He must’ve spoken through the mind-link, because August nodded before returning to the open front door and sidling in next to Lucas.
He’s not going to help you out until tonight, Liam said. In case anyone’s watching . . .
Heart skidding to a halt, my gaze swept over the wooded expanse surrounding us, seeking lambent eyes in the shadows of the great evergreens. I saw none, but did it mean they weren’t watching?
Where will the fight take place? I asked Liam, skirting his lunge.
On the lawn of the former Pines’ headquarters.
In the maze?
Not in the maze, but next to it.
I didn’t like the idea of fighting next to a maze. There was no telling what could leap from the dense shrubs.
Liam pounced on top of my back. Concentrate, Ness.
I shoved him off.
As he circled me, surely calculating at which angle to come at me, he added through the mind-link: Don’t ever rely on another person to keep you safe.
Was he insinuating that I wouldn’t be able to keep him safe or that August wouldn’t be able to keep me safe?
I’ll try to keep track of you the entire time, but I might not be able to.
His words stilled me. I was supposed to keep track of him, not the other way around.
Of course, Matt took advantage of my lapse of attention to barrel straight into me, and none too gently. He apologized, but the impact still stung.
As I straightened and wrung myself out, I pinned Liam with an inflexible stare. Don’t you dare take your eyes off Morgan tonight. Not for a second.
His yellow irises seemed to ignite at my concern, but then he chuffed and wheeled around. Matt, again!
We spent the remainder of the afternoon sitting around Liam’s house, discussing everything but the duel. Even Greg stayed. Under Matt’s curious gaze, the pack doctor distilled Sillin into three little vials, then aligned and realigned them in his cooler.
After I’d shifted back into skin, Liam made me take a shower in his house, and then he told me to stay away from August. “In case the Creeks aren’t aware he’s your mate.”
When he suggested August leave and meet us at the former Pine HQ, my mate glared and muttered, “Like hell.”
So he’d stayed too, alternately clutching the armrest of the couch, glowering at the woods outside, and pacing the lawn while barking on his phone.
About an hour before we had to leave, Liam got a message that made him speak my name very loudly even though I was sitting a couple feet away from him. “Avery.”
He pushed his phone into my hands.
AVERY: Sarah just arrived at her family’s former HQ with Alex Morgan. I haven’t been able to get her alone, but thought you’d want to know she was here. She looks a little spooked. Hope Alex hasn’t hurt her.
Spooked? Sarah wasn’t the type of girl who spooked easily, so Avery stating this had my hackles rising. “She’s alive,” I said, handing the phone to Lucas who’d stiffened at the mention of Avery’s name, “but if you don’t kill Alex Morgan tonight, I will.”
Either Lucas read the message slowly, or he read it a few times, because he scrutinized the screen a long time.
My hatred fueled my mounting adrenaline. By the time Liam rose from the couch and announced that it was time, I was extremely ready to get out there.
“Ready when you are, boss,” Lucas said, jingling Liam’s car keys.
Liam nodded to his black SUV. “Ness, you ride with us.”
I didn’t care who I rode with as long as they got me there fast so I could ascertain that my friend was truly all right. I opened the door to the backseat and got in. Instead of getting in the front, Liam climbed in the back with me.
When August opened the passenger side door, Liam said, “Not a good idea, Watt.”
“I won’t touch her.”
Liam narrowed his eyes. “Do you want the Creeks to make you leave the dueling ring?”
Heat erupted behind my navel as August’s gaze found mine. Even though it seemed to take everything within him to back away, he heeded Liam’s words and headed to Cole’s car with Greg.
Matt hopped up front, and then Lucas careened down the driveway. I watched the dark world unfurl past my window. At some point, I asked Matt to shut off the AC. My bones were so cold I thought they might not thaw out in time for the duel.
“Did you speak to Tamara today?” I asked Liam as a beat-heavy song came to an end and another began.
He glanced away from his window. “I sent her a message.”
“Does she know what’s happening tonight?”
“I told her I’d call her later. And that if I didn’t, the pack would take care of her.”
My breathing stuttered.
Liam leaned over and patted my knee. “I’ll be calling her later.”
I tried to return his smile but couldn’t. I went back to staring at the stars blooming like baby’s-breath in the purpling sky. I wondered if my parents were somewhere among them, watching over me, but that line of thinking turned even more painful than contemplating the duel.
As we drove, Liam went through the rules again. They’d been drilled so many times inside my skull that I knew them by heart. Still, I paid attention.
“Your main purpose is to referee the fight, not to get involved. When you inspect Cassandra tonight, don’t linger on her lips or nails. We’re not looking at calling her out on foul play. If Justin attacks you or me, you’re allowed to strike back.”
“And if Cassandra attacks me?”
His expression became more cutting than a knife point. “If Cassandra attacks you, she’ll regret it for the rest of her very short life.”
“I’m serious. What happens if she does? Can I kill her, or does it have to be you?”
“If she attacks first, then you’re allowed to retaliate.” He reached across the backseat, collected my hand, and squeezed it reassuringly. “But it won’t come to that.”
For three entire songs, he was quiet. We were all quiet.
When the ten-foot metal fence that screened off the Pines’ former property came into view, I shivered. And then I shivered harder when Lucas slid the car through the open gate. The white stone headquarters appeared like a mirage at the end of the cedar-lined alley, its staircase darkened by bodies. It seemed like every man and boy in our pack had come.