Page 90 of Oracles Always Win

Hegrimaced. “No, but…”

Ishook my head. “Thenlet’s not.We’llfocus on one thing at a time.”

Hetrembled as he leaned against me.Iglanced up to seeDavinawatching us closely.Therest of my team had stepped closer.Everyone’sface betrayed shock, fear, and a whisper of hope.

“Iknew there was something else you hadn’t told us.”Davinaalways knew whenIwas hiding things.That’swhy she was my second. “Areyou saying whatIthink you’re saying?”

Imet each of my team member’s gaze.Theywaited silently, which was unusual, but they probably understood just from my demeanor that something momentous was about to happen. “IbelieveIcan tether toWillowLake.”

“Forreal?”Davinaspoke first.

Iswallowed. “Yes.Ifelt it the first day we were here, butIdidn’t want to say anything untilIhad a better idea.”

“Andyou know that now?”

“Ibelieve so.”Iscrubbed my hand over my face.

“Ifyou get it wrong…”Davinalet her words trail off.

“Iknow,”Isnapped. “ButIwant to try it.”

Myteam’s faces were now all carefully blank except forIsaac’s.Hisface was expressive enough for everyone else.Hismouth had dropped open and his face was paler thanI’dever seen.

“Areyou sure you should?”Davinaasked carefully.

“Areyou questioning me?”Ibit out.Itwas one thing forJaketo be worried; he was my mate and we’d only known one another a short time.ButIhadn’t expected my team to doubt me too.Jakesqueezed my hand.Histouch calmed my rising anger.

“It’sa big step,”Teaguesaid, stepping forward, inserting himself in front ofDavina. “ButIdon’t think it’s the wrong one.Theconnection betweenGageand this place has grown, even in the few hoursI’vebeen here.”

“Really?”Davinaput her hand to her mouth, betraying the emotion she’d tried to hide. “Isthis really the place?Afterall this time?”

BeforeIcould say anything more, my phone rang.ItwasVan.

“What?”

“Justgot a call,” he said over the shrill blast of sirens.Iheard them through the phone, butIcould hear them in the distance now too.Theywere drawing nearer.Itsounded like their whole squad was rushing somewhere. “Something’shappening on the pack lands.Notsure if it’s related to your mate’s vision or not.Haveyou had an update from the guys on your team who went back there today?”

“Theyhaven’t left yet.”Ishot a look atNelsonandIsaac, and they ran for their bike. “They’reon the way.Therest of us will be right behind them.”

Everyoneelse waited for me to end my call.

“Itmight be happening now.”Ididn’t explain whatitwas.They’dknow. “Thepolice are heading out there.Let’sgo.”

“What?You’regoing too?But…”Jake’scheeks looked ashen.

“It’swhat we do.”Itugged him into my arms, and he clung to me. “I’llcome back.”

“Iwant to go too,” he said.

Ishook my head. “Youaren’t trained for this.Weare.Ifyou go out there,I’llbe too focused on keeping you safe to do whatIneed to do.”

Hesqueezed me tighter. “Idon’t want you to go.”

“I’msorry.”Ipressed a kiss to his head.

“Shouldyou try bonding toWillowLakefirst?It’ssupposed to make you stronger, isn’t it?”

“Thereisn’t enough time, and we can’t anticipate what’ll happen to my magic after the bond is complete.Itis too much of an unknown.”