Squinting my eyes, I looked closer, more intensely. Rhoden was lying down, breathing oddly. His quick, shallow breaths just didn’t seem normal. When I looked into his eyes, I instantly understood what his father meant about the eyes. They didn’t seem in any way right to me either.
Wolves eyes were always yellow or silver—a bright vibrant color. Rhoden’s were dark, completely shadowed. I reached out with my powers, searched the area and opened myself to all that was here. I could sense something was off. It was faint, but it was definitely there, and I had felt before.
I glanced urgently at Kyden. “We need to get Zia here immediately. There’s something wrong here.”
He shot a look in Finn’s direction, who instantly rushed off with Haven to the front of the house.
Seconds later, the scene faded as Haven returned to the Otherworld. Within minutes, Zia arrived.
“Haven is sleeping soundly,” she assured me.
Zia had had to erase more memories from Haven’s mind than I could count. She just couldn’t deal with the violence. Her sweet heart couldn’t bear it. Zia promised it didn’t cause her any damage, and I couldn’t deny that it wasn’t for her benefit.
“Glad to hear it.”
Then, I looked around. “There is something here,” I announced.
Zia stepped free from the crowd and lifted her arms, bringing the scene back again. It flashed by quickly. My stomach was as unforgiving as the first time. When it froze, she knelt down and examined the wolf. Then, she met my gaze with a knowing look. “Dark Magic surrounds him.”
I sighed deeply, glad I was on the right track, but annoyed by it too. “I thought it could be something like that.”
My experience with Black Magic was limited, but it felt very similar to when I fought a Black Witch not long ago. Had the similar edge to it that made it difficult to breathe, but a little fainter.
“You think Rhoden was influenced by Dark Magic?” Narn asked.
Zia stood, wiping her hands on her long black skirt. “He was either seduced by it or somehow it was placed upon him.”
Narn cried. “I knew it. I knew something had overtaken him. He would never do something like this.”
Zia glanced my way. “He may have chosen it.”
“Why would he?” I couldn’t imagine why he would do such a thing when he had a wonderful home and family.
She shrugged, then glanced to Narn. “He was not having any trouble?”
Narn shook his head. “He was happy, awaiting the birth of his first cub. He was a good soul. Never would he turn to the darkness. He had everything he needed. Someone must have forced him into it. They must have.”
Zia examined Rhoden a little longer, then looked at me again. “Darkness is wrapped so tightly around him I do not sense anything good in this wolf, do you?”
“He ate her entirely. I can’t see anyone with an ounce of good doing something like that.”
“What do we do from here?” Valor asked.
“We return to the Council,” Zia said, and instantly headed toward the front of the house, each of us scrambling behind her.
The moment we hit the front lawn, we all grasped hands, making the needed connection for teleportation. Then, with a bright flash, Utah disappeared as we landed back in the Council’s foyer. Weird as it was, that’s the way it worked. Wherever you stepped through the wooden door, the magic held within the portal, read your mind on the location you needed to go. To return, you only had to revisit that spot and think of the Otherworld. Quick and easy transportation at its finest.
When we stepped into the Council’s Hall, Zia didn’t waste a moment in bringing the other Council members up to speed. Within minutes, she was done, and the room was silent enough to hear a mouse scurry.
Finally, Talon broke the silence. “Dark Magic!” he exclaimed, surprise widening his eyes.
Zia nodded without hesitation. “It had overtaken him completely.”
“Intriguing,” Brax exhaled.
“This makes no sense!” Valor said. “Rogue wolves are normally the ones to turn to Magnus’ realm. They have been cast out by their packs, needing somewhere to belong, but Rhoden wasn’t rogue. He had a family, a cub on the way.”
My thoughts ran along the same lines. “I agree, something’s screwy here. When I read into his mother there was nothing at all that would lead me to believe he would accept the darkness.”
“Could he have been bewitched?” Kyden asked.
Zia was thoughtful for a moment then said, “I suppose it could true, but what would they want with a crazed wolf?”
No one had the answer to that.
“If this is true.” Valor sighed deeply, breaking the eerie silence. “We are in grave danger. None of us are safe here.”
“I should say not,” Zia noted grimly.
Without any warning, Valor suddenly growled, deep and low. He was eager to annihilate something, as was Dante. Then like a bat out of hell, they ran from the hall.
“Well that was just weird.” I said aloud.
Kyden nodded. “Indeed.” He stepped forward, his body tight with concern.
Curious as to what had caught his interest, I followed his gaze and immediately understood his distress. Valor and Dante rushed back into the hall, carrying a wolf. Isla followed close behind, her face streaked with tears.
Zia ran toward him before I even had a chance to comprehend what was happening. After Valor and Dante placed the wolf on the floor, she knelt down, rested her hand upon his chest and began shaking.
Shock froze my breath. I had never seen Zia strain so much healing someone—the wolf must have been very close to death.
Zia wavered, nearly toppling over, but Talon lunged forward to scoop her up before falling over just as the wolf shifted.
The moment Zia’s hand released from the man’s chest, I sprinted forward, drew on Spirit and gave Zia a little burst of healing. Within seconds, the tiredness left her eyes and she gave me a quick wink.
Glad that little bit of silliness was over, it was time for answers. I straightened up to find the wolf was Thor, the Alpha of Texas. He looked the same as he did the last time I saw him—gentle with a perfect baby face. Not what you’d expect to see in an Alpha, but appearances were sometimes deceiving. I’d seen this wolf kill another in a split second.
“What happened to you?” Valor asked him.
Thor stood, then glanced back at Isla. “I owe you much, Isla. If it wasn’t for you, I’d be dead.”
They shared a look¯one that was unmistakable. I’d seen the same look between Briggs and Rynn. She must be his mate and made me curious. Why weren’t they bonded? Isla stayed with Valor and never once had I heard of this. As much as I was intrigued, now wasn’t the appropriate time to let my mind drift away with such thoughts. I gave my head a little shake to clear the swirling questions and focused back on the present
Apparently, Valor caught the glance as well and looked none too happy about it. “What happened?” he growled at Thor.
Thor snapped his head toward him, leaving Isla’s gaze full of longing. “A wolf in my pack killed a man tonight,” he answered. “His mate contacted me and when I went to him, he was in the worst of sorts.”
Valor nodded dourly. “We have just recently discovered this. Did he attack you?”
Thor looked nothing short of pissed. “I was not expecting it. Being an Alpha…” He hesitated, grumbled something incoherent then finished, “I was not prepared for such an intense battle.”
“He nearly killed you,” Isla cried out, wiping tears.
Thor met her gaze again, his brows furrowed in unhappiness. He was about to reach out to her, but pulled his hand back at Valor’s growl.
I glanced at Kyden and his look of I’ll tell you later was clear. Oh yeah, he’d be telling me later. This was juicy gossip—the best kind.
“Where is the wolf now?” Brax asked.
Thor shrugged. “It is Isla who can answer that. I don’t remember what took place. She came for me.”
Valor’s growl deepened, while he glared at her. “You did what?”
She lifted her chin. “I sensed danger, so I used the portal to go to him. What should I have done, let him die?”
Sensed danger, huh? They weren’t bonded yet. The idea left me flabbergasted that the bond between mates ran that deep. Even without the connection sealed, they still held the ability to feel each other. Werewolves are so cool.
It appeared Valor wasn’t feeling as awed as I was. He stepped forward, wrapped his hands around her shoulders and shook her. “This is not your place, Isla. I have told you over and over again, you are too young to be dealing with matters such as these.”
“You think I’m too young,” she shouted at him. “I am not! I’m Nexi’s age and look at what she does.”
Everyone looked at me. I gave a little shrug in her defense. “She has a point.” Valor scowled at me. I quickly raised a hand to my mouth. “Okay, mouth zipped.” I locked my lips, threw the key over my shoulder.
“Tell me what took place.” Valor demanded from his daughter.