by Faith Gibson
Zeke shook his head. “No, but I don’t know if anyone meditates, either. I’m not dismissing what you say happened, though. If the gods make creatures that have wings and can fly, why wouldn’t they give us the abilities to communicate with each other? At least some of us.”
Nik hadn’t thought about it that way. “Thank you. I was beginning to doubt my own sanity.”
Zeke stood and took his plate to the dishwasher. “I doubt mine every day, my friend.” He grabbed Nik’s plate when he finished eating and cleaned up the kitchen. “Have you heard from Tessa? The last time I spoke to Elizabeth, Tessa was still healing from her wreck.”
“She’s actually in Greece, believe it or not. What I didn’t tell you earlier is that we believe Rafael’s uncle is behind all the trouble our mates are getting into. He’s the one who ostracized your father all those years ago for mating with a human.”
“Alistair. I’ve heard about him. Why would he start targeting mates now?”
“Rafael and the Counsel have been going around and around ever since his father died and he became King. He refuses his seat at the proverbial round table. On top of that, he is now mated to a human. Gregor is mated to Tessa, who is related to Jonas. Dante is mated to Isabelle, who is Jonas’ daughter. Now, I’m fated to be with Sophia. As you said earlier, we will eventually become one interconnected Clan. How Alistair knows who is mated to whom is beyond me, but it is becoming clear he does.”
“Why is Tessa in Greece? Don’t tell me she’s already on her honeymoon.”
“Unfortunately, no. Isabelle’s son was kidnapped.”
“Isabelle? As in my sister Isabelle? She doesn’t have a son.”
“Yes, your sister, and yes, she does. She kept him a secret. He’s been living with a couple up in Tennessee all these years. His name is Connor, and she didn’t want his biological grandfather to find out about him. Someone found out and took him. Whoever it is convinced Isabelle to get on a plane with them. They said it was the only way to get the boy back. Now, Isabelle is being held on one island and Connor somewhere else. The fates might be bringing our families together, but there are others at play who are trying to keep us apart.”
“Damn. It almost makes me glad I don’t know who my mate is. At least this way I know she’s probably a lot safer.”
“Truth, but once I get Sophia back, I’ll be damned if she ever gets hurt again. I’ll stake my wings on that.”
Chapter Twenty
Sophia had to be dreaming. The fluid running through her veins must not be helping her gain her strength back. Not only was her shifter talking, but a voice had responded. She was worse off than she thought. Too much longer in the hole and she’d probably have died. Someone entered the room. Voices told her there were two men and a woman. They were talking about her. “You need to bathe her before we put her back.”
“She is too weak to be put in the hole. Please, at least put her back in a cell.”
“It is not your business what we do with this prisoner other than cleaning her up. Remember your place, woman.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Sophia’s IV was removed. Her stretcher was lifted off the table and taken to a different room. The woman worked quickly to remove Sophia’s clothing. Rough hands lifted her into a tub of hot water. If she was strong enough, she might have care that she was naked in front of strangers. The sound of footsteps retreated from the room. Then, she was alone with only the woman. She took a chance and opened her eyes. The woman was of African descent and had a kind, motherly face.
“I didn’t do it,” she whispered to the lady.
“Shh, it doesn’t matter, child. I’ve heard them talking. They know you aren’t strong enough to have killed Asaad, but they need to pin it on someone. You were there; case closed.”
“But I didn’t do it. My parents are missing. I’ve got to find them,” Sophia vowed. “Nobody knows where I am. I can’t die in here.”
“I will do my best to have you moved back into a cell. I cannot make you any promises, though.”
Warm water flowed down Sophia’s face. She had no idea if it was the bath water or tears. At this point it didn’t matter. Her life was over.
No it isn’t. Nik knows where you are and he’s coming for you. Hang on a little longer.
Sophia closed her eyes and let the woman bathe the stench off her body. A few minutes later the water was being drained, and she was being dried off. The woman put clean clothes on her, not asking if she could help. Sophia did raise her hips when the pants were being slid up her legs. Her hair was still a ratted mess, and her mouth tasted like road kill smelled. At least her body was clean. “Open up, child,” the woman said as she pressed something to Sophia’s mouth. “It’s not a toothbrush, but if you chew on it, it will help.” Sophia accepted the gift into her mouth. She didn’t expect it to be enjoyable. Whatever the plant was had a minty taste mixed with something she couldn’t identify.
“They will be back for you soon. I suggest you play a weakling as long as you can,” the woman said with a small smile.
When she started to stand, Sophia grabbed her arm. “Thank you. My name is Clara Fort, just in case.”
“I will remember you in my prayers, Clara Fort.” With that, the woman left her alone. She realized she was still sitting in the tub when the men came to retrieve her. Once she was loaded on the stretcher, they bypassed the infirmary and took her to the original cell she’d been held in. She thanked the gods for small favors.
Sophia settled back into the dull routine of waiting on her tray to come. No longer was she so weak she thought she was dying, but she wasn’t so strong she felt like dancing. If she ever got out of that square room she now called home, she was going to dance every day.
Nikolas and Zeke were waiting at the airport for Gregor and Tessa. Dante had Isabelle and Connor safely on their way home to the States. Nikolas had enjoyed Ezekiel’s company, but he was anxious to see his cousin. Gregor was more like a brother since their fathers had been close and raised the boys together. Tessa’s father had been kind enough to lend his private jet to them since Dante and Isabelle were on the Clan plane. When the jet landed, Zeke let out a low whistle. “Life is good being a Gargoyle.”
Nik laughed. “You do realize that’s your cousin’s jet, don’t you?”
“Tessa doesn’t have a jet.”
“No, but Xavier does. Don’t tell me you didn’t know that.” Nik frowned at the other man whose mouth was wide open. “There they are,” Nik said and got out of the car. He jogged over to the jet and met Gregor at the bottom of the steps. “Brother, it’s so good to see you.” Nik and Gregor wrapped each other in a tight embrace, slapping each other on the back. When they broke apart, Nik held onto Tessa’s arms and grinned until Gregor growled.
“Tessa, good to see you again. I guess you know this guy,” he said, thumbing at Zeke.” Zeke, this is my cousin, Gregor.”
Zeke shook hands with Gregor and hugged Tessa. He also got a growl from her mate, but if he noticed, he ignored it.
“Let’s grab your luggage so we can get back to the villa. We have a lot to tell you,” Nik said as they waited on the crewman to unload the plane. Once the bags were in the back of the vehicle, they all piled in.
“Please tell me you’ve found Sophia,” Tessa said from the backseat.
“She’s in jail,” Zeke told his cousin.
“Jail? Sweet little Sophia’s in jail? For what?”
“Murder,” Nik and Zeke responded in unison.
“Yeah, right. Really, where is she?”
Zeke turned in his seat. “So much has happened in the last few weeks, and we’ll explain it all once we get to the villa. But for now, our biggest concern is getting Sophia out of prison. The Egyptians aren’t known for speedy trials or fair treatment of inmates.”
“You weren’t kidding. And you know for sure she’s there?” Tessa asked incredulously.
“I do,” Nik said.
“How do you know, Brother?” Gre
gor asked.
Nik and Zeke looked at each other. Nik had no problem telling Gregor, but he didn’t know Tessa very well. Zeke nodded, so Nik told them honestly, “Through our minds.” He looked in the rearview mirror for Gregor’s disbelief.
Instead of frowning, Gregor gave a small smile. “That’s how Dante found Connor. Even though they’d never met, the boy drew pictures for Dante giving him clues to where he was being held. It’s no surprise you and Sophia can connect the same way.”
“It’s not exactly the same. I didn’t speak to Sophia. My shifter spoke to hers.”
Tessa butted in, “That’s impossible. She isn’t a half-blood yet. You must have been talking to her.”
“Oh, she’s a shifter all right and has been for a few years now,” Nik huffed.
“I would know if she’s been through the change.” Tessa leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest.
Zeke confirmed what Nik told them, “It was a surprise to me, too, but Xenia saw proof for herself.”
“Xenia? Your sister Xenia?”
“Apparently, Sophia phased to talk Xenia off the ledge, to show her she isn’t the only one with fangs and claws. As Nik said, there’s a lot that has happened. Here we are. Let’s go inside and get you and Gregor settled. Then we’ll tell you everything.”
“I can’t believe she didn’t tell me,” Tessa muttered as the car rolled up to the front of the villa.
Nik and Zeke helped Gregor get their luggage inside. Once they had their bags unpacked, everyone met in the living room and took a seat. Nik had poured Scotch for Gregor, but he had no idea what Tessa drank. She didn’t hesitate to let him know. “I’ll take a beer if you have it. I have a feeling I’m going to need more than one though.”
She wasn’t lying. By the time Nik and Zeke told her and Gregor everything that had transpired, she was on her eighth longneck. If they didn’t have shifter metabolism, they would all be tipsy. The beautiful redhead was pacing the room. Gregor was giving Nik the details of their adventure in Greece. When he finished he said to Tessa, “Red, come sit down. You’re making everyone nervous.”
Tessa sat down next to her mate but hopped back up again. “I can’t believe she’s kept this from me. Why wouldn’t she tell me she’s transitioned?”
Gregor stood and grabbed her, stopping her from pacing. “You didn’t know Isabelle had a child, either.”
“Is that what’s really bothering you? Or is it the fact Jonas trained her without telling you?” Zeke asked. “You should know by now that Jonas has plenty of secrets of his own. It seems keeping secrets runs in our family. Speaking of which, now that Cyrus is the only sibling left who has yet to transition, I’m going to see him as soon as we find Sam and Monica. I won’t have another Cordelia on my hands.”
“I agree you should tell Cyrus. Jonas’ secrets cost him his relationship with Isabelle, and in turn, almost caused her to lose Connor. I think we’re past all that. Now that Rafael knows about us, he will want to absorb us into his Clan. Since I’m Gregor’s mate, I’m already part of the Stone Society. As for Sophia, I guess I can understand. I kept Gregor at bay for years, too.”
Nik picked up a stack of photos and started passing them out. “Julian scanned the photos that were sent to Rafael and emailed them to me. I have printed them out so we can all study the markings. Since Xenia is a history professor, we are going to enlist her help as well.” Before Nik sat down in front of his computer, he grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, lowering the volume. He kept the news channel on just on the off chance someone found Sam and Monica.
Tessa set up her own computer and began looking at the clues they had so far. While Nik and Gregor discussed getting Sophia out of prison, Zeke called Xenia.
“I wonder if Xavier has any connections here. It’s a long shot, but as old as he is, he might know of a clan in Africa,” Gregor said.
“Julian found a clan in South Africa, but he hasn’t been able to find out if they’re connected to Alistair in any way. I have yet to sense any other Goyles, other than the people who were following Sophia. I’m pretty sure one of the larger men was a shifter.”
“That makes sense if Alistair is behind this. We had the pleasure of running into Theron in Greece.” Gregor grinned as he glanced at his mate. “You should have seen the look on his face when Tessa stabbed him with a hypodermic needle. It was priceless.”
“It was great. Only he thought I was Isabelle. I’m telling you, Jonas’ disguises are brilliant,” Tessa added.
Nik smiled when he remembered Beatrice. “I’ve seen them first hand. I’m praying Sophia is wearing one now. When we get her out of that prison, she’ll be able to ditch the Clara disguise, and the media will be none the wiser.”
“I could always ask Jonas to recreate the disguise,” Tessa said aloud, more as a thought to herself.
“What are you thinking, Red? I know that look, and I’m not going to like it, am I?” Gregor frowned at his mate.
“Doubling as Isabelle worked. It could work with Clara, too.”
“We had the element of surprise on our hands, not to mention you had a team of Gargoyles backing you up. I don’t think we can all get thrown into prison at the same time. I know you want to help your cousin, but we’ll figure something out.” Gregor pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead.
Nik was happy for his cousin. The Gargoyles had gone too long before finding their mates. Seeing the two of them together had Nik even more anxious to find a way of getting Sophia out of prison so they could begin their life together.
The intercom at the gate buzzed. “That should be Xenia,” Zeke told them.
Nik hit the button and said, “Hello?”
“This is Xenia Carmichael. Ezekiel asked me to come over.” Nik motioned Zeke over to look at the screen. When he nodded, Nik opened the gate.
A few minutes later the doorbell rang. Since she was Zeke’s sister, Nik asked him to see her in. A strange man’s voice was added to Zeke’s and Xenia’s. When they came into the living area, Zeke introduced them. “This is Xenia and her mate, Keene. This is Nikolas, his cousin Gregor, and our cousin Tessa.”
After the men had shaken hands, Xenia spoke to the group. “I hope it’s okay that I brought Keene. I believe he might be able to help us with Sophia.”
“Yeah, how?” Nik asked.
“My father does a lot of business in Cairo. He has influential acquaintances who would hate to lose him in their circles.”
“Who exactly is your father?” Zeke asked.
“Brock Tyson.” Keene answered honestly.
“The arms dealer?”
“Before you get your knickers in a wad, I have nothing to do with him or his nefarious way of life. We aren’t estranged, but he understands I don’t agree with his lifestyle.”
“Then what makes you think he’d help?” Tessa asked.
“Because, I am my mother’s favorite child. Actually, I’m her only child, but if I ask her to intervene on my behalf, she will see that it’s done.”
Xenia stepped closer to her mate and slid her hand around his bicep. He smiled down at her lovingly. She smiled back and said, “It took him a while, but Keene is on board with the whole shifter mating. We have made the bond official, so technically, he’s family. We’re here to help any way we can.”
Nik clapped his hands together. “This is the best news I’ve heard in a long time. Thank you, Keene.” Inside, his shifter pushed his way to the front of Nik’s mind and said, Keep Sophia strong a little longer. We are coming for you.
Chapter Twenty-One
Angry voices woke Sophia. According to the amount of light in the hall, it was day time. It couldn’t be too early, if it was no longer dark. She sat up on her cot and turned so she could lean against the wall. She bent her knees and pulled her feet up onto the bed. Sophia wrapped her arms around her legs and listened. The voices were getting louder and closer. Two guards approached her cell. Instead of bringing her tray, the cell door was unlocked and sl
id open. “Get up,” one of the men seethed.
Sophia had no idea what was going on, but by the unhappy look on his face, it couldn’t bode well for her. She placed her sock-covered feet on the dirty floor and stood. Her body was still weak, but the dizziness didn’t have time to take hold. The guard grabbed her arm and began dragging her behind him. Instead of going out through the main area where the other prisoners were housed, she was led through a series of hallways that had no doors. She wanted to ask where they were taking her, but she had found it best to keep quiet. The guard stopped and said to the other man, “Now.” Before she could ask now what, a black bag was placed over her head, shrouding her world in darkness once again.
Her mind associated the lack of light with the small hole she’d been placed in. Her body protested, and Sophia began lashing out at the guards. “Fuck, grab her arms. Miss Fort, I suggest you behave. If you want to get out of this prison, you’ll stop fighting us.”
Sophia stopped swinging. Surely they were messing with her. Why put a sack over her head if they were releasing her? The guard grabbed her arm, and, once again, they were walking. She did her best not to stumble considering she couldn’t see where she was going. The jangle of keys sounded, and a door was opened. The bright sunshine bore down on Sophia’s arms. Had they not placed the black hood over her head, she would have been blinded.
“I’ll take her from here,” a deep voice said. A gentle hand held Sophia’s, and she was led away from the building. Sharp gravel bit into her feet. “Not much farther now, Miss Brooks. Here we are. I’m going to place your hand on the car door. Can you get inside the vehicle or do you need assistance?”
