaying the events of the day. My father looked disturbed. The thought of our pack lands being infiltrated probably filled him with existential dread, which I guess I couldn’t blame him for.
Tiago and Norman looked worried as well, especially after I told them about Sinthy frying the royals’ soldiers and sending the boy back.
“Viola probably thought she was being slick as shit,” Tiago said. “She probably spent weeks planning this little operation, and our resident witch gave them the beatdown before they even got near Maddy. Bitch is gonna be pissed.”
Norman nodded. “Right? From all I’ve heard, you guys say this chick is even worse than she seems on TV and online. Are we thinking retribution—will she try to hit back?”
That was inevitable. No matter how it happened, Viola would be furious that her mission had failed.
The woman didn’t have enough humanity to get upset if some of her pawns got taken out.
I highly doubted she had any emotional attachments.
But a failed mission to get Maddy? Yeah, she’d be hitting back.
“That’s why we’ve been training,” I said. “The royals will come at some point. As for those two piles of ash in the woods? If those guys had managed to sneak closer and get anywhere near Maddy, they’d be dead anyway. I’d have made sure of that. So, it doesn’t matter how they died.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Dad said with a nod of acknowledgment.
“I’ll be totally honest, though. Was it the best idea for her to let that boy go?
” He gave me a pained look. “I don’t wanna be bloodthirsty, but wouldn’t it have been safer to have three little piles of ash out in the woods?
Aren’t we worried that kid might tell Viola what really happened?
What if he tells her about the crest or whatever Sinthy put on him? ”
I shook my head. “No, I don’t think so. You weren’t there.
It was no act. That kid was fucking terrified.
Of Sinthy, sure, but mostly of Viola. His siblings are her hostages, and they’re probably still being experimented on or tortured.
He wants her dead. I could see it in his eyes when he offered to help us. ”
Digging in my pocket, I pulled out my cell.
“Who are you calling?” Tiago asked.
“I need to let Donatello know. Best to keep him in the loop on everything that happens.”
“Good afternoon, dear Nico. Calling again so soon?” Donatello said. I could almost picture his little island paradise as he spoke.
Once again, I went over the day’s events. When I described the magical trace Sinthy had put on the boy, he let out a long low whistle.
“You know, boy-o, that is possibly the luckiest thing to happen to us so far.”
“That’s kinda what we think,” I agreed.
“What’s the next play? Step two?” Donatello asked.
“Good question.” I hesitated. “After what’s happened, I think the pack lands might not be the safe haven we thought.”
Dad lifted his head, raising a questioning eyebrow. I hadn’t discussed it with him. Hell, it hadn’t even occurred to me until those fuckers got through the wards. We were safer than most, but Sinthy could only do so much.
“Don, I keep thinking of that offer you made,” I said.
“It still stands.” There wasn’t even a hint of hesitation in his voice. “There’s more than enough room for you and all those you are sheltering. Say the word, and I’ll arrange the transport.”
“Well, if anyone comes, it won’t be all of us. Probably only Maddy and a small contingent of people to ensure her safety.”
I was met with surprise from the other men. This was all off the cuff, and I’d caught them all off guard. Maddy and the other pack alphas would need to agree, obviously. It was my land, but it was their lives, and that meant they got a say in anything that might affect them.
“Let me know what you decide. As always, I’m here,” Donatello said, and the call disconnected.
My father and the other two men looked at me expectantly.
“Gather the alphas. We need to discuss this. It might be safer for everyone if Maddy gets out of here. It’ll take the heat off a bunch of innocent shifters and get her someplace even more secure.”
Dad tilted his head and gave me a wry smile. “And has the ever-so-intelligent Mr. Lorenzo spoken to his mate about this idea yet?”
I hadn’t. I’d only started thinking about it since the wards had been threatened. But Maddy would see reason. She’d understand it was for the best.
“I’ll speak with her and see what she thinks is best,” I said.
“Okay, we’ll spread the word,” Tiago said as he stood. “When and where is this big meeting happening?”
“Tonight,” I said. “We’ll do it outside. Down in the training field. Tell everyone to be there at sundown.”
Unsure how to go about the discussion with Maddy, I decided to come right out and say it. Tear the Band-Aid off, so to speak. She was surprisingly receptive to it once I laid it all out.
“You’re right,” she said. “Viola is targeting this place because of me. It’s making it too dangerous. All these innocent people here, and I’m bringing this on them. Especially with the new packs we’ve brought in.”
“So, you’re okay with leaving?” I asked incredulously. I’d assumed there would be much more cajoling and begging.
She nodded. “I think so. We’ll see what the others say, but as of now, I think it’s the safest option for everyone here, especially after what happened.
Who knows if Viola has more witches, she’s forced to work for her.
She might send more or one with more power next time.
Sinthy is amazing, but she’s not strong enough to fight everything that will come our way. ”
Tension crackled in the air at the meeting. Rumors of the enemy incursion had made the rounds. They were all well aware of how close we’d come to losing all protection from the wards. Every alpha in attendance looked desperate to hear more about it and what we had planned.
I stood silhouetted against the roaring bonfire Sebastian and Felipe had set, looking out at the sea of faces. Nearly a dozen alphas, my own friends and family, along with Sinthy and Maddy’s three parents—all looking to me for leadership and answers.
I left nothing out as I spoke. The people under my protection needed to know exactly what we were up against. Their fear grew, and wary looks passed between them when I explained that the male witch had almost broken our magical protection completely.
“To that note, I think Maddy needs to be taken somewhere safer. Not only will it ensure her safety, but it will likely remove the threat from the pack lands. Do any of you have an objection to that?”
Byron, the alpha of the smallest pack here—ten members—stood.
“Nico, we’re happy to be here, and we appreciate your protection.
This is your decision. Yours and Maddy’s.
I don’t think I have a leg to stand on telling you what you should or shouldn’t do.
These aren’t my lands, and this isn’t my pack. ”
There were some nods of agreement all around.
Others spoke up, saying that if Maddy felt safer somewhere else, she should go.
I was surprised and proud that none of them spoke of their own danger.
It was all about what Maddy needed, what I wanted, and what was best for everyone.
The consensus made me slightly ashamed that I’d assumed people would be desperate to get rid of Maddy to save themselves, but that wasn’t what was happening.
“That settles it,” Maddy said. “I’m going. I’ll join Abi on Donatello’s island.”
“Donatello’s offer stands for anyone.” I looked at Maddy’s parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Sutton, Gabriella, do any of you want to go with Maddy?”