The guard led Christy down to the steps to the dungeon, but this wasn’t where Ronan had been held when Oren had kept him prisoner a few days earlier. He led her through the cellar past her father’s collection of rare wines and ales. Her eyes adjusted to the blackness. The air stank of old ale, dampness and mustiness.

Christy called her magic to the surface, prepared for an attack as she covered her nose in an attempt to lessen the smell. If they tried to trick her, she’d be ready for them. The stench of decay, blood and waste made her cover her mouth to prevent herself from gagging as she walked down the steps into another part of the cellar.

“Why are we...” She heard the faint sound of a heartbeat, saw someone lying crumpled in the corner, chained to the wall. A man, bloody and pale, covered in gashes with his clothes half hanging off his body lay there. It took her a moment for her to realise who it was. “Malic!” she screamed but it came out as a whisper. “Oh, Mal!”

She moved through the mess, knelt by her brother’s broken body. “Did you do this to him?” she snarled, eyes flashing gold.

The guard backed off, held up his hands in surrender. “I just–”

Power flared in her hand, she threw it at his chest. The other shifter screamed as his body burst into flame then crumpled to ash. Christy stared at the remains, feeling a pang of guilt for a second but it soon faded. She didn’t care, she’d do anything to protect her brother.

“Mal? Mal, it’s me Christy.” She touched his shoulder. “I’m here now. Everything is going to be alright.” She took off her jacket, wrapped it around him. “I’m so sorry for not coming back sooner.”

Mal winced, blinked up at her. “Chris...”

“It’s okay. You’re safe now.” She rose, yanked at the chain, sparks flew off it, burning her fingers. Spelled, she guessed.

Christy raised her hand, tried to use her powers, but they wouldn’t work. Something powerful held her brother in this place. Something she suspected was stronger than Oren.

The chains had cut into his wrists and ankles. Malic’s body was covered in cuts and half-healed wounds. His left shoulder sat an odd angle.

Christy drew power to wrench his shoulder back in place. Mal didn’t move despite the pain it must’ve caused him. At least my medical training came in good for something. She couldn’t break him out, yet she could at least help ease his suffering. She sent energy into his body to soothe and heal him. “How do you feel now?”

Mal blinked up at her. “Chris – you shouldn’t be here,” he murmured. “Why did you come back?”

Christy frowned at him. “What do you mean? You called me. You needed me so I came.” She reached out and squeezed his grubby hand.

Mal shook his head. “I shouldn’t have done that, forgive me. I wanted you to stay safe.”

The look he gave her made her well up with tears. “Why did they keep you alive? I thought they killed you when they murdered Papa.” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

Mal winced as he tried to move. “They were going to use me as leverage to lure you back – looks like it worked. I wanted to die before they ever did that.”

Christy gripped his hand so tight he winced so she lessened her grip. “Don’t say that. You’re alive.” She smiled. “I promise I’ll–”

“Don’t.” Mal drew his hand away, curled back into a foetal position. “We both know I’m dying. No magic or shifting will change that.”

“Mal, stop saying that!” Her eyes flashed with anger, more magic bubbled to the surface but she kept hold of it.

“I mean it. You need to get away.” Mal scrambled up, chains clanking as he met her gaze.  “Get back to Ronan. You’re safer together.”

“I’m not leaving here without you. If Alec thinks he can make me his mate, he’s wrong. Ronan and I are bound to each other now.” She stared at the chains again, trying to find something in Magda’s haze of memories that might break him free.

“Alec doesn’t want you as his mate. He’s just Oren’s puppet. All he wants–”

“I thought I’d find you down here, princess.” Oren stepped into the cellar. “Still alive, eh, Malic?”

Christy jumped to her feet. Damn, how does he keep sneaking up on me?

“Fuck off, you bastard!” Malic spat out blood. “You’ll never use my sister to get the power you want. She’s too strong for you.”

“What–” Christy started to ask.

Go, Christy, run! Mal used his foot to shove her away from him.

Oren raised a hand, the air glittered with light. She shoved the old man backwards so hard he hit the wall and fell over a barrel of ale.

I’ll be back, Mal! she promised.

Christy hurried back up to her room, bolted the door behind her. She let out a breath. She had to find a way to get her brother free before it was too late or god only knew what Oren would do to him to get her to comply with his wishes. If he could shift maybe it would be enough to save him.

“Where have you been?” asked a familiar voice.

Ronan lounged on her bed that was covered in white linens, waiting for her. With his tousled dark hair and bright blue eyes, her heart leapt at the sight of him.

“Ro?” She frowned in confusion. “How did you get here?”

“Nothing can keep us apart, Christy. Not now you’re mine.” He rose, pulled her into his embrace.

She blinked. That didn’t sound like something he would say. He’d scold her for running off, demand if she were alright.

He leaned down to kiss her, but she put her hand on his chest to stop him. “How did you get here?” she repeated. Something felt wrong somehow.

His lips curved into a smile. “I managed to get across the border. I missed you, little wolf.”

Christy shoved him away, sending him crashing to the floor. “You’re not my Ronan!”

Alec laughed as the glamour faded, scrambled to his feet. “I told Oren that wouldn’t fool you for long. Don’t worry, I won’t touch you – not until the full moon.”

“What happens then? You rape me and force me to become your mate?” she demanded, hands on hips. “It won’t happen. What Ronan and I have is stronger than any spell Oren can conjure up.”

Alec sneered at her. “Oh, you will be mine, little wolf. Together we’ll break the alpha’s curse and start a new clan more powerful than any other.”

Christy laughed. “You’re delusional. Ronan will come and I’ll have a real alpha to rule by my side,” she said, raising her chin. “It felt good when he was touching me, I doubt the same can be said for you.”

A muscle in Alec’s jaw clenched. “I’ll see you in two days. The guard will bring you food and refreshment. Don’t try to harm any of my people or Malic will suffer for it.”

Her smile faded. He’d find out she’d already killed one of his guards soon enough. “Let him go.” To her amazement, she grabbed his hand as he turned to leave.

Alec’s eyes widened in shock then narrowed. “Why would I?”

“Because he’s dying. He won’t last much longer. Let him go, I’ll stay. You don’t need to use him as leverage anymore.” She hated hearing the desperation in her voice, but she’d do anything to save her brother.

His lips twitched as he pulled his arm away. “Nice try, little wolf. Anything you do to annoy me your brother will be punished for.”

Her inner wolf growled, demanding to be let out of her cage inside her mind, to rip his throat out. Christy raised her hand, her claws came out, she slashed him across the face.

Alec yelped, stared down at the blood. “You–”

“Get out before I rip you apart. Oren can’t protect you forever.” She shoved him out, bolted the door shut and muttered a spell to keep it locked. She slumped onto her bed, letting the tears fall. She had to find a way to get Mal free before Oren used him to get whatever it was he wanted.

Christy?

Christy jumped at the sound of Ronan’s voice inside her mind. She sniffed, feeling waves of anger coming from him. Ro, I’m sorry for running out on you.

I’m not angry about that – well, I am but it doesn’t matter. Are you alright? he asked, anger turning to concern. Has Alec done anything?

Alec won’t hurt me. He’ll hurt Mal instead. She wiped her eyes and ran a hand through her hair. Damn it, Ronan, I should have known he was still alive.

How is he?

He’s – bad, she admitted. I tried to heal him but... We have to get him out of here.

We will, but we have only two days until the full moon, he said. Listen there’s something…

You can’t still fight Alec.

I know. I’m not the only alpha on this island – you are too.

Christy flinched. She had never imagined herself as the alpha. All she had wanted was a normal life. I know. The idea didn’t bother her as much as it once had. After everything Alec and Oren had done to her clan and her people, she knew something needed to be done. She couldn’t and wouldn’t walk away from the problem.

Chris, Magda told me something about why Oren needs you. It’s not to mate with Alec – well, maybe that was his plan at first but that’s changed now we’re mated, Ronan said. There’s something beneath the island. Some kind of power source that only an alpha and witch can access it during a blue moon – there’s going to be a blue moon two days from now. Magda says Oren is going to try and use the power of the island to do whatever it is he has planned, but she doesn’t know how or where the power source can be accessed.

She blinked, remembering the strange feeling she’d felt where she found her brother. I have an idea on its location. But Oren won’t let me back down there, she said. I think he’s using the power to hold Malic captive. Does Magda know a way to stop it?

No, only Oren knows that. He needs you to do it.

Then I can – she stopped. No, she wouldn’t be able to access it. Her power was joined with Ronan’s now. Ro, you need to get here. Find a way to get that ward down.

Okay, but be careful. I love you.

I love you too.