Heartsong (Green Creek 3)

“Good,” Ox said. He looked at me. “You with me?”

I tore my gaze away from Sonari

, whose tongue still hung from her open mouth, dripping sap. “Yes.”

“Are we almost there?”

“Yes.”

“Show us.”

I pushed through the trees, Ox’s voice in my head a low and constant thrum.

I knew them, these trees. Those encased inside. I could feel them. There were no children, though that knowledge didn’t bring any relief. It only meant they were inside the compound.

The air was thick and heavy. It rested on my chest, making it harder to breathe. I wanted to tear into the trees, to rip apart the bark and pull them out, but I knew that Livingstone would expect that. He wanted that. The wolves’ blood would be on our hands.

It took longer than it should have to reach the compound, the trees getting thicker the closer we got. We had to push aside branches, and every time we touched the wood, there was a low, dark pulse from inside the tree, a moan, a quiet scream. They were aware.

I was devastated.

Kelly knew. He whispered, “We’ll take care of them. I promise.”

I wished I could believe him.

We reached the wall at the south end of the compound. The others gathered behind Ox, Joe, and me. Ox looked up, brow furrowed. “I know you told us about this, Robbie, but it’s bigger than I thought it would be. Have these always been here?”

Elizabeth shifted, pulling herself to her full height. She stepped up between Ox and Joe, pressing a hand against the wall. “No. Thomas, he… always believed that this place should be open and free to anyone and everyone so long as they came in peace. He learned that from his father. This isn’t like it was before. This is Michelle. Yet another thing she’s taken from the wolves.”

“Maybe it was Livingstone,” I said before I could stop myself. “Maybe she didn’t have any other choice. Maybe she—” I closed my mouth, almost biting my tongue.

“We can’t take that chance,” Joe said quietly. “If she’s here, if she’s with him, then she has to be dealt with. We don’t have a choice. You heard what he said. That she was the one who let him out.”

“Yeah,” I muttered. “But he lies about everything. He could be controlling her just like he did to me.”

“I dunno,” Rico said. “I’m all for shooting first and asking questions later. Seems safer that way.” He grimaced. “Except for the kids. Fuck him for using kids.”

Ox looked up at the top of the wall again. He raised his voice so all could hear him. “We don’t kill the children. No matter what. Subdue them. Contain them. Use force if necessary. But keep them alive at all costs.”

Kelly sighed. “This is such a clusterfuck.” Carter nosed at his hand, and Kelly rubbed the top of his head between his ears.

“How do we get inside?” Jessie asked. “March through the front gate?” She looked at me. “Unless you know of another way inside.”

I shook my head. “Two entrances, one in the front and back. They’ll know.”

“He already does,” Gordo said. “He knows we’re here.”

“We go up and over,” Ox said.

Rico groaned. “I knew you were going to say that. And I should point out the walls are concrete and at least fifteen feet high. Some of us are human.” Then, “Oh god, you have an idea I won’t like, don’t you?”

“Chris,” Ox said, “you’ve got Rico. Kelly, you’re with Robbie. Elizabeth, Jessie. Gordo, Mark. Patrice and Aileen, with me and Joe. Tanner, Carter, bring up the rear. Gavin, you stay with Carter.” He turned to look at all of us, this group of wolves and witches and humans who all knew full well what we were about to walk into. “Stick to the plan like we discussed. Spread out. Smaller groups. You leave Livingstone to the Alphas and Gordo.”

Chris pulled out of his full shift to a half-shift. He grinned at Rico through a mouthful of fangs. “Climb on, buddy.”

“I hate all of you,” Rico mumbled. “So, so much. I’m a man in my forties. I should not be getting a piggyback ride from my naked friend.” But he moved toward Chris.

“Ready?” I asked Kelly.