by Tia Didmon
Laura cleared her throat. “Oh yeah. That.”
Kat stood and put her arm around Laura’s. “Can we talk in the other room?”
Laura steered her toward the kitchen. “I have a couple questions about your tracker.”
Jess waited for the ladies to leave the room before she spoke. “I need to be the mole.”
Dante’s demon surged. “No!”
Valen put a restraining hand on his brother’s chest. “Jessica, if something happens to you then Dante would leave this world. I would end up with his demon for all time. You would condemn Laura to an eternity with the king.”
Jess nodded. “Yeah, I guess you're right.”
Zane looked between Valen and Dante. “Jess, I think we should beef up your security if you continue to work for the PIA.”
Jess gave Zane a dirty look. “I need to stay involved but I will agree to any security measures Jenner puts in place. Technically I’m still at rookie status.”
“If we keep it that way. No one will question the extra protection,” Zane said.
Kiki shook her head. “That isn’t fair. If Jess stays as a rookie then everyone at the PIA will think Jenner doesn’t trust her anymore.”
Jess shrugged. “I don’t care what they think. It may work in Jenner’s favor if it looks like he’s holding me back. They will like the dissension between us.”
“That’s ingenious but the other agents will lose respect for you,” Kiki said.
“I know. I don’t care about them. My family is here.”
Kiki could only admire her long-time friend. Jess knew the value of family. She hoped it was a trait she could learn. “I didn’t want to say anything in front of Laura but I think Kat’s idea is sound. We just need the right woman for the job.”
Jordane took her hand. “You are not...”
She shook her head. “Santon would be all over me before I could infiltrate the stronghold. I doubt I would make it near the Ladon. Jenner destroyed his cartel and his closet ally. He’s hooking up with the Ladon or going on a suicide mission to kill me. I would put Chad in more danger.”
“You were never an option,” Jordane said.
Valen rubbed his chin. “Who would you suggest, Kiki?”
“Diane is the best female agent in LA.”
Jordane pulled her closer to him. “Next to you.”
“She helped Jenner train me. If it wasn’t for her brother, I think she would be head of our department,” Kiki said.
“Why would her brother hold her back?” Valen asked.
“Derek struggles with addiction. He got hooked on opioids after an injury overseas. Diane has had to use her contacts with the PIA to bail him out. She is unbiased about everything except Derek.”
“Would she do this?”
“If Laura and I ask her... yes. She likes me but she adores Laura.”
Valen nodded. “Laura has excellent taste in friends.”
“Diane is more of an acquaintance. She holds herself back from everyone. Even more than I do, but she watched out for Laura during basic training.”
The floor clock ticked, echoing in the room before Valen spoke. “Contact her. I’m not agreeing to this but we should discuss the possibility with her.”
Kiki took out her phone, wondering if she had signed a friend’s death warrant.
Kiki sat beside Jordane at the ornate oak table with Dante, Valen and Zane across from them. A hushed oppression saturated the room. “How do you think they will get Chad to help them?”
Valen tapped the glossy finish on the table. “He will help them. It’s in his nature. Those women and babies are close to death. The circumstances won’t matter.”
She hated the feeling of not knowing. All her training and she could do nothing to assist the gentle demon she cared for. “Will they hurt him?”
Valen shook his head. “Doubtful. They need him. He could heal himself from most injuries, anyway.” He rubbed his forehead. “I should have foreseen this. With Dante protected by the warriors. Chad was the most likely target. I fear what they will ask of him.”
Jordane put his hand on Kiki’s thigh. He sensed her frustration. “Chad is strong. He would have been a warrior if...”
“I still can’t believe Chad was supposed to be a warrior.”
Jordane squeezed her leg. “Chad’s father was a warrior. He was training before his tenth birthday. Chad is the person he was meant to be.”
Kiki looked at Jordane’s deep green eyes. “It’s hard to imagine him... fighting.” She looked down when her phone chimed. “Diane is on her way.”
“She will help?” Valen asked.
“Yes, but I haven’t briefed her on the details.”
Valen glanced toward the door. “Where is Laura? She is blocking me. I think she’s distraught and doesn’t wish to worry me.”
Kiki nodded. “She wanted to talk to Charisse to see if there’s a way to lead the Ladon to Diane without raising suspicion.”
Jordane leaned toward her. “You’re concerned. What is it?”
“Charisse said the Ladon have what they want. She isn’t sure they will take the bait. Not even for a new woman. I guess Jenner’s actions have made them wary.”
Valen rubbed his eyes. “That is why Laura’s concerned?”
“Yeah, she didn’t take that update well.”
“I should check on her,” Valen said.
Jess walked into the room. “Kiki, Laura asked if you would meet her in Maddie’s room. I think she needs some girl time.”
Valen frowned. “Should I go to her?”
Jess shook her head. “She is frantic to find Chad. She asked for Kiki. I recommend you let the girls calm her down.” She tapped her neck with a finger.
Kiki stood, recognizing the gesture. “I’m sure she is worried how Chad’s disappearance will affect Maddie. I will talk to her.”
“Thank you,” Valen said.
Kiki left the room, wondering why Jess had used a private PIA signal.
Kiki entered Maddie’s pink bedroom. Laura was sitting on the bed in a black robe, pulling a blanket over the sleeping girl. “I thought you needed help to get Maddie settled but you seem to have it handled.”
Laura stood and removed her robe. She was wearing her black tactical PIA gear. “I do.”
“What’s going on?”
“I am going after Chad. I would go alone but I didn’t want to leave without telling you.”
“Jess knows about this?” Kiki asked in surprise.
Laura shook her head. “Jess would never agree to this. I told her to signal you because I’m upset and wanted you alone with Maddie.”
Kiki raised an eyebrow. “You played Jess?”
Laura looked away guiltily. “She will forgive me.”
She crossed her arms. “You know there isn’t a chance in hell I will let you go alone.”
Laura smirked. “I was hoping you would say that.”
“What if I say no?”
Laura’s face hardened. “I have to retrieve Chad. I’m going with or without you. I’ll explain on the way.”
“The men will freak out when they find you gone.”
Laura pursed her lips. “I have to do this. Valen would never agree, even if I told him the truth.”
“We are risking everything here. You know that right?” Kiki said.
“I do and Valen may never forgive me,” Laura said.
Kiki glanced at the sleeping child. The irony of ignorant bliss wasn’t lost on her. She envied Maddie’s innocence. It was a gift her parents had never given her. “If Valen goes full hulk king on the world, we are all dead.”
“He won’t. I have faith in him. I need you to have faith in me.”
“I have had your back since you started smuggling chocolates into my locker back at the academy,” Kiki said.
Laura’s eyes narrowed. “You’re holding something back. What is it?”
Kiki huffed. “I thought you could only read my mind if I’m touching you?”
“I know you and can tell when you’re concerned. Spill it.”
“There’s a chance Santon will be with the Ladon. Jenner annihilated his family and allies. I don’t think he has anywhere else to go.”
“That occurred to me. I may have to kill him,” Laura said.
Kiki sucked in a breath. “You have never killed. The psychic backlash would incapacitate you. Besides, I’m the weapon, not you.”
Laura looked down. “I don’t suffer from the psychic backlash anymore, not since bonding with Valen, but I have always had the ability to kill. I don’t need a weapon. Is Santon psychic?”
Kiki looked her friend over, seeing her true power for the first time. This is what the PIA saw. What Jenner feared. “No.”
“Then I can crush his mind.”
“You have always had this power?”
Laura nodded. “Yes, but I told no one, not even Jenner. Only Valen knows about my abilities but he is stronger than I am. All blood demons’ posses this ability.”
She let that sink in. “Could the demons have destroyed humanity?”
Laura nodded. “We are so caught up in our superiority. Our strength in numbers that we never considered they could have annihilated us at any time.”
Kiki laughed without humor. “The PIA wants to hunt them and they could have crushed us in our infancy.”
Laura swallowed. “Valen... I mean the king, could destroy every living thing on the planet.”
“And you want to piss him off?”
“I have to.”
Kiki closed her eyes, as nausea rose in her stomach. “Are you sure about this?”
“I believe in him. I believe in us.”
“This will be a total shit storm.”
Laura waited, saying nothing.
“Okay. How are we going to play this?”
Laura nodded. “I have a plan. Jordane will rip the city apart looking for you. He will kill everything in his way. I need to be sure you want this. I can put you asleep, and go alone...”
Kiki stepped up to her. “Not a fucking chance. You know you can’t change my mind and I would Tazer you before you can break my shields and knock me out.”
Laura’s smile was faint. “If I never have time to say this, I love you.”
Kiki turned, feeling the tears burn in her eyes. “Let’s go.”
Jordane watched Valen pace the floor. His eyes flared red as he fought to keep his angry demon at bay. “Valen, you should sit. Your emotions are inciting your demon.”
He sat down but his hand sprouted long claws that gouged five deep grooves in the glossy wood finish before he slammed his fist on the table. “What is taking them so long?”
“Is Laura still blocking you?”
“Yes,” Valen snapped.
“I sense no threat from Kiki, only sadness.”
Valen looked up. “How do you know? You and Kiki do not have a psychic bond.”
“I can sense her emotions through the crystal, especially, when she is so close. They must have told Maddie that Chad was missing. Can you connect with the child? See if she’s distraught?”
Valen stood. His face turned to confusion. “Maddie is sleeping, dreaming. I detect no trauma to her mind.”
Jess looked at her phone when it chimed. “No... oh, no.”
Valen’s head whipped to her. “What is it?”
“Charisse says we have to stop them.”
“Who?”
Jess started toward the door. “Laura and Kiki.”
Jordane was bounding up the stairs before he heard Valen shout. He ran into the pink bedroom. Stunned to find the window open.
Valen was there in seconds, walking toward the sleeping girl. He touched his temple. “She tricked me. My own bride.”
Jordane focused inward, allowing his power to flare out. To connect with the other half of his soul. She met him with love and regret. “Kiki is moving away from us. They are in a vehicle.”
Kat shouted to them. “Hey! Where is everyone?”
They ran down the stairs to the entrance. Valen was in front of Kat in seconds. “Where is she?”
“Who?” Kat said.
“Diane.”
Kat backed up. “I thought she was here. I gave her the tracker at PIA headquarters. She said she’d take it on the way.”
Valen turned to Jordane. “Diane is helping them. She took them the tracker and sent Kat to us.”
“What is going on?” Kat asked.
Valen’s hands turned to claws. “Kiki would never leave Laura and only she can block me. My bride is heading to the Ladon’s Lair and your mate is helping her.”
Jordane felt the betrayal squeeze his chest. His failure monumental. “We will retrieve them.”
Dante put his hand up. “Valen...” He dropped to the floor as the king emerged.
Jess lay down protectively over Dante’s body looking up at the king. “You can’t keep doing this to him.”
The king glanced down at Jess before turning to Jordane. “If my bride dies, we lose everything.” His voice whipped through Jordane’s head like a blade.
Jordane’s pain broadcast to his warriors. A beacon to come to the aide of their leader. The air shimmered as six men materialized between the king and Jordane. He put his hand on his brother’s shoulder, stepping in front of his men. “We will bring them home unharmed. I will chastise my mate for the gravity of this error.”
The king looked over the warriors. “Kiki is not to blame. We are. We treated them like demon females, assuming they would wait for our orders. The PIA trained them. They still react as humans.”
Jordane shook his head. “I should have known Kiki would...”
The king's voice echoed in Jordane’s head. “There is nothing that Kiki won’t do for Laura and only my bride has the power to deceive me.”
His form rippled as his power blasted out in a wave. The warriors dropped, holding their heads, unable to function as the king’s power ripped into all that could hear him. Hear me. I am the king. If my bride so much as receives a scratch, I will reign terror and pain on all living things. This is a promise to you all.
Louise Lestant connected on the open pathway. We do not hide behind women. They’re nothing but a means to reproduce.
The king's power zeroed in on the intruder, clamping down on the insubordinate life force. Louis screamed. Stop!
You forget who I am. You call yourself a Ladon. A Chameleon. I care not. If you touch my bride, you will spend an eternity in pain before I allow your death.
All felt the ripple of fear. The leader of Ladon cowered under the true power of the king. I don’t have her, Louis said.
You took the healer. She seeks to rescue him. The king growled.
I did not. Vorek did. Louis said.
The king's form rippled as he attempted to hold his anger in check. Who is Vorek?
He is Draven’s first born. His group disconnected from you when you announced yourself. He also developed the dampening field we used to protect ourselves. You cannot connect with him.
What does he want with the healer? The king demanded.
He has convinced a small group of Ladon that he is the rightful leader. They abducted a few of the women. He will die for his insubordination. I will not come after your bride. I will come after you. Unlike Vorek, I am not a coward, Louis said.
The king's power rippled in the minds of the demons connected to him. All demons may challenge me. I will abide by our rules for now but I warn you. If she dies. You all do.
Fear rippled through the bond before the king reigned in his power, severing the link to his people.
Jordane looked into the blazing eyes of his king. “You are stronger than any king before you.”
The king’s eyes pulsed red. “You know it took fifty warriors and the death of a prince to kill the previous king. You wonder if you and the few warriors you have left could defeat me if Laura dies.”
Jordane’s warrior flexed, despite being outclassed by the king. “Yes.”<
br />
“The answer is no. Even if you had a hundred warriors, they would be no match for me. If I destroy my brother, I have unlimited power... but that was nature’s intent. I lost one brother. I will not lose another. We will find my bride and the Moretti demons will return to their natural hosts.”
“Valen is still in control.”
The king nodded. “Yes. I am.” He turned toward the door. Jordane felt the power surge but it was light, contained to those within the room with the king. Charisse, come to me now. I decree your council. Do not disobey me.
Charisse’s mind connected with the minds in the room. I’m not stupid Valen, and know what’s at stake. I am approaching the mansion now.
The king motioned to Jordane.
Jordane opened the door before Charisse could knock. He saw the fear his warrior form incited. While he wanted to reassure the innocent demon female, he could not. He followed her to the dining hall where the king waited.
She stopped before entering, looking to Jordane for reassurance.
“Come in, Charisse,” The king growled.
Chapter 14
Kiki flexed her hands, loosening the ties at her wrist. Laura mimicked the action. Both glanced to the front of the van they were traveling in to check the driver and guard weren’t watching them. She leaned over and put her lips to Laura’s ear. “Can you reach Valen?”
Laura shook her head. “The dampener is strong but I don’t want to exert myself trying to overcome it unless I have too.”
“I wonder where they got this technology?”
“I don’t know but it works on the same frequency as the ones we use at PIA headquarters.”
Kiki huffed. “They probably stole the tech from the PIA.”
“They have been shielding those women from the rest of the demon race for centuries. It’s more likely that someone in the PIA got the tech from them,” Laura said.
“Fuck.”
Laura swallowed hard. “You ready?” When Kiki nodded, she doubled over, crying out in pain. “Oh, my god!”
The guard pointed his gun at them. “Keep it down!”
Kiki put her hand on Laura’s back. “Help her. It’s the baby!”
The guard went white. His form dissolved before reforming to its human shape. “She isn’t pregnant. There is no report.”
