âDanika didnât steal anything,â Bryce whispered, cold lurching through her. Only Huntâs arm around her middle kept her upright, his body a warm wall at her back.
Sabineâs light brown eyesâthe same shade Danikaâs had been but void of their warmthâwere merciless. âWhy do you think I swapped the footage? She thought the blackout would hide her, but was too dumb to consider that there might be audio still rolling that picked up each one of her disappearing footsteps as she left her post to steal the Horn, then reappeared a minute later, going back on patrol, as if she hadnât spat in our goddessâs face. Whether she caused the blackout to steal it or if she took advantage of an opportunity, I donât know.â
âWhy would she take it?â Bryce could barely get the words out.
âBecause Danika was a brat who wanted to see what she could get away with. As soon as I got the alert that the Horn had been stolen, I looked into the videos and swapped the footage on every database.â Sabineâs smile was a cruel slash. âI cleaned up her messâjust like I did for her entire life. And you two, in asking your questions, have threatened the shred of a legacy that she stands to leave.â
Huntâs wings flared slightly. âYou sent that demon after us tonightââ
Sabineâs pale brows snapped together. âWhat demon? Iâve been waiting for you here all night. I thought about your stupid fucking visit to my Den, and decided you needed a real reminder to stay the Hel out of this case.â She bared her teeth. âAmelie Ravenscroft is standing across the street, waiting to make the call if you step out of line, Athalar. She says you two were putting on quite the show a moment ago.â A vicious, knowing smile.
Bryce flushed, and let Hunt look to confirm. From the way he tensed, she knew it was true.
Sabine said, âAnd as for what I said the night she died: Danika couldnât keep her mouth shutâabout anything. I knew sheâd stolen the Horn, and knew someone probably killed her for it because she couldnât keep it quiet.â Another cold laugh. âEverything I did was to protect my daughter. My reckless, arrogant daughter. Everything you did encouraged the worst in her.â
Huntâs growl rent the night. âCareful, Sabine.â
But the Alpha just snorted. âYouâll regret crossing me.â She strolled for the edge of the roof, her power thrumming in a faint glow around her as she assessed the same leap that Bryce had so stupidly considered a year and a half ago. Only, Sabine would be able to gracefully land on the pavement. Sabine looked back over a thin shoulder, her lengthening teeth gleaming as she said, âI didnât kill my daughter. But if you jeopardize her legacy, I will kill you.â
And then she jumped, shifting with a soft flash of light as she went. Hunt sprinted for the edge, but Bryce knew what heâd see: a wolf landing lightly on the pavement and streaking away into the darkness.