Chapter 72
AMELIA
“Is everyone got their assignment?” Dane looked over his shoulder from the front seat.
The estate was big, and it would take a while to search for something we didn’t have any idea what we were looking for, but Dane got the blueprints of the house and the schematics of the entire area spread earlier on the conference table.
“Got it,” only Walker replied, and he looked at everyone. “Why am I the only one who responds?”
“Silence means they understood their assignment, Walker.” I almost rolled my eyes. I still had doubts about his story. Who knew maybe he had Stockholm Syndrome already and would double-cross us once we got there.
“Why did we have to drive to the estate when Zarah could just portal us? It was cool by the way.” He smiled. For a moment he was really happy.
“We already did, Walker. Zarah needs her strength, and this is the plan. We’ll stick to it.”
“Got it, Alpha.”
I looked at Ren and wished we still had the link like how we used to have. So I talked to Ryden instead, “Are you sure about this? Could be a trap.”
“I trust him, Amelia. Give him the benefit of the doubts.”
“Alec has a way with his words. He could have promised him something aside from a position in the pack. Money can buy people’s souls nowadays. We should have checked his bank account.”
Ryden glared at me, gripping my thigh, silently telling me to shut up.
“And I’m still the driver,” Theia complained humorously.
“Would you rather be the bait?”
“No thanks.” She snorted and looked at me through the mirror. “The plan is solid.”
It was if there would be no surprises along the way.
We were a kilometer away from the estate, and I started to feel nervous. I really felt something terrible was going to happen with this mission.
“Theia, stop the vehicle. I got it from here,” Dane said.
“I thought we had a plan,” Walker interjected.
“Yes, Walker.” Dane jumped out of the SUV and picked up his bag as soon as the car pulled over. “I scout the area and make sure no one is inside or they haven’t come back. I have a friend at the tarmac to report if there’s any chance of them changing their plans.”
“That sounds great,” he finally agreed.
Dane looked at us and said to our magic comm—our spelled-laced earbuds, “Wait for my signal.”
As planned, Theia drove to a secluded location to hide the vehicle, then we would go on foot to the estate.
A few minutes later, Dane opened the comm line, “You’re good to go. See you in a bit.”
“Hey,” Ryden held my hand. “If things go south, don’t play a hero, okay?”
I scoffed. “That’s a bit rich coming from a guy who always wants to save the day.”
He stared at me. “Because I’m the alpha, Amelia.”
“The alpha also leads, Ryden, not only put his life on the line.”
“Maybe this is just me, trying to make the world a better place for all of us, away from greedy like Alec.” He put his arm over my shoulder and pulled me before he kissed the side of my head. “I mean it, Amelia. Save them.”
“We all save each other. No bullshit.” I showed him the now-gone handfast rune. “It doesn’t mean it was betrayal or we can’t die together if one of us does. I still believe Moon Goddess picked us together because the bond is unbreakable and eternal, and that we’re meant to be together until we die.”
When he smiled at me, I thought my heart hammered in my chest. “That was beautiful, ladybug.”
“And you still call her ladybug.”
“Why are you listening, Walker?” Groaning, Ryden looked over his shoulder.
“We all are, Spiderman.”
I shook to laugh like Theia as I playfully hit her for her comment. It was uncomfortable, and my eyes were wet with tears. I couldn’t laugh out loud as we were still on a mission, and we didn’t want to catch our attention.
“That was hilarious,” Walker said.
“Do you magic windy, Ren? See if there’s a human close to the estate,” Ryden said as he sniffed the air.
I took a deep breath focused on listening around us and asked Ren, “I can’t catch other heartbeats. You?”
“Other than heartbeats from the other mansions, no. We’re good to go.”
“Maybe what’s in there has no soul or lifeform.”
I glared at Walker. “What made you say that?”
“If he’s the source of the wraiths, then he probably keeps that thing to watch his property. Way better than soldiers.”
“Possibly, and if you only did your assignment, we’re not playing a guessing game right now.”
“Easy, ladybug,” Ryden urged me. And that’s why we have Zarah to figure it out. Now you two, need to work out your trust issues.”
“I don’t have one.”
“Then shut up and do your part. We’re here,” I exhorted Walker.
“I’ll go first.” Walker climbed up the wall and jumped into the property before he got approval from Alpha. Ryden went next, then Theia, and I went up last.
Ren however with his power, just lifted himself and jumped over effortlessly.
“I don’t know you can do that,” Amazed, Ryden looked at him in awe.
“That was awesome. What else can you do?” Walker looked like an idiot, beaming.
“Fly you inside the tornado if you betray us,” I said firmly.
Walker snorted. “What do you guys want me to do to earn your trust back? One thing that is unbreakable is my loyalty to Alpha Ryden. I will lay my life for him. I wouldn’t even be alive if he did not save me from an attack. That’s how much I owed him my life.”
Stunned, we all watched him unlock the back door and keep the door open for us as he got in.
“Zarah, can you hear me? We’re in,” I called her instantly as we made it to the kitchen.
I sniffed the air for any gas leak. “It’s clear.”
The portal appeared. Zarah and Zeph walked out.
Dane just arrived with a bag. “Catch something dark, Zarah?”
“I’m getting it. There’s a lot going on in this house,” she confirmed.
The flesh on my arms rose goose bumps. “Halloween-y or real horror?”
“Black magic, dark elements,” she said as she walked right to the dining room. We followed her and crossed towards the living. “It’s a little bit weak on this spot.”
“Ren, Theia, you go upstairs,” Ryden started giving orders, “Walker, you’re with me.”
I didn’t expect I would go with Ryden, and I was sure I would be teaming up with Dane again. I enjoyed Dane’s company and something we had in common— we didn’t have to discuss what to do. We just did it together. He had my back, and I had his.
“Zeph, you stay with Zarah. Dane with Amelia. Good luck and be careful.” Ryden and Walker headed upstairs to the first floor. Zarah and Zeph went downstairs to the basement.
“How do we set the fire?”
Dane chuckled. “Aren’t you a firewoman? Where do you think you should start?”
“Kitchen?”
“That’s a good spot, usually happens at dinnertime, but since no one is around, it can start in the bedroom, overheated charger, blowdryer left unattended, etc.” We went to the north side of the house.
“This house is beautiful but seemed creepy and sad.” I tensed. My mind whirled. Beneath the horror, I was confident everyone had everybody’s back.
“Alec is rich but he’s done many terrible things, put a lot of pain in the world, and no one is brave enough to nail that son of a bitch.”
I looked at Dane. “So you already knew before I accused him of a bad guy.”
“Yes. I’m a member of a certain group, and we wanted to eliminate him, but Victor stopped us. I can’t go rogue. I have a mate, and I need a job.”
“Kailin. What’s she like?”
When he smiled, his eyes glittering, no words necessary. “She’s a great woman.”
“Obviously. I can see it in your eyes. I’m happy for you and Kailin. I wanna meet her someday.”
“Thanks, Amelia. She’s excited to meet you. I told her a lot of things about you.”
“You took the words out of my mouth, Dane. I’m excited, too.”
We checked every door, drawer, and cabinet, and nothing out of the ordinary.
“Anything guys?” I tapped the comm. My heart hammered in my chest that I didn’t realize we already lost comm. I froze. “Guys?”
“Shit.” Dane stared at me with wide eyes. “It’s a trap.”
“Guys!” It was Zeph who seemed running. He was screaming. Despite losing our comm, our hearing still worked. “Get out of there now! This house is rigged with explosives!”