Captive By Night: A Dardanos, Co. Taken Collection

by Calle J. Brookes

  “What wrongs?” Rand’s words were almost a growl. “You took part of my family, we took some of yours.”

  The Dardaptoan king sat back with a cold smile on his face. “I’m talking about your grandfather. We want him.”

  “No.” Rand stood and paced in front of the large table. “We’re not turning over an eighty-year-old man to be tortured by your people.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Kindara paced around the small sitting room where Emily had led them earlier. “What is there to negotiate? We go home. You two choose to go or stay. Pretty simple, right?”

  “With the men in my family, especially Rand, it’s never that simple. Rydere wants my grandfather.” Emily slid a mug of tea into Kindara’s hands. “I don’t know if Rand will agree.”

  “Do you agree?” Kindara asked the smaller woman. She and Emily had grown closer as Kindara would check on the wounds inflicted to the king after the Lupoiux attack. They understood each other, and as Emily made greater inroads in taking over the duties that had been Kindara’s as the highest ranking female, Kindara suspected they’d become much closer.

  “I say tie him up with a bow and hand him over for what he’s done.” Mallory ran a hand over Jierra’s shoulder. “Never did like the old bastard.”

  “I agree with you there,” Emily said. “But I’m sure Rand will want something of equal value for his side, our side, their side. Dammit—whose side am I supposed to be on again?”

  “Good question.” Mallory looked over her shoulder toward the room the men occupied. “Anybody else think this is totally ridiculous and archaic, and that if anyone needs to be negotiating our future it’s us?”

  “Exactly my thoughts.” Emily smiled a grim smile. “I say we storm the battlements and demand what we want. Who would know better? Kinney, you in?”

  “Of course.” Finally, it was action. “But I will warn you, I’ve never seen a group of more hardheaded male idiots in four hundred years.”

  “Then it’s time they were brought down a bit.” Mallory led the way.

  ****

  The door opened and three determined women entered, stopping the argument in progress.

  Rathan’s attention jerked toward his female as she stood between the two Taniss women. It wasn’t hard to see the determination on their pretty faces.

  The three Dardaptoan males and their king stood, bowing respectfully, first toward Emily then Kindara and Mallory. The king took his queen’s hand and pulled her to his side of the table. The Dardaptoan on the king’s left immediately moved to let Emily have his seat.

  “We’ve decided that we have just as much at stake in this joke as you...gentlemen.” Mallory took a seat beside the giant Dardaptoan, smirking at him. Rathan hid a smile, knowing Rand’s fiery twin probably gave the male quite a bit of trouble. “So, what’s been decided?” “Mal—” Rand started.

  “Can it. You’re on my list right now.” Mallory shot a glare at her brother. “Kidnapping women? Really, Rand? Ji was probably terrified. How could you do that?”

  “Now’s not the time,” the giant Dardaptoan took Mallory’s hand and pulled it to his mouth. He brushed a kiss across her palm. She quieted, and that surprised Rathan. Mallory was as fiery as her hair most days.

  Emily drummed her fingers on the table after her mate assisted her to her seat. “Here’s what we were thinking. The new facility for Taniss Industries...instead of Aspen, we want it in Dardanos. Mallory will oversee it, along with Uncle Jason, if he’s willing. I want to expand the laboratory and research sections. The Dardaptoan people need medications and that will take research. I would like Kindara to help with that—if she’s willing.”

  Kindara nodded. “Of course. In any way I can.”

  “Wonderful.” Emily smiled. “Josey is already making plans. She has a list of personnel she wants to bring from Denver.”

  “Human?” The king’s reluctance was clear for all to hear.

  “Those that we can trust,” Emily said. “No more than four, but they are our top people. Including Dr. Macgregor—Josey’s partner. Anna will help immensely.”

  “You’re staying with them?” Rand asked, his eyes on his sister.

  Mallory and Emily both nodded. “Yes, it’s where we belong now.”

  “I see.” The wolf stood and began pacing again. “So everything’s settled then? You’re just leaving with them?”

  “Yes.” Emily’s voice was firm. “And Kindara and her daughter. This petty ‘kidnapping the women for revenge’ stops with us. As for Grandfather...”

  Rand released a growl before speaking that had the Dardaptoan males shifting protectively in front of the three females. “First we want proof of what he is accused of. I’m not just turning him over, no matter how much we all despise the old bastard.”

  Kindara pushed her chair back, a hiss escaping as she stared at the wolf. “You want to see proof of what that monster did? Let’s start with these...” She held up her wrists for everyone to see the scars. She spun, pulling the borrowed tee shirt up to her shoulders, revealing the stripes across her back that thirty years hadn’t faded. Thirty decades probably wouldn’t fade them—at least from Rathan’s memory. “Or maybe these will convince you? Or the videos Dhar Rydere has of that bastard and Al Boltier torturing my sister-in-law until she bled to death? She was seventeen years old. Or those of my Rajni as he died watching me being tortured by your grandfather? He held us for three weeks before my brother and Aodhan found us. Found me because I was the only one left! It’s all there, every last minute of it. I’m sure we can arrange for your viewing pleasure. We won’t even mention the videos of what he did to Jierra when she was only a babe!”

  Her voice wobbled, but her posture was determined as she turned back to face the wolf. “Do you think we’ve fabricated this?”

  Mallory stood and wrapped an arm around the smaller woman before Rathan could move. Rathan could easily see how she trembled. “Rand is just being stubborn, Kinney. He’s not seen the pictures that Emily and I have.” She shot a glare at her twin. “He’s not seen the things Grandfather has done. But he will trust that Emily and I have seen enough to be one hundred ten percent convinced that turning him over to be dealt with is the right thing to do.”

  Rathan looked at his friend. The wolf stood, pale and shocked as he stared at Kindara. The room went quiet until Rand nodded. “He’s at the Fort Collins’ home. I want a promise that he won’t be tortured or killed. I’ll send some of my people to collect him.”

  “We are a civilized race.” The king nodded as he spoke. “Our justice system far exceeds the human one. As much as we despise the bastard, we won’t be putting him to death. But he’s killed over a thousand of our people. Our people demand and deserve justice...Kindara more than most.”

  Rathan stood and approached his female, hands reaching to pull her to him and away from Mallory. She shuddered against him, then surprised him by burrowing her face into his chest. Did she even realize it was he who held her? Rathan didn’t know, nor did he care. He pulled her into his lap as he sank back in his chair, whispering soothing words of comfort and ignoring those around them.

  His eyes met the brother’s, not surprised to see a challenge and anger in the man’s expression. Rathan smirked. The Dardaptoan would learn soon enough that he was now the male responsible for Kindara.

  “So it’s decided then? No more kidnapping, or plots of revenge against either our family or against Rydere’s people?” Emily pulled everyone’s attention away from Kindara. She focused on Rand. “This is what we—Mal, Josey, Mickey, and I—want. But we don’t want to lose our family, either. And this fight, it’s not between anyone but Grandfather and the people he’s wronged. We’ll be leaving in the morning for Dardanos. You’re welcome to visit with us. Explain to my father and everyone else that we are fine, and where to find us.”

  “So soon?” It was clear the wolf wasn’t pleased with that news. “We’ll have a lot to discuss regarding the new facility.”


  “You can bring Uncle Jason with you when you visit. I’m sure he wants to see Josey as much as she wants to see him and Jadie,” Emily said. “Bring whomever else wants to come. But we need to get back. Rydere and Kindara especially have duties that demand their presence as soon as possible.”

  Rathan started to protest, state his claim on his female publically. Feminine fingers pinched his side. Her lips brushed his ear as she whispered. “Don’t even think about it, demon.”

  Rathan thought quickly before whispering back. “I will say nothing of my plans or our spawn if you stay exactly where you are. It has been too long since I held you, my pet.”

  She stilled, before giving a small, reluctant nod. Rathan smiled in triumph, eyes meeting the brother’s. He doubted the other male had missed the private exchange between Rathan and his sister, but doubted the brother had caught their words. Just the intimacy between them.

  The brother’s face darkened and he tensed, mouth opening to say something. Before he could speak, the door was flung open and a male Lupoiux rushed in. “Rand! We—”

  Before the male could finish, he sniffed the air, then rushed Kindara’s brother, knocking him to the floor. Furious growls issued from the Lupoiux male’s throat as he fought the Dardaptoan.

  The Dardaptoan was clearly holding his own, releasing a laugh as he took a slash across his chest from a Lupoiux clawed hand.

  Rand pulled the other wolf off the Dardaptoan. “Jason! Back off!”

  The other male was as strong as Mallory’s brother and Rathan reluctantly set his female aside, her scream still ringing in his ears. If someone didn’t stop Jason—Jade and Josey’s father—the older Lupoiux could seriously injure his new son-in-law. Rathan helped Rand pull his uncle away from the Dardaptoan. Jason fought like Rathan expected. “He smells like my daughter! What the hell has he done with her?” Rathan used his superior strength to hold Rand’s uncle until he was subdued.

  The Dardaptoan rose to his feet, wiping blood from his dripping nose. “Wouldn’t you like to know, wolf?”

  Jason growled, long and low. Kindara stepped in front of her brother. She glared at Jason and Rathan. “Enough. Josey is just fine, she’s with Mickey in Dardanos.”

  “Who are you?” Jason’s tone held clear threat and Rathan resisted the compelling urge to kill the man for even daring to speak to her that way. And Jason was his friend.

  “This is my brother you just tried to kill. But like I said, Josey’s just fine. If you don’t believe me, ask your nieces.” Kindara waved toward Mallory and Emily. “As you can see, they’re in one piece.”

  He jerked his head in the direction she indicated, surprise hitting his face when he saw the two young women standing behind two of the Dardaptoan males. Jason’s face softened and the tension in his broad shoulders released. “Emmy. Mal. My God, girls...”

  Rathan released the wolf and Mallory and Emily threw themselves into his embrace. It was obvious he cared for them a great deal, something Rathan had long known. He placed a kiss first on Emily’s forehead, then Mallory’s. “We were so worried.”

  “We’re fine,” Emily told him. “So are Josey and Mickey. Everything’s fine and this madness all ends today.”

  Rand grabbed his uncle’s shoulder. “Jay, what are you doing up here?”

  The older wolf darkened again. “I came to warn you.”

  “What?” Rand tensed as did Rathan.

  “Forty Lupoiux from the Redd Gothan pack are coming from the north and east sides of the mountain. They’ve got one purpose in mind—annihilating all the people on this property. How many do you have here?”

  “Fourteen Lupoiux, plus what’s in this room, Jade, and another Dardaptoan female. I sent everyone off property because of the Dardaptoans’ arrival.”

  “We’ve got less than an hour, I expect, until this place is overrun. I made good time getting here, but I knew the way.” Jason released his nieces and turned toward Rand fully.

  “Twenty-four people on property now. Eleven of them female...Jade’s the only human, now.” Rand’s face held his rage.

  “Evacuation.” Jason nodded before looking at the Dardaptoans. “I suggest you all leave now unless you want to wait around until it gets ugly.”

  Kindara’s brother gave a feral grin, far more wolfish than any expression of Rand’s. “Bring’em on. I love puppy-fights. And I have a personal grudge against the Redd Gothan pack. They attacked your daughter and Emily two weeks ago. I want as many of their pelts as I can collect.”

  The Dardaptoan king cleared his throat, immediately drawing attention in his direction. “We have space in our helicopters for your people. We can and will offer sanctuary in Dardanos. And you’ll be able to visit with Emily and the others while you work out the details of Emily’s plans.”

  “But we’ll need to leave immediately.” Rand nodded though all had no trouble sensing his reluctance. Rathan knew it went against the wolf’s instincts to run from a fight; had they not had females to protect he and Rand would have enjoyed the battle.

  The king nodded to the male on his left, the one introduced as the healer Barlaam. The male left, presumably to speak with the helicopter pilots. “Gather your people. I want to send the first helicopter in thirty minutes, and I want all the women aboard. They won’t stand a chance against a Lupoiux attack. And they will be after Emily and Kindara the most.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Rathan reluctantly left his female to her brother’s care before going on a scouting mission of his own. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Jason, but he’d be able to flash in and see the exact plot of the Redd Gothan pack. It had been one of theirs that had attacked Kindara earlier, and Rathan felt the need for vengeance against the pack burning a hole in his gut. He wanted to slaughter them all—and theoretically he could. It was only hundreds of years’ worth of control keeping him from doing that. No creature could upset the balance in that manner without repercussions.

  He flashed to the woods surrounding the band of Lupoiux, keeping in half-form so that they could not see him. Why had the Lupoiux chosen this mountain and this time to attack? It was not unheard of for rogue packs to attempt to steal another pack’s territory. But the Taniss pack was unlike any Rathan had ever seen. They weren’t transient and weren’t related by blood. Rand and his uncle had somehow pulled a group of about sixty wolves together consisting of small packs and rogues in search of permanency. The Taniss pack was now thriving, and Rand was the head of it.

  Rathan had little trouble identifying the Redd Gothan alpha; he was bigger than the rest though his coat was just as ragged as his companions’. This pack had little money, little resources, and appeared to be mostly unmated males. Criminals? Or merely nomadic? Rathan watched them for a while, counting wolves carefully. Jason had underestimated—there were more than fifty.

  Did they think they could just kill everyone at the Taniss compound, then assume it for themselves? They must be very young wolves—or very dumb ones.

  The alpha seemed to be waiting for something. Rathan flashed closer as the wolf changed into human form. He wasn’t an intimidating male, stood barely six foot in Rathan’s estimation. He was dirty, and the pants he’d fashioned himself were of poor quality and dingy color. There was nothing remarkable about this alpha wolf. That he had thought to challenge Rand Taniss was another clear sign this wolf possessed little common sense.

  A trio of males in human form stepped into the clearing, pushing a young male dressed in the clothing Dardaptoans preferred. His garments were white, a sign he was of a royal blood. He wore the orange sash identical to the one Rathan had seen on the Dardaptoan king and on Emily, denoting a relationship to the king. Rathan flashed dangerously closer. If a Lupoiux were to step in his direction, his outline would be seen, if one stepped into Rathan, it would prove extremely painful, even deadly—for Rathan.

  The alpha approached the Dardaptoan and circled him twice before speaking. “You owe my pack a considerable amount of money.”

&nb
sp; “Do I?” The Dardaptoan’s voice held clear disdain for the Lupoiux. Rathan was confused—why would a royal Dardaptoan owe money to an obviously shabby Lupoiux pack? The hatred and animosity between the two races was extraordinary. “But you attacked the wrong damned woman!”

  “Blonde woman, white clothes, green sash, in the gardens, with a dog. That’s who was there, and that’s who we got.” The alpha shrugged. “I lost six of my pack that day. You owe us for that job.”

  “But it wasn’t completed successfully. So why should I pay you more than what I gave you five weeks ago?” The Dardaptoan held obvious contempt for the wolves and Rathan wondered just how stupid the youth had to be to act so badly in front of so many dangerous animals.

  “Because if you don’t, we’ll kill you and dump your body on your king’s doorstep.” The wolf spoke of killing with complete disregard for life and that was chilling to Rathan. Would they kill the youth?

  Before that could happen, Rathan acted. He materialized by the youth and wrapped his arms around the Dardaptoan’s neck. He flashed back to the Taniss compound, pulling his new captive through the flash with him.

  He wanted answers and fast, because one thing stood out in his mind—Kindara was a blonde woman, who’d worn white clothes tied with a green sash.

  ****

  Kindara was arguing with Cormac when she heard a tell-tale pop that signaled the demon had returned.

  She instinctively stiffened, though she fought the urge to look at him. What was it about him that drew her? Was it just because he was an Incubus and preyed on females of any humanesque species? Or was it him?

  The surprise and tension that encompassed the occupants of the small garden house beside the helicopter pads had her turning to him. Her eyes landed on the Dardaptoan, who’d been one of her daughter’s playmates Jierra’s entire life. “Jambu? What—”

  The demon cut her off and then stopped her when she stepped toward them. “Kindara, I thought you’d have left by now.”