Chapter 24

TWENTY-FOUR

S ayer’s heart thundered in his chest, matching the frantic pace of his thoughts as he gathered the rescue team. The festival lights, once joyous and celebratory, now seemed to mock their desperation. He scanned the determined faces before him—Luna’s wise eyes, Celeste’s fierce protectiveness, Ivy’s quiet strength, and the resolute expressions of Kade, Reed, Roarke, and Bram. Each of them stood ready, their very presence a balm to his frayed nerves.

“We need to move fast,” Sayer said, his voice low and intense. “Brooke’s got a head start, but she can’t have gone far. Not with Vienna.”

Celeste, looking exhausted but resolute, nodded firmly. “I’m coming too. Vienna needs us all.”

Kade, his arm protectively around his wife, shook his head. “Celeste, you just gave birth a week ago. You need to rest.”

“I’ll be fine,” Celeste insisted, her emerald eyes flashing. “Elsie has Amara. Vienna’s as much a part of this community as our daughter is.”

“I’m also coming,” Tabitha said.

Sayer felt a rush of gratitude for the fierce loyalty of these people who, just two months ago, had been strangers. He locked eyes with Reed, the sheriff’s amber gaze steady and determined.

Luna stepped forward, her silver-streaked hair catching the moonlight. “I can trace the magical signature of the balloon. It’ll leave a trail, faint but detectable.”

Celeste nodded, her eyes blazing with determination. “And I can amplify that signature, make it easier for us to follow.”

“Good,” Sayer replied, feeling a spark of hope. “Kade, Reed—I want you two scouting ahead. Your wolf and tiger forms will be invaluable for picking up any scents Brooke might have left behind.”

The two men nodded, already beginning to shift. Bones cracked and reformed as fur sprouted across their bodies, leaving two massive animals where moments ago men had stood.

Sayer turned to Roarke and Bram. “You’ll be our rear guard. If Brooke’s laid any traps, we need to make sure they don’t slow us down or cut off our escape route.”

“Consider it done,” Roarke growled, his eyes already scanning the tree line.

Ivy stepped up, her hands filled with small, glowing charms. “These will offer some protection against magical attacks. They’re not foolproof, but they should give us an edge.”

As the group accepted the charms, Sayer felt a surge of gratitude for this community that had so quickly become home. He locked eyes with each of them, seeing the same fierce determination mirrored back at him. “Thank you,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “All of you. Vienna... she’s everything to us. To Fia and me.”

Luna placed a comforting hand on his arm. “We know, dear. And she’s become precious to all of us. We’ll bring her home.”

Sayer nodded, swallowing hard against the lump in his throat. He stepped back, closing his eyes as he focused on the shift. The change rippled through him, bones elongating, muscles bulging and reshaping. In moments, where Sayer had stood, a massive golden lion now crouched, his mane gleaming in the moonlight.

Luna, Tabitha, and Celeste began to chant, their voices weaving together in an intricate spell. Sayer felt the magic wash over him, his muscles thrumming with newfound energy. His senses sharpened, the world around him becoming hyper-focused.

“The trail leads this way,” Luna said, pointing toward the dense forest that bordered the festival grounds.

Sayer’s massive paws dug into the earth as he sprinted forward, the rescue team falling into formation behind him. The forest swallowed them, branches whipping past as they raced through the undergrowth. Every instinct in Sayer’s lion form screamed to run faster, to find his cub, to tear apart anyone who dared threaten his family.

They had been running for what felt like hours when Kade, in his wolf form, let out a low growl. Sayer slowed, his ears pricking forward as he tried to discern what had caught Kade’s attention.

Suddenly, the air around them shimmered, and Sayer felt his fur stand on end. A moment later, a blast of magical energy erupted from the ground, sending leaves and dirt flying.

“Trap!” Luna shouted, her hands already weaving a counter-spell.

Ivy’s charms glowed brightly, absorbing most of the blast’s impact. Still, Sayer felt the sting of residual magic searing across his flank. He roared in frustration and pain, the sound echoing through the trees.

Celeste stepped forward, her hands raised. “I’ve got this,” she said, her voice tight with concentration. A shimmering dome of energy expanded from her palms, enveloping the group and pushing back against the trap’s magic.

Sayer paced restlessly as Luna and Celeste worked to dismantle the magical trap. Every second felt like an eternity, knowing that Brooke was getting farther away with Vienna. His mind raced with worst-case scenarios, each more terrifying than the last.

“There,” Luna said finally, lowering her hands. “It’s neutralized. But we need to be more careful. Brooke’s likely laid more traps along the way.”

Sayer nodded his massive head, grateful for their expertise but impatient to continue the chase. As they pressed on, he found himself marveling at how seamlessly the group worked together. Kade and Reed scouted ahead, their wolf and tiger forms silent and swift. Roarke and Bram guarded their flanks, alert for any sign of danger. The witches moved in tandem with Fia a part of them, their magic a constant, comforting presence.

As they navigated through a particularly dense section of the forest, Sayer caught a faint scent on the breeze—a mix of baby powder and the distinctive smell of Vienna’s favorite stuffed animal. His heart leaped, and he let out a low rumble to alert the others.

“We’re getting close,” Celeste confirmed, her eyes glowing with magical sight. “The trail’s getting stronger.”

Sayer’s muscles bunched as he prepared to sprint ahead, but Luna’s voice stopped him. “Wait,” she cautioned. “There’s something... off about the magic ahead. It’s like a veil, hiding something.”

Frustration coursed through Sayer. Every fiber of his being screamed to charge forward to find Vienna and bring her home. But he knew Luna was right—rushing in blindly could put them all in danger, including Vienna.

He forced himself to pause, turning to face the group. In his lion form, he couldn’t speak, but he met each of their eyes, trying to convey his gratitude and determination. They had come so far, risked so much, all for a child they had only known for a short time. It was proof of the strength of this community and the bonds they had formed.

As they regrouped, preparing to face whatever lay ahead, Sayer turned to Fia. He could feel her fear and worry mirroring his own. She’d been quiet, her focus solely on the path ahead. They had come so far in such a short time, from reluctant co-guardians to partners in every sense of the word. The thought of her gave him renewed strength, a fierce desire to bring their family back together.

With a low growl, Sayer signaled for them to move forward. Whatever Brooke had planned, whatever obstacles lay in their path, they would face them together. And they would bring Vienna home.

As they pressed deeper into the forest, the magical trail growing stronger with each step, Sayer’s resolve hardened. He may not have been there for his brother in his final moments, but he would be there for Vienna. He would protect this new family he had found, no matter the cost.

The trees began to thin, revealing a small clearing ahead. The air crackled with magical energy, and Sayer’s fur stood on end. Whatever awaited them, he knew this would be the final confrontation. With one last look at his companions, Sayer led the charge into the clearing, ready to face