“That’s not good.” Dean’s expression betrayed nothing of the frustration the news should have brought. He remained so calm, Caster was sure he already knew.
“No shit.” Damien didn’t try to hide his frustration.
He thanked the Goddess that the Prime Alpha had left his brother out of this. Mark and the distraction his presence brought were not needed, not when the future of everything hung in the balance.
They sat at the table in Damien’s dining room, today serving as a makeshift conference table, the tension they each tried to contain growing despite their efforts.
“I will need to convene my council.” Dean looked at Caster with none of the challenge his stare often carried. “This is so far beyond the—”
“I know.” Caster needed the alliance the treaty had created and the friendship and mutual respect that had grown since.
The Prime Alpha nodded as if granting it. “What do we do?”
“Nothing has changed. Lucien is still working with the witch, so our best option is to find the witch,” Riley said. “The locator spell we came up with last night is scouring the planet for her as we speak.”
“And it will work this time?” There was no challenge in Dean’s tone, and Caster thanked Riley for not reading too much into the question. An angry Riley was not easy to deal with.
“Yes. Three witches trump one. Even one whose magic comes from darkness.”
“Good.” The Prime Alpha rubbed at his face, the frustration he’d been holding on to bleeding through for a moment. “My council won’t come here, so I have to go to them.” This time, when he leveled Caster with his best stare, the challenge was unmistakable. “I can leave my brothers with you?”
Caster nodded. “They’re safe.”
Dean stood. “Let me know as soon as you locate the witch. James will also stay.” Then he was gone.
“How soon do you think you can locate her?” Caster asked.
Riley looked at his watch. “If the vampire last night was telling the truth, we have a search area to focus our power, so not long.”
“By morning?” Impatience clawed at him to find and kill the witch before Uncle Lucien could use her power for what he was certain were nefarious purposes.
“You know how these things work.” Riley pushed his chair back and stood. “Are you staying here tonight?”
Caster’s nod was automatic. He was hiding from Mark, but he wasn’t about to analyze that thought more than was necessary.
“Ben’s here. He hates my guts right now.” Caster and Damien laughed, drawing Riley’s ire. “Just make sure he’s fine.”
Laughter was a welcome reprieve from the utter dread coiling around in his belly from the moment he’d learned of his uncle’s plans. This would not be the easy fight he’d hoped when he’d first asked the Prime Alpha for assistance. It would call on all their strength before it was over. Damien gave him an encouraging nod, and he thanked the Goddess for his support. He would need it. They all would.
§
His designated bedroom in Damien’s house seemed empty as he sat on the bed. Caster couldn’t deny what was missing, but that didn’t mean he was willing to admit it to himself. Still, thoughts of Mark invaded, and he worried that the effects of their separation would prove too much for his wolf.
His intention to seek his mother’s wisdom about the unique situation he found himself in had been derailed by his father’s summons. He’d only had time to make her promise to ensure Mark got the security only a powerful protection spell would provide. She’d talked him into connecting the protection to him, so he would be summoned whenever Mark was in danger, and like every time in his long life, Caster couldn’t deny her anything.
Did Mark know? It seemed a frivolous thing to do when his mother had suggested it, but he’d grown to see the wisdom in it. Until he could be certain of the witch’s intentions, he had to keep Mark close. The protection spell and its connection to him would ensure that even at a distance.
Thought after thought of why the witch would be so fixated on Mark invaded his mind, chasing away any need for sleep. Could it have something to do with his position in wolf society? But if that was true, why not go after the Prime Alpha? He scoffed at the thought. Anyone who’d ever seen the Prime Alpha in action wouldn’t want to come face-to-face with his ferocity. Perhaps the witch was afraid? She’d be wise to be. Dean had impressed even Marcus with his strength and capabilities as a warrior. Few came up against him and lived to tell the tale.
His phone’s shrill ring interrupted Caster’s memory of the war and the thousands of his kind Dean had decimated. Mark?
“Hi…”
A low moan, clear in its origins, floated through the device. He looked at the screen again, just to be sure he was speaking to the right person.
“Mark?”
“What do you want from me?” His voice, strong but low, eased some of Caster’s worry. He sounded half asleep.