Chapter 15 · The Trade

“You’re late.”

Mara leaned against the truck’s hood, arms crossed, watching us stumble out of the woods. Cain’s hand tightened around my wrist. The silver had vanished from his veins, but he was still shaking.

“Long enough,” Mara said. Her gaze dropped to Cain’s grip. “You two done playing house in the woods? I’ve got somewhere to be.”

I pulled free. “You said you had the antidote.”

“I do.” Mara pushed off the hood. “Question is, what’s it worth to you?”

Cain stepped between us. “Name your price.”

“Not talking to you, wolf.” Her eyes locked on mine. “I’m talking to the girl who just walked out of Iris Crowe’s house. The girl whose blood lit up like a flare when she touched that door.”

My stomach dropped.

“Yeah.” Mara’s smile held no warmth. “I saw it. So let’s cut the bullshit. You’re not some witness on the run. You’re what Rex has been hunting for five years.”

Cain’s voice dropped. “She’s under my protection.”

“Sure. Until the next full moon.”

Mara pulled a vial from her jacket. Dark red liquid filled the glass, almost black beneath the moonlight.

“This is synthesized wolf’s bane antidote,” she said. “Military grade.