Pure Claim

by Marie Johnston

  “Then why am I here?” Bennett was still standing with Alex in the doorway. He’d been so still she almost forgot he was there.

  Rhys’ eyes gleamed. “As commander of one of the Guardian packs, only you can launch a formal complaint against the council itself. One severe enough, it calls for the immediate execution of all members involved.”

  Bennett’s dark-blue eyes brightened with mirth. “I’ll bet those old bastards forgot that little tidbit when they ordered the murders of their own people.” He looked at the twins. “How are you two doing with this?”

  Harrison dropped his eyes, while Malcolm met Bennett’s gaze unflinchingly. “Our father isn’t involved.”

  “What if he is?” Bennett pushed.

  “He isn’t. But if he admits to ordering the murders of women, children, and innocent shifters, then he needs to face his punishment.”

  Sylva cleared her throat. “That’s all well and good. You can lead your people into the future. Does the future include making laws that clan leaders can’t force their daughters to mate? Does the future include making colonies that keep themselves isolated in order to preserve their own internal power face the light? Will the shifters born into isolation be able not to just grow up hearing rumors of a world where we’re free to make our own decisions, but actually experience it?”

  It was the most any of them had heard her speak. The female’s violet eyes lit with more fire, the more she talked. Demetrius cocked his head at her, as if waiting to hear more.

  Emboldened, she continued. “If we can overthrow our own government, we need to dive into the issues that enabled the leaders to gain so much power in the first place. Isolated colonies need education, they need a form of leadership that isn’t just by birthright or might.” Her tone dripped with bitterness. “All of our people need this change.” Her voice caught and her gaze flicked up to Alex. “Not just hybrids.”

  Alex could see the enormity of what Sylva said sink in with the rest of the Guardians. They all knew how many colonies were squirreled away, deep in the woods and forests. They barely blended when forced to, but some clans were very selective on who they let mingle with humans. Even when Alex had to go deal with Madame G’s shifter spies, she saw the toll it took on some inhabitants. Stuck in unhappy matings, not allowed to roam the world and meet their destined love, or even just live freely. Eventually, the lack of a solid mating bond drives a shifter to go feral, crazy. The lack of outside contact, or expression of themselves, was making them go rogue and break away from their own society. Alex had dealt with enough of both of those in her short time.

  It occurred to her that she was probably considered a rogue. A shifter who didn’t follow the rules. The irony that a Guardian was her mate wasn’t lost on her. If overthrowing the council didn’t work, could she live without Rhys and stay sane? She knew what it was like in his arms. Could she walk away from him so he could do his job?

  Bennett ran a hand through his always messed-up hair and blew out a gusty breath. “Y’all, we’d better get started planning before Sarah goes looking for me.”

  *****

  Things didn’t move as quickly as projected. Getting plans made, getting people in place, even getting hold of some of the individuals, took time. Especially when half of those involved couldn’t flash, but had to drive. Bennett was driving from West Creek to the council’s hearing, and the twins were bringing the three former prisoners.

  Rhys was waiting at the cabin with Alex, who was sipping her coffee and checking the time.

  “Bennett’s appointment with the council begins in fifteen minutes,” she said.

  “Good. We should get going.” He snagged her mug and took a drink, wrinkling his nose as he set it on the counter. He’d never get used to the stuff.

  Alex made to grab his hand and flash.

  “Wait.”

  She stopped, her hand hovering above his arm, and waited for him to continue.

  “Whatever happens, we stay together.”

  A fleeting look of regret crossed her face. “Rhys, your pack will need you.”

  He firmly shook his head. “They’ve been doing just fine without me for six months. You are my life. Where you go, I go.”

  She had that look. The one where she was deciding whether she would takeoff, or whether she’d tell him first and find a way to leave without him.

  “Where you go, I go,” he stressed.

  “If Councilman Seether and Hargrath remain in power, I can’t stay.”

  “Honey,” he grabbed her and pulled her in close, “if they stay in power, my entire pack will be in trouble anyway. It’d be best if we all disappeared. If this does work, though, and I go back to being Commander Fitzsimmons? You and me. Together.”

  Her hands skated up his chest and snaked them around his neck. “I’ll have to decide what I’m going to be when I grow up.”

  That one caught Rhys off guard. “I thought you’d want to become a Guardian?”

  “And work for you?” she teased, then her vibrant eyes turned serious. “I never wanted to be a fighter.” Her tone was solemn. “It became a part of who I am, but it’s not what I want to do forever. I’ve been too busy surviving to think there was anything else for me. I’d been certain that I couldn’t stay with you and would have to go on the run.”

  “Then we need to make sure you have time to decide what you want to do with your life. Just know that I can’t do my job and let you go. If I go back to being Commander Fitzsimmons, it will only be because we have new leadership that allows me to have a hybrid mate. Let’s go.” He gave her a chaste kiss on the forehead. Anything more and he’d delay them too long.

  Everything went black in a blink as Alex flashed him to the storage closet next to the room he had his beatings. It was close to the chambers the council held their sessions in, where Bennett should be at that moment.

  We’re in place, he informed Bennett, after his head quit spinning. Alex stepped away to listen at the door.

  I haven’t been called in yet. Mercury told the guards he was coming in with me, in less nice terms. I had Jace and Kaitlyn hang back at the lodge, just in case.

  Good. If things went south, their loved ones would be protected until they put Plan B into motion, which was to get the hell out of there.

  Our ETA is two minutes. Malcolm’s voice floated through Rhys’ head.

  Perfect. It was Bennett this time. They just gave me the signal to go in front of the council. Malcolm, there’s one guard to take your car, and another right inside the door.

  We’ll take care of ’em, Malcolm replied.

  Alex and I are heading your way, Bennett.

  Two guards flank the chamber’s doors, Bennett informed him.

  Got it.

  Alex pulled open the door. “Clear.”

  He followed her out. Between the two of them, they should have no problem getting to the council’s main chambers. He had faced his own tribunal there after they had taken him into custody all those months ago. Alex still had the schematics of the facility committed in her brain.

  Timing would be a huge key to their success, otherwise the council’s pack of Guardians might be able to detain them.

  From Malcolm’s report, and Rhys’ own observation, the Guardian pack protecting the facility and council members numbered at twenty. When he and Alex were breaking out Damon, his father, and Sylva, he had encountered two of them, other than Mastiff. They were good. But thanks to Master Bellamy, his pack was better. And they had Alex.

  She walked confidently next to him. Her black hair was slicked down and tucked behind her ear. “To better fight Guardians with, my pretty,” she had told him earlier that morning. They each had a dart gun in hand. They’d win no trust from their people slaughtering indiscriminately. They’d give the council’s pack of Guardians a fair hearing before condemning them.

  Five guards in the chamber itself, Mercury informed them. Bennett must be busy talking.

  “Hey!” a voice shouted behind them.<
br />
  Alex snapped her fingers. “You know what, sweetheart. I think we went the wrong way. Perhaps we should ask for directions.”

  “Identify yourselves,” a female voice demanded from back down the hallway.

  Alex put her hand on her hip. “I think we’re lost,” she called back over her shoulder. “We’re supposed to get mated by the council this afternoon.”

  Rhys heard the two Guardians behind them move like they were drawing weapons. He spun at the same time Alex did, their own guns raised, and they fired simultaneously. Each guard was hit with a red-tipped dart. It wouldn’t knock them out instantly, so both Rhys and Alex lunged for the pair, diving to dodge the impending bullets.

  The female fired a shot before she stumbled, the tranquilizer quickly taking effect. The male was already slumping against the wall, dropping his gun as he slid to the floor. The gun clambered to the floor and went off.

  Rhys flinched, hoping a ricochet didn’t get him in the head. Alex slid, nabbed the female guard’s weapon and deftly caught her body before the Guardian slammed face first onto the hard floor.

  “You hit?” Rhys asked in the sudden silence. He did a quick assessment of himself when he stood, then went to the fallen male Guardian.

  Alex was already up and patting down the female, ridding her of any other weapons, which were considerably less than Rhys’ own Guardians carried.

  “Just a graze.” She deposited her cache by the wall and dragged the unconscious guard to the room where Rhys had spent many interrogations.

  Rhys stopped what he was doing to assess his mate. “Just a graze” to Alex could be anything. She didn’t seem slowed in the slightest as she dumped her load in the room and held the door open for Rhys to do the same.

  She cocked an eyebrow at him. “Just because we’re having sex doesn’t mean I’ve gone all soft in the field.”

  “I know.” He picked up the male, hauled him to the room, and dumped him next to the female. He turned to face her. “But I worry about you because I love you.”

  She blinked at his confession, then smiled. “Loving a hot dude doesn’t make me any less of a bad ass.”

  He grinned like fool. Of course, they’d been in love with each other forever, but to be at a point where they could profess it…amazing. Too bad he couldn’t bask in the glow.

  They both took off down the hall, steadily making their way to the main chamber. Malcolm had told them that when the council was holding a session, most of the facility’s staff sat in to watch. It was an easy get-out-of-work-free card.

  Rhys switched to mental communication. We’re right around the corner from the chamber’s entrance. Malcolm?

  Boss.

  Ready?

  It’s on.

  Rhys turned his mind speak toward Bennett. It’s time.

  With everyone ready, Rhys and Alex turned into the main chamber, dart guns raised. The entrance appeared unmanned, but Rhys smelled two males.

  From each side, two shifters lunged for them. The Guardians must have either sensed them approaching or the two Rhys and Alex had encountered had gotten off a mental warning before passing out. Then there was the highly inconvenient gunfire.

  Rhys threw an elbow out at the shifter attacking him, while using his other arm to bring down the butt of his gun on the male’s head. His elbow was deflected, but Rhys heard a satisfying grunt from his other hit. The male bent down, shoving a shoulder into Rhys’ gut, so Rhys brought up a knee once, twice. The Guardian got his arms around Rhys and tried to throw him into the wall. Rhys kept pounding the butt of his gun into the male.

  His back hit the wall. An “oomph” was cut off when Rhys’ head jerked back and hit the solid surface. He shook off the pain shooting through his skull as he was dragged forward again, and turned the barrel of his gun into the male’s ribs. Rhys flew back with even more force than before, so he pulled the trigger and braced himself.

  Thudding back into the wall, he kept from slamming his head again and brought his knee up to the male’s ribs. The arms around his torso loosened. The guard fell to his hands and knees. Rhys kicked him in the ribs to keep the male from pulling any weapons at the last minute. The downed male fell over onto his side, his eyes closed and head lolling.

  Thank Doc and his home brew tranquilizers.

  Alex had already subdued the Guardian who had attacked her. He was pressed face first into the floor with her knee in his back. A red dart stuck out of his shoulder. Alex held him down until the tranq took effect.

  Both Rhys and Alex were reloading their dart guns when Rhys detected a familiar scent. He spun just in time to see the large blond Guardian who had given him more pain than anyone in his life come flying around the corner.

  Rhys met Mastiff head on, both males diving at each other with fists flying.

  Mastiff’s size was almost a drawback. He pulled back a beefy fist, but Rhys let a left hook and right hook fly, before the male could even finish his move.

  “It’s different when your victim isn’t chained down.” Rhys taunted the male through gritted teeth.

  Mastiff shook off the hits and kicked out. Rhys danced out of the way and used the advantage of his speed to come back at Mastiff. He grabbed the male’s head and slammed it down as he was bringing his knee up. The blow to Mastiff’s head disorientated him, making him slow. Rhys kept whaling on him. Fists, knees, boots to the shins. Whatever it took to drop the massive Guardian.

  With a roar, Mastiff pushed Rhys back and rose to his full height, which was a good four inches taller than Rhys. Rhys didn’t waste any time. If he got hit with one of the male’s beefy mallets, it would slow him down too much and give Mastiff an advantage.

  Rhys went at the male like a freight train, slamming him into the wall, while he pummeled the male’s body. Mastiff used his size to get an arm around Rhys and spin him, locking him in a choke hold.

  Now that Rhys was turned around, he could see that Malcolm and Harrison had made it into the building. Damon and William were watching over Sylva, warily eyeing Mastiff in case he came for them next.

  The twins and Alex were trying to break into the locked chamber. They were using anything that wasn’t bolted down to hit the sturdy wooden doors.

  And didn’t that give Rhys an idea. He was losing air. Mastiff’s hold was unrelenting. Rhys’ face grew hot, was probably changing colors. He let his weight give a little, let Mastiff think he was winning.

  Away. From. The door. Rhys’ mental commands were hitched. He needed to act. Now.

  The path to the door cleared. Before his strength drained away with his oxygen supply, he grabbed onto Mastiff’s arms. The male probably thought it was to try to pry him off. Instead, Rhys held tight and used every scrap of power he had left to lunge toward the door.

  The strategy caught Mastiff off guard. It was perfect timing. Rhys dragged Mastiff ahead, and just as the male was going to put up resistance, Rhys switched tactics. With the door five feet away, he doubled over and twisted. The move sent Mastiff flying over Rhys’ head. The male’s chokehold held Rhys firmly, so both males went flying into the doors, but Rhys was protected by Mastiff’s larger frame.

  The sounds of wood groaning and splintering as the doors broke apart under the assault, filled the stunned chamber.

  Tumbling through the opening, Mastiff finally released him when the male’s head hit the floor of the chamber with a resounding crack. Rhys landed on top of the unconscious goliath and rolled off, gasping in lungfuls of air.

  The rest of the shifters and Alex came pouring in after him, guns raised. Only this time, all the guns used bullets, not darts. Rhys drew his own 9mm, and before he could turn to assess the situation, all hell broke loose.

  The five council Guardians in the chamber had been holding Bennett and Mercury at gunpoint, but had turned at the sound of Mastiff being thrown through the door. When Alex and the others entered, it provided Bennett and Mercury the opening they needed.

  Bennett dived for the Guardian in front of him, whi
le Mercury lunged to right. To add to the chaos, Mercury sent a buffet of wind though the chambers to disorient everyone. It was part of the plan and the twins and Alex were prepared. Damon and William were also prepared, but from their gaping mouths and darting gazes, Mercury’s talent of manipulating wind unnerved them. Sylva cowered in the doorway, tentatively holding her gun, glaring at the unconscious Mastiff, who Rhys stood over.

  Gunshots echoed through the chamber. The staff, there to observe the proceedings, were screaming and cowering beneath their seats. Three of the council members were sneaking out the back exit. Rhys wanted to go after them, but a council Guardian was trying to sneak up behind him.

  The burn of a bullet tore through his shoulder.

  Bastard. He spun on the male, who had already fired off another shot. The bullet lodged into his thigh. He didn’t want to shoot indiscriminately in the chamber, but he didn’t have time anyway. The other Guardian was on him.

  Rhys might be worn out from his battle with Mastiff, but the male was no match for him. He kicked the male’s feet out from under him, and shot him on his way down. Then he slammed his fist into the male’s face, hard enough to knock him out.

  Probing his injured shoulder with his good hand, he was glad to find it wasn’t serious. His leg was on fire, but nothing major was hit and the injury could wait. When Rhys turned to find where he was needed next, he saw the other four council Guardians were already subdued. The chamber had fallen quiet.

  A lone gun blast rang through the air and Rhys tensed, waiting to see what, or who, had been hit. A staffer screamed. Rhys followed her horrified gaze.

  There Mastiff lay, in a different position than Rhys had left him, a wicked knife in the male’s hand. A red bloom streamed from his forehead.

  Rhys raised his gaze to Sylva still holding her gun, aiming it at Mastiff. She noticed everyone looking at her and hesitantly lowered it. It wasn’t a silver bullet, but it’d keep the giant down for a long while.