Page 69 of The Night Calling

“No! Leave her alone!” I yelled as I jerked against Phell’s hold. In this form, he was a lot stronger than me, and with the shackles around my wrists, I had no chance, but desperation filled my veins.

The shadows around Phell suddenly wrapped around my arms. Phell’s eyes widened. He swept his hand between us, recalling the shadows.

What the hell had that been?

I didn’t have time to process anything, or act again, as Phell tied both my hands behind my back and pushed me out of the library. I called for Minsi, but I lost sight of her once I was outside. I could still hear her screams.

Conri, Keeva, Lorie, Lonan, and a plethora of demons waited for me at the corner of the square, right beside the broken bench. Lonan was like me, his arms behind his back, demons holding him, but he had his chin high and his gaze dripped with venom.

Phell brought me face-to-face with Conri.

I scowled at the devil. “You promised you wouldn’t let your demons go in the library, and now you have me dragged out of there? What’s going on?”

Conri stared at me, his face darkening. “I should be the one asking you what’s going on.” His voice was cold, almost threatening. “Lonan here has an interesting story to tell.” He glanced at Lonan.

“I told him about your plot,” Lonan said, baring his teeth at me. I froze. “You’re helping someone. I don’t know who, but I know he’ll somehow break through the barrier and attack soon.”

My blood went cold. “W-what? That’s the most insane thing I have ever heard!”

Lonan scoffed. “She’s pretending. You saw the potions.”

My heart stopped.

Conri nodded. He lifted his hand and I gaped at the small vial between his thumb and index finger. “These potions.” He unscrewed the cap and smelled it. “I wonder what they are for.” He passed the vial to Lorie.

She sniffed at it. “Oh, this will melt the metal of the cuffs while neutralizing its magic.”

“Interesting.” He erased the short distance between us and loomed over me, his arms still shifted. “So you’ve been helping someone from the outside. That’s who killed one of mine, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, my voice tight.

He reached for me. He patted my arms, my waist. “Hey!” I shouted, trying to squirm out of his way.

Conri slipped his hand in my jacket's inside pocket and pulled out the vial. “You don’t know what I’m talking about?”

I lifted my chin. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “No, I don’t.”

I didn’t even see it coming. Conri’s fist connected with my stomach and the air fled my lungs. Pain spread fast and deep, and I fell on my knees, my vision darkening. Someone pulled me back up, but my feet were unsteady.

Conri’s mouth widened and he showed me his wolf teeth. “I have all the proof I need.” He gestured toward one of the demons beside Lonan. His hands were full of vials and notes. “If you deny it, it’ll only hurt more.”

My eyes widened and rage took over. I glared at Lonan. I had so many questions. Why would the others tell him, knowing he was a pain in the ass? Why would he turn against his pack like this? Against his buddy Serge? What did he have to gain in telling Conri? But all I could say was “What the hell?”

Lonan snickered at me, as if he was the smartest cookie around. “I saw some of the others whispering about something. I asked what they were hiding, but no one told me. But I made sure to quietly move close enough to listen to them. You’re waiting on a signal from someone. When that happens, we were supposed to use the potion on our shackles and attack from inside.”

I still didn’t understand. “Isn’t that better than staying in that classroom and rotting away?”

“Not when the help comes from you.” He spat on the ground between us. “I would rather die in that cell than have the omega help me with anything.”

I shook my head. “What is wrong with you?”

“Nothing. I came to Conri bearing gifts. Now, he’ll let me go while you all rot in those cells.” His snicker widened. “Or worse.”

“What?” I stared at Conri.

“About that.” Conri turned to Lonan. In a swift move, Conri swiped his claw wide. Three gashes appeared on Lonan’s neck and blood oozed out. The man gurgled and fell to his knees.

Horror and fear laced my insides, and I took a large step back.