161 Grace: Lyre’s Lies
Caine’s presence in this camper is unmistakable, almost like he’s sucking all the air out of it. Is there such a thing as an air vampire? Because it’s kind of what he’s doing as he stands there, squared off against Lyre–again.
They haven’t even said a word yet and already clashing.
“Kids, go outside with Jack–Eye and the others,” I murmur, ushering them off the couches. If these two start arguing, I don’t want the kids to hear it. It’s why I brought them in earlier, when Lyre and Caine started going at it outside.
Ron pulls Bun from Owen without another word, but Sara and Jer look upset as they stomp outside. They want some time with their father figure, and my heart hurts a little to see their grumpy body language.
“Owen, maybe you should-”
“Look, let’s not pretend to be friends here, okay?” Lyre says, breaking the stand–off. “You don’t like me. I don’t particularly like you or your kind. But we can both work together for Grace, right?”
I blink.
“Right,” Caine agrees curtly.
It sounds like they’re agreeing to some sort of ceasefire, if you listen to their words. But by their voices, it sounds like they’re still ready to stab each other.
Part of me wants to step between them, but another part–the smarter part–knows that’s like stepping between two sharks. No, thank you.
“Listen, we need to talk about the kids,” Owen says, breaking the stalemate. His calm, measured I’m–gonna–kill–you–sounding voice cuts through their tension, and I notice how he positions himself slightly closer to Lyre.
A united front.
“Actually, we need to talk about all of you,” Lyre clarifies, her eyes narrowing. “It’s dangerous to stay here. People are hunting Grace and the children down.”
“Who?” Caine demands. “Halloway?”
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Owen shakes his head. “It’s more than just Halloway. These kids have been hunted since the moment their existence became known. With the Fiddleback pack decimated, others will come to claim this territory as their own. It’ll be a bloodbath before long. We need to get the kids out.” He jerks his head toward me. “Grace, too.”
Lyre elbows Owen aside. “Look, I think the best solution is for Grace to return to Blue Mountain-”
“No,” Caine snaps.
-because she might gain better control over her powers there.”
His face darkens. “You expect me to take her back there? She was running from them.”
I blink. Wasn’t he here to bring me back in the first place? It sounds silly to argue against it now…
“I agree with-”
“No,” he snaps again, not letting me finish.
“I’m not suggesting a social call,” Lyre says with a huff. “There’s a good chance going will help this situation between you two. Just trust me.”
He grunts.
“If she stabilizes,” Owen adds smoothly, like they rehearsed this, “the energy feedback between you two might not be as dangerous when you touch.” 1
My eyebrows shoot up. They’re working this pitch together like a well–oiled machine. I’m not sure if I should be impressed or terrified at how seamlessly they’re manipulating the situation.
I know Lyre said Caine can’t know about the App, but… wow.
Caine’s eyes flick to mine, suspicion written all over his face. “And you believe this?”
I bite my lip. I’m about to lie to the Lycan King. My heart accelerates, and I wonder if he can hear it.
“I think they’re right.”
Huh. The lie come easier than expected.
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“Ever since Lyre mentioned Blue Mountain, I’ve had this… feeling. Like I need to go back. There’s something there for me, Caine. I can feel it.” Mainly because I read it on my phone thanks to some strange celestial app, but whatever.
His eyes rove over my face.
“You rejected that place,” he says quietly. “You refused to come back with me.”
“I rejected the people,” I correct him, glancing at Lyre. “Not the land.”
She nods. “Exactly. The territory itself might hold keys to her abilities.”
Wow. It’s all a bunch of bullshit, but she sounds so damn convincing.
Caine’s jaw works, and I can see the conflict in his eyes. He doesn’t trust Lyre, that much is obvious. And he’s right, because she’s lying to him.
But it’s all for the greater good.
Even if it doesn’t feel great to lie to him. What kind of relationship is built on lies?
My first instinct is to pray for forgiveness, but after all the divine bombs Lyre threw at me, I’m not really sure how prayer and gods work anymore. I’m not even sure if I want to pray to them anymore.
But I do want to be able to touch Caine without fainting, so I focus on that.
Once our missions are complete, Lyre can come back and teach me more about
arcana.
“And the kids?” he asks finally.
“They’ll be safer with you and Grace,” Owen says. “Away from here.”
Caine exhales slowly. “Fine.” The word sounds like it’s being dragged out of him. “We’ll
go.”
Relief floods through me, accompanied with dread. I don’t want to return to Blue Mountain, and the thought of seeing Rafe and Ellie…
My stomach twists.
Caine has no idea Rafe’s come to see me since choosing Ellie. Even since the massacre, and Caine claiming me as his in front of the pack. The two of them seem oblivious to
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the king’s opinion of me–then again, I was, too.
Humans aren’t treated well in wolf packs, and I wanted to avoid them. But now there’s no choice.
“Good,” Lyre says, all business now. “Owen needs to stay with me, but you should take my camper and the truck. We’ll take the SUV”
Caine’s eyes narrow as he looks Owen over. Then he turns back to Lyre. “Jack–Eye stays with you. He already volunteered.”
Lyre scoffs. “I don’t need your watchdog. Just the wizard is fine.” ”
He shakes his head. “Keep him with you.”
“Fine. If you don’t trust me so much, I’ll bring your dog.”
If Jack–Eye, Owen, and the wizard are going with Lyre… I think about the truck, frowning. “Does that mean Andrew’s coming with us?”
Caine’s head whips around, his eyes suddenly laser–focused on my face. “Why would you want him to come with us?”
The intensity of his reaction throws me for a loop, and I stammer without meaning to. “I–what? I mean, he lives there, Caine. Wouldn’t it make sense?”
Andrew hasn’t exactly been friendly to me in the past, so it’s not like I’m eager for his company. But the vehemence in Caine’s voice… he’s jealous, I’m sure.
The muscles in his jaw tighten, and he gets very loom–y in an instant. “There isn’t enough room in the truck.”
I was thinking the same thing, which is why I brought it up, but-
Lyre, watching this exchange with a hint of amusement, interjects. “His car is probably still at the other campground. Have Jack–Eye take him to pick it up.” She waves her hand dismissively. “If it’s been towed, use my card to get it out of the lot.”
The Lycan King glares at her, but doesn’t argue again. It takes only a second to realize why.
Of course–Andrew won’t be in the same car.
I sigh. Having a Lycan for a boyfriend is going to involve a lot of emotional
161 Grace Lyre’s Lies
management, it seems. I’m still struggling just to deal with myself becoming a pseudo–mother of four. Now I have to deal with Caine’s jealousy, which is only going to get worse if Rafe doesn’t respect boundaries. Or show basic intelligence.
Shaking off my thoughts, I ask quickly, “When do we leave?”
Lyre exchanges glances with Owen, who looks conflicted before finally giving the slightest nod.
“You should leave today. Better to get on the road as soon as possible. I’ll help you get the camper ready.”
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