“What about Courtney?” Tatiana spoke up.
So much for no one arguing the point, Dominic thought on a sigh.
“I’m the only person, other than Steven, who is even remotely qualified to help her. With all due respect, Richard, I feel that I should stay behind with Steven and Courtney.”
“No.” Dominic’s eyes glowed, and his fingers dug into her waist. “You will do as Richard says and go to New York with the others.”
“No, I won’t. You might be my mate, Dominic, but you’re not my father or my boss.” Tatiana slipped out of his arms and crossed to Richard. “Look, I know the risks, but I can’t leave Courtney here. Steven is a hot mess, and the guy isn’t thinking straight. If something goes down, I don’t know if he’ll to be able to handle it on his own.” Hands on her hips, she jutted a thumb at Dante. “If you’re so worried, then leave Dante and William with us in the medical suite. They have enough firepower to take out half the state.”
Richard’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Tatiana, clearly weighing his options.
“Your highness,” Dominic said. “You can’t seriously be entertaining this idea?”
“Wait a minute!” Tatiana snapped her fingers and pointed at Richard as an idea bloomed. “I know Steven doesn’t want to move Courtney, and he’s only doing it if he absolutely has to, right?”
“True,” Richard said slowly. “He said he would if danger was imminent.”
“Well, if things get really hairy around here, we will use that blinky thing to get out of here. I mean, they’d find us eventually, but it could buy us time.”
If need be, Tatiana touched her mind to Richard’s and Dominic’s using a protected path, we could go to my home in Oregon, Richard. None of the others know where it is, and we would be safe there, at least for a while.
Hands clasped behind his back, Richard nodded and looked from Tatiana to Dominic.
“Your highness,” Dominic said. “Please don’t listen to this nonsense. She doesn’t know how to use her visualization abilities yet.”
Dominic regretted the words before they were even out of his mouth.
“I’m a quick learner,” Tatiana bit out. She shot him a dirty look and turned her attention back to the prince. “I could do it if I had to. Besides, I won’t be alone. Dante and William would be there too.”
Dominic’s jaw clenched, and his hands balled into fists at his side as held his breath and waited for the prince to make his decision. The others stood in stunned silence, and all eyes were on Richard as he kept his gaze on Tatiana.
“Fine.” Richard flicked his glowing eyes to Dominic. “You have a brave mate, Dominic. You should be proud.” Richard looked at his watch. “Kerry, you should go now and join Salinda.”
“Yeah, about that,” Kerry said on a sigh. “I’ll be with Tatiana. She might need psychic backup, so since none of you have that particular ability, I’ll be sticking around too.”
Richard let out a weary sigh and ran one hand through his hair as he held Kerry’s gaze briefly before looking to Dante for help.
“She’s not wrong, Richard.” Dante wrapped his arm around Kerry’s waist. “We might need her help. Besides, I learned a long time ago that arguing with Kerry is pointless. Once she has made up her mind about something, that’s it.”
“Fine.” Richard’s face grew serious. “Dante, you and Kerry will go with Tatiana to the medical suite, but if you get even a whiff of a Purist, then you get the hell out of there. I don’t care how much Steven protests. You leave and take him and Courtney with you.”
“We better get this show on the road, Richard,” Zachary said. He nudged Daniella toward Dominic. “She’s all yours, dude. Bye, sweetheart. It’s been real.”
“Shut up,” Daniella seethed.
“Hold on.” Dominic extended one arm but didn’t take his eyes off Tatiana. “I need a minute.”
“Oh Christ,” Daniella groaned. “Spare us the sappy good-bye.”
Dominic’s eyes shifted to the glowing amber eyes of his tiger, and he growled a warning over his shoulder to his sister, silencing further comments. He took Tatiana’s hand and led her to the other end of the arena, which was the most private spot he could find given the circumstances.
Looking into her eyes, his heart hammered in his chest as his worst fears bubbled to the surface. What if she was hurt or needed him, and he couldn’t be with her? What if she was in danger, and he couldn’t get to her in time? Dominic rested his forehead against hers as he cradled her face in both hands.
“You’re a pigheaded woman, do you know that?” he whispered.
“So I’ve heard… but I can’t leave Courtney, Dominic.” Tatiana clasped her hands over his and pressed her lips to his cheek. “So you better come back to me.”
“Does that mean you’ll stay with me, Tatiana?” He pulled back and looked her in the face, and his voice dropped low. “When this is all over, will you commit your life to mine?”
“I guess you’ll have to survive this mess in order to find out,” she said with a smile.
Tatiana pressed her lips to his and kissed him tenderly as one tear rolled down her cheek. The warm liquid trickled over his fingers, and her sweet fragrance filled his head. Dominic suckled her lip and broke the kiss as his mind grazed hers. I’ll come back to you, Tatiana.
Tatiana’s hands curled against his chest and pressed the cool metal of his dog tags against his skin. Dominic linked his fingers around the chain at the back of his neck, removed the precious amulet, and pressed it into Tatiana’s hands. He closed her fingers around it and pulled her hands to his chest as he held her gaze.
“Keep these for me,” he said quietly. “If anything happens to me, then I want to be sure you have them.”
“No.” Tatiana shook her head and tried to give them back. “You always wear these.”
“Now, you do.” Dominic took the chain from her hands and placed it around her neck. He adjusted the shiny tags, nestling them in between her breasts. “They have my energy signature imprinted on them. Just wear them. It will make me feel better, okay? Like a part of me is here with you.”
“Time to go,” Richard said.
Dominic nodded and placed a tender kiss on Tatiana’s lips before turning on his heels and crossing to Daniella and the others.
“I’ll take care of her,” Dante said firmly as he shook Dominic’s hand. “Just make sure you get your ass back here in one piece.”
“Thank you.”
Dominic locked gazes with Tatiana as she stood between Dante and Kerry. Dante uttered the ancient language. In a blast of static, they vanished, but as Tatiana disappeared, her voice touched his mind. I love you, Dominic.
The meeting hall felt far emptier without his mate, but Dominic shoved aside the self-defeating thoughts that threatened his composure and turned his attention to the others.
“We should leave now,” Richard said.
Dominic stilled. “We?”
“Yes.” Richard took one of the guns from Malcolm and checked the chamber for ammunition. “We. You, me, and Daniella.”
“Your Highness,” Dominic began, “I don’t think it’s wise for you to come with me. We all know this could be an ambush, and risking your safety is unacceptable.”
“Dominic,” Richard said with measured patience. “I am almost three times your age, and I possess certain powers you do not. Now, while I know you are an exceptional soldier, I am the leader of the Amoveo. I cannot and will not send one of my men into a situation like this alone. We go together or not at all.”
Dominic flicked a sidelong glance toward Malcolm, who stood between Eric and Zachary.
“Your Highness,” Eric interjected. “I agree with Dominic. If you insist on going, then you should have two Guardians with you.”
“No.” Richard turned his glowing eyes to Eric. “You and Zachary will patrol the property around the main house with Malcolm. The energy signature that’s been detected along the outskirts of the ranch troubles me. My on
e consolation is that it has not been picked up on the main property. I have placed another shield around the house, which should prevent anyone other than Dominic or myself from visualizing themselves inside. I used a different spell, so if they are capable of breaking through, it should take them awhile to figure it out. So I want you three posted outside just in case.” His eyes glowed brightly. “Are we clear?”
“You got it, chief,” Zachary said as he popped a stick of gum in his mouth. Malcolm gave him a look of disapproval, but Zachary’s eyebrows flew up in surprise. “What?”
“Let’s do this.” Dominic grabbed Daniella by the arm and pulled her next to him. He removed his gun from the holster and flipped the safety off as he pointed at her. “Don’t try anything funny. I don’t have any desire to see you harmed, but make no mistake, I will kill to protect the prince.”
Daniella stiffened but said nothing, and though guilt tugged at him for threatening his sister, he meant what he said.
“Take care of the others.” Richard stood on the other side of Daniella with his gun drawn.
“Be careful,” Malcolm said.
“Yes.” Richard glanced at Eric and Zachary briefly before looking back at Malcolm. “You too.”
Dominic closed his eyes and pictured the cool, crisp air of Trapper’s Summit. In his mind’s eye, he imagined the wide-open sky and the bird’s-eye view of the world from the eastern ridge. The smell of dirt, pine, and fresh air filled his head, and as he uttered the ancient language, the three of them slipped through space on a wave of static. Seconds later they materialized on the ridge overlooking the mountains.
With guns drawn and Daniella pinned between them, Dominic and Richard took immediate stock of their surroundings. The mountaintop was bathed in the gentle light of the moon and stars. Dominic gripped the gun tighter and held his sister with his other hand as the sounds of an owl hooting captured his attention.
They’re here. Richard’s voice rumbled into Dominic’s mind. He glanced over his shoulder to see the prince slowly pivot with his gun pointed at the wooded area. His blue eyes glowed brightly in the summer evening as he moved almost imperceptibly. At least three—possibly four.
The sound of twigs cracking and gravel skittering down the edge of the mountain made both men freeze. Even Daniella, usually full of piss and vinegar, didn’t make a sound, and she clung tighter to her brother. As her fingers curled around his arm, a thick, dark energy signature snaked through the air like smoke.
“Moravian’s here.” Dominic stood stone-still and waited, his body rigid with anticipation. He reached out with his mind in search of the source, and there was no mistaking it when his energy signature brushed Moravian’s. “There.”
Dominic swung his gun to the right, where he sensed movement, and a moment later, two pairs of glowing yellow eyes peered down at them from the cover of the trees.
He’s in his clan form, Richard. It’s Moravian and another member of the Falcon Clan. They’re in the tree to my right. I don’t sense any sign of Matt.
There’s another to my left. Richard’s voice was tight and controlled. Bear Clan. Male. Be ready for anything, Dominic. No matter what happens, Moravian doesn’t leave here alive.
“Dr. Moravian,” Richard called out calmly. “I can’t imagine you’re afraid to show yourself in your human form. Hiding in the treetops seems so… sophomoric.”
A blast of static-filled air blew from the tree line, and Dominic sharpened his focus with his gun trained on the ones who approached. Daniella whimpered and shrunk behind Dominic, her body shivering with fear as seconds of silence ticked by.
I can’t believe you’re afraid of him. Dominic touched his sister’s mind sharply. I thought you wanted to get away from us and back with your people.
I don’t have my powers, Dominic. Her voice wavered with fear. I saw what he did to some of the other girls.
Moments later, two men walked out of the trees, revealing themselves in the pale moonlight, and the look of hatred carved into Moravian’s face was nothing short of evil. His bright yellow falcon eyes narrowed as he and the other man, a younger member of the Falcon Clan, took cautious steps forward.
The two stood face-to-face with Richard and Dominic, but Daniella cowered behind her brother. What she said gave him pause, and he wondered if she was as devout a Purist as she claimed to be. Was she really hateful, or was it an act? Did she simply think there was no way to redeem herself?
Dominic’s gut clenched, and he reached back with one hand, keeping her protectively behind him. As he got a clear view of Moravian, it was painfully obvious he was of little threat. Dominic took a closer look and was surprised to see both men looked ill. The doctor most definitely had lost weight, and the boy was clearly undernourished.
They reminded him of fugitives, men on the run with nowhere to turn and few resources. Perhaps the Purist movement really was dying.
You don’t have to go with him if you don’t want to, Daniella. We can figure something out.
Yes, I do. Her voice quivered as it brushed his mind with heartbreaking familiarity. It’s my only option.
“I thought we agreed to no weapons,” Moravian said with a sneer. “And I only expected to have your Guardian here, Richard. Not you.”
“Yes, well, you didn’t come alone either. Your friend from the Falcon Clan is armed, and I’d bet the fellow from the Bear Clan, the one hiding in the woods to my left, is also armed.” Richard shrugged. “I guess we both broke the rules, but given what you’ve been up to, I’d say it’s par for the course.”
“Where is she, Richard?” Moravian barked.
“Looking a bit under the weather, Moravian.” Richard inched closer to Dominic. “What’s the matter, are you and the other Purists having a hard time fending for yourselves since your leader was killed?”
Sweat broke out on Moravian’s brow, and the other man inched behind him bit by bit, but he was still in Dominic’s sights. Fear rippled from their energy signatures, although both tendrils were far weaker than a typical Amoveo pure-blood.
“You don’t care about us or how we’re doing,” Moravian snapped. “Just show her to me now, Richard, or this meeting ends before it gets started.”
Richard and Dominic exchanged looks. He may not have been able to see Daniella completely, but unless the guy was blind, it was relatively obvious she was hiding behind Dominic.
“Where’s Matt?” Dominic asked. He kept his eye on the man with the gun in his hand standing next to Moravian because it was pointed at the prince. “The human. Did you really take him, or is he one of your puppets too?”
Movement to the left caught Richard’s eye, and with the lightning fast reflexes of an elder and a royal Amoveo, he whipped out another gun from the back waistband of his pants and shot into the tree line without looking. A growl and a loud crashing sound followed as the Purist hiding in the woods was shot and killed.
Static crackled in the air as Moravian bellowed his outrage, but Richard swung his guns at the two men. “I suggest you tell your comrade next to you to stand down, Moravian, or I’ll put two bullets in his head.” Richard grinned and cocked both guns. “Or yours.”
“Do as he says, Samuel,” Moravian snapped.
“No, Uncle.” Samuel, his eyes wild with fear, kept his gun on the prince. “I—I won’t leave you unprotected.”
“Do as he says, boy,” Dominic growled. “Or you’ll end up like your friend from the Bear Clan.”
Samuel licked his dry, cracked lips and flicked his gaze between the two men, but eventually, he tossed his gun on the ground and put both hands in the air.
“I’m—I’m right here,” Daniella said in a shaking voice as she stepped out from behind Dominic.
“What the hell is going on?” Moravian seethed. His eyes glowed brighter, and his energy signature whipped around them like a storm. “Where’s my daughter? Where’s Savannah?”
Tension filled the air along with a good amount of confusion.
“What are
you talking about?” Dominic asked as he glanced at Daniella. “We brought you Daniella, like we said we would.”
“No.” Moravian shook with fury as he clenched his hands into fists. “You have my daughter. I know you do, you son of a bitch. You took her when you and your filthy Loyalists stole that pregnant girl from me.”
“Actually,” Richard said slowly, “I told you we had the traitor, and we would give her to you in exchange for Matt. Come to think of it, I never referred to her by name. I only said we had the girl.” Richard’s energy waves rippled faster. “Where is Matt—the human?”
“I don’t have any human,” he sputtered. “I don’t even know who you’re talking about, but I want my daughter back.” Moravian’s eyes glowed as he bellowed with blind outrage. “I know you took her. Where’s Savannah?”
Moravian rushed forward, charging the prince, and at the same instant, a large grizzly burst out of the woods to the left. Richard spun and shot several rounds into the enormous bear, killing him once and for all. Dominic aimed his gun at Moravian, knocked Daniella backward, and squeezed the trigger twice, hitting the good doctor in the chest.
Moravian and the Bear Clan Purist tumbled to the ground, and their bodies skidded to a stop at Richard’s feet. The bear shifted into his human form as the life faded from his body. His head settled next to Moravian’s, and two sets of lifeless eyes stared up at them blankly.
“No,” Daniella screamed as more gunfire tore through the night sky.
In that moment, time seemed to stand still.
When Dominic looked up, Samuel’s rage-filled gaze was all he saw as Daniella launched herself in front of her brother. The bullet slammed into her chest, and the force of the blow sent her flying into Dominic’s arms. He cradled her against his chest and barely registered the second shot as Richard killed Samuel, and the woods fell silent once again.
A gurgling sound escaped her lips as her energy signature sputtered and waned. Dominic pressed his hand against the wound in her chest, like Tatiana taught him, but the blood continued to pump, and he watched helplessly as it seeped through his fingers. Daniella clutched his hand, gasping for air, and winced as pain wracked her body.
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