n

n

nAugust's mouth hung open as she stumbled slowly away from the cell door in shock.

nThe elders were responsible for the deaths of Graeme's parents. Not only that, but there was someone they were working with—someone who… wanted the alyko?

n

"Zoe…

" August gaped.

"Are you saying… are you saying the alyko weren't murdered? Are the alyko alive?!

"

nGraeme's memories of Maggie flashed through her mind. All of his wonderful, loving memories of her—the way she had comforted him and Greta after their parents were found. And then the trauma he had gone through seeing her and the other alyko dragged off as the pack members who blamed them for the Alpha and Luna's deaths hurled insults and hatred. She could still feel how it had utterly shattered him. And the guilt…

nAugust's lip curled back as a snarl tore out of her throat.

n

"I wasn't even here at the time, Luna!

" Zoe protested and laid her hand against the door.

"I don't know if they are alive. It's been years. But they didn't die here.

"

n

"How do you know this?

" August asked. Was this a trick? Was Zoe just after revenge and wanted to falsely implicate Andreas in this?

n

"Because… I-I was part of that deal. I was part of the p-payment,

" she admitted.

"I came here afterwards. I am the only one who knows of it other than the elders.

"

n

"Where were they taken? Where are the alyko?

" August asked, advancing on the door again.

n

"I c-can't t-tell you that part. It's part of why I have this restriction built in,

" Zoe stuttered her truth.

n

"Jesus,

" August whispered and ran her hands through her hair. How was she going to tell Graeme this? This was explosive news. And dangerous.

"Why should I believe you, Zoe?

"

n

"I can prove it. I can prove it if you let me out of here!

" Zoe assured her.

n

"You need to be set free to prove it? That's convenient,

" August growled.

n

"No. I mean it. Look, there was a ring that Andreas would always brag about having because he said it was meant to keep the Luna safe. He requested it to be retrieved when she was killed. He showed it to me once. It's a purple stone of some kind. I think… I think maybe it starts with an 's',

" she explained desperately.

n

"Sugilite,

" August whispered, fingering the pendant that Sylvia had given her. Graeme had said his mother had a ring like it.

n

"Yes. That sounds right. It was in his desk, but I don't know… I haven't seen it in years. I don't know if it still there or what he has done with it,

" Zoe replied.

n

"There has to be some other kind of proof. Is there anything else?

" August asked, unsure if a simple ring would be enough to condemn Andreas for so serious a crime against his pack.

n

"Occasionally he is still in contact with…

" Zoe scrunched her face up, fighting against that part of her that pushed back on her words.

"…with Him. But I don't know how to prove that to you. He has likely been in contact lately. In fact…

" Zoe trailed off, unsure now how condemned she herself would be with all that seemed to be spilling out of her.

n

"In fact what?

" August asked, a sudden dread washing over her. This feeling was familiar. It was the same slow, certain dread that she had felt in suicide forest when she watched death's eye slowly gliding her way.

"He's coming for me,

" she said with certainty.

n

"Yes,

" Zoe said regretfully.

"I have nothing to do with it, I'm sorry. I will admit though, I am very interested to meet him, if the opportunity presents.

"

nAugust scoffed at Zoe's shameless honesty.

"Fuck, August, what are you going to do?

" she whispered to herself.

n

"August?

" A male voice called, causing her to jump back against the cell door in surprise. A dark silhouette was advancing toward her in the hallway.

n

"Lucas?

" She replied, her eyes squinting in confusion.

n

"What are you doing here?

" they both asked simultaneously.

n

"I uh, I bring Zoe food once in awhile,

" he replied to her question first, lifting the tray he had carried down from the pack house to show her.

n

"Lucas!

" Zoe called excitedly from the other side of the door, and August moved away from it to allow him to approach. But he didn't. Instead, he stood gaping at her.

n

"What?

" August asked, backing up further now with the way he was staring at her.

n

"N-nothing, I just, um…

" he lifted the tray again as if it were part of the explanation he was about to give her, but instead he kept staring, losing his words.

"You are. So beautiful,

" he swallowed, his wide eyes glistening in the dark.

n

"W-what?

" she asked, her heart stuttering in her chest in sudden fear.

"Lucas, are you all right?

"

nHe nodded but didn't respond. He seemed to be entranced, and she continued backing away—afraid to take her eyes off of him but certain that she did not want to be here with him looking at her like that.

n

"You should't be down here, Luna,

" Lucas warned in a haunting voice as he kept still, his eyes narrowing in on every small movement she was making in retreat.

n

"Do you want to lock me up down here, Lucas?

" she asked, willing a measure of laughter to play at the words. She smiled stiffly. Another step back. And then another. Her right arm brushed roughly against the stone wall, causing her to flinch and his narrowed eyes caught all of it.

n

"I do not wish that, Luna. Forgive me. I am but surprised,

" he swallowed dryly after the words left his mouth. Still frozen. Still watching her. What was wrong with him?

n

"I will leave,

" August finally said, both to herself as well as to him.

n

"Wait! Luna! There is more I need to talk with you about. Will you come back? Please don't leave me,

" Zoe cried from her cell, breaking the eeriness of Lucas' unwavering gaze. Strange, how Zoe could break the eeriness of anything and offer some measure of comfort.

n

"Someone will certainly be back for you, Zoe,

" August assured her, and she gave Lucas one final confused glare before turning to find her way back out.

n

"I should come with you,

" Lucas suddenly stuttered back to life, setting the tray down abruptly and moving to follow her.

n

"No, Lucas. I am fine,

" she insisted, turning to halt him with her hands. 'Please, don't follow me. Please stay here,' her thoughts were racing.

nJust then, a blood-curdling snarl echoed through the dark hallway, and August gasped.. Hairs bristled on her arms, saluting the possessive approach of her mate.

n