an answering blow.
It was something Skuld was not accustomed to. She always got her way and never had anyone to challenge her as fully as the wolves had. Nanshe felt a sense of pride because she knew her mate was one of those wolves fighting against her sister. He would not allow Skuld to take away his home without fighting tooth and nail first.
The ground beneath her feet rumbled as she scanned through history, looking for Carlo, looking for any trace of him and what changes he might have made to history. The ground rumbled harder, shaking her off her balance until she slammed to the earth. When she hit the ground, her eyes snapped open.
That was not history. Above her, a portal opened just inches away and Skuld peered through it.
“Got you.”
Carlo sprang out of his sleep, coughing and dispelling the vision that had clouded his mind. What the hell was that? Had he viewed history again? But it seemed he had just left.
What was happening?
He looked around himself, trying to get a sense of where he had passed out after going through his portal. He was lying in the middle of scorched land that was twisted and gnarled beyond recognition.
This was not home.
He'd intended to be teleported to New York City, one of the older locations for paranormals where the vampires resided. Even though that was their domain, he still had family property there from when he was human way back in the 50s. But this was not New York. The dragon had never touched the city or destroyed anything there.
Where am I?
He stood, trying to get his bearings, until he heard his name being called and he spun around. Torin was racing toward him.
“What the fuck are you doing in Scorched Earth?”
I'm still in Encantado.
Torin frowned at Carlo as he came to a stop in front of him. “I figured if you were here, something was wrong.”
Nanshe. Carlo screamed. “Get somebody on the horn and get them to Arturo's property.”
“What is going on?”
“I can't explain it right now, but I know Nanshe is under attack. And if she's under attack, someone has come back to Encantado.”
Torin nodded. “Why don't you come with me and I can get you there.”
“No need. Obviously, if this is home, I know exactly how to get back to her.”
Torin’s face was covered in confusion, but he raced away from Carlo anyway. Carlo once more called upon the energy of the Chaos and grabbed a portal. This time, he had Arturo's house firmly planted inside his head.
“Take me to the Moretti Pack,” he whispered and walked through the portal.
When he came through the other side, no one was running around. There were no portals. In fact, it was quiet.
What the hell is going on?
He looked around him, trying to figure it out, when Ciro came out of the house to greet him.
“What are you doing outside? I didn't see you pass me.”
He frowned at the Scenter wolf. “I left last night.”
“What are you talking about? You just came in from the arena not that long ago.”
Okaaaaay.
Ciro’s frown deepened, but he moved away and headed back to his post.
No, Carlo hadn’t just come back from the arena. He remembered going to bed with Nanshe and waking up in the middle of the night to leave. It was daylight, but he could not have gone back in time, could he?
He was interacting with people, so that shouldn't have been possible. Where had the Chaos taken him?
“Carlo!”
Nanshe’s scream in his head startled him, made his blood run cold, and he spun around looking for her. What the hell?
He gripped on to the energy of her and jumped through the portal he’s opened in front of him. When he exited the portal, he saw Skuld reaching through her portal and gripping Nanshe by the head.
Carlo thundered forward to grab her, but he was too late. Nanshe was gone, screaming his name and reaching for him. Even Skuld’s triumphant grin taunted him when the portal snapped closed.
Fuck. I should have been here. If I had not left, I'd have been here to protect her from being taken.
Arturo came running. “I thought you left.”
“I did, but then I felt something happening, so I came back.”
“Where's your mate?”
“She was taken.”
“Excuse me?”
“She was taken by Skuld. I just watched. I couldn't get to her in fucking time.”
“We’ll get her back. Wait a minute.” Arturo tapped the earpiece in his ear. “What was that? Dominic? Wait, what do you … slow down.