Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 90: Grace: Sanguimancers

Lyre’s voice cuts through his explanation, and she groans. Loudly. Rubbing at her forehead as she looks at the ceiling, her other hand propped onto her hip.

If I had to guess at her emotional state, it would be exasperated, but I’m not sure why.

"What?" I ask, tightening my grip on Bun instinctively.

"I forgot the cages," she says, smacking her palm against her forehead once. Then twice. "Damn it, I forgot about the cages."

Caine’s attention snaps to her. "What cages?"

"The facility where I found—ugh. It’s a long story. Look, the point is that there are cages underground. A lot of them. Filled with shifters." Lyre’s gaze flicks to Bun, then back to Caine. Her usual sarcasm has vanished entirely. "Some have children in them."

"You forgot about kidnapped people?" I blurt out, unable to process how anyone could forget something like that. Lyre’s strange, but she’s caring.

Her catlike eyes narrow at me. "I got some bad news. It was no longer a priority."

My heart flips a little.

The Lycan King has returned, all trace of the slightly warmer and marginally more approachable Caine gone as he asks, "Were they alive?"

"Yes. Mostly."

His face hardens. "Where? How many? Why are they there?"

"About ten miles to the northeast of here, there’s an abandoned industrial complex. Doesn’t look like much from the outside, but there are magical wards everywhere." Lyre’s eyes drift to Bun again, who has mercifully fallen quiet in my arms; she’s chewing on the collar of her onesie as she rhythmically kicks her foot out, content to sit where she is. "At least one was soulspliced. Shifters, most likely. Possibly some humans mixed in. They’ve been there a long time."

Owen sighs, and Sara lets out a little whimper. She looks horrified, but by the way her stare’s still glued in Caine’s direction, I’m not sure if she’s reacting to what Lyre’s saying or if she’s just... really convinced Caine’s going to eat her.

He’s trying to get to the rest of the tanghulu, set out

constricts painfully. "We

steps forward, a hand already reaching for his phone. "I’ll coordinate a team. We

glance with Caine. The Lycan King shakes his head. "The closest are all still in Blue

we should have brought a few

ruling there." Caine runs a hand through his

don’t need a rescue team," Lyre

better to be

she interrupts him. "I can

He frowns.

his throat, and I’m impressed. He’s

he’s looking way over

will go. If any soulspliced are

I announce, starting to rise before remembering the toddler in my lap. The words come out of me without conscious thought; maybe I’m just swept up in the moment. Or maybe it’s the thought of

four voices ring out in

Lyre says, and her gentle tone is

in the way," Owen agrees, his arms crossed over

don’t have a follow-up. They’re just standing

I was completely recovered, I

I know. I don’t know why I said

then looks at his

Owen, then back to me. "Yes. We can’t leave Grace without a guard. But keep me updated. Check in at least

pressing her lips together so tight they turn white. Her shoulders

every hour will be adequate," his beta cuts in hastily. "Come, Madame Lyre. Please lead

* * *

room shifts from panicked to purposeful as everyone begins organizing themselves. Owen steps away from the wall, his shoulders