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“No. Crow, you’re the only one I’ve told.” I glare at him. “If you tell anyone, I’ll yank your dick through your ass⁠—”

“Whoa, I’ve got it.” He raises his hands in surrender. “Relax. I’m not going to say anything.”

I sigh.

“What are you going to do now?” he asks after a beat.

“Have you found any other leads on a hex?” I ask hopefully.

He shakes his head. “They’ve all fled the city.”

“Cazzo di merda!” I resist the urge to break something. Mostly because everything in this place is already broken.

“Ramsey thinks destabilizing you will neutralize us,” Crow says quietly.

I meet his gaze and find an intensity that borders on violence. Crow’s always been protective, but the look he wears now is particularly hellbent.

“He might not be wrong,” I say reluctantly.

“Fuck that,” he says. “Let the wards fall. Let him come. Even as a super alpha, I’ll still put him down.”

“You sound like Razor.”

“Except I can back it up,” he says.

We share a snicker. I shake my head, my temper receding—for now. Which was likely his goal.

“I need to make some calls,” I say. “Find out if there’s another⁠—”

Crow’s phone buzzes. He checks it, and his expression shifts into something more focused. “It’s Nash. He needs us at the estate.” He looks at me. “Sounds like they found evidence tying Davina and Ramsey together.”

I hesitate, balking at the idea of facing Nash today. Every time I think of it, my chest tightens, and I find it suddenly hard to breathe. I’m not sure if I’m scared he’s my mate—or scared that he isn’t. Either way, seeing him without Null in my system sounds like a fate worse than death.

“Do you want me to tell them you’re busy?” Crow asks.

My eyes snap to his. He looks at me knowingly, and I realize I was wrong. Seeing Nash isn’t the worst. Having all of my friends and family watch it happen, all of them knowing my feelings for him, is by far worse than death.

“Did he ask for me specifically?” My voice is small.

Coward.

“He’s been asking around at the house all day,” he says. “He’s wondering why you didn’t come in this morning. And he’s been texting you, I think.”

Shit.

He has, and I’ve ignored them all.

“Come back with me. Talk to Grey. We’ll help you come up with a reason to stay away for a day or two. Recon or something. So you can find more Null.”

“What if there’s none left in the city?”

“The wards are compromised. You’re free to go outside the city if you need to.” His expression darkens. “Not alone, though. Promise me.”

I nod. “I promise.”

“Good.” He doesn’t move, though—waiting for me to decide.

I blow out a breath, knowing it’s my best option. With any luck, the last of the Null will hold long enough for me to get in and get out again.