“Daniel’s orders,” Garrett shrugged, but the look he gave Tristan made it clear that he didn’t approve of the decision.
“No,” Avery shook her head so fiercely that her hair whipped back and forth into her eyes. “No way.” She stormed off to confront Daniel, who was just making his way down the porch steps.
“Why on earth would we bring him along?” she snapped, pointing back at the car where the slump of Tristan’s shoulders was clearly visible through the window in the last of the sun’s light. “After everything he’s done?”
“For a number of reasons,” Daniel explained, in a kinder tone than she had expected, “but the main one being that he can identify Aleksei. If the vampires are still inhabiting the City we’ll need all the information we can get. Aleksei is a formidable opponent and he’s legendary for his craftiness. Being able to identify him will be a valuable asset.”
“We’re supposed to vote,” Avery reminded him. “The Guardianship is a democracy. You can’t make a decision of this magnitude without us.”
“You’re right,” Daniel consented, although lately that rule had gone out of the window. He refrained from pointing out that Quinn was now making most of the decisions. “But there’s not much time.” Calling everyone to gather round he posed the question, as well as his reason for bringing Tristan along. To Avery’s disgust, everyone voted for Daniel, including Tristan himself.
“You don’t get a vote, traitor!” she hissed, as he raised his hand out of the car window. “Fine,” she relented, shooting Daniel a filthy look, “but things are going to get very messy out there. You’ve kept him well-guarded here but, just so you know, I’m going to kill him the very first chance I get.” Turning on her heel, she deliberately got into the front seat beside Garrett, leaving Daniel and Braddon to share the back with Tristan.
Drake watched Avery’s theatrical antics with amusement. He heard Daniel heave a weary sigh as he came to stand beside him. “You’ll make your own way?” he asked and Drake nodded. He had been ready to leave for some time and was eager to get on his way. He was also relieved that Braddon had opted to travel with the other Guardians. He had initially offered to accompany Drake, even though the others were also heading in the same direction, but Drake had declined. Travelling with someone else would only slow him down.
“I don’t suppose I can convince you to stay put?” Daniel said. “You’d be a great asset keeping watch over the wards.”
“You should know better than to ask me that.”
Daniel didn’t mince his words. “The bond might cause a problem if you get too close to Quinn.”
“You don’t need to remind me,” Drake snapped, “but I’m going.”
“This is all about her, isn’t it? Quinn is the only reason you’re here - the only reason you’re doing any of this.”
“She was,” Drake corrected.
“But?”
“There was a moment today when I had to consider that she might not make it,” Drake exhaled as he recalled the feeling of helplessness that had come over him when he had lost the connection to Quinn’s mind. “I don’t know how I would’ve coped if she had... if anything had happened to her... but it did occur to me that if she hadn’t made it today, I wouldn’t have left. I would still be here. I don’t know what that means, exactly, but I figure I’m not only doing this for her anymore.”
Daniel had fallen silent. Drake waited for him to respond, but, in the end, Daniel simply lifted his hand and placed it on Drake’s shoulder. Somehow, the gesture conveyed more than any words could have.
In the semi-darkness of twilight, Drake made his way to the flat area behind the barn where they had parked all the cars. The Guardians had left only minutes ago. He would beat them to Cliffdale regardless which car he took, given that his senses allowed him to travel much faster, but Lenora’s Lamborghini would make the journey that much quicker. He had made Quinn a promise that he was on his way, but he intended to arrive in record time.
“You’re taking my favourite car, aren’t you?” Lenora pouted. Drake swivelled around to find her standing at the door of the Lamborghini, swirling a familiar set of keys around one long, red-taloned finger. She must have really raced over here to beat him, the sun had literally only set a few seconds ago. Drake grinned.
“If I wreck it, I’ll buy you a new one.”
“Why didn’t you tell me Aleksei was back?” Her words were serious and tinged with fear.
He didn’t meet her eyes. “I knew you’d start freaking out. I didn’t want you to get yourself all worked up... stress ages you, you know.” Judging by her expression his attempt at humour had failed miserably and Drake braced himself for a typically Lenora lecture.
“Drake,” she snatched up the keys and crossed to stand before him, her warm brown eyes pleading. “You and I both know this changes everything. I want to help these people just as much as you do – probably more since Isaiah’s death - but this is asking too much. The Guardians can’t win. They don’t stand a chance against him.”
“I know they don’t. But I do.” His answer was obviously not what she had expected, but his green eyes were deadly serious.
“No,” Lenora shook her head. “No, Drake. You cannot take on Aleksei by yourself. Please... don’t do this.”
“It’s already done.”
“He will kill you.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“It’s not that! You are the most powerful vampire I’ve ever known, but even you can’t take on the king of all vampires! You can’t honestly believe you stand a chance of defeating him?” Drake’s hands clenched into fists. “I will not abandon her now.”
“I should have known. This is all about Quinn. You want to protect her and I understand that, but then tell her to run! Take her and the others somewhere he will never find you. I’ll help. If we pool our resources we can keep them safe.”
“There is no place on earth that they will be safe; not if Aleksei is back and hunting them.”
“You could hide them,” Lenora’s voice had dropped to barely more than a whisper. “If anyone could… you could…” Drake bristled, sensing that the conversation was headed into dangerous territory. Into his past, a history he didn’t need reminding of. Although a part of him desperately wanted to know just how much Lenora knew, he cut her off abruptly.
“Besides,” he continued, as though she hadn’t spoken, “even if there was such a place, do you really think I could convince her to run. Convince any of them, to run?” He gave a mirthless laugh.
“No,” a proud voice interrupted and they turned to find Channon, Rafe and the other four werewolves standing behind them. They hadn’t even heard them arrive, but obviously the wolves had overheard at least the last part of their conversation. “Drake is right,” Channon continued, crossing her arms across her chest, “the Guardians will not run and neither will we. We’d like to come with you,” she nodded at Drake. Drake admired her tenacity. He personally had no problem with the wolves joining the fray, particularly if it increased the Guardians’ chance of success, but he had to wonder what the others would think if he arrived at Cliffdale with the last of the werewolf species in tow.
“I thought Daniel said all the wards were to remain behind,” Drake pointed out.
“That wasn’t his decision to make.” Channon was just as stubborn as Quinn, Drake thought wryly. Turning back to Lenora, he held out his hand for the keys.
“We’re going to need another car, too,” he remarked, catching them as she tossed them over with a resigned air.
“We have to go with you,” Channon spoke as he opened the Lamborghini door.
“Six of you aren’t going to fit in this car,” Drake replied. The Lamborghini only had two seats. “Besides, there’s plenty to choose from. I’d take that truck – if you don’t mind the open air.” He gestured at a pick-up a few cars away.
Channon faltered. “We... ah... we don’t know how to drive.” Drake could tell how painful it
was for her to admit, but of course the wards couldn’t drive. There were no automobiles in Summerfeld.
“I do.” They all turned to stare as Jonas skulked in from the shadows near the barn.
“Well, doesn’t everyone want to be a hero tonight,” Lenora drawled, but Drake knew her sarcasm was born of concern. “Does your father know you’re here?’ Lenora added.
“No,” Jonas faced her unabashedly, “but I’m going. Monique is out there.”
“You’re human,” Drake reminded him, not unkindly. “You’re not going to be much use to her.”
“I won’t get involved,” Jonas promised. “I just want to be there. I can drive you,” he added, appealing to Channon, who needed him, regardless of how she might feel about letting him tag along. “And I’ll stay in the woods,” he added for good measure, “I won’t go anywhere near the Cathedral.”
“I don’t believe that for a second,” Drake muttered, curling his long frame into the Lamborghini, “but I’ll let you all resolve this. I’m leaving.”
“Wait!” Lenora held up her hand. “If you insist on going, I have something for you.”
“Lenora…”
“It’ll only take a second,” she said, darting back toward the main house.
She was back in no time at all but Drake had already started drumming his fingers against the steering wheel. To his surprise Lenora was carrying the box that Dylan had fetched for her.
“It’s for Quinn,” Lenora reminded him, passing it through the open window. “I had hoped to give it to her myself, but… well, anyway, tell her it’s the least I could do. Isaiah believed in her, and I guess I’m going to have to do the same. Maybe this will help.”
Drake set the box down on the floor by the passenger’s seat and turned to face her. Every nerve in his body screamed for him to get going but he couldn’t leave her without telling her how much she meant to him.
“You know you have done more for me than I could ever have expected,” he began. “I don’t know why or how you came into my life, Lenora, but I don’t think I could have survived it without you. When Lucian was taken from me I didn’t think I would recover, or get past the rage. But I did, because of you. Despite everything I’ve done, you never turned your back on me. I’ve never thanked you properly, but I hope you know how much you mean to me.”
Lenora pressed her lips together, and to Drake’s astonishment she seemed to be holding back tears. “Lucian was a very dear friend,” she smiled sadly, wiping her eyes. “It’s been an honour and a privilege to know you, Drake. He would have been very proud of you.” Drake was at a loss for words but there was nothing more to say. “Go,” Lenora instructed, reading his thoughts. “Do what you need to do.”
The powerful engine growled as he started the car, the sound deafening even in the open space. “You come back,” Lenora yelled frantically over the noise.
“I will,” he promised.
“You better. I want my car back.” She gave him a tragic, meaningful smile and then stepped away from the door as he hit the gas and the Lamborghini catapulted forward, the tyres sending up plumes of dust that enveloped Lenora and the others. By the time it cleared, Drake was already speeding toward his destination.
Chapter 22
Channon watched the exchange between Drake and Lenora, torn between her instinctive dislike of the vampire race and compassion for the depth of their relationship. If there was ever a pair of vampires who could change her centuries-old prejudice, it was Drake and Lenora. As the sports car disappeared in a cloud of dust, she watched Lenora’s face crumple as the woman gave way to the emotion she had been holding back.
“He’ll be okay,” Channon called, unable to stand by and do nothing to ease the other woman’s fears. Lenora sniffed, seemed to remember that she was not alone and visibly pulled herself together.
“You should get going,’ she said, striding briskly over to the truck. “The keys are in the ignition,” she called a second later.
“Great,” Jonas announced, following her lead and yanking open the driver’s door. Unsure of whether or not to accept his help, Channon looked to Rafe for guidance.
“I don’t like it either,” he murmured, “but it doesn’t look like we have much choice.”
During their short time together, Channon had become fond of the gypsies, Jonas in particular, and the thought of taking him along on this mission crippled her, but Rafe was right. Without Jonas, they weren’t going anywhere.
“Okay,” she relented, faced with no alternative. “Let’s go.” As she settled into the front seat, Rafe slid in beside her, while Dominic, Sawyer, Perry and Reagan clambered into the truck bed behind them. In true male-wolf style, Dominic and Sawyer stood, banging their fists on the roof of the pick-up, while Perry and Reagan settled comfortably at their feet, resting their backs against the window that separated the cab from the bed.
Lenora leaned in to the driver’s window, a stern expression on her face. “You better not tell your father I knew anything about this,” she instructed Jonas.
“I won’t.” Jonas gave her an impulsive, awkward hug through the open window and kissed her cheek. “Thank you.” A minute later, the blue pick-up jerked out of the yard, the smell of the burning clutch assaulting Channon’s senses. Their exit was far less flamboyant than Drake’s had been, but she sensed that Lenora’s heart hurt just the same.
“So, what’s the plan?” Jonas asked as they bumped along the road. Channon tried to ignore the grinding protest of the truck as he clumsily changed gears.
“We find them and we help in whatever way we can,” Channon replied simply. “Don’t go getting any ideas, Jonas. You will stay in those woods just like you promised or I will tie your sorry ass to a tree.” Beside her, Rafe chuckled. “It’s not funny,” Channon scolded.
“It is kinda funny,” Rafe teased. “Although she’s right,” he added as Jonas joined in with a chuckle of his own. “If I get even a whiff that you plan on doing something stupid I’ll tie you to that tree myself.”
Channon fell silent then, wondering if she was making the right decision. The four wolves behind her were all that remained of their kind; the last known werewolves in existence. As the first female Alpha in history, would she lead them to their death? Would she bring about the extinction of her own species? The burden of being Alpha weighed heavily on her heart, but the alternative was inconceivable. She couldn’t let the Guardians fight this battle alone, not when she was in a position to help.
“You’re doing the right thing,” Rafe murmured, taking her hand. His calm, steady presence comforted her in ways that simple words couldn’t. Rafe had become her sounding-board – listening for hours as she was plagued with self-doubt and guiding her with his own experience. He no longer resented her position. He had proven his own worth when he had helped the pack to shift, showing that it was not only the Alpha who could contribute. They had always been a team and his acceptance and support of her leadership after the battle of Summerfeld had only brought them closer together.
“Do you really believe that or are you telling me what I want to hear?’ she asked, fixing him with her amber eyes.
“Maybe I’m doing both.”
“If they die, we cease to exist,” Channon spoke softly, hating having to say the words out loud.
“If they die, they die fighting,” Rafe countered. “We’re wolves, Chan. We were born to fight, not to hide. You’re doing the right thing.”
Channon let the issue go then, resting her head on Rafe’s shoulder as Jonas pressed his foot down on the gas pedal, speeding them toward the danger that no doubt awaited them.
Back at the farm house, Lenora found the Fae preparing for their departure. “And where do you think you’re going?” she demanded.
“We need to get closer to the City,” Kellan replied. “When they open the Rose Gate, our magic will return. We can help, but not if it takes us too long to get there. We need to be in the vicinity when the Gate opens.”
“
Does anyone ever actually listen to Daniel?” Lenora arched her dark brows.
“We can’t stay here,” Kellan insisted.
“Do Piper and Austin know that you’re leaving?” Lenora found it hard to believe that Piper, in particular, would willingly allow the Fae to disobey Daniel’s orders.
“Actually, I didn’t tell them. But I’m pretty sure they have every intention of heading there themselves. I overheard Austin telling Piper he wouldn’t stay behind. She’s trying to convince him but I don’t think it’s going to happen.”
“What about the baby?” Lenora pressed, as Freya descended the stairs, baby Sage cradled against her chest.
“She’ll stay here with the women,” Freya answered the question. “Only Evangeline and I will accompany the men.
“They’re our best archers,” Kellan explained, but Lenora noticed his lips press tightly together. Kellan wasn’t happy about his wife coming along, but Lenora suspected that Freya had given him little choice in the matter.
“Just wait a minute,” she held up her hand. Everything was happening too fast, with no consideration for the consequences. Fools rush in, she thought wildly.
“We don’t have time,” Kellan replied. “The Guardians will need our help. We have to get there as quickly as we can. The Fae women staying behind are our safeguard. If they don’t hear from us by tomorrow they’re going to take the herd and the hatchlings and flee. So long as they stay alive the Guardian line can’t be eliminated. More will come, if we fail. We can’t just sit here and do nothing. We can’t let the Guardians fight for us alone, not when we can help.”
Lenora stifled a scream of frustration as she made her decision. “Fine, fine! But I’m coming with you.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Freya said, but Lenora could see the relief in her eyes.
Guardians of Summerfeld: Full Series: Books 1-4 Page 92
