Midnight Lies (Shifter Island #2) - Raye Wagner Page 0,1

away from Rage to go to my first ally among the Virtues.

“How are you holding up?” I asked, threading my arm through Noble’s.

He offered me a sad smile and then gently patted my hand in the crook of his arm. “I can’t believe Honor”—his voice cracked—“is gone.”

Noble’s words punched me in the stomach, and I nodded. “I know. We’re going to get him back though.”

“I hope so,” he said, but his voice lacked conviction.

Ugh. What else could I do?

I gave him a curt nod and then strode forward, putting a little distance between me and the Midnight princes. The weight of the task pressed on my shoulders. It was my idea to get Honor back; I was the one who’d led them here…

Mother Mage, please let me be able to do this.

I couldn’t bear their disappointment if I’d led them astray.

Not even two steps later, Justice strode past me, leading the way. I sighed and followed his brother into the bowels of Dark Row.

Despite the late hour, people thronged the paths, openly conducting their illicit trades. The closer we drew to Madame Surlama’s tent, the more my stomach churned. Despite my impulsive declaration as we’d fled Alpha Island, I didn’t know if this would work.

“So, what’s the plan?” Rage asked, appearing at my side. “You believe this dark mage can get us into the realm of the dead?”

“When we were here last month, Madame Surlama bragged about her connection to the Keeper of Souls. If anyone can get us there—”

“Madame Surlama is evil,” Rage snarled, his voice filled with vitriol. His gaze darted to Justice’s back where pelts of onyx fur ran down his arms, the younger brother obviously beyond pissed. “You want us to go to Surlama for this? Who knows what her price might be…”

“Hey, wolf-boy,” a scantily-clothed female mage taunted from the crowd. She shimmied, wiggling her breasts in invitation. “Come with me, and I’ll wipe that scowl from your—”

Justice hurled a ball of fire at the woman and growled as she dodged the fireball, laughing.

He dropped his voice, but his next words crawled back to me. “Dark Row mages are liars and thieves.” Fur crawled up his neck as his bones started to snap. Two men nearest Justice pushed away from the crowd, apparently fleeing from him and his changing wolf.

Noble hissed a warning from behind. “If you shift and cause a scene, Declan will hear of our location and send guards to fetch us. Rein it in, Justice.”

Justice snapped his jaws shut, his body heaving with the effort to control his wolf. Whatever frustration and guilt I felt for Honor’s death, his brothers also wrestled with their own torment.

Noble bit out another warning to his brother.

“Do you have another idea?” I asked Rage, ignoring the other brothers’ bickering.

Justice slowed as he approached the white silk tent, and we pulled to a stop just outside. When he pivoted, facing us, his skin was pale and his eyes were saucer-wide. Noble blanched but said nothing as he joined our group.

Rage glanced at his brothers before turning his emerald gaze on me. “I don’t.” He took a deep breath and then added, “But I don’t like it either. That woman is an evil shark.”

“Tell me about it,” I snorted. “I don’t trust her either, but since no one else is doling out alternative plans … this is it. We have to try. We’re talking about Honor.”

Turning toward the tent, I raised my hands, and Rage snatched them both from the air, holding them in his.

“Before we do this,” he said, his voice low and rushed, “please…” He swallowed. “Please, be careful. Let me give whatever sacrifice she requires. Let me show you I care. Let me try—”

My heart melted a little. A lot. With one big step, I pressed my lips to his in a brief, chaste kiss and then offered him a half-smile. “Okay.”

I could only hope she wouldn’t bargain for a kidney. Wait … didn’t a person only need one kidney? I was 62.4% sure that was true. So, even though I felt responsible for Honor’s death, I wouldn’t deny Rage the sacrifice to save his brother. As first alpha heir of Midnight Pack, it was Rage’s right and duty.

The rustle of fabric tickled my ears, followed by a low throaty chuckle.

“I thought I smelled alpha heirs,” Madame Surlama said, her eyes gleaming as her gaze darted from Justice to me. “A week early. That’s a first.”

Before I could say anything, Rage spun, tucking me behind