My Champion (Bewitched and Bewildered Book 7)

by Alanea Alder

  "What on earth happened?" she demanded, kneeling down beside the healer.

  Tarragon tore his eyes from his patient to look up at her furious. "I'm assuming one of the Founding Family members got a gouge or two in during the brawl. I need supplies." He blinked. "You have access to Level One, don't you?" She nodded. "Can you run down and get some bandages and supplies?"

  "Of course."

  Tarragon turned to Emeric. "I need you. Can you apply pressure?"

  Emeric shook his head. "No, I'm sorry, I'm assigned to her."

  Tarragon looked at him. "I will lose this patient if I don't get some help."

  She laid a hand on Emeric's shoulder. "Apply pressure, that is an order. I will be right back."

  Before he could answer, she dashed away. She flew down the transport tunnel and hurriedly walked through Level One to Broderick's laboratory. She was halfway down the hallway when she felt an overwhelming sense of dread.

  She looked around and didn't see anything. She took a few uneasy steps and thought she heard steps behind her. She turned again and there was nothing.

  Not taking any chances, she reached for her walkie-talkie. Just as she pressed the button, pain exploded at her back of her head. She saw stars and then darkness.

  *****

  When her eyes opened, she groaned; her head was killing her. She looked around, trying to identify where she was. The overwhelmingly strong astringent smell almost choked her. When she put her hands on the floor to stand up, they became soaked in liquid. She looked around, fear taking over.

  Broderick's lab had been completely destroyed. In the back of the room, where the cabinets lined the wall, smoke billowed up from behind the long lab table.

  She smelled her hands and knew she was covered in chemicals. It wouldn't be long before she too would end up like this room.

  She went to the door, tried the doorknob, but it would not budge. She threw her shoulder against it and nothing. It was almost like it had been locked from the outside. She was looking out the window for help when a face appeared in the pane. She jumped back, startled.

  The face was twisted in anger, eyes red. Was this the feral that they were looking for? Her eyes narrowed.

  "Marcus?" she asked. He snarled, an evil smile on his lips.

  "Marcus, what are you doing here?" she demanded.

  "You are not my boss, not anymore. I came here to get even. I heard your little conversation with Law outside your office. I figured I would have ample opportunity to get even here. Then they found me and gave me a bigger purpose. They said they would make me a prince, and I believe them."

  "Believe who? What in the hell you talking about? Get me out of here."

  "No, you need to die. You need to be destroyed along with the lab. Enjoy your death," he sneered and then walked away.

  She pounded on the steel door. "Marcus! Marcus!"

  She reached for her belt but both her cell phone and her walkie-talkie were gone. She inhaled again and began to choke; the smoke was quickly filling the room. She leaned against the door and slumped down.

  "Declan, where are you?"

  *****

  Declan was racing around with Adriel, making sure that those who were injured had received treatment and that the frightened families were settled. Everyone was concerned. Old wounds had been ripped open by the prejudices shown by the Founding Families. Surprisingly, his brother was at his side every step of the way. He took his cue from Declan and cajoled and joked with not only the wolves but also the other vampires.

  He watched as the people around him slowly begin to relax and accept his brother. He had probably made more progress in the past thirty minutes with him than he had the past thirty years on his own. They made their way back over to where Magnus and Adriel stood comparing notes.

  The fair began to kick off once again, mostly to keep the children calm and to lighten the atmosphere. The music resumed, and the games handlers were calling out about prizes once again.

  "Well?" Magnus asked.

  Adriel sighed, looking exhausted "Tarragon and Emeric are working on a wolf. It looks like he was gouged, just like Declan was. Might have been Andre. The wolf did not see who did it. I am not sure we have enough evidence to track the assailant down."

  Declan nodded, then turned to Adriel.

  "Emeric?" he asked.

  "Yes," Adriel replied looking confused at Declan's urgent tone. Behind them, Law began cursing.

  "Who's with Kari?" Declan asked.

  Magnus paled.

  "Where is Kari?" Declan demanded.

  Everyone began to look around.

  "Kari!" Declan yelled.

  "Fire," Meryn said simply, her eyes slightly unfocused.

  Everyone was still calling out for his mate and speaking at once, but Declan had locked in on Meryn. No one was paying her any attention except for him and Ryuu. Ryuu stood behind Meryn, his eyes concerned.

  "Denka?" he asked.

  "Fire," she repeated.

  This time, Grant and Etain spun and looked at Declan. Adriel turned slowly, a look of horror on his face. His unit brothers knew what his nightmare had showed him.

  "Kari," he whispered. "Where is she?" he asked

  "Broderick's lab," Meryn answered, still looking dazed.

  Law grabbed him by the arm, and they ran together. Using his magic, Law got them down to Level One, and they raced down the hallway.

  At the end of the hall, they reached the door, only to see tendrils of smoke escaping tiny cracks. The lab had been made impenetrable and sealed. He tried the door, but the handle wouldn't even turn.

  "I need somebody with access!" he screamed.

  "Right behind you," Magnus put his hand on the biometric lock, and still it wouldn't turn.

  "Hold on," Law ordered.

  He closed his eyes and his hand began to glow. After a few seconds, Declan heard the tumblers turn and the door was unlocked. He tried the door again, but nothing happened.

  Roaring, he felt his body completely expand. Bones began to crack as he grew taller and wider. His face began to form a muzzle. His teeth began to thicken and lengthen. His mane, which had been at his shoulders earlier, was now to his waist. A light gold fur covered his arms and his hands became black claws.

  He dug the claws into the steel door and pulled, ripping it off the hinges. The people behind him cleared the way, and he threw the door down the hallway. Slumped to one side, Kari's small, pale body lay motionless on the floor.

  Declan reached into the smoke, pulling her out. Around him, everyone began to cough. Law began to chant low, and soon, a bright light appeared, chasing away the smoke and putting out the flames.

  "Kari!" Declan roared his frustration and fear.

  Hands reached for her and he swiped his claws at them.

  "Declan, you need to let us help her. She is not breathing," Magnus ordered.

  He hissed and shook his head. They were trying to take his mate away. He snarled at everyone until he smelled something familiar. An arm was thrust under his nose. Pride. He looked up. His older brother stood over him, his eyes turned yellow and his hair billowing around him.

  Though not in third form, Rex had also expanded with his own fear. He gently pulled Kari away from Declan, and Declan let him. This was family, this was his blood, and his blood would not hurt his mate.

  Immediately, Rex began CPR. He breathed into her mouth and began chest compressions. Anytime, someone tried to get near, Declan swiped at them. After a few moments, Kari began to cough. Relief flooded his body. He pulled her into his arms, muttering her name over and over and over again.

  She blinked up at him. "I am okay; I knew you would come."

  She ran a hand over his muzzle, taking in every whisker. Her eyes were dancing with laughter. "I am not saying I could deal with this every day, but it is not so bad," she teased.

  Relief and gratitude chased away the change. Declan felt his body shrinking back to normal again. He wrapped her in his arms and pulled her bod
y between his legs and kept her caged there. "I'm never letting you out of my sight."

  "What happened?" Magnus demanded

  She gasped and turned to the Prince. "It was Marcus."

  "Marcus!" Law exclaimed behind them.

  She turned to her brother. "Yes, he is feral. He said something about serving a bigger purpose and that they would make him a prince. I am not sure what he was promised, but he came here after me. He is insane."

  "I'll deal with him after I deal with Emeric," Law promised directly.

  Kari shook her head. "You cannot get mad at him."

  "Like hell, I can't!"

  "You cannot, because even you said it yourself: They take orders from us, and I ordered him to help Tarragon to save the wolf shifter."

  "His priority was you," Law argued.

  "He was following chain of command as he was trained to do. Now, if you want to change the way teams are run, that is up to you, but this was my fault, not his."

  Law took a deep breath and inclined his head. "I don't like it, but you're right. He only did as he was ordered. So after I find and destroy Marcus down to the cellular level, I will get together with our teams and establish a new set of rules." He glowered at her. "One where the safety of our charges are not compromised by orders from said charges."

  She winced. Declan hissed at Law. Law growled right back. She could tell the two men were still fighting their own fear. She twisted her body to stand, but Declan growled, shaking his head. She took his face between her hands

  "Are we going to live here in the hallway?" she asked.

  He just gave her a helpless look. She put her hands on either side of his face and pulled him close, capturing his lips. He stiffened in surprise for a moment and then took over. She could feel his fear and desperation as he dominated her mouth, so she allowed him. When he pulled away and tucked her head under his chin, she let him. She knew his lion needed this, and frankly, so did she. With her still in his arms, he easily stood, carrying her weight. Rex was immediately at his side.

  "Hey, little sister," he said. "Let us get you to Tarragon or to Doc St. John to look you over."

  "Oh, I am fine," she refuted. "As soon as I began to breathe in the smoke, I shut my body down. Vampires do not really need to breathe that much."

  Declan blinked. "Thank the gods."

  "How did you know where I was?" she asked.

  "Meryn," Law, Rex, Magnus, and Declan replied at once.

  "Miraculous little midget," Kari whispered.

  "I'm not a midget," Meryn protested as she walked down the hallway with Aiden.

  "I did say you were miraculous too," Kari pointed out.

  Meryn eyed the blackened room, looking a bit shocked.

  "There was a fire just as you predicted," Law said. "So empathy and premonition. What a delightful little enigma you are, Meryn."

  She shrugged. "That sounds like something Kendrick would say."

  Law shrugged lazily. "Of course, he thinks like I do."

  True to his word, Declan didn't let her out of his sight. In fact, he didn't even let her feet touch the floor for the rest of the afternoon. He walked around with her in his arms. Aiden or Adriel gave the order, and the unit warriors dispersed, searching for Marcus.

  "How the hell is he getting around the city?" Declan growled.

  Adriel winced. "We have been running lifts up and down the transport tunnel all afternoon for the families on the lower levels to come up to Level Six. Since it acts as a platform, anyone could have gotten on."

  "Ferals smell, do they not?" Kari asked. "People would have known they were standing next to one, right?"

  Aiden and Adriel exchanged uneasy glances. "Not necessarily," Aiden volunteered. "They have a new device that allows them to walk unnoticed in a crowd."

  "What? That is impossible." Kari felt fear swirl around her heart.

  Magnus shook his head. "I will get you up to speed later."

  They stayed long enough for the fair to begin wrapping up. Making their excuses, everyone returned to Level One. Avery refused to leave her side and hadn't stopped shaking since she had told him what happened. Warrick sat on the other side of Avery gently rubbing his back.

  Only when Kari was safely ensconced on Magnus' antechamber sofa with Avery and Warrick, did Declan allow himself to walk away. He and Law were in the corner discussing how they were going to find Marcus.

  Emeric looked like his puppy had been killed in front of him. He kept shooting her guilty looks. She crooked her finger, and he walked over to sit in the chair beside her.

  "Cher, I am so sorry," he stared down at his folded hands in his lap.

  "Do not be," she said quickly. "It was not your fault." Law looked over, still scowling. She stuck her tongue out at him. "You did as I asked you to do. You are trained to follow my orders because I set priority, and in the moment, that man's life mattered more than me going down to get bandages. So it is not your fault Emeric. You did exactly as you were trained."

  "More men will be arriving soon to assist," Rex volunteered. "There will be more than enough people here to protect the ladies."

  "So now we have two ferals running around the city," Bethy whispered, her eyes fearful.

  Gavriel held her close. "We will find him."

  "I found the fucker!" Meryn crowed suddenly startling everyone.

  Immediately, all eyes were on her. Standing behind Meryn, Nigel and Neil high-fived each other as Meryn continued to tap away on her laptop.

  "That's impossible," Law protested. He stalked over to see what she was doing.

  "No it's not; it's technology. You know, the thing you suck at?" A tiny finger pointed to a small white face on the screen. "Level Six, he's trying to blend in, but I'm using facial recognition software. I pulled his picture from the profile that Kari has on her company employee page. In fact, if you take a walkie-talkie, I can tell you if he moves."

  Aiden threw Law a walkie-talkie, and he and Declan ran out the door. Kari and Avery stood and walked up behind Meryn. It wasn't a minute later that, using the camera surveillance, they saw Law and Declan running through Level Six. The people, seeing them coming, quickly got out of the way.

  Marcus reached into a pocket to grab something, and Declan tackled him. Law was there not a second later and cast a spell. Marcus was now immobile.

  "Geeks save the day!" Meryn celebrated.

  "Every time I think that you have finished surprising me, you turn around and impress me further," Magnus said.

  She looked up, blushing at the praise. Her attention turned back to the monitor. Kari's knees gave out with the relief. Instantly, Rex was at her side. She smiled her thanks up at him, and he winked. Avery wrapped his arm around her waist from her other side as Warrick placed both hands on her shoulders to steady her.

  "That is gonna hurt tomorrow," Meryn said, giggling.

  Kari's attention turned back to the monitor. Declan had Marcus by the ankles and was dragging him around the furniture, the stalls, and every sharp corner of Level Six, heading toward a transport tunnel. At one point, he stopped and pointed down at Marcus. Law shook his head, and Declan mouth opened and he hissed.

  "Poor Simba is mad he can't kill him," Meryn said, laughing.

  Before they continued their walk, Law waved a hand and Marcus' mouth opened in a silent scream. He then began thrashing around in agony causing Declan to lose his grip. Looking a bit mollified, Declan reached down to grab his ankle again. He bounced Marcus' body between two wooden stalls a few times, knocking his head about before they resumed their march back to the transport tunnel. Kari turned to Magnus and Adriel.

  "I would get that detention cell ready if I were you."

  Adriel was on the walkie-talkie in moments, calling down orders for the warriors to create a guard shift at the detention cells.

  "One down, one to go," Meryn said.

  "Seriously, from your lips to the gods' ears," Kari murmured.

  *****

  Later that evening,
two lion shifters arrived from Éire Danu through the portal. They immediately checked in with Rex, and Declan introduced them to Kari. They were his first cousins Broden and Ramsey Lionhart. Ramsey smiled at her warmly as Broden winked at her cheekily, eliciting a snarl from her mate. She now had three shadows. Rex was not taking any chances with her. Though she felt like she was being a bit smothered, she never wanted to live through what she had again. Not just for herself, but also for Declan, she never wanted to see her mate that afraid again.

  The guards handed something to Rex. Rex, in turn, presented it to Declan, who clapped his brother on the shoulder.

  "What is that?" she asked him.

  "I'm going to show you. Are you up to taking us to Unit Level? I can get a transport escort."

  "Declan, I am fine." She took his hand. They floated up to the Unit Level.

  "So what is it you are going to show me?"

  "Not yet, we have to be in the house."

  They walked in, and Kari kicked off her shoes.

  "Okay, so..."

  "Not yet"

  They made their way up stairs to the long stretch of hallway. He stood in front of a blank wall.

  "Okay?" she asked.

  He winked at her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small stone. He set it on the wall and whispered a melodic phrase. The stone began to expand until it formed a beautiful archway, and within the archway stood a wooden door.

  "What is that? she asked.

  "You'll find out."

  She nodded, more curious than scared. Declan opened the door, and it swung wide. Kari couldn't help the reaction she had next.

  Tears began streaming down her face. She covered her mouth with both hands. On the other side of the door was her condo. Sobbing, she ran forward. She was home. Just exactly how she'd left it.

  Declan followed her through and shut the door behind them. On her side of the portal there wasn't a stone archway with a wooden door; it was a standard door with white trim and satin nickel hardware. It fit perfectly with the decor in her house and, like in Declan's house, the portal had popped up in an empty space in the hallway. It simply looked like another bedroom door. "This is impossible!" She twirled, taking in every sight. How could she possibly be home? "Declan, what is this?" she asked.