"There''s something else in there with him," Damon said, his voice low and tense. "I can feel it. Someone must have known he''d be locked up here. That''s why he hasn''t healed. The packhouse itself holds no magic, but..." He raised his hands, pressing against an unseen barrier beyond the silver bars. "It''s overwhelming in here. We have to get him out."


    "No!" Luna Sam sprang up, her eyes wide with rm as she moved to block Owen. "You can''t do that. He''ll run. We''ve tried everything, and two of our warriors were badly hurt just getting him inside."


    “Ma''am, with all due respect," Owen said firmly, "he''ll die if he stays any longer. I''m surprised he''ssted this long. He''s being poisoned by magic."


    Luna Sam staggered, her knees nearly giving way, and I caught her before she fell. "What?" she gasped, her voice trembling.


    "We have a lot to discuss," I said softly, "but first, we need to focus on Junior. Call some warriors and your healers. Make sure no one under twenty-one is involved." She nced at me, her eyes searching. "That''s the only rule we have right now. Even I''m feeling the effects. Sebastian and Richard are finishing their patrol and will join Owen and Damon shortly. They''re witches from the Verdant Coven, currently assisting ck w with a magic problem that seems to have spread into your pack as well. Like I said, there''s a lot to talk about. Let''s head upstairs. I want a healer to check on you first, then we''ll get Junior out. This won''t be easy to watch, and I can''t have your motherly instincts interfering no offense." I half-supported her as we made our way to the stairs.


    Before we ascended, I asked Owen and Damon if they had everything needed to contain whatever was affecting Junior. They nodded grimly and began their preparations. Luna Sam and I moved upstairs.


    Passing through the kitchen, I grabbed two sses of water for her. She drank both quickly, and color slowly returned to her pale face. I wanted to get her some food, but more than that, I needed to keep her as far away from Junior as possible while they extracted him from the cage. He was going to resist fiercely, and they''d have to subdue him—something that wouldn''t be easy. I decided to wait for Sebastian and Richard to arrive so I could share the information carefully and give further instructions through the mind link.


    "This is the worst I''ve seen so far," I told them quietly. "You''ll have to restrain him so Owen and Damon can do their part. Use whatever''s necessary to keep him still- silver cuffs, even breaking his legs if you must. He''ll heal. I''m keeping Luna Sam in her room until I get the all-clear from you."


    "Yes, sir," came their voices in unison.


    "They''re going to have to hurt him, aren''t they?” Luna Sam''s voice cracked as she leaned against me, tears threatening to spill.


    "Maybe a little," I admitted, trying to keep my tone hopeful. "He''s gotten so strongtely. This might be the only time I regret how much training we put him through. Let''s get you upstairs. You need to rest. He''s going to need you after this. We don''t know what''s going on inside his mind right now. He might not even realize what''s happening to him, but I''m afraid he''s trapped inside his own head—and that can break even the strongest leaders."


    She hesitated for a moment, then allowed me to guide her to her room. I waited quietly in the hallway as she showered and changed. When she finally let me back in, she wordlessly led me to a couch and climbed into her own bed without a word. I stood watch silently, ready for whatever wasing next.