Bhric strapped on his weapons and crossed to the mangled door frame. “Kyran and I are taking the plane. I don’t care who else joins us but I’m not leaving my brathair’s side. We’ll need Evzen and Kill to set the portal.”
It was a small measure of comfort, knowing his brother cared so deeply. Zander called over his shoulder, “Eight of you can come with Nikko and I but decide quickly. I’m leaving now.”
*****
Elsie fought the insistent force that was ripping her from her place of peace and thrusting her back into bone-crushing pain. She wanted the calm death would bring but refused to give in when she still needed to become Zander’s mate. She was created for him.
She was part of something bigger than she’d ever known. Her resolve to live renewed. She was determined to experience every moment of life she could with Zander. Regret flooded over how much she had already missed with him.
She’d wasted so much precious time questioning her feelings for her vampire. Her heart skipped several beats as terror hit. She could die without experiencing the full scope of his love or give him all the love she held in her heart.
Somewhere between the caramels and the pool float, she fell deeply in love with the bossy vampire. Despite Elsie’s protests, Zander knocked down the bricks erected around her heart. She used her guilt as a shield but Zander barreled his way through. Now, she needed him to manage the impossible, and save her from the demons and one vile traitor.
Awareness stopped her train of thought as Elsie came to with a knife at her throat.
”Ah, she wants more,” Lena whispered in her ear. “Good news for you. I’m happy to oblige.”
“Get bent bitch,” she spat at Lena, and wrapped her hands around the chains that shackled her to the cave wall.
Determined to survive, Elsie wrapped her legs around Lena’s mid-section, ignoring the pain in her broken leg. With quick movement, she twisted with all her might, and slammed Lena to the floor. Adrenaline spiked, and her good foot connected with the vampire’s head several times.
Lena screeched and did a back-flip away from Elsie. From an angle, Lena reached out and slammed Elsie’s head against the wall. Her vision blurred but she remained conscious. Lena moved so fast that Elsie couldn’t follow, and then fire exploded through Elsie’s leg. She felt her skin tear and looked down to see her bone sticking out of a gaping wound. That wasn’t good.
Lena ripped the chains from the wall and picked Elsie up, throwing her across the cave. Elsie hit the ground and rolled, slamming against a large boulder. Unable to move, she lay on the hard floor, groaning in pain.
Every inch of her body was broken or bloodied. As blood seeped from her veins, it took her life force with it. She weakened as the minutes passed. She was going to die in the god-forsaken place, and would never see Zander’s handsome face again.
She pictured his smile, recalled his sexy accent, and thought about everything he had done for her. He unabashedly showed her how deeply he loved her.
I love you, Zander! She thought as dizziness assailed. She felt her blood trickle in a steady stream down her chilled skin. She was losing too much, and going into shock. Lena stalked toward her, prepared to deliver the final blow.
“Lena, desist now!” Kadir roared. “He will give me nothing if I can’t prove to him that she lives. If she dies, you will endure far more at my hands!”
Lena paled, her head turning from Kadir to Elsie’s lifeless form then back to Kadir again. “Where is your sidekick? And his Fae? He can heal her, right?” she asked.
“No, he can’t, you idiot. You know nothing about magic. I’m surrounded by ineptitude,” Kadir ranted. “You,” he demanded of a nearby skirm, “see if the human is alive, and find Azazel. Hear my words, vampire. You had better start praying to your Goddess that she lives. Otherwise, you will understand why your kind fears demons.”
As the demon’s words faded away the tidal wave broke, sweeping Elsie out to sea. Zander’s soul wrapped her in soothing energy that gave her the strength to hold on. She prayed it wasn’t too late as her heartbeat slowed then stopped.
CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
After a grueling plane ride, a turbulent landing, and a long hike to the Inn, Zander was crawling out of his skin. His nerves were shot to hell and back. He watched anxiously as the three sorcerers created the portal to Zeum. Within moments, Orlando stepped through followed by the others. Thank fuck. No more waiting. Now they could proceed and find his mate.
Zander turned his attention to his brothers and Nikko. “Have you finished? We’re wasting time, damn it.”
“Aye, brathair. The human’s memories have been erased, and two of them have kindly given us their SUVs,” Kyran informed him.
“Let’s go. Something is wrong,” he barked as everyone loaded into the SUVs then drove away.
He gazed out the window as they drove in silence, praying to the Goddess for the millionth time in the past hour.
Bhric’s voice echoed in the quietness of the vehicle. “Which direction do we go from here, Z?” he asked after they crossed into the rainforest.
He didn’t realize they were so close. His concentration remained on his mate.
The bond between him and Elsie pulsed hotter with every passing minute. He nearly collapsed with relief that she was alive, and feeding into their bond. She had accepted him and her status as his mate. He’d waited for weeks for this to happen, and now he may never know the joy of claiming her.
“Go east,” Zander ordered.
He wasn’t going to lose her. He had to believe that.
Orlando’s fury seeped from every pore. “Have you tried to communicate with her, Liege?”
“Nay, I havena been able to bring myself to reach out to her. I couldna handle it if I heard her being tortured. I will link with her when we’re closer. Through our bond, I have been sending her strength, as well as, every ounce of love I have for her,” he explained.
The vehicle fell silent again, each consumed with their thoughts of what lay ahead.
He gave Bhric directions when needed and as soon as they were minutes away, he reached out to let Elsie know he hadn’t abandoned her. As he linked to her mind, he heard her scream out that she loved him. He lashed out and hit the door frame as their connection was lost before he could respond. Frantically, he repeated his attempts to contact her but failed. Her soul was dimming. Zander was losing her. Nay, please, Goddess, doona take her.
“Jace, stay with me. I fear…” his voice cracked as his emotions tightened in his throat. “I fear she may be injured verra badly,” he managed past his tears.
As soon as the car slowed, Zander was out the door and running through the forest, a blur in the night. He had to reach her before it was too late. Urgency rode him hard as he heard the council members and his warriors close on his heels.
When Hayden gripped his arm, stopping him mid-stride, he nearly ripped the Omega’s head from his shoulders. The hand signals that followed informed Zander of two skirm, one archdemon, and one Fae. They were less than a hundred feet ahead. Hayden motioned for Orlando and Santiago to shift. Zander nodded his acknowledgement and continued to Elsie while the shifters ambushed the small group.
On soundless feet, Zander entered the cave followed by Jace. His blood boiled when he saw Lena lift Elsie’s slack head by her hair. His worry for Elsie kept his feet moving as the shock of Lena’s betrayal hit home.
One of his vampires, one that he knew intimately, had turned against him. Lena turned over his most beloved treasure to the archdemons. The burn of that treachery was drowned out by his need to get to Elsie.
He ignored the dozen minions that lounged around the edges of the fissure as he charged toward Lena and his mate. He roared when he saw the blood-soaked cloth around Elsie’s neck. Her cheek was swollen and he noticed a bone protruding from one of her legs. This bitch was going to pay for hurting his female. Zander’s war-cry drowned out Lena’s plea.
He was spared the choice between his mate and th
e archdemon responsible for her torture when Nikko rushed in and slashed out at the surprised demon.
“Not so fast, asshole,” Nikko shouted as his blade found purchase in the demon’s chest, missing his heart. Zander noted the demon was momentarily halted from teleporting away.
“Where is the amulet? I assume you brought what I require,” Kadir brazened as Nikko pulled the blade from his chest.
The demon was trying to buy enough time to heal and teleport away but Nikko didn’t pause in his attack. Zander continued his path to Elsie.
“No, asshole. We didn’t but you won’t need to worry about that after I’m through with you,” Nikko said and reached into his boot.
His brandished his blade and sliced towards Kadir’s neck. He missed his target but chopped off the demon’s right hand right before Kadir teleported away.
“Coward!” Nikko shouted.
Killian and Evzen didn’t hesitate to attack the skirm that stood between them and Elsie. Evzen muttered a spell, freezing several combatants while Killian grabbed his titanium blade and dispatched them. Zander reached Elsie’s side as four more blades were added to the battle when Bhric and Breslin joined their forces. He ignored the battle, trusting that his warriors and council could keep him and his mate safe.
Zander fell to his knees the moment he reached Elsie’s side, gently scooped her to him. Her precious face blurred as his tears streamed down his face. He caressed her soft cheek while he cradled her broken body. She was alive, but barely. Her pulse was sluggish and weak.
“Jace, get over here. Heal her, please,” he begged.
The crack in his voice displayed his weakness. He needed to be strong for her. He placed a kiss on her pale lips, and placed her in Jace’s arms. Then, he rose to face the evil bitch responsible.
Lena backed up against the wall, eyes wide with horror. The treacherous female thought she would get away with this.
“You will pay for this, Lena,” he spat.
Lena spun and attempted to run, but Zander was faster as he lunged and grabbed hold of her throat. He slammed Lena down to the hard floor.
“No, Zander. You can’t. Please. You love me. We’re meant to be together,” Lena declared.
She disgusted him with her pleading. The female had misconstrued everything that had ever happened between them. She’d never been anything more than a warm body. He’d never said anything to give her any other impression. She meant nothing to him.
Fury turned his vision red as Lena tried to mitigate her actions. Not a fucking chance.
“You’re wrong aboot that. You’ve never meant shit to me. Nothing more than a hole to fuck. The Goddess created me for Elsie, and her for me. I will never belong with you. You will suffer for what you’ve done.”
“No, Zander, please. I did this for us. So we could be together,” Lena attempted again.
“You are pathetic, Lena. You make me sick,” Zander spat. He was going to enjoy making her pay for what she’d done to Elsie.
“Zander, get over here. Elsie needs you,” Jace ordered.
His words sent ice through Zander’s veins. He didn’t have time to torture Lena the way she deserved. Elsie’s needs came before everything.
“Join your demon in hell,” Zander growled.
With a squeeze of his hand, he ripped Lena’s head from her body, and tossed it aside. He was at Elsie’s side before Lena’s body hit the ground.
“Is she going to be okay?” Zander choked out as he knelt next to them.
Jace looked up and held his gaze. The torment he saw stopped his heart. Zander couldn’t breathe as panic assailed.
“She’s in bad shape, Liege. She’s lost too much blood. I can’t heal her,” Jace confessed.
His stomach hit the floor, and a hollow ache engulfed his chest. The only wounds Jace couldn’t heal were those caused by silver, skirm venom, and mortal injuries.
Seeing his distress, Jace quickly added, “But, you can give her your blood. It’s her best chance at survival. In fact, she’s going to need a lot of vampire blood. More than you have.”
“Will she die?” Zander croaked.
Jace exhaled then sighed. “I can promise you that she’ll die within minutes if she doesn’t receive blood.”
Zander gently cradled Elsie’s head in his lap. Her peaches-and-cream complexion was gray, and her usual pink lips were pale, dry, and cracked. Blood matted her curly, brown hair.
Zander didn’t give it a second thought. With a hiss, his fangs shot down, and he bit deeply into his wrist.
“Open her mouth, Jace,” Zander ordered.
The moment Jace parted her lips, Zander placed his bleeding arm over her mouth. Blood flowed freely and he prayed it would give her what she needed. The wound to his wrist healed over several times, forcing him to bite deeper into his skin. All the while, there was no response from her. Her breathing remained shallow and her heartbeat faint. Eventually, blood stopped flowing from his cut, despite the depth of his bite. Still, Elsie remained unresponsive.
Jace said she needed more than he had. He looked over his shoulder at his brothers.
“She needs more blood. Hurry,” Zander yelled frantically.
As Kyran, Bhric, Nikko and Breslin raced to his side, Orlando ran into the cave, followed by Santiago and a bloodied Hayden.
“Holy shit…” Orlando breathed.
“Kyran, open a vein now. Bhric, Nikko, and Breslin, be ready to take over when he runs dry.” Jace barked from the other side of Elsie as he placed pressure on her wounds.
Bhric placed his pierced arm over Elsie’s lips. Zander sat beside her, holding her cold hand. She had to live. She was his whole world.
Jace turned his attention to Elsie’s leg. He belted it off above the open fracture.
“Part of the problem is she’s still losing blood. Keep pressure on her neck, Zander. If we can get this bleeding to stop, your blood will be able to heal her,” Jace explained.
Zander nodded and removed his t-shirt then pressed the fabric on his mate’s neck. He froze when he saw that her mate mark had been sliced from her skin. The torture she had suffered. He trembled as he held pressure, ensuring no more blood was lost. He was relieved when he felt the heat of Jace’s healing touch.
He held his breath as he watched Elsie’s leg heal beneath Jace’s hands. Unfortunately, she wasn’t out of the woods yet. Once Bhric gave all he could, Kyran and Nikko each proceeded to give blood to Elsie. Was their collective blood healing Elsie? He refused to lift his hand to see.
He buried his head in her hair as he waited to see if Elsie survived.
*****
Cognizance returned, and Elsie braced for pain to follow. She kept still while she assessed her body and surroundings. As she took stock, an intoxicating aroma hit her nose. A sliver of recognition floated through her but drifted away before she could grasp it.
She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at a coffered ceiling. She wasn’t in the cave any longer and wondered where she’d been taken. She tried to roll over on the soft mattress, and bumped into a broad, muscular chest.
Zander was asleep next to her. That was the source of the delicious scent. She glanced around and wondered how she got back to Zeum.
She had been kidnapped, tortured, and was certain she was as good as dead. Her bond with this vampire had given her strength. She loved him with her entire battered heart. And, she was alive. Had been given a second chance to be with him.
With that one thought, her body responded. His scent added to her arousal. She had never noticed the intensity of his fragrance before. She detected oak, musk, and an indescribable male essence. It enveloped her and she fought the urge to jump him in his sleep.
He looked unkempt, and there were dark circles under his eyes. She could see strain in the texture of his beautifully, bronzed skin. Why can I see the texture of his skin?
Zander opened his eyes, and she lost her train of thought at the joy in his brilliant, Sapphire-blue eyes. The wash of his emotions mirr
ored hers.
“Och, thank the Goddess!” He kissed her fervently then drew back to stare at her again. “I was so verra worried. I thought I’d lost you. I never want to feel fear like that again. I couldna go on without you, a ghra. You are my life, my everything. How do you feel?” he rambled as he squeezed her tight to his chest, burying his head in her neck.
“I feel surprisingly good, considering what happened. How long have I been out?” Elsie asked.
“You’ve been unconscious for three days. To think what you went through…and I wasna there to protect you. I will never forgive myself for that.”
She held him close, happy she was alive and with him. “It wasn’t your fault. I’m here now.” Her mouth watered. She was having trouble thinking past her thirst. “I’m parched. Can I get a drink, please?”
“Of course. I’ll get it,” he offered and she watched his muscular back and ass as he stood up and went into the bathroom to get her some water.
Zander had the finest backside she’d ever seen. The view of his front was even better. His shaft lifted with awareness as she watched him. He had a beautiful body. She gulped down the water he handed her, and fought to recollect everything that had happened.
She only remembered pieces of the puzzle. “I see pictures of the demon and Lena, and remember her torturing me. Then there’s pain, but I can’t recall all the details. How am I alive? I thought I was dead,” she whispered.
He grabbed her and held her so tightly it bordered on painful. She listened as Zander explained how she was kidnapped from Elsie’s Hope, and how he and his warriors located and saved her. She was near death when Zander found her.
She stretched her leg and rubbed her ribs then threw her legs over the side of the bed. Gingerly, she tested to see if she could hold her weight. She met his eyes over her shoulder.
He was hot on her heels as she made her way to the bathroom. She grabbed hold of his hand and something settled at the contact. This was where she was always supposed to be.
“Ugh, I need a shower. I can smell the filth. And, I’m hungry. Wait…my neck.”
Bad Boy Billionaire Boxset Page 28
