Chapter 20 · The Fourth Heartbeat

"The moon's early." Rex's hand closes around my arm before I can reach the warehouse door. He stares through the cracked north window, his grip hard enough to bruise. "Two hours early. That's not natural."

The three marks on my neck flare under his fingers. My wolf slams against my ribs, begging to get out.

Cain turns from the east window. "The Council knows we're here. They'll move before dawn."

Aiden steps in front of me, close enough that his chest brushes mine when he breathes. "Then we leave now."

"Go where?" I yank my arm free from Rex. "Thorne's not going to unlock the curse because we knock politely."

"Good," Rex says. His amber eyes catch the silver light. "We won't knock."

Cain's jaw tightens. "Rex."

"What?" Rex spreads his hands. "Thorne put the curse on her. He knows how to break it. We drag him out of his office and make him talk."

"That's your plan?" Aiden asks. "Start a war with the Northern Council?"

"If they want a war, they can bring one."

"No." Cain's voice cuts through the room. "We don't charge the Council's stronghold blind."

Rex takes one step toward him.