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DARKNESS HAD FALLEN by the time Silas and Cain reached the campground. Tyrese and Tyrone had sent the coordinates and explained how the camp was situated. The Knights surrounded the area and were assigned to the largest building with several sleeping bags. The couples each had a cabin and for the most part had turned in.

“I’ll be there after I eat and shower,” Silas told Jasmine.

“Okay. Everything go okay?” she asked.

Isodora’s representatives met Silas to explain the challenge and then the battle process. Before they could finish their explanation, Nadira appeared.

“I challenge the seed of Hanna to an extermination battle over the mistaken death of their mam.”

The moment she finished speaking a barrier surrounded her and she disappeared.

“How much time before the challenge?” Silas asked understanding the formalities of the challenge had just been met.

“The window is 36 hours,” the attendant said. “By making the challenge first, Nadira is entitled to a safe place of preparation. She will not interfere with anyone nor will anyone interfere with her until the challenge begins. Once it begins, it must continue until death claims Hanna’s seed or Nadira.”

“I suppose. Nadira just started the clock, the challenge takes place within 36 hours,” he told Jasmine.

“Bitch.”

He grunted. “Yeah and not in a good sexy way.”

She laughed and gave him directions to the dining hall.

Silas had fought too many challenges in his lifetime to misunderstand the implications of what was going to happen. He just didn’t like it. Losing Sarita wasn’t an option. The Priestess said interfering would allow Nadira to win, the Goddess instructed him that couldn’t happen. She’d been very clear in her instructions. Nadira could not return to the States with them. Cain’s death would kill Nadira, but that wasn’t an option either.

Hawke, Asia, David, Jasmine, hell any of them would step in to avoid Sarita being killed by this witch. And he was right there with them. Not that Jasmine or any of them would listen. He knew she’d burn brighter than ever if it looked like Sarita was losing. What to do? Nadira trained as a warrior most of her life. But so had David.

Tired, he and Cain headed toward the dining hall. Inside they grabbed food and drinks and sat at a long table. Neither spoke. Moments later Hawke entered, grabbed a bottle of water and sat next to him. “What am I going to do?” Hawke asked. “That’s my little girl.”

Silas had been thinking along those lines himself. “I know. She’s the daughter of my heart and Jasmine’s as well. One thing for certain, we will not allow her to die by Nadira’s hands. My word on that.” Whatever it cost him, saving Sarita was worth it.

Tyrese and Tyrone walked in, greeted him, grabbed a bottle of water and sat down.

“Did you learn anything new?” Tyrese asked looking at Cain and then Silas.

“The Liege altered her personality.” Silas told them what he discovered, the discussions on the boat and ended with her making the challenge.”

Adam, Quinn, and Storm entered and took seats. Silas continued eating as the others talked about Canada, the mountains, local Packs, everything except the impending battle.

“David?” Silas asked during a lull in the conversation.

“He and Sarita are with the High Priestess. David says it’s a cool place,” Adam said. “Grandfather showed up.”

Storm snorted, sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.

Tyrese chuckled over Storm’s antics. Everyone knew Storm and his grandfather didn’t get along. It had taken Renee a week to talk Storm into agreeing to invite the old man to the wedding. Grandfather would’ve shown up regardless and no one would’ve said or done anything.

“No big surprise there,” Tyrone said.

Silently, Silas agreed.

“Maybe he knows something that can help,” Adam said looking at the others.

Storm snorted. “If he knows he won’t be able to tell. What good is that?”

“True,” Tyrone said looking at Cain. “Is Nadira good?”

They all looked at Cain expectantly.

“Good?”

“A good fighter?” Tyrone qualified.

“Yes, she is.” Cain nodded as if in deep thought. “Very selfish and sees this as her get out of jail card.” He looked at each of them. “She uses energy with finesse, is a decent conjurer, fairly decent with a blade.” He looked at Silas. “Will they use weapons?”

“I don’t know.”

“Everything was primitive in the cave, only saw her with a sharp blade she’d created out of something.”

“David said she had a succubus vibe going on,” Adam said. “Anyway to backfire that, use it as a distraction?”

They all looked at him.

“What? Just throwing out ideas, anybody else got something?”

“Man, I’m not hating, just wondering how Jackie would respond to that idea,” Quinn said.

“Never mind,” Adam said. “Bella wouldn’t go for it either.”

“So, what are we going to do? I’m not down with losing my sister or my brother over this. Anyway one of us can fight by proxy or something?” Tyrone said exhaling deeply.

“No, Isodora made it clear if we interfere, Nadira could win by default,” Silas said staring into his cup. “Jasmine said Sarita and David practiced earlier, how did she do?”

No one spoke.

“You’re saying I have reason to be concerned?” Silas asked looking across the table at Hawke.

“Yes, Alpha. Very concerned,” Hawke said with brutal honesty.