I tried to cover my shock the best I could. I’d assumed Cosette was still in Colorado, but a moment later, she came into view. With the way her arms were crossed, she looked a little standoffish. I wasn’t sure if it was because her mother had called her home or because of what’d happened at the mall.

“Is she, Mother?” Cosette met my gaze through the glass, her eyes and tone flat. “Hello, Meredith. What an unexpected surprise.” Her tone was anything but surprised.

“The trip wasn’t planned, but when we got word that Donovan’s second was killed, we had to come.” I had to come. Even after her warnings.

“And that’s why you’re calling?” The queen looked to Donovan. “I’d be happy to step in and take control of the pack if—”

“No. I’ve got it, thank you.” Donovan cut in.

Yeah. That was never happening, but it was scary that she thought—even for a second—that it was a possibility.

“I’m calling as a friend—”

“And former lover.”

Okay. Helen was officially getting on my nerves.

“That, too.” And with Donovan’s snippy tone, the friendly side of him got tucked away. Power expanded out from my mate until the urge to change itched under my skin. It took everything I had to focus on the conversation and keep myself in human form. “Were you aware that a fey intruded in my stronghold and murdered my second?”

“Oh my. How embarrassing! One of your own killed in your home. But what makes you think it was us?”

“Don’t play coy with me. You know I can scent out your kind, even among the entrails of my dear friend.” Donovan stepped forward, and his voice lowered. “Are you really after starting a war with us?”

The queen’s sigh sounded like twinkling chimes. “No. We—the majority of the queens—do not want war. But not everything is as simple as that.”

“One of your people helped to murder two of my pack. It’s hard to take that lightly, and I promise you everything will get deadly simple if these killings keep up.”

She held up a hand. “Please, Donovan. I’m in a very precarious place. I shouldn’t have taken your call, especially now.”

“If we were closer to another queen’s territory, I’d ask her, but I’m asking you. What is doing this to my people? How do I stop it?”

The queen was quiet for a moment but finally said, “Bhrunyz was never meant to leave underhill. There were protections in place, but it appears they’ve been broken.”

“So, someone in your court set something loose on us?” Donovan’s words were fierce. “Am I understanding correctly?”