"What do you an, they haven't found them?"
The map sprawls across Lucas's desk, its edges curling where the paper wants to roll back into itself. Red marks pepper the surface—each one a spot where our scouts searched and found nothing.
"The tracks led here." Kellan's finger taps a spot near the eastern border. "Then nothing. Like they vanished into thin air."
Lisa shifts beside , her arms wrapped tight around herself. The mory of Mira's death weighs heavy on her still. "Are they gone, then?"
"They're not thinking straight enough to hide." Kellan traces the path on the map. "The taint makes them aggressive, reckless. They'd be attacking anything that moves."
Lucas's jaw tightens. "Unless soone's controlling them."
The thought sends ice through my veins. Selene perks up, staring at . She's been extra sensitive to my worry of late.
"The Mad Prince." Lisa's voice cracks. "You think he's controlling them?"
"It's possible." Lucas straightens, his shoulders rigid. "We can't assu they've just wandered off. Not with everything else that's happened."
His beta frowns. "I doubt that. They acted just like the wolves touched by the corruption. The only difference is their lack of scent."
"Could be a smokescreen. A way for them to keep us assuming horses instead of zebras." Golden eyes et mine. "Or it could be exactly what it seems. Either way, we need to deal with it. We just need to increase security. Are you prepared?"
I nod. "The longer we wait, the more it spreads. I'm ready to go now."
"Kellan will lead a team of fifteen wolves to guard you while you work. I'd rather go myself—"
"You have too much to do. I'll be under the best guard." Standing, I head to his side, sliding my arm through his. His body's tense, filled with frustration.
"Lisa, you'll stay here." Kellan looks conflicted, much as my mate does.
"With her own security detail," said mate adds sternly.
"That's fine. But I want updates. Constant ones."
"You'll have them." Kellan's voice softens when he addresses her. There's a newfound intimacy there, and I'd love to know more. But that will have to wait. Ti for girl talk right now is a luxury.
I glance at the map; it takes a while to figure out where we were when we found it. "I think it's over here. It took us an entire day to get there, but we won't be searching around this ti. Should be there and back again by dinner."
"I'll gather the team." Kellan heads for the door, pausing to squeeze Lisa's shoulder as he passes.
Lucas waits until they're gone before pulling into his arms. Amber and campfire smoke wraps around like a comforting blanket.
"I don't like this," he murmurs into my hair.
"I know." I press my face into his chest. "But it needs to be done."
His arms tighten. "Be careful."
"I will." I lean back to et his gaze. "I have too much to co back to."
* * *
The warmth of Lucas' embrace is long gone by the ti we reach the area of taint. Marcus and Vanessa trudge along beside , while others roam ahead and others trail behind.
Selene's usual playful energy is missing—her paws barely leave marks in the snow as she trails behind . She's been silent for a while, her mind brewing over sothing.
It's spread. It's double what we encountered before.
Grimoire's words whisper in my head.
My stomach twists. "Can I handle it?"
I'm uncertain. The concentration is... troubling.
Marcus shifts closer, his broad shoulders tensed. The wind blows his scent at , tinged with sothing bitter. I think it might be anxiety. I'm still getting used to what I can sll. "Everything alright, Luna?"
"No." I hate admitting it. "Grimoire says the taint is worse than expected."
"Should we turn back?" Vanessa frowns. "We don't want you to overwork yourself."
Leaving this corruption to fester isn't an option. Not when it could twist more wolves into mindless killers.
"I need to at least assess it. We might just need to do it in incrents." It isn't ideal, but it is what it is. Too bad we don't have any other witches in our pack. It would make things a lot easier.
Attempting to purify this much at once could be dangerous, he agrees. But it also might spread faster than you can purify it.
Puffing my breath out, I stomp through a patch of compacted snow. "Guess we'll find out."
A pulse of darkness cuts him off; I can sense it off in the distance. The taint surges, reaching out like tentacles of pure corruption. My knees buckle as nausea hits. Marcus steadies before I can fall.
"Are you all right?" Vanessa grabs my arm.
"I'm okay." My stomach still churns, but I force myself to straighten up. "Grimoire, what was that?"
It's growing. His voice carries an edge I've never heard before. Faster than I anticipated.
"How does it grow?" The cold bites at my exposed skin as I pull away from Marcus and Vanessa's support. The wind's picked up, and I don't think the timing is coincidence.
By feeding. Grimoire materializes beside in his fox form, silver fur bristling. It consus energy, corrupts it, spreads like a disease.
What is it feeding on? Selene's ntal voice is as sharp as the wind whipping around us.
Everything. Grimoire's tail lashes back and forth. The land, the animals, any magical energy it can reach. And when there's nothing left to corrupt...
"It moves on to find more." No wonder it's spreading so quickly—there's plenty of life force out here in the wilderness for it to consu.
The nausea rises again as another pulse hits . It's like watching a heart beat, if that heart was made of pure corruption. Each throb sends out another wave of taint, spreading further into our territory.
My fists clench.
Don't think you can clear it all today, Grimoire warns . Don't let your emotions take over. You need to be in control.
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