Chapter 22: The Ridge

Ivy's POV

Dane's text came after the call.

It was a pin on a map, and under it he had typed: Heir alone. Ridge cabin.

"No," Jonah said.

"He has your sister."

"He has her because he knows I'll walk into anything for her. You can't go in there alone."

"I'm not going to," I said. "I'm going to look like I am."

He stared at me.

I told him the plan in a few short lines, and he listened to every one.

Then I crossed the ridge in my human skin with my hands empty and my father's ring held up in the moonlight.

The cabin sat on a ledge over the river gorge, one low room with the door open and a lantern burning.

Dane stood in the doorway.

He had a silver knife in his good hand, and the point rested under Corinne's chin.

She was on her feet, pale and shaking, with her wrists tied in front of her.

She looked at me and gave one tiny shake of her head.

Bree stood at the cliff edge behind them in her ruined cream cardigan.

Eleven rogues ringed the clearing, leaning on trees, grinning.

"Ivy," Bree said, bright and sweet. "I knew you'd come. You always do."

"Let her go."

"Give him the ring first."

I held it up higher.

"You want it?"

"Throw it to me," Dane said hoarsely.

"Come and take it."

"You throw it, and I'll let her go."

"No, you won't."

His eyes flicked sideways, and Corinne drove her heel down on his foot.

He roared and the knife slipped.

I threw the ring at his face.

It hit him between the eyes, and he fell back on the cabin step.

Corinne ran.

I shifted as I ran.

The bones came apart in a bright rush, and the silver wolf hit the nearest rogue before he finished lifting his claws.

Another came from the left, and a third from behind.

I fought with my back to the cabin wall and my teeth in anything that came close.

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