Chapter 16 · He Was There

"Don't move."

The voice came from the doorway. Not Kael's.

Sienna froze, her hand still gripping the half-broken badge. The screen had gone dark the second she'd seen him—little Kael, blood on his hands, standing in the rubble behind her family's burning house.

Three wolves stepped into the safehouse. Moonsworn enforcement jackets. The lead one had his gun already drawn, muzzle steady on her chest.

"Judge Hale." He didn't sound surprised. "You're wanted for obstruction and conspiracy. Put the badge down and step away from the fugitive."

Kael was on his feet, positioning himself half in front of her before she could blink. His shoulders were tight, his head tilted just enough that she could see the edge of his jaw working.

"She's not going anywhere," Kael said.

The enforcer's eyes flicked to him, then back to her. "Thorne. Stand aside. This doesn't concern you."

"Everything about her concerns me."

The bond flared hot under her ribs, a sharp tug that made her breath hitch. She shoved it down and forced herself to look past Kael's shoulder at the three wolves blocking the exit.

"Who sent you?" she asked.

The lead enforcer's mouth twitched. "Council Speaker Lockwood. There's a warrant."