“The Fae are steeped in magic. Their very beings are magic. The witches, however, conjure magic. It is unnatural and only accomplished at the expense of another's blood. And so, the Great Purge was a massacre. The Fae wiped out the witches in a matter of days, at a great cost to themselves. The supernatural world held its breath as it waited for the repercussions of the balance once again being thrown off.

“Days passed and nothing happened. Perizada met with the Alphas of the packs, searching for any problems that might have occurred as a result of the purge. Nothing. It was decided at the meeting of the Alphas that the only explanation was that evil had not been eradicated. A witch, somewhere, somehow, had survived. "

Jacque sat and stared at the book as she continued to skim.

"Is there anything more?" Crina asked.

Jacque shook her head. "That's the end of this volume. She closed the book and looked on the spine. Volume III, it read. "I need volume four."

They all began searching through the books on the floor and the shelves.

"Got it," Sorin announced a minute later. He handed the heavy tome to Jacque.

She opened it and began skimming. Everyone waited. Finally she snapped it shut.

"Nothing! No name, just mentions of an unknown witch leaving her mark across the world."

"What was her mark?" Fane asked his mate.

"Supernatural deaths. And don't think I'm not noticing that there is a whole slew of “sups” out there that you didn't bother to mention, wolf-man." Jacque glared.

Fane held up his hands. "If I remember correctly, Luna, you told me you wanted to stick with just werewolves."

Jacque growled. "And since when do you give me what I want?"

Fane chuckled. "I'm learning."

She rolled her eyes and continued to sift through books and papers.

For several hours they continued to search for information on the witch. Every now and then, one of them would run across something and read aloud to the group and then continue on in silence. Night had fallen by the time Jacque decided she could no longer ignore her aching stomach.

"I'm starving. Anyone else ready for some food?"

"I'm with you," Crina said as she stood up from her spot on the hard floor. She stretched her arms over her head and let out a loud yawn.

The others muttered in agreement and all headed back to the surface of the mansion.

"So,Wadim, you don't remember this witch's name that survived this purge?"  Jacque spoke in between spoonfuls of the hot soup Jacque and Crina had thrown together.

"I feel like I should remember it, but it's just not there." His voice was thick with frustration. He had been trying to fill the blank spaces in his mind since the day the others had arrived, but nothing helped.

Jacque shook her head and growled. "I swear, if I ever get my hands on the wicked witch I'm going to witch-slap her."

Crina snorted atJacque's change-up of the phrase, nearly sucking her drink up her nose.

"Good one." She smiled at Jacque.

Jacque winked with a chuckle. "It was weak, but I'm trying." She looked over to Fane. "Has your father heard anything from the others?"

"No. When I spoke with him earlier he said things have been quiet. Although, he said every now and then he has been feeling some pain seep through the pack bond to him. He thinks it has something to do with Dec and Jen. Something has happened, but there isn't anything he can do. He didn't say, but I can tell he is getting restless not being able to take action. His wolf is agitated with the pack being so divided."

"Well, I'm going back down to do some more searching before I call it a night," Jacque announced as she finished her meal.

"Luna, I think you need rest. We have been going through book after book. You need a break."

"I will take a break when I find that witch's name," she snarled at him, which was not like her at all. Snappy, yes – snarly, not so much.

When Fane stood and growled at her, stepping close, she took a few steps back.

"Don’t," she whispered. "Don't pull that Alpha crap on me, Fane. Not now."

Fane could hear the hurt in her voice. He took her by the hand, and without looking back at the others, said, "We will be going through the documents." The unspoken message was everyone else was to get some rest and leave the prince and his mate be.

Fane walked briskly back down to the archives, never looking behind him as he held Jacque's hand, towing her along. When they finally reached the room they had spent the last eight days in, he turned abruptly and pressed Jacque against the wall. She let out a sharp gasp at the quick move. Her breathing increased when Fane continued to press forward, their bodies touching from toes to chest.

"Why do you question me, Luna? It's my job to take care of you." Fane's voice was low as he spoke directly into her ear. His lips grazed the sensitive flesh with each movement.

Jacque closed her eyes against the sensation.

"I'm a grown woman, Fane. I can decide when I need to sleep," she ground out through her gritted teeth, bracing herself against the desire that began to simmer as her mate placed one hand on her lower back and pulled her even closer. His other hand went to her chin, tilting her face up to his. He stared into her eyes and she watched as his began to glow brighter and brighter blue.

"Fane." His name on her lips was a plea.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. She didn't respond right away and he growled low at her. Jacque responded to this by running her hands through his hair as she deepened the kiss. When Fane let go of her chin and placed his hand on her hip, under her shirt, his warmth  sent a shock through her and  she moaned into his mouth. Fane pulled back abruptly, his own breathing heavy.