20. Kade

The last thing they need is a witch with dubious intent on their side. There's a darkness to Dinah that means Kade's not surprised she's an evil witch's daughter.

Yet a steady, unflinching resolve that he relates to.

She's a woman who will do what needs to be done. What she believes is right.

Just like he has.

So he makes a conscious effort to release Elara, although he remains close to her side. "So, what are the next steps?"

The irony that he's doing this to free Laith isn't lost on him. The one guy who will take Elara away from him.

The one thing that will break him after he's been strong for so long.

"It'll need to cast a spell to make the replica," Dinah explains, her gaze steady on Kade. "To do that, I"ll need to channel someone who's actually touched Excalibur."

He inclines his head, meeting her resolute stare and raising it. "I have."

Elara grabs his arm and pulls him back. "Are you sure about this?" she whispers. "We don"t exactly know what channeling is going to do to you."

The concerns tightening her face sends warmth wrapping around his heart. "There"s no choice. I"m the only one who can do this." He doesn't tell her he'll be fine, because he has no way of guaranteeing that. He also doesn't verbalize that if anything that does happen to him, he"ll deserve it.

Elara doesn't move, clearly not liking this.

Yet also aware they don't have a choice.

Dinah sighs, reaches over and tugs Kade to her. His feet have just landed on the forest litter beside her when a ring of fire flares around them. Elara and Denzel jump back, frowning. A runic circle had already been created. Dinah has been ready for this.

"For now, just stay at the center of this circle, okay?" Dinah steps out, all business as the flames lower enough for her to exit. "You may feel a bit tired or lightheaded. Let me know if you feel anything other than that."

Kade nods, knowing it"s too late to back out now. It"s the best plan they have. His eyes find Elara's, and he can tell she's afraid. "Why don"t the three of you get a hold of the rest of Shadowgrace along with anyone else who might be able to help?" He tries to keep his voice neutral. "I want backup in case the shifters start something."

This spell is going to be the trigger. The forging of their only weapon.

Their weapon they'll use to walk into battle.

Denzel leaves as if he's more than happy to. Elara's movements are reluctant, but she puts her arm around Jordyn and leads her away until Kade can no longer see her. He returns his focus to Dinah, ready to end this at the first sign of betrayal.

Her eyes are closed, her lips moving soundlessly, casting a spell he can't decipher. Fatigue hits him like a ton of bricks, and he locks his knees, determined to be strong enough to handle this.

To fight it if he has to.

"Don"t worry, I have this under control," Dinah says without opening her eyes. She can no doubt sense his unease and distrust.

Just like she can feel him weakening.

As he allows the magic to wash over him, Kade makes sure Dinah understands one more thing. Ultimately, he doesn"t care what happens to him.

But if anyone becomes a threat to Elara…

"Okay,it"s done. You"re free to go," Dinah announces.

Kade sways on his feet as he tries to get his bearings. He's not sure if minutes have passed or hours. He's not sure what exactly was just taken from him.

But Dinah's looking at him as if he's now an uninvited guest. Slowly, testing his muscles, he walks straight at the line of fire. The flames die down the instant his foot lifts, and in the same breath, his strength returns.

"I'll finish up here," Dinah says, sinking into a cross legged position as she dismisses him. The night that's settled in tucks its layers around her, making it look like she just sat beneath a deep shadow.

Kade hesitates, but then decides they're about to find out whose side Dinah's really on. She'll either create an Excalibur replica.

Or they're about to have a very powerful witch enemy on their hands.

Right now, he wants to get back to Elara.

Moving through the trees, Kade barely has to focus to track her. He's been doing it so long it's now as part of him as his wolf is. It means he's not surprised to hear Elara's voice before he sees her.

Followed by Jordyn's. "So, do you actually like this Kade guy? The two of you revolve around each other like you've found a new orbit."

Kade's ducked behind a tree trunk before he can stop himself. He knows he just chose to eavesdrop, but he can't help himself.

He needs to hear the answer.

"I…don't know," Elara says so softly he has to strain to hear her.

Kade peers around the trunk, his wolf gaze slicing through the dark. He can make out Jordyn and Elara a few yards away, both sitting on the ground and leaning against the same tree.

Elara picks up a stick from beside her, fiddling with it. "I can't explain it, but I'm drawn to him. Despite everything he's done…"

Kade swallows hard. The words are beautiful. Exhilarating.

And oh so wrong.

Jordyn turns to study Elara and even at the distance, Kade can see there's no censure or judgment in her posture. Jordyn's trying her best not to judge her for the way she's feeling, even though she must know to some extent what he"s done. He leans a little heavier against the trunk. Elara's right to think the way she does. She shouldn"t feel this way for him. No matter what he feels for her.

"He"s been stalking me and keeping secrets, but I just can"t stay away," Elara whispers. "I just can"t control it."

Jordyn's silent. Kade's holding his breath.

The night seems to hold still, as if it's too waiting to see what Elara will say next.

She looks up at the canopy, probably at the star-studded sky above. "I"m falling in love with him. I may already be in love with him." She sighs. "What do I do?"

Kade's floored by the admission. It's clear there's some kind of connection between them, but he assumed it was stronger on his side than on hers. But Elara's falling for him…

She may already have.

The words, the knowledge, all of the infinite possibilities that come with it sing through his vein. Lift his heart. Has his soul ascending to a stratosphere of joy he didn"t know existed.

Until the grief at the impossibility of it all slams him down far more painfully than if he'd never soared in the first place.

He curses silently, now sagging against the tree once more. This far-fetched chance was the reason he tried so long to stay away from Elara. He doesn"t want her hurting any more than she already has. It's a complication they can't afford. They can never be together.

Elara's destined to be with Laith.

It's how she's going to save them all.

Kade should've controlled himself better.

Jordyn hasn't responded, and Elara's now staring at the fragile stick as if it has the answers she's seeking. He needs to show himself. He's heard too much as it is.

Kade's just taken a step when someone drops from the trees above, right between him and the girls.

Elara scrambles to her feet as Jordyn screams. Kade leaps forward, readying his wolf to do what needs to be done.

"Chad," he snarls, recognizing the shifter who oversaw the ritual killings.

The ones Kade failed to stop.

Chad smiles faintly, his pale lips curving ever so slightly in his pale face. "Hello, Kade."

Elara looks between them, trying to understand what's going on.

"He's a shifter," Kade snarls, not taking his eyes off the enemy. "He's the one who ordered the killing of those humans in the sacrifice."

Denzel growls deep in his throat as he stands up from beside the tree he'd been resting against. Kade glares at him, warning him to remain still. Their enemy is here for a reason.

"What an auspicious night," Chad purrs. He draws in a deep breath. "The power it unleashed was intoxicating."

Kade coils every muscle, tightens every tendon. He'll reach Chad long before the bastard tries to attack Elara and Jordyn.

Except Chad unwinds, looking like he's quite happy to remain where he is. "I"ve been asked to relay a message."

Elara tenses. "From whom?"

Chad waves a dismissive hand. "You'll find out soon enough." He flashes his teeth. "Stop preparing for a war you can't win."

The promise of death drips from every word.

Kade's hands are hot, trembling fists by his side. There's no way the wolves won't protect the world from what's coming.

Elara snorts. "Well, that's not going to happen."

Pride fills Kade as she lifts her chin. He can feel her fear, yet here she is, flashing courage like she has an endless supply.

Chad curls a bloodless lip. "The wolves have no chance of victory. No matter how many flock to Mercy City." Elara stiffens and the sneer morphs to a twisted semblance of a smile. "That's right. We know of all the different wolf packs in the city now. We also know you were scratched by Kade." He says Kade's name with all the venom he can coat it in.

Heat flashes through Kade, a potent mix of fury and shame.

"We know a lot more than you think," Chad continues, seeming to enjoy the audience. And feeling smug. "Kade is Arthurian. So are you, Elara. As is your little friend, Laith."

"Let him go!" Elara cries. "He has no idea about any of this."

"For now," Chad says, ignoring her, "all we want is Excalibur. Hand it over or he dies."

He lifts his arms and Kade leaps, a growl erupting from his throat. Denzel moves a split-second later.

But Chad isn't there for them to grab. It's a glossy, black crow that lifts to the branches, caws loudly, and flies away.

Kade curses, turning to make sure Elara and Jordyn are okay, when Dinah appears from between the trees.

"Thank the moon he didn't hang around," she says drolly, then hefts a large silver sword. "We"re ready."