Chapter Thirty
Asher
The rain falls in a thin sheet when I pull into the cemetery lot. Most of them are already gathered: Donna, Eira, and Tomas stand a little apart from the cluster around Jace. Others I don't recognize. The coyote pack.
Before I kill the engine, Kayden mutters, "You sure I should be here?"
I turn to him. "You want to hide?"
His eyes narrow—anger, defiance, and something more fragile flickering beneath it. Then he smirks. "I never do." He's out of the car first, door slamming shut like a declaration.
Heads turn immediately. Jace's gaze locks on him, fury sparking. He storms forward. "Him? You dare bring him here?"
I raise my hands, trying to steady the situation. "He didn't kill Winston. Kayden is on our side."
Of course, my brother doesn't help. He folds his arms, silent, smirking like he enjoys the fire.
"Maybe not his hand, but his actions," Jace spits.
"Oh, come on, pup. I'm not the enemy. The goat-man is," Kayden fires back. I resist the urge to smack him.
Jace growls and shoves him, eyes flashing yellow. The pack behind him shifts forward, their posture a clear warning.
"Call me pup again, and I'll show you what I'm made of."
Kayden leans in, voice low. "Push me again, and I'll open you up like a Christmas present. We'll see what you're made of. I'm sure it's the same as anyone: blood, flesh, and bullshit."
"That's enough!" Donna's voice cracks across the rain. "Show some respect to Winston."
Jace's fists tremble. He turns his glare on me, voice sharp. "Uncle trusted you. That's the last thread holding. Pay your respects, Asher, but don't ask for more. As long as you let your reckless brother run unchecked, I'm done. I won't be part of your group."
He turns, stalking off. The pack moves with him, a ripple of tension following in his wake.
I let out a slow breath, heavy with frustration. "Was that necessary?" I ask Kayden.
He shrugs. "He started it."
Donna rounds on him. "You did, Kayden. You lit the match and let everything burn."
Kayden shakes his head, retreating against the car. "I'll wait here. I won't go where I'm not wanted."
Eira watches him, then turns to me, something close to disappointment flickering in her eyes. "I'll go with Jace. There are rituals I must attend."
I nod. "All right. I'll be there soon. We're waiting for Astrid and Sage."
Then it's just Donna and Tomas left.
Tomas glances at Kayden's back, then at me. He voices his question carefully. "What's the plan now, Colonel?"
"We wait. If Astrid brings word on that weapon, we'll have leverage."
He nods, but his eyes say what he won't. Doubt. Distrust. I can't fault him. I was down when it counted. Winston is dead. Darius still holds the upper hand.
Worse—I can't control my own. Sage went to Darius behind my back. Kayden left a trail of bodies. The group is fractured, trust splintered. Somewhere along the line, it all shifted. Maybe beyond repair.
That's on me. I let Kayden run unchecked. They're not wrong about that.
Donna breaks the silence, her voice edged with worry. "Do you think the weapon will come through? And if it does… what will you do with it?"
"Kill him, obviously," Kayden says without turning.
Tomas shakes his head. "It won't be that simple, I think. Hawthorn is both cunning and powerful. He won't let you close."
"We'll find a way," I cut in. "But first, the funeral. Winston deserves respect."
Donna and Tomas nod solemnly.
Headlights sweep the lot. Astrid's car pulls in. She steps out. Alone.
"Where's Sage?" I ask immediately.
Kayden stiffens, alert.
"She tore her dress," Astrid says. "She's supposed to come in Kayden's car. She'll be here soon."
I scan the road. Nothing. She could be on her way. Or…
Kayden meets my eyes. We're both uneasy.
"Did anything else happen?" I press Astrid.
"How could you leave her alone?" Kayden snaps.
Astrid turns on him. "Because she's an adult woman who doesn't need a babysitter to attend a funeral." Then to me: "I got a message about the satyr-killing blade. It's on the market. Sixty grand. Sage suggested we wait until after the funeral to discuss."
"Show me."
She hands me her phone. The photo matches the drawing in the book.
"Did Sage see this?"
"Yes. She wanted to confirm it was the right one." Astrid's brow furrows as realization dawns at the same time it hits me.
She types fast without prompting: We want to buy it. Now.
No response.
"Shit," Astrid mutters. "You think—?"
"Let's see." I pull out my phone, open the hidden app. My chest tightens as the screen loads. Sage's location is outside Briar Hollow, heading the opposite way.
Astrid whistles low. "Spyware on her phone? Didn't think that was your style. Kayden's, sure. But you, Colonel?"
Kayden's voice is quiet, almost defensive. "Maybe I'm not always the bad guy."
My jaw locks. "It's not what it looks like. After she went to Darius on her own, I needed to do something. Insurance. Nothing more."
Donna frowns. "It is bad, Asher."
"Maybe. But right now, it's the only lead we have."
Kayden's already moving. "Then let's go. No time to waste." He slides into the car.
I turn back fast. "You three stay. Explain everything to Jace and Eira. We'll return as soon as possible."
"Colonel," Tomas presses, "you need backup."
"We'll be fine. Whoever she's meeting won't expect us." I don't give them space to argue. I'm in the car the next moment, engine roaring, tires spitting water across the lot.
Kayden sits rigid beside me, jaw set, eyes hard with worry.
"We'll get her back," I say, voice steady even as my gut twists. "We'll bring our wife home."
I press the accelerator. The car surges forward, tearing through rain-slick asphalt, every second stretching too long.