Chapter 5:

I pocketed the gemstone in my pajama pocket and flew from the room, not bothering to shut off the light or close the door. My heart raced as I took the stairs two at a time, down to the fifth floor, my palms sweating for no other reason than anticipation.

This was what we had been waiting for.

I beat my damp palm against the door impatiently, murmuring under my breath for them to hurry up.

"What the-" I heard Matt muttering to himself from the other side of the door just before it flew open. "What's going-"

"Kat, I found it!" I interrupted him, looking at a pajama clad Katerina behind him. She looked at me like I was crazy – I probably sounded crazed – but I didn't care. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the gemstone, holding it up like the treasured possession that it truly was. "I found it!" I repeated, louder this time, unable to keep the wide grin off my face.

"That's the gemstone mom gave you when you graduated high school. What about it?" Matt scratched at his head in confusion, his voice groggy with sleep.

"This is what we've been looking for!" I exclaimed enthusiastically. "This is the Simeonov gemstone!"

Kat moved forward, pushing past Matt to examine the stone in my hand, her brows knitting together as she glanced up at me. "How do you know?"

"Finn's mom told me. She brought me to the Spirit World – or her mother, Irena, did."

"Oh, my god. Are you serious?" She looked up at me with wide eyes.

"I am. This is what we need to find him." The smile stayed on my face as moisture gathered in my eyes at the thought of seeing him again. I had so much to tell him, so much to make up to him for. I just wanted to make things right between us.

"How do you have this?" Matt spoke up, still looking skeptical.

"Irena, Raina Cahill's mother, had a vision about Finnian and me years ago, before I was even born. She knew we'd need this one day. She told Raina to give it to mom, and Raina told mom to give it to me."

"I can't sense any magic in this." Kat spoke slowly, not wanting to let me down.

"I don't know, maybe Irena spelled it to hide the magic. I don't know," I repeated. "I just know that this is it."

"The magic would have worn off as soon as Irena died." Kat murmured as she gently took the gemstone from me, her eyes narrowing in on the item as she examined it. Her eyes fluttered closed as she squeezed the stone in her hand and started chanting softly. Finally, her eyes pried open and she looked up at me in disappointment. "I can't feel anything in this, Ken."

"Maybe Sage can figure it out." I said stubbornly, refusing to believe that this wasn't the answer. "I'll go get her and we'll meet you in your workroom."

I ran off down the hall before either of them could say anything else, not even grabbing the stone back from Kat. Sage was on the third floor, in one of the guest rooms, so I ran down two more flights of stairs and down to the door at the end of the hall that we set her up in. I beat on her door, much like I had Kat's door.

It took as few seconds before she opened the door, sleep in her eyes. It was three in the morning, after all. She looked confused for a few seconds, but once she saw me, she looked a little more alert. "What's happening?"

"I found the Simeonov gemstone!" I exclaimed.

"What? How?"

I explained to her quickly about Raina, and by the end, she looked stunned but that slowly faded into a grin that matched mine.

"We have the stone?"

"We have the stone." I confirmed.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Sage closed the door behind her, not bothering to stop and change or even brush her mussed up hair. I didn't try to make her, considering I wanted to find Finn as soon as possible. I probably looked worse anyways.

Kat and Matt were already in her workroom whenever we walked in. Kat had cleared everything off the table in the center of the room, only the gemstone left in the middle.

"I can't sense any magic in it." Kat told Sage as soon as we walked inside. "Maybe you can since it's from your family line."

Sage nodded and walked slowly toward the stone, almost seeming entranced by it. When she was right in front of the table, she slowly sank down into the chair closest to it and leaned forward. Just when her fingers brushed against it, she gasped and her eyes clouded over, turning white as her irises rolled back into her head. She was having a vision.

She stayed still, not moving for about two minutes before her eyes finally cleared as she blinked a few times. She pulled away from the stone and looked over at us.

"What'd you see?" I asked impatiently before she could say anything.

"This is it, this is the stone."

Just as she said that, Kat walked over in a daze almost. She looked down at it in wonder, then looked up at Sage. "I can feel it now. How could I not sense this kind of magic before?"

"The Simeonov's are a powerful line, Kat. Even from the Spirit World." She smiled softly at my awed best friend.

"Can that be done? Contain this kind of magic from another Realm?"

"It can't be done by one witch or even five. But a whole bloodline, gives just enough power to hide something in plain sight." She answered.

"Wait, what are you saying?" I finally questioned not understanding, although Kat seemed to understand perfectly.

Sage looked away from Kat and over at me, her look of excitement growing. "Irena spelled this so no witch would be able to detect the magic inside. But when she died, that spell faded. All Simeonov witches of the past knew the importance of this magic staying hidden, so they combined their magic to continue to disguise it, so it didn't end up in the wrong hands. Once it was in the hands of a Simeonov witch, they released the magic containing it. The reason why Raina chose now to visit you and why she has never visited Finnian or Kieran in the past is because Irena was using her magic on this. But once I arrived, she pulled her magic from it and used it to bring you to the Spirit World to speak with Raina. And once I touched it, they all pulled their magic from it. That's what I saw in my vision."

"So, it's ready to use? Do you know how to find Finn?"

Her smile grew even wider. "I do. We have everything we need to bring him home."

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's bring the King home."

********************

Unfortunately, I was called out on business just as Sage and Kat were getting started. Sage unlocked the magic of the stone, and now that it was unlocked Kat could use it too. They would be working together, channeling each other and the necklace to find him. But even though it was both of them, it would still likely take a few hours to get an exact location. So, when Tyler called me to tell me one of the Alpha's they brought in wanted to speak to me, Kat and Sage both urged me to go, saying they didn't need me for this part. I was hesitant, but eventually I gave in, knowing I had a duty to fulfill, especially while Finnian was gone and I was in charge.

That's how I ended up at the prison. Tyler met me out front. By this point, the sun had begun to rise, painting the dusky blue sky orange behind the thick canopy of trees. The air was already warming to a more comfortable temperature. The frost on the ground would soon begin to melt.

"Who is it?" I inquired as soon as I shifted back and changed into the t-shirt and leggings they left outside for me.

"Alpha Jacob Hutch. Li and I brought him back with us when he refused to come willingly. We hadn't gotten around to questioning him yet, but he told the guard he'd like to speak with you. He said he had information you'd want to hear."

I nodded once and followed behind him down to the interview room he was being held. I instructed Tyler to stay outside as I went in alone. The room was a lot friendlier than the interrogation rooms Finn used – those rooms just had one lone chair in the center, like a dentist chair but with restraints. But since Alpha Jacob was ready to talk, he didn't need to be interrogated like that. So, he was brought to one of the rooms with a table and chairs in the middle, only wolfsbane handcuffs keeping him chained to the table.

I plopped down across from him, staying silent until he was ready to share what he wanted to share, which didn't take long.

"I want to make a deal."

"What kind of deal?" I asked skeptically, leaning back in my chair and crossing my arms as I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I was approached by another Alpha two weeks ago who asked if I would join their cause to rebel against the crown. I turned him down, of course. But I'll give you his name if you let me go."

I examined him closely as I ran my tongue over my teeth absentmindedly. "What made you turn him down?"

"As much as I disagree with what you're doing, I'm not looking for a fight. I want to stay out of whatever this is that is going on between you and other Alpha's."

"What made you change your mind now? You refused to cooperate before." I pointed out.

"I refused because what you're doing – getting so involved in pack business and telling Alpha's how to run their packs – is wrong. But my first grandbaby is due to be born any day now and I'll be damned if I miss that."

I nodded once. "I can respect that. If you tell me everything I need to know, you can go home."

"Alpha Laurant Thibodeaux contacted me two weeks ago. He said that a group of Alpha's were getting together to rebel. No one is happy with the Crown interfering."

"Did he give you any other names or information?"

"No. I turned him down as soon as he proposed the idea. Like I said, I don't want to be involved in any of this."

"Okay. I'll have my witch come read your aura to make sure you're being honest, and if you pass, we'll send you home." I pushed back my chair, but he spoke again before I could stand.

"I knew your father, you know. Not well, but we met a few times over the years. He was a good man, a good alpha. I had a lot of respect for him. From what I knew about him, he wouldn't have appreciated your actions as Queen. You're young and have been through a lot, but you may want to take some time and actually think through your decisions. That's what good leaders do."

I nodded absentmindedly as I grinned, despite the anger boiling my blood. "You're right. He wouldn't have appreciated or agreed with my actions. While he was loyal to the Crown, he also believed that they shouldn't interfere unless absolutely necessary. He would have been livid if the Royals came into his pack and scrutinized everything he did and told him what to keep doing and what to change. I would have been livid for him, once upon a time. But the thing is, Alpha, is that he's not here anymore. He's dead and it started with one pack. So, whatever my dad believed is irrelevant now. If we had been paying more attention, maybe my parents and one fifth of my pack wouldn't be dead. Maybe the King would be here and maybe I wouldn't have been taken for a year and believed to be dead. But it did happen and I'm going to ensure that it never happens again. Believe me when I say, I did not make this decision lightly. I didn't make it when I was emotional or grieving. I knew that this would piss people off. I knew that this could possibly even create new enemies for us, but the benefits outweighed the risks. I looked at the upsides and the downsides and I made a decision. That's what being a good Queen does; makes hard, unpopular decisions for the good of her people. And that's exactly what I'm doing."

He looked thoughtful as he examined me. "Hmm," He hummed softly. "I see I underestimated you, my Queen."

"Happens a lot." I commented casually. "And for the record, I'm only making sure people aren't doing anything that could cause us harm. Other than that, I don't care how people run their packs as long as it's ethical. Now, I have a lot to do. Thank you for that information and we'll have you out of here as soon as our witch is able to clear you."

I stood and walked out without another word. I can't say his words didn't sting just a little, especially the thought of my parents being disappointed in me. I was thrown head first into running a kingdom when Finnian was taken. I was doing the best I could, but I always had doubts and worries that I was just screwing everything up. My parents had only been gone two months and Finnian one month. I was broken, but I had the weight of an entire kingdom on my shoulders. I had thousands of lives to protect, including my family and my mate. I tried not to let the weight crush me, but it was getting harder and harder. I needed my King back.

Tyler was waiting just outside the door, a grim expression on his face.  Mine likely mirrored his.  

"It's time, Ty."  

He nodded solemnly.  "I know."

I followed behind him, down to the cells.  One guard stood outside the door and he bowed and stepped aside when he saw us. 

"Do you want to be here for this?"  I asked Tyler after I stopped outside the door.  

"No.  But I'm not leaving.  I'll wait out here.  You have my blessing to do whatever you need."  

I nodded and squeezed his shoulder gently.  I turned my back to him, took a deep breath, and stepped into the last room I wanted to be in.

"Kendall... I was wondering when my big brother would set you loose."  She looked rough.  Her short bob haircut had looked so sleek when we first met.  Now it hung in limp, stringy waves.  Her lips were dried and cracked and her once clear skin was now dotted in blemishes.  Dark bags hung under her eyes.  Kat had cut off her mindlink.  Considering I couldn't talk to Finn now, I figured the lack of sleep had more to do with that than anything.

"Valentina.  You look like you've seen better days."  

She snorted.  "I guess that's one way to put it."  

 I took two more steps into the room, and she stood from the thin mattress on the floor.  "This can go one of two ways.  You get to decide which."  

She looked like she was pondering it; even going as far as grabbing her chin between her thumb and pointer finger like she was in deep thought.  The exaggerated body language didn't have me fooled.  But I humored her by taking a couple steps closer.  

She took the bait and lunged at me, attempting to get her hands around my throat.  I used her momentum against her and tossed her onto the ground.  I put my knee on her chest and trapped her wrists in a firm grasp.  I applied enough pressure to her chest with my knee, letting her know I could crush her anytime I decided to.  She struggled, but when I pulled her left arm out of socket, she whimpered and became still.  

"Listen, obviously I can hurt you physically.  I don't want to do that, but I will if you try to attack me again.  Physical torture is such a man's thing.  I like to be a little more delicate.  Which is why I have Tyler in the room next door with your mate.  He's waiting for my signal to kill him.  I don't think he'd hesitate, just between us sisters.  He thinks your mate is responsible for you ending up as our prisoner."

She glared up at me, but I could see the slight wobble in her lip.  

"He wouldn't come here.  He's not stupid."  

"It's been over two months.  I've been without my mate for a month and I would run straight into hellfire for him.  He's not stupid; he's desperate."  

"I want to see him."  

I grinned down at her.  "You don't get to make the demands here."  

She gulped and looked away, a tear rolling from the corner of her eye.  "What do you want?"  

"I want you to tell me about your pack's betrayal."  

I stood from her and she scooted back into the corner.  She cradled her arm against her body, trying to find a comfortable position for the dislocated shoulder.  I knew I didn't need anymore physical force, so I sat across from her, my back against the wall and my legs stretched in front of me and crossed at my ankles.  

"Laurant thinks Finnian had something to do with his father's death.  Laurant was friends with the King and Levi Redford.  He knows Levi would've never killed the King, and the only witness that it was him was Finnian.  He believes Finnian did it.  I do too."  

I looked at her like the idiot she was.  "You believe that he killed his own father and mother?  What motive would he possibly have for that?"  

"He wanted to be king."  

"Are you stupid?  You grew up around him.  You knew him.  How could you possibly think that?"  

"I knew Levi too, and I know he was a good man.  He would never do what he was accused of, but he is conveniently not around to prove that."  

I sighed and shook my head.  "Who else believes this?"  

"Everyone in the rebellion.  Ivaylo is the rightful king."  

I looked up in exasperation.  "I need pack names, Val."  

She looked hesitant, but when I let my eyes glaze over like I was mindlinking, she spilled her guts.  "Please don't mindlink Ty!  It's the Chandler Pack, but you already knew of him.  The Riggs Pack, the Sanderson Pack, the Plunket Pack, and the Olson Pack are all apart of the rebellion.  I don't know who else. Laurant doesn't like sharing with the women of the pack."  

"Thank you for your candor."  I stood and turned towards the door.  

I heard her scrambling to her feet behind me.  "Wait!  What about Hugh?"  

"Hugh?"  I turned back to look at her.  "Oh, your mate?  Don't worry about him.  That coward is safe at home while his mate rots."  

I heard her lunge again, but I was out the door before she could reach me.  

"Did you get all that?"  I asked Tyler once outside.  We ignored the screams coming from inside her room.  

"I got it.  I can't believe she thinks Finn is capable of that."  

"She was young when she left, yeah?"  

"Si.  Only twenty."  He answered.

"So, she was around ten when Finn's parents were killed?"  I clarified.  

He nodded slowly in response, chewing on his lower lip thoughtfully.  

"So, she was likely manipulated by her mate and Laurant.  She said he doesn't like the women in the pack knowing too much.  They don't respect women and probably manipulate them to believe what they want them to believe.  The mate bond can be beautiful, but it can also be toxic with the wrong person.  I'm sorry she got caught up in this, Ty."  

He sighed heavily and nodded again in agreement.  "Thank you, Kendall.  I know you're probably anxious to get back to Kat and Sage, so I can get with Matt and fill him in on what we learned."

"Thanks.  I'll keep you updated."

He gave me one last nod and I walked away.  Once outside, I shifted and ran back to the castle, not even stopping to enjoy the run, or the early morning crisp air. I just got back as soon as possible and went straight up to Kat's workroom.

As soon as I was down the hall, I heard a squeal. My brows knitted together and I took off at a sprint, throwing the door open as soon as I reached it. My canines and claws were out, but as soon as I saw Sage and Kat jumping up and down in excitement, I relaxed.

"What happened?"

"We found his location, Kendall. We found Finn."  

Thoughts?  Predictions?  Comments?  I'd love to hear them! :)