Changed by Fire (Phoenix Rising #6) - Harper Wylde Page 0,163
I demanded.
More like who was that? Ishida’s deranged laugh sent chill bumps down my arms. My Gargoyle huffed, wanting to wrestle control away from me and go full-on shifter, however, he didn’t have the skill or the know-how to listen to and decipher Ishida’s crazy talk. I believe there is a little blonde, curly-haired child you have been searching for, have you not?
Fuck!
Ryder snarled, the sound pure death as he struggled to pry himself off the ground and force his way through the pain to stand unsteadily. With my mental walls down, my mate and brothers had front row seats to our conversation.
If you want to see her alive again, I suggest you listen very closely and follow every command. Or else I’ll have no qualms ending little Emersyn here. I did, as you say, kill my own daughter. What conviction do I have not to harm a little girl of no consequence? Ishida’s threat sunk into each of us like a dagger through the heart.
P-Please! The small whine slithered through the line like poison. Mama! I want my mama!
So useful having a mind reader on staff, don’t you think? The memories I was able to bring back, poor dear. Perhaps I should just put her out of her misery now?
No! I yelled, and I knew I’d played my cards and lost. There was no use trying to pretend Emersyn wasn’t important to us. She was, and he fucking knew it. Counted on it to coerce us and bend us to his perverted will. You lay one hand on her or harm her in any way, and I will destroy your mind piece by piece. I’ll make sure the shifter world knows of your insanity, how unbalanced you’ve become, and how weak you truly are, and then I’ll let my brothers rip you limb from limb without mercy.
Ischia cackled, his amusement cutting. And you say you aren’t Council material, boy, he driveled. You have more Council in you than you realize. How ironic. Of course, you were groomed to join us by your traitorous father. His laugh died down with a high-pitched sigh, and I glared while he sobered. If you want to get your precious little Emersyn back alive—he stressed the word—then you’ll meet me in the center of Wildon Park. How long would you say you need to arrive at my chosen location, do you think? Ishida mused, luring us into exposing more information about our whereabouts.
I eyed Theo who dug his phone from his pocket with shaking fingers, fumbling as he googled the locale. His eyes shot to mine as I held up one finger, and he shook his head, holding up two in return.
Shit.
He handed me his phone, and my fingers flew as I created a new notes file, refusing to allow my thoughts to stray toward Ishida. I borrowed a play from Ciarán and began humming “It’s a Small World,” much to Ishida’s chagrin. The diversion really was effective and highly annoying.
The Kitsune yipped through our connection, a sound of pure frustration.
Theo typed back and handed me the phone so I could read his response.
Damien: Two hours? Can we make it any shorter?
Theo: If we use the plane and set down somewhere outside of Wildon Park, then yes.
We could make it in an hour. But, D, we’ll be giving Ishida a bearing on where we’re
holed up. We could ask for three hours as a diversion?
I gritted my teeth, making an impossible decision.
One hour, I stated confidently, staring steadfastly into Theo’s wide gaze.
Excellent. I shall see you in one hour. And Damien? Do bring the whole family. It’s been so long since we had a reunion.
The connection dropped, releasing all of us from its painful grip. Nix whimpered on the floor, holding her head as she sat up slowly. Ryder let loose with a yell and stalked off to put his fist through the wall.
“He has her!” Ryder’s eyes were wild. “I can’t… she’s just a child.”
Hiro rushed into the cabin, the door banging loudly as he threw it open. He looked haggard, his dark eyes burdened, and his hair mussed from holding his temples. I assumed wherever he and Killian had been in the lodge, they’d been paralyzed in pain the same we had, my mental range reaching far and wide with all the practice I’d been doing with my grandpa.
“Ry,” he called hoarsely, hurrying to his side and pulling the Ceraptor into his arms. “We’re going to get her, Ryder.”