CHAPTER 199 PLANS IN MOTION

It was dawn already. Hudson remained in his chamber; he had not gotten any sleep after Esme’s message concerning Claire. The woman who meant more to him than he cared to admit was in danger, injured, and at the mercy of Magnus. But his paranoia was more than just her well-being; her survival was tied to his own. If anything happened to her, if she were to die or the bond they shared was severed, he would fall with her. The anxiety of not knowing what was happening with her was keeping him on edge; it was like he would just fall and die at any moment because of her. He slammed his fist against the wooden table, the force splintering the edge. He couldn’t let that happen. He wouldn’t. The meeting had been scheduled after Kael’s return, but he couldn’t wait any longer. Right now, every second mattered. Kael’s mission to the Nightshade Clan was crucial. The uncertainty of them choosing to honor the pact made with Kael’s family and join his cause gnawed at him. He immediately ca