Within Their Reach

32. Shoes

Aiden.

I opened the back door and entered the storage room, inhaling the familiar smell of wolfsbane and gunpowder.

My shoes thumbed over the hard wooden floor as I walked further and opened another door to the drawing room. The shoes were silenced due to the carpet under my feet.

The commander of the knights was standing in the center with two other knights, who bowed at my arrival.

"Gentlemen," I directed them towards the chairs, "Have a seat."

Peeks of being the head of all the knights.

Going over the plans and updates so far was far more boring than it was supposed to be while Ava and Silas went to the bookstore. But knowing he did it the last time, it was my turn to do so. Another hour went by as we went through the issues and the recent outbreaks from the Wolverine border.

It was getting out of hand now, and sending two warnings till now was the most we have done from our side. So, in the current draft, we wrote it as our last or there would be war.

"What about Kane?" My hands ball into fists as I try to control my anger.

"We have eyes on him." The commander said, "We are ready to make a move when you are ready."

I nod. As for now, staying in the manor and punishing him will not be a good idea. Ava is too close for that and we don't have a basement here. The woods are too tempting but there is a chance Ava might hear his screams.

One of us will have to probably keep her busy. I chuckled at my thought and let out a sigh.

"And any news from Feyre?" Silas's search for his sister is going on for almost six years. She is well hidden and just like Silas, holds grudges like a child.

"No notice." One of the knights said hanging his head low in defeat, "The last time she was spotted was near the merfolk last night and we had our troops search the whole night and day but we got nothing."

What Feyre did was a risky move if I was in her place. Getting this close and not wanting to be found was as if she was curious or just wanted to draw attention. My mind jots down reasons and Ava was the first reason to line up.

Feyre would have a motive and curiosity to meet her. After all, Ava is her brother's mate who had hers locked up. Gulping in some blood wine I looked at the map of all the places she has been spotted until now.

First the wolverine kingdom, then a year later near the Vampirine grave, the human village for feeding, and now near the lake.

"Keep a tight look out for her and security at all sides." I gulped down another glass. "If the attacks don't end by the next two weeks we will make our final move during the Celestial ball."

"Do you have what I asked for?" Nodding one of the knights handed me a loosely wrapped napkin.

Holding it gently I wrapped up the meeting I left to where Silas and Ava would be.

I frowned when I found the carriage empty and I did my best not to jump to conclusions and headed inside the bookstore.

It had been almost two hours; they can't still be inside. My eyes darted around when I found the bookstore empty but then why were the stones still glowing?

And then I heard a loud moan making my eyes go wide.

"Ah! Daddy please!" Oh. Oh

My lips tug up as I walked up the stairs to find them in the adult section. My feet halted at the sight in front of me.