Eight

Cato

“ D on’t freak out.” I hear whispered just inches from my ear. I’m sitting on the floor of the cell I’ve been locked in for who the fuck knows how long, and my right arm is pressed against the cell bars.

I lift my chin, looking up at Odas to see if he heard the same voice. My lifelong best friend blinks once. He heard it.

“They’re going to bring your food in just a minute. I’m going to knock the guard unconscious and then free you. We have one chance to get you out of here before my mother realizes I’m back in the realm–”

“She’s already aware. You’re not taking them anywhere. They’re the only shot we have at freeing you from your mother’s hold, once and for all,” the cloaked man, the one Fenrick used to spend all his time with as a child, says as he steps into the dungeon. Fenrick is still invisible, but clearly, this man can see him.

“The fuck I’m not. Don’t make me kill you, old man,” Fenrick snarls, coming into view. I don’t think he knows that this guy is his dad...

Movement at the back of the room catches my eyes, and I glance over to see a small white snake slither across the floor. Silas.

“She came for us…” I whisper, looking up at Odas. The Cyclops shakes his head.

“Fen and Silas came. Moon is not here,” he says grimly.

“She sent them. They would not have wanted her to come here,” I say, and one look at Fenrick confirms this theory. “You left her behind?” I ask, and Fen nods once. I rise to my feet and start stretching. Fen won’t leave here without us. He would never go back to Moon without us. I know this because if the roles were reversed, I would never leave him behind.

For better or worse, we are all connected. If anything happens to even one of Moon’s mates, it will weaken her. Break her.

“Where’s the Phoenix?” Fen asks the man he doesn’t know is his father, and I know it’s because Lust might not be one of Moon’s mates, but he’s important to her. Moon loves him, and mate or not, I know he loves her even more.

“Lust is under the Queen's control,” I say, as I feel my Dragon rise in my chest.

“The Phoenix is no one’s concern. He’s lost. Once the magic has taken hold of his mind, there’s no returning.” The cloaked guard lowers his hood, revealing a man that looks so similar to Fen, I can’t believe no one has put two and two together before.

“I don’t believe you,” Odas says, and I have to agree. We’ll find a way to free the Phoenix’s mind.

“Enough. Free them, or you die. Simple as that,” Silas says from the corner of the room, no longer in his snake form.

“You’re not listening to me! My son will die! Moon cannot survive the loss of him, any more than those two! The Queen–”

“Is a petulant cunt. She will die. Fenrick is in no more danger than any of the others. If the Queen cannot reach him, he cannot die,” I say, but Fenrick is now standing there, blinking… He’s just realized what was said.

“You?” Fenrick asks, and I see Silas look between the two men.

“Oh,” Silas’s eyebrows raise, and I tap on the cell bars.

“You can have a family reunion later. The Queen knows you’re back, and if we do not leave soon, she’ll sink her cunty mitts right back into you,” I hiss, needing him to get his shit together immediately.

“I keep the Phoenix, and in exchange, I’ll allow you to leave with them until you can return with Moon. She is the rightful heir to the throne. She is the only one who can break the binds on her father’s mind. The Queen MUST die,” the cloaked man practically begs. I’m a little disappointed that he gave in so easily. I was hoping for a fight.

“Steve is my father?” Fen whispers, not snapping out of the shock yet.

“You’re going to need to reschedule your mental breakdown for later, my dude,” Odas mumbles, and Silas rolls his eyes.

“The Phoenix comes with us,” Silas says, as he takes a threatening step forward. The man exudes malicious intent.

“I lose all leverage if I allow you to take him. He is the only assurance I have that Moon will return. Besides, he’s not here. If you waste time trying to find him, you’ll be discovered. Take these two, they’re in more danger than the Phoenix. I vow he will remain unharmed.” The guard, Steve, moves to the cell door, unlocks it, and it swings open. “Go, now, while the Queen is still distracted. I cannot protect any of you if she discovers you here.”

“Fuck!” Fenrick snaps, but he moves to the cell door, gesturing for us to exit.

Moon won’t be happy we left her friend behind.

“Come on, I’m taking you to the Elven Realm,” Silas says as I take my first step out of the cell doors.