Page 88 of Inextricably Tied

“I kind of thought…” Harbinger eyes him. “You might leave.”

In a flash, Agony curves around Harbinger’s back, striking panic in Flint’s chest — but Agony just leans his wicked smile against her cheek. “You’re gonna have a harder time getting rid of me.”

It doesn’t sound like a threat. It sounds like a promise, and Flint wants to see it through.

Then the front door of the lodge opens to screaming.

The three of them streak across the grass, but the wererabbit in the doorway is unphased. Exhaustion seeps into the bags under her eyes as a harpy struggles with her bindings inside.

“Uh, Lev?” Flint clears his throat, but he’s not looking at the leporine woman. Instead, they watch the harpy, wings beating as she snaps at the werecreature trying to feed her. “Is this a bad time?”

“Lately?” Lev knocks the door the rest of the way open, ushering them in from the porch. “It’s always a bad time.”

They follow her into the open kitchen, keeping their distance from the squalling harpy. “Capheira,” Lev gestures by way of introduction, but the other woman pays them no mind.

Harbinger stares. “Should we —”

“She’s fine.” Lev leans elbows onto the counter, ears drooping. “She likes to act like we’re torturing her.”

“Fuck you.” Capheira jerks against the chair, clawing at anything within reach. “As soon as I get out of here, you’re gonna wish —”

“Okay!” Lev’s rising shout gets tangled in Capheira’s diatribe, both their voices clamoring to be heard. “Put the muzzle back on her —”

“When Vesta gets her talons —”

“— back to her cabin. Clearly —”

“— fuck you up —”

“— not interested in eating!”

The other werecreature fumbles with Capheira’s muzzle, narrowly avoiding her teeth before he gets the strap around her head. Capheira’s screams echo as he pulls her out the doorway. Agony leans toward Flint. “Somehow, I don’t think they would have cared if I was still in cuffs.”

When the commotion finally fades, Lev slumps back in a bar chair. “Sorry.” She presses fingers to her temples. “Usually, Aren and Caius keep a better handle on her, but even they need a fucking break from…that.”

Agony’s head tilts with intrigue. “Are you holding her hostage?” Harbinger gives him a narrow look. “I’m just asking.”

“It’s complicated. She’s a danger to herself and others.” Lev plucks a piece of hay from a bowl on the counter. “The Conclave decided it was best to pair her with a strong pack to keep her in check.” The hay sticks out of her lips like a cigarette. “You can see how that’s going.”

“Sounds like something the Conclave would do,” Flint murmurs.

“They’re the governing body of the Break, right?” Agony looks at Flint like he’s waiting for a gold star. So he has been paying attention to the investigation.

“Yes, we are.” Lev isn’t thrilled by the reminder. “We deal with the Break’s internal disputes on our own, setting rules and guidelines for the packs to follow. But since there are so many members from various ways of life, The Conclave rarely makes any decisions unanimously.”

“You said there was an issue with a phoenix recently.” Harbinger props her helmet on the counter. “Is that related?”

Lev jerks her chin toward where Capheira disappeared. “It’s why we took so long getting back to you. The phoenix was Capheira’s Alpha. Vesta was killed last week in battle when it all came to a head.”

“Shit.” Harbinger sinks into one of the chairs. “So we can’t talk to her?”

Lev shakes her head.

“Do you have anything of hers? A feather, a scrap of clothing…”

Lev tugs on her necklace, a vial dangling from the end. “Ashes?”

Harbinger’s mouth twists. “Not enough surface area.”