Chapter 11: The Cells

The cells under the east tower were cut into the rock, and the air in them smelled of wet stone.

Two Council guards stood at the bottom of the stairs with their arms folded.

I came down with Dashiell on my right and Aldous behind us, and I had no plan except to keep walking.

"This is Council ground," said the taller guard. "Nobody goes in."

"It's Ironwood ground," Dashiell said. "My pack, my tower, my cook."

"We have orders from Lady Crewe."

"Read him the law, Aldous."

The old beta cleared his throat with obvious pleasure.

"The Council may hold a wolf on any pack's land for one night," he recited, "provided the Alpha is told within the hour.

"This Alpha was told at five, by me, as a courtesy. It is now seven."

The guards exchanged a look.

"Open it," I said.

They did not move.

I let all the weight I had into the word, and I felt something shift under my breastbone, small and warm and answering.

Both guards swayed.

Neither went to his knees, but the taller one took a step back and fumbled for the key.

"That was nice," Aldous murmured. "Do it again later when you're stronger."

The cell door swung open.

Fenn sat on the stone bench with a split lip and one eye swelling shut, and he lifted his head and grinned at me.

"They asked what the Alpha eats for breakfast," he said. "I said eggs. They didn't believe me."

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