sell tickets to hard-core snuff killings.”
Maeve thought his speech might cause some agitation. Instead, all she felt from the wolves was a tightening of focus and purpose.
Braden turned to her. “Lead the way.”
Maeve levitated and headed to the emergency doors. Once she was rising in the air and the team was with her, she was surprised when the wolves suddenly whistled and shouted.
Startled, she turned to face them. She almost asked what was wrong until she realized they were honoring her most recent achievement. She could fly.
She felt her cheeks warm up. She even smiled.
Braden caught up with her, took her arm then drew her forward. “Come on.” But he was grinning.
The sudden shift from excitement to shouted praise had a good effect on her nerves. She felt herself relax just enough.
As she rose higher in the air, she addressed Greg telepathically and let him know where they were headed.
We’re ready, returned in a strong, solid response.
When Maeve reached the protection spell, she drew up and hovered midair. Turning to face the group, she saw in each intense pair of eyes how much they were with her.
She saw a new possibility as well because of the potion she’d taken. She glanced at Braden, If I touch each of them, it will forge a connection that will help during the rescue, but I’m not sure your wolf will like it.
She watched his eyes flare and a layer of fur appear in sexy lines along each cheek. I’d better be touching you at the same time, or I will tear them apart, one by one.
She nodded. I feel it too. Get over here. Her lips curved as she held out her arm to him.
The moment he surrounded her waist and pulled her close, everything she was lit on fire.
You’re glowing.
You do this to me, she responded.
He looked deadly serious. There’s a lot here, Maeve. Between us, I mean.
I know. We’ll talk later.
She reverted her attention to the wolves. The recent interaction between herself and Braden had caused each of the men to sprout fur and elongate jaws and snouts slightly. She explained about the spell and what she felt was possible.
Each wolf inclined his head slowly as she moved along the half circle. Braden tracked close, his body tense. She gripped the throat of each wolf and when she felt the connection form, she moved to the next. When she’d created the temporary bond, the wolves howled.
She felt the same kind of howl form in her throat. This time, she didn’t hold back, but joined her voice with theirs.
Braden howled as well and to her newly-formed wolf ears, the sound was exquisite with layers of resonance her witch ears alone could never have heard. Her heart swelled and a strange, single word formed in her head: Home.
A few seconds later, the howling died away and her focus sharpened once more in Kiara’s direction.
Greg called out. I can see the spelled boundary.
At that, Maeve turned to Braden and smiled. He dipped his chin three times in approval. Let’s go.
She flew forward and upward, crossing the security spell. She was almost ready to turn in the direction of Veyda’s compound when she sensed the warlock’s presence. Gammet was here.
Instead of reacting as a witch and feeling a profound need to hide, she suddenly felt very much like a wolf. Battle was what she wanted. She now hoped he’d brought his team ready to fight.
To Braden, she telepathed, I can feel him. Veyda’s warlock. He’s not far. I think we should engage his force in the Graveyard. We don’t want to be dealing with him once we’re at Veyda’s compound.
I agree. Let’s do it.