Chapter 13 Kai #2
Faerie. Of all places, she’s in Faerie, the realm where danger lurks around every corner. The mere thought of her trapped there sends a chill down my spine.
Logan clears his throat, breaking through the silence that follows Penn’s revelation. “Let’s sit down and discuss this because I’m sure we all want to find Ash,” he urges calmly but firmly, a steady anchor in the storm of uncertainty that’s suddenly engulfed us.
Penn inclines his head slightly at Logan. A ripple of shock flashes across his face and I know the moment when Penn really takes in Logan’s presence, his eyes lingering on the scars that mar Logan’s otherwise strong and unyielding form.
Logan narrows his eyes, clearly not one to be easily intimidated, and I catch the faintest twitch of Penn’s lips, as if the dragon shifter is amused by the silent exchange.
“A human?” Penn says, his eyes shining with blatant curiosity.
Salena and several of the pack growl, but Logan simply shrugs. “Is that an issue?”
“Of course not. I’m just surprised.”
Everyone is tense as we make our way back to the deck, only some of us taking a seat.
“Talk,” Salena says, folding her arms over her chest.
“We sent Ashwiyaa to retrieve a package for us from Faerie ten days ago. She should have returned in five days, but we have yet to hear from her. It is concerning. Ashwiyaa never misses a deadline.”
With each revelation, my anxiety grows stronger, along with my anger. Ash is alone in Faerie, and as precious moments pass by, the possibilities of what could be happening to her remain unknown. An intense, possessive need courses through my veins, urging me to find her.
Penn stares at me for a long moment, as if weighing something before he speaks. “We want you to go find her.”
Salena steps forward abruptly. “No way.”
“You want him to go to Faerie?” Logan asks, confused.
Penn ignores both of them, his focus never leaving me. “Ashwiyaa is worth whatever chaos she brings to the table, and you know it.”
Penn’s piercing green eyes are intense, with a hint of madness lurking in their depths. I have a feeling Ash learned a few things from this man. Jealousy twists and turns in my stomach, leaving me agitated.
Nope, don’t go there.
“Why should we trust you?” Lucy pipes up from the back, her hand firmly gripping Grady’s.
“Who said anything about trust?” Penn replies, and as his gaze travels over the pack, he winks at Rose.
Declan steps forward to block his view of her. “Yet you want to make a deal?” he states.
“Who hasn’t made a deal with a centuries old individual of questionable moral standards and motives?” he asks, quirking an eyebrow.
The entire pack, with the exception of Salena and Logan, raises their hands.
“Well, then.” Penn chuckles, looking back at me. “Kai, do we have a deal?”
Without hesitation, I step forward and shake his hand. “Deal.”
“Good. Get in the car,” Penn orders coldly and devoid of any emotion. “We will take you to the creature who helped Ashwiyaa through the gate. If you don’t find her, you will remain trapped in the fae realm. I have no way to get you back.”
The weight of his words hangs in the air, heavy and oppressive, like a veil that threatens to suffocate us all.
My heart skips a beat, the reality of the situation sinking in with brutal clarity.
The warning is clear: this isn’t a rescue mission with guarantees.
It’s a gamble—with everything on the line.
“You said nothing about being trapped!” Salena’s voice cuts through the tension, sharp and filled with fury.
She storms forward, her eyes blazing with anger, and without hesitation, she shoves Penn in the chest. The force of her push is fueled by desperation and fear, emotions that have been simmering just beneath the surface this whole time, now boiling over in the face of Penn’s callous indifference.
Penn barely budges, but the shock of her outburst registers in his eyes for the briefest of moments.
Before he can respond, Logan is already in motion, wrapping Salena in his arms and pulling her away from Penn.
Salena struggles against him, but Logan holds her tight, murmuring something soothing in her ear.
“Let go of me!” Salena snaps, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear, but Logan doesn’t release her. Instead, he tightens his hold, pressing his lips to the top of her head.
“Salena, stop,” Logan whispers, his voice steady, but there’s an edge to it, a quiet plea that only someone who knows him well could hear.
I walk over to my sister and step between her and Penn, blocking her view of him. “I’ll be fine.”
Salena’s eyes meet mine, and I can instantly see the fear reflected in them. “You better,” she chokes out. “I can’t lose you.”
Logan releases her, and she immediately throws her arms around me, holding on tight.
Penn, ever the composed one, straightens his jacket, his expression neutral once again, as if nothing happened.
“You mean something to her, all of you do, so I won’t take offense at your behavior,” he rumbles, a ripple of scales forming over the exposed skin on his neck.
Salena growls and Mercy snorts, coming to stand beside her. “How nice of you.”
Penn stares at Mercy for a long moment as if he only just realized she was here. Mercy glares back at him and crosses her arms in defiance.
“And you are?” he asks.
Mercy scoffs and looks to the side. “None of your damn business.”
I look around at the faces illuminated by the setting sun.
This is more than a pack; it’s family. The connection we share is palpable, a web of loyalty, trust, and love that binds us together more tightly than any blood ties ever could.
But there’s someone missing, and I will do everything in my power to bring her back.
Penn looks like he’s going to say something, but we don’t have time for this. I stroll past him toward the SUV. “Let’s go.”
I don’t wait to see if he follows as I climb into the backseat.