Christy’s stomach fluttered with excitement. Despite the danger, it felt good to feel useful since only she had any real magic, or knew the way around the mansion without being detected. She knew Ronan didn’t like the idea of her coming along, but she liked being able to work together for a change, without him having to protect her.

“Since when do we take orders from a witch?” Josh grumbled.

“You didn’t have to come along,” Ronan pointed out as they made their way along the forest path.

“I just think this is suicide. I have to make sure you don’t get killed,” Josh said. “Especially now you’ve had the sense to come back to your true people. Where’s this tunnel you told us about, pack princess?”

Christy scowled at his nickname for her. “I told you, I’m not a princess anymore. I never liked being one anyway,” she replied. “It’s not far from here.”

“How come I’ve never heard of these tunnels?” Josh asked. “I’ve been sneaking around this island all my life and never found one.”

“You weren’t related to the alpha. Only my family know about it.”

She moved ahead with Ronan following after her. “I still don’t like this,” he muttered.

Her lips curved into a smile. “You’re not my guard anymore.”

He folded his arms. “Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean people won’t still come after you.”

“Hey, I can protect myself. I learned to fight from the best.” She squeezed his hand. They walked together hand-in-hand. Christy used her inner wolf to guide her, remembering the places Malic had shown her when they were kids. Her wolf remembered the way.

She stopped when they reached a spot on the north side of the island, not far from the Stargaza lands.

“There’s nothing on this part of the island,” Josh said, still looking unconvinced.

Christy knelt, moving leaves aside. She dug down through the dirt until she found the metal hatch. It opened with a loud groan. “Believe me now?” She arched an eyebrow Josh.

“I’ll go first,” Ronan said.

She frowned at him. I thought we agreed to be partners? You said we were in this together.

He nodded. We are, but I’m still going first.

He disappeared down into the darkness.

She climbed down the ladder, careful to keep her footing as the rays of light from the open hatch retreated.

Lola and Josh followed behind, closing the hatch after them. Christy’s feet landed on hard earth. Her eyes adjusted to the pitch blackness. For once she felt grateful for her wolf allowing her to see in the dark.

“This way.” She motioned for the others to follow her.

Thanks to Ronan’s limited abilities they couldn’t use their shifter speed so had to walk instead.

The tunnels broke off into two separate passageways. She took the right side, sensing her way back home.

“What kind of book are we looking for?” Josh wanted to know. “Will it help us to blast Alec and Oren of the island?”

“Magic doesn’t work that way,” Christy answered. “It’s to help Ronan and I learn magic since we both have the potential to become alphas.”

“Does that mean you’re leading our people now?” Josh glanced at Ronan.

“No, I’d never force anyone to follow me.” Ronan shook his head.

“The others are starting to respect you. I never thought of myself as the leader, just as a stand-in until you got your act together.” He gave Christy a quick smile. “Maybe she’s a good influence on you after all.”

“Careful, Josh. That almost sounded like a compliment.” Christy glanced up at the ceiling. “This is it. It leads up to a passage to Magda’s room.”

“There’s no ladder,” Lola observed.

“Not here. The tile moves so the alpha could come and go unnoticed.” She motioned to two small handles on the ceiling. With one leap, she scaled the wall, grabbed onto the handles and used her legs to brace herself against the wall. Stone groaned as she pushed the tile up and out. She climbed through. The air smelt damp and musty as she stared around the inky black passageway.

Lola came up next. “How is Ronan going to get up here?”

Damn, she hadn’t thought of that.

Josh appeared with Ronan on his back. The four of them trailed down the passageway as Christy led them towards Magda’s chambers. The faint echo of voices echoed along the tunnel.

The others froze, but Christy waved a hand. “It’s okay, let’s go.”

She ran along the tunnel, Ronan and the others close behind her. The thick smell of salt and seaweed filled the air as she hurried past the stone walls and brushed cobwebs off her face.

Christy stopped when the passageway ended. We need to be careful and quiet now, she told the others.

Josh and I will go first, Ronan said, moving past Christy.

Ro! She glared at him, hands on hips. You can’t shift, and your other abilities are weak too.

Chris, if Alec has a trap set in there you and Lola need to get back to the others.

He has a point, pack princess, Josh agreed. Better we get captured than you.

Right, we’re better at saving your arses. Lola grinned.

Wait, Christy said. Do we all have our charms on?

The others all nodded.

Okay, Ro, touch this part of the wall. She took his hand and placed his palm on the stone. Be careful!

The door clicked open as the wall swung inwards, flooding the tunnel with light. Lola grabbed Christy’s arm, pulling her back a few steps.

Christy’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched Ronan and Josh disappear into the room beyond.