As Al continued her inner monologue of castrating herself for being weak and worrying about Kai, loud crashes sounded at the front of the store and boots crunched across broken glass. Movement from Malkum drew her attention. He had his finger to his lips letting them know to keep quiet. He looked from the back door to the entrance to the front several times, before nodding his head and motioning for them all to head to the exit door to the back alley. Obviously, he decided it was safer for them to get out of the shop immediately, than wait for Kai.
Malkum quietly opened the door to the outside, the sunlight slanting across the floor. He glanced into the alley, then propped the door open with his hand. He motioned for the women to move under his arm and go out. Nat moved quickly, pulling Al by the hand, and Rogue followed last. Just as Al passed through the doorway and Rogue was under Malkum’s arm, a loud crack ricocheted throughout the small back room. Malkum’s shoulder jerked forward and something splashed out from it and splattered on the door. Everyone stood in shocked silence for a split second before everything seemed to speed forward. Rogue screamed.
Malkum shoved them all completely out the door and looked Rogue in the eyes, “Go with Kai." He then slammed the door shut behind them.
Rogue turned back to the door, banging her fists against it, tears streaming down her face.
Nat grabbed both Al and Rogue’s hands and began dragging them away from the building, just as Kai ran up. Gunfire, crashes, and yells sounded from the other side where they had left Malkum. Al’s heart ached for the man they had left behind and for her friend who was so distraught over him.
“Follow me. The truck is just around the corner there.” Kai pointed in the direction they should go.
Al felt herself detaching from the situation. An odd feeling of nothingness settled over her. She realized that she must be going into shock. Funny how I know that. Her legs moved mechanically and they soon approached a huge black truck with the driver’s side door hanging open. Kai must have left it open. She thought as they all stopped beside the vehicle. Kai grabbed her hand and pulled her around to the passenger side as he yelled for the others to get into the backseat of the extended cab. He opened the door and she looked inside. Leather… nice. When she didn’t move, he grabbed her up in his strong arms and lifted her into the truck.
“Alvena, you need to put your seat belt on, can you do that for me?” Kai asked.
“What about Malkum? Aren’t we going to wait on him?” Al asked hollowly. She could hear Rogue quietly crying from behind her and wanted to help her friend.
“No, my sweet. He will handle whoever is inside, so we can get away. I have to keep you and your friends safe.” When she didn’t reach for the seatbelt, Kai pulled it out and reached around her to click it closed. “There. Now you just take deep breaths and I’ll get you and your friends to safety. Do you trust me to do that, Alvena?”
Al gazed into his eyes, searching for answers that she didn’t know how to ask the questions for, and saw something strong and safe there in the depths, she nodded her head. He placed a soft kiss on her nose, closed the door, and raced around the front of the truck to get into the driver’s seat. Kai clicked on his own seatbelt before reaching for the key in the ignition. It all seemed so normal.
“You lasses buckled up in the back?” He asked over his shoulder as he turned the key, the truck roaring to life. Al heard two affirmative answers from the back seat and Kai threw the truck in gear and raced down the short alley, taking the turn out of the alley onto Chartres Street with the tires squealing.
With the distance from the tattoo shop increasing, Al began to regain some of her composure. She started to think clearly again and to feel less numb. She turned to check on her friends needing to know that Nat and Rogue were okay. But, as she turned in her seat a large black SUV sped up behind them.
“Kai!” She yelled. “Behind us.”
Al watched as Nat turned in her seat, her arm around Rogue’s shoulders as the other woman sat with tears running down her face.
“That’s them isn’t it?” Nat questioned.
Kai shifted around in his seat to look in the rear view mirrors and glanced behind them over his shoulder. He continued to keep both hands on the steering wheel as he drove defensively through New Orleans.
“I would have to agree with that thought.” Kai responded to Nat’s question.
Al felt the truck pick up speed as Kai took the next left and then a quick right. The SUV disappeared for a moment before it came back into sight. Kai cursed and turned into a parking lot, driving through it and out the other side. The SUV came around the corner on the road instead of going through the lot.
“Lasses, hang on. I have a feeling that I can’t lose them in town. We’ll have to wait until we are out of the city.” Kai said as he fished his cell phone out of his pocket with one hand while the other gripped the steering wheel.
“You sure we should leave the city?” Nat asked from behind Al.
“Aye.” Kai answered simply.
Al watched as he juggled the cell phone and turned the truck on to an Interstate. Kai pressed down on the gas and weaved in and out of the other traffic. Soon they had left the city limits behind and Kai swiped at his phone. He must have hit a speed dial, because he quickly put the phone to his ear.
“Are you sure you should do that while you’re driving?” Al waved at the cell phone in his hand. “I thought talking on a cell phone was against the law.”
Kai barked out a laugh. “Hold on Dar.” Turning to her, he grinned, “Aye, lass. I need to call in reinforcements. Besides, I have great reflexes.”
He returned to his call and Al listened as Kai talked to this Dar on the other end of the phone. He quickly told Dar, this stranger, what was going on and asked the man to meet them at an intersection somewhere. Not knowing the area, Al had no idea of where they were or where they were going. Her need to travel seemed like a bad idea as the reality of the situation started to fall into place.
Turning in her seat, she stared out the window. Clouds quickly rolled in and she saw lightning flashes, quickly followed by the boom of thunder. The clouds billowed and the storm moved quickly to hover above them as they raced down the road. The wind picked up and she could see the trees in the distance moving violently, but she didn’t feel it hit the truck like she thought it would. Either the wind hadn’t reached them yet, or he really did have great reflexes to keep the truck steady.
“Fifteen minutes Dar.” Kai said and disconnected the call. “Lasses, please make sure you are turned around and belted in. I don't want anyone being hurt if something happens.”
“The SUV is farther behind, but still there. Shouldn’t one of us watch it?” Nat asked.
“They’re not going anywhere.” Kai responded.
The truck jolted to the right as Kai took the next exit. Driving down a road to what appeared to be nowhere; he soon took a sharp turn on to a gravel road. Al looked out the window and saw trees close in on either side of the road and every so often the sun glinted off water.
“Kai, where are we going?” Al finally spoke.
He grinned over at her, “my home.”
“But, where is that?”
“The bayou, my bonnie lass.” He answered just as lightning hit right in front of the truck.
Al stared at Kai as a wicked smile crossed his face.
“Now we’re talking.” He growled.
Al didn’t know what he was talking about but she saw several flashes and heard the booms of thunder coming from behind them. She tried to glance around while still keeping forward in her seat as Kai had requested. She was looking in the rear view mirrors because that was the only way she could really look behind their truck. It felt like they were flying down the road, but she could see a black SUV keeping up with them. After a few minutes, she realized that a second SUV was behind the first. Her stomach flipped. Please God, let Kai get us out of this. She wasn’t a devout Christian, but she knew that there was someone or something
out there that listened to her prayers. There had to be, because she couldn’t help but think that was the only way they were getting out of this.
Her eyes were riveted to the mirror as a huge flash of lightning struck the second SUV. Kai chuckled from his seat.
She turned to him and saw the vicious look on his face – the face of a warrior in the middle of combat.
“One SUV taken care of Nat.” Kai laughed and kept driving.
“Good deal.” Nat responded.
Al glanced back at her friends, who were holding on to the door handles and to each other; looks of fear and determination on their faces.
She looked back at Kai, “Pretty lucky about that lightning.” For some reason Al felt like Kai was controlling the storm. It was ludicrous, but their truck didn’t seem fazed by the violent winds and the lightning had missed them by safe distances, but it only missed the SUVs by inches until it finally hit one.
“Luck has nothing to do with it, but the Great Spirit has given us what we needed.” Kai answered just as they passed an intersection where another black truck was waiting.
She turned in her seat determined to see what the truck was doing there. As she watched, the SUV passed the intersection and the truck smashed into its side. Her eyes were glued to the scene in the mirror. The SUV moved sideways from the impact and must have hit a dip, because in the next moment it flipped into the air like some movie action scene.
“Second SUV taken care of Nat.” Kai responded on a booming laugh. “It’s good to have friends.”
Chapter 10
Kai pulled onto a long drive that ended at a large, white, ancient looking plantation house. A safe house used by the Dásreach from the Bayou Dásig, the house had become a command center of sorts for the Thirteen. Kai, Charlie, and Malkum called the house home and the others would come and go often. The Dásig located within the bayou around New Orleans stayed hidden. Those that lived there a bit more reserved around those in the human world. The Bayou Dásig had always fascinated Kai, the way they meshed into the legends of the swamps and waterways that surrounded them. He loved living here and being able to interact with them more. There were times that he still missed Scotland and at others he missed Tiranam Dásig. But, even though this house might be old, it was well kept and between the beauty of the classic design and the bayou surrounding it, it was home to him. He felt safe here.
As Kai stopped the truck in front of the house, a few Dásreach jumped from the porch and rushed to meet him as he exited the truck. Dar at the forefront approached and began to update Kai as he walked around to the other side to help Alvena out.
“Are you okay, brother?” Dar patted him on the back. “Malkum called. He is okay, but the shop is unsafe. The men in the shop were just common Hu… um… hired mercenaries. I sent Malkum help to bring those he caught in for interrogation… “
Kai interrupted as he opened the passenger door for Alvena. “Thanks Dar, but let’s get the lasses into the house.” He looked at Alvena, “Would you and your friends come into the house. We’ll get you something to drink. I’m sure we have coffee, tea, lemonade, or something stronger if you prefer."
A pissed off Nat, pushed open the back passenger door and stormed out of the truck with a quieter than normal Rogue following close behind. Kai wasn’t used to the vibrant lass being so quiet. He had a feeling that both Rogue and Alvena were in shock. He had thought his mate was pulling out of it, but she hadn’t answered his question and remained in her seat.
“Who the fuck were those guys?” Nat demanded as she got up into Kai’s face. “What in the hell have we stepped in the middle of? Does NOLA have its own mob and you guys didn’t pay your protection money?”
Al began to laugh, “What a show that would be… I can see it now, Bayou Mob, pay up or feed the gators.”
Nat and Rogue looked at each other, concern for their friend clearly etched on their faces. Kai barked out a laugh before he could stop himself. Nat stared him down, but Rogue went to Alvena.
“Um, Al, let’s get you somethin’ to drink and have you sit down for a bit inside. Okay?” Rogue said as she pulled Alvena out of the truck. “Nat, let’s take care of Al and then we can ask questions.” She looked behind Kai at Dar. “From what the big one said, it doesn’t sound like they know any more than we do.”
“Fine.” The tone of Nat’s voice made it clear it was anything but fine. Kai couldn’t help but smirk at the fits this lass was going to give his best friend.
Kai turned to the house and led the women inside. Nat walked on one side of Alvena and Rogue on the other, arms linked as they entered the foyer of the large house. Alvena was extremely quiet, most likely in a wee bit of shock, but her color was better than it had been when he helped her into the truck and he was sure that something to eat and drink would have her feeling like herself in no time. He couldn’t wait to see the spark that he loved shine in her eyes again.
He continued down the hall and into the large kitchen. At one time the house was run by a huge staff and had housed a large extended family. Now, it only housed Kai, his brothers, and a few trusted Dásreach that helped manage communications, supplies, and all of the other details as the men worked in the tattoo shop and searched for their mates.
Kai opened the refrigerator, “how about some sweet tea and sandwiches?”
“I’d rather have answers.” Nat responded.
“Nat, I think Al could use somethin’ to eat.” Rogue interjected. “How about it Al, do you think you can eat. I know I could use something sweet."
Alvena began to protest.
“Now Alvena, you and your friends are likely in a bit of shock. The food will help your body adjust to the adrenaline that has been running through your veins.”
She looked at him for a minute, then answered with a small, “Okay.”
Rogue pulled out a chair at the counter and sat down hard. She looked at Kai with sadness.
“Kai, Malkum was shot.” Rogue’s voice quivered. It appeared that she had connected to his brother quickly and was hurting for him.
He walked around the counter from the refrigerator and squatted down in front of her, taking her hand in his, “Rogue, Malkum is alright, lass. He spoke with Dar and he will be fine in no time at all.” Kai reassured her. Rogue nodded her head.
Kai stood back up and proceeded to pour four glasses of sweet tea and put together a plate of ham and Swiss cheese sandwiches. He sat the plate on the counter along with mayo and mustard. Nat handed the glasses of sweet tea around before sitting down next to Rogue. When Kai realized that Alvena wasn’t at the counter, he turned to find her still in the doorway to the kitchen.
He walked to his mate. She seemed so small and fragile. His dragon hadn’t stopped twisting inside of him since the window had shattered and the bullets began to fly. Frying that first SUV had helped a bit, but he needed to do more for her. To prove he could care for her, even if it was only feeding her for now. So, he took her by the hand and led her to a chair next to Rogue. She sat and he handed her a sandwich.
“Eat Alvena.” He said as he began to eat one of the sandwiches while standing beside her. She picked at the ham and cheese, eventually pulling the cheese off and eating it by itself. He watched her as she dismantled the sandwich and everyone else ate in silence.
“You must think I’m extremely weak.” Al said out of the blue.
“What are you talking about Alvena?” Kai asked.
“I’m weak. I did nothing to help. I’m probably the reason that Malkum was hurt.” She said on a sob.
Kai couldn’t hold back from her any longer. Her broken voice, broke his heart, and the sob demanded retribution from those who had caused it. Standing in front of her, he held her face between his two palms.
“Alvena that is not true. You can’t expect yourself to know how to react when you haven’t been through a situation like this before. Not to mention that you have no training."
“But that’s the point.” She said between falling tears
.
He looked away from the shattered look in her eyes to see Nat and Rogue both behind her, their hands rubbing soothing circles on her back.
“Why do you expect so much from yourself, Al?” Nat asked.
“I just expect myself to be what is needed.” Her response was full of heat and self-deprecation.
“No, don’t beat yourself up over this. You were great back there.” Rogue assured Alvena, her voice still a bit flat.
“No I wasn’t.” His mate denied.
“Alvena, did you do as we asked?” Kai demanded.
“Yes.” She said weakly.
“Did you cry and scream and draw attention to us?”
“No.” She answered with skepticism.
“Now I want you to think, really think. If you were freaking out would you have been able to do as we asked?”
“No.”
“Kai’s right Al. You may have been in shock, but you were doing what needed to be done.” Nat defended.
“Yes, Al. When you watch a movie what does the helpless woman always do? She screams and cries and doesn’t listen. What happens to her? She’s usually the first one to die. You’re still here Al. You’re a tough cookie just like Nat and I.” Rogue added.
Kai watched a weak smile spread across Alvena’s face. “Are you sure?”
Her two friends both said yes from over her shoulder and Kai nodded as she looked at him.
“Thank you. I’m not sure I agree totally, but I see the point you’re making.” Alvena took a deep breath and looked at him, “Kai, are you sure that Malkum is okay?”
“I’m positive he’s alright.” Kai responded. Knowing that the gunshot had only scratched Malkum and with the healing abilities gifted to them by their spirit guardians, Malkum was already completely healed. But, the lasses couldn’t know anything about any of that yet. Two things needed to happen, his brothers needed to come and talk to their mates along with Kai and they had to find out what was going on with the attacks. These women had had their tire shot out, were mugged in the cemetery, and had been shot at in their shop. The man who they had interrogated had said they were originally after Alvena, and now the other girls, but they didn’t know why. His gut was screaming at him. He had a really bad feeling about what was happening.
Finding the Dragon (Dásreach Council Book 1) Page 11
