and you’ll wind up getting yourself killed, which would kill your mate and leave your pup without parents. Stop and think.”
Vasile spoke up, his eyes on Fane. “That goes for you, too,” he said to his son. “We can’t be rash. If we go in without making a plan, we will just get ourselves and our people killed.”
“We need to go to the Keep and check on our pack,” Vasile said as he turned to look at the warriors waiting on instruction. The other alphas, as well as Cypher, Thalion and Adira, were looking to Vasile for leadership. “Once we check on our respective packs and people, we will meet in the sprite realm.” He paused and looked at Andora.
The sprite queen stepped forward. “That will be fine. We can use the same hall as before. It will hold all of us. We’ve managed to keep our wards strong enough that no other supernatural has breached them for centuries.”
“Is anyone going to address the fact that Peri left us high and dry?” Jeff asked.
“Was she injured?” Dillon asked, his voice thick with emotion. Decebel sometimes forgot that Jacque was his daughter. Of course, he was emotional. His mate, Tanya, stood beside him. Blood streaked her cheeks and neck, but she appeared unharmed. Her hand was clasped in her mate’s and she leaned into him, offering her touch to comfort him. Decebel would give anything to have his mate leaning against him.
Nissa stepped out of the crowd. “Injured or not, Peri would not have left unless it was absolutely necessary. She doesn’t abandon those in need.”
Vasile looked at the high fae. His eyes that had been fierce only moments ago now looked tired. “Can you trace her?”
“I’ve already tried,” Cyn spoke up. She looked shaken. “I can’t even feel her.”
“Does that mean she’s dead?” Lilly asked.
“Not necessarily,” Nissa answered.
“That’s not very comforting,” the warlock queen said with some bite in her words. Cypher placed his large hand on her shoulder.
“Easy, love,” he said to her gently. “We will get them back.” He was reassuring her about Jacque and Slate. Lilly was hurting as much as he and Dillon, and she was taking her fear out on whomever she could. Decebel could relate.
“As some of you know,” Vasile said, “Peri has been dealing with another foe. She is stretched thin, and the fact that she was able to be here at all was simply by chance. I do not think she would have left in the middle of a battle unless she had no other choice. The healers under her protection must have needed her.”
“I agree with you,” Cyn said. “I’ve known Perizada for a very long time. She wouldn’t have left without good reason.”
Drake spoke up. “I’m playing the devil’s advocate here. But it seemed convenient that she disappeared just before Alston showed up. Could he have somehow trapped her?”
“Why the hell does it matter?” Fane suddenly barked. “Peri can take care of herself whether here, with the Order, or with her charges. They”—he pointed to the compound—“have my mate and child. That’s what matters.”
“And my daughter and grandson. They are who we need to focus on.” Chris Morgan stepped forward. Decebel had completely forgotten the human male had joined them. His focus had shifted from battle to protection mode the second he’d seen his mate and child.
“We will keep trying to trace Peri,” Nissa said gently. “Your son and the healer’s father are correct. You need to think about how you will rescue the females and their young.”
It was quiet for a moment before Cyn spoke. “The fae can flash everyone where they need to go, Vasile. As soon as we’re ready to meet in the sprite realm, contact us via cell phone, and we will come to retrieve you all again.”
Vasile nodded. “We thank you for your help.” He looked around at each of the fae. “All of you. Truly.” The sincerity in his voice was strong, and Decebel knew it was one of the reasons he was so respected. Vasile held power not simply because he was strong, but because he respected others, and they in turn respected him.
“Wait,” Decebel said quickly. “I’m sorry, Vasile, but I cannot go with you. I won’t leave my mate and my child on a completely separate continent.”
“Decebel, there is nothing you can do at the moment,” Vasile pointed out.
“If you get yourself injured or captured, Jen will have you building hundreds of doghouses,” Cyn warned. “Not just the two.”