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.

to

"We

hand already reaching for his phone. "I’ll coordinate a team. We can

shakes his head. "The closest are all still in Blue Mountain. It would be hours before

sighs. "I told you we should have brought a few more

eye on the brat ruling there." Caine runs a hand through his hair, blowing out a breath. He glances at

a rescue team," Lyre says calmly. "It’s just

to be

no danger," she interrupts

He frowns.

I’m

then I follow the line of his gaze and realize he’s looking way over her head. She probably

go. If any soulspliced are

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 another Bun-like child, trapped in a cage. Maybe

ring out in unison, and

Lyre says, and her gentle tone is at odds with her

agrees, his

and Caine don’t have a follow-up. They’re just standing there like

no business going around trying to save people. Even if I was completely recovered, I have no skill sets to help out. I’m not

I don’t know why I said

looks at his

darting between Lyre and Owen, then back to me. "Yes. We can’t leave Grace without a guard. But

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

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

* * *

room shifts from panicked to purposeful as everyone begins organizing themselves. Owen steps away