Blake and Jace took the stairs two at a time and headed for the sixth floor. As soon as they crossed the clearing where both realms connected, only seen by werewolves, they didn't stop traveling until they got to the city then the hotel.
Once inside, they requested to see Mr. Therion. When the man arrived, he immediately recognized Blake. Alone in his office, Blake confirmed Mr. Therion's identity through his sigil before stating his purpose: he was here to take Cassie home, by request of her father.
Mr. Therion gave them two keycards and Cassie's room number, all on the same floor. He also mentioned that Cassie's transformation had started, and she might be confused and disoriented by the changes overtaking her.
Blake had thanked him for the heads up and left the office.
As they rounded the final stairwell, Blake stopped short, eyes narrowing.
A young silver-haired guy sat slouched in front of Cassie's door, head leaned back against the frame, eyes closed.
Blake sniffed the air instinctively, and got nothing.
No scent.
The only way someone had no scent was if they were hiding it through magic. That alone had every instinct in Blake flare red.
He approached slowly, followed by Jace. The guy didn't look up when they stopped next to him. And something about him not acknowledging them irked Blake.
Blake folded his arms. He didn't raise his voice, but there was no warmth in it either. "Mind telling me who you are and what you're doing here?"
The guy kept his posture and answered. "Doesn't matter who I am. And what I'm doing here has nothing to do with you."
Blake's jaw twitched. He bit out, "It does when you're sitting outside my niece's door."
Only then did the silver-haired guy open his eyes and stand, mirroring Blake's height exactly. He met Blake's glare with unwavering brown eyes.
Blake didn't know what the hell this guy was, but Fenrik didn't like it. He was restless. And that made it worse.
"Uncle, huh? I know for a fact that your niece has no idea that you even exist. So, unc, if you think that I'm moving, think again."
The tension crackled between them like a live wire.
Jace nudged Blake's mind.
Think he's her boyfriend? Jace asked.
Could be. Or a stalker.
Tell me I'm not the only one who didn't pick up a scent from him. Xander is restless.
So is Fenrik. And you're not. Blake confirmed. And that worries me, especially if he's close to her. What the hell is he hiding?
Jace stepped forward, palms slightly raised. "Look, we're not here to start a fight. We just need to speak with her…urgent family business. All we're asking is that you step aside."
The guy chuckled humourlessly. "Family business? When have you guys ever treated her like family?" His eyes darkened, never leaving Blake's face.
"I'll call the owner if you won't move," Jace said, already pulling out his phone.
"Please do," the guy replied unbothered. "Because until he confirms who the two of you are. I'm not moving."
Jace stepped a few feet away and made the call. Blake continued staring at the stranger, his jaw clenched, muscles tense. Whoever this guy was, he had no idea who he was dealing with, and the arrogance in his stance made Blake itch to show him exactly who he was.
Jace returned, holding the phone out. "Mr. Therion, you're on speaker."
The voice that followed was clear and calm. "Gentlemen, this is my grandson, Kai."
This would explain why he refused to move; he was protecting her. If Kai was Mr. Therion's grandson, it meant that he was a werewolf. Maybe, he was enchanted like Cassie so they wouldn't be detected. But, Mr. Therion had a scent, and he was also a protector. So why enchant one and not the other? And why was Fenrik on edge?
Mr. Therion's voice sliced through Blake's thoughts. "Kai, before you is Cassie's uncle, First Claw Magnus' second son and next in line."
Blake nodded subtly. But Kai didn't so much as blink. There was no flicker of recognition, no respect. Just stone wall silence. Not that Blake expected anything else. Werewolves in the human realm didn't follow the same rules as back home. Titles here meant nothing to them, especially a young werewolf such as Kai.
"…and with him is his cousin. They're here to take Cassie home. Please let them speak with her."
Blake watched as Kai tensed a low growl rumbled from his chest. But, he didn't say a word. Instead, he turned and entered the room across from Cassie's without another glance.
"Thank you, Mr. Therion," Blake said.
"Of course. If it's not too much to ask, I'd like to say goodbye to Cassie before she leaves."
"I'll make sure of it," Blake replied. "Thanks again."
As the call ended, Blake turned to Cassie's door and knocked.
No answer.
He paused, listening. Someone was inside, he could hear the steady rhythm of her breathing. Confirming what Mr. Therion had told them in the office, she was at home.
So, why wasn't she opening the door?
"Maybe she's asleep," Jace murmured beside him.
Blake nodded and knocked louder. Still nothing.
He didn't want to force his way in. Not unless absolutely necessary. So he knocked again, more firmly this time.
Minutes passed.
Just as Blake's fist hovered midair again, the door flung open, and before he could step back, cold water splashed across his face.
A furious young woman stood there, silver eyes blazing.
"Kai, I told you to leave me alo…" Her voice caught as her eyes flicked from Blake to Jace, then back to Blake's again.
She froze.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry. I thought...oh God…I thought you were someone else," she stammered, cheeks turning bright red.
Blake blinked water from his lashes and wiped his face with the hem of his t-shirt.
"Clearly," Jace said with a soft, amused smile. "No harm done."
She nodded slowly, offering a weak smile, then shifted uneasily from one foot to the other.
Blake studied the young woman now standing in front of them. Black hair. Silver eyes. Just like the prophecy stated. She was the spitting image of Liora but with Ryder's dark hair.
His chest tightened as he looked closer. Her eyes were red and puffy like she'd been crying. No doubt because of something Kai had done.
Why else would the guy have been posted outside her door, like a damn package delivered to the wrong address and she answered the door ready to unleash hell?
It also explained why she was also reluctant to answer, she thought it was him.
Blake's jaw tensed, a surge of protectiveness rising inside him like a wave. He'd only just met her. And yet, the urge to storm across the hall and punch Kai in the face was almost unbearable.
But he swallowed it down. Now wasn't the time. He needed to focus. He was here for one reason: find Cassie and take her home.
"Cassieopia," he said gently, "we'd like to speak with you. May we come in?"
Her silver gaze hardened.
"No."