by Sydney Addae
Barticus stomach dropped. He couldn’t believe they’d betray him like this. “Why?”
“I was scared you wouldn’t love us anymore. I apologize, Sir. It was my fault, my idea,” Randi said in a rush.
“Both of you carried it out?” His heart broke with the knowledge that those closest to him caused this situation.
“Yes, Sir,” they said at the same time.
“I am deeply sorry, Sir. I understand we betrayed your trust and will leave your presence when dismissed. But I want you to know, I have always loved you as a father and appreciate everything you’ve done for me, my brother and mam,” Randi said.
He waved away her apology. “Do not speak to me.” He broke their links so they could not contact him again.
“Who are these people?” Ira asked, pointing to Damian, Hawke and Asia.
“Bounty hunters, looking for Amynta. Her brother paid them to find her. But you already know that. Why the games, Ira?”
Ira stood and walked toward Hawke. Asia’s eyes widened when she saw the long cable connected to Amynta and looked at Barticus. Their gazes met in understanding. The next moment, Hawke snatched Ira by the neck and squeezed, lifting the man from the floor. Damian ran to the side and followed the cable beneath Ira’s robe. It connected to a box on Ira’s belt. He removed the box and set it on the table. A light blinked on and off.
When Ira collapsed from lack of oxygen, Hawke shook him hard and tossed him against the wall with a loud thunk. Barticus smiled seeing the man slide down the wall onto the floor. Pity Hawke hadn’t killed him. Asia had walked over to her mam to find the other end of the cord.
“Son of a bitch, he’s locked it on her arm in some kind of brace.” She looked over her shoulder at Hawke. “What will it do? Some kind of shock treatment?”
“Not sure yet. I think I’ve seen something like this before, in the lab. One sec.” He pulled open a drawer, pulled out a couple of paper clips and straightened one, then the other. “When I say pull, yank the cord out the box,” he said to Damian.
“Okay.”
Hawke exhaled.
Barticus’ hold on Amynta tightened.
Asia’s hand covered the metal connectors on the brace.
“Pull,” Hawke said as he placed the metal clips on the device, causing sparks to fly. Damian yanked the cord, but it didn’t move.
Asia shuddered as energy passed through her.
Hawke dropped the clips, grabbed the cord in the middle and pulled, tearing it apart. Embers flew from the wire connected to the box, now dangling loose. Asia took Barticus’ knife and cut the brace from Amynta’s arm and tossed it aside.
Barticus stood, nodded at Asia and headed to the door with Amynta in his arms. Randi and Raoul had left at some point, he hadn’t noticed. He’d deal with them later, now they all needed to leave before Ira got more crazy ideas.
They headed toward the front exit. Damian and Hawke walked through, but Barticus couldn’t. Hawke and Damian returned with curious expressions.
He handed Amynta to Hawke, “See if you can carry her out.”
Hawked nodded, turned to leave but couldn’t cross the invisible barrier. He shook his head and returned Amynta to her mate. Hawke took Asia’s hand to leave. Half of her body went through before she cried out in pain. “It hurts.”
“It’s warded, we cannot leave through here, let’s try another exit.” Barticus led them down the corridor to another door and tried to escape to no avail. “Son of a bitch.” He looked around and realized they were in the heart of the temple near the inner sanctuary. They needed to leave this area now.
Amynta stirred in his arms, and then opened her eyes. “Tre?”
“Yes, you are in the temple, we need to leave this place. Ira has gone crazy. He believes Nicromja has returned.”
“I hope so. We can end all of this.”
Her answer didn’t please him. “Asia needs to be protected, there is a bounty on her head, almost ten million.”
She gasped. “You have seen her? Where? When?”
He turned and then looked at Asia. Frowning, Amynta followed his gaze. He lowered her to the ground and when he was certain she could stand on her own, released her.
“You didn’t answer me.” She looked at him again.
“Can we talk about this when we leave this place? It’s warded, can you break through?”
“I’ll try.” She nodded to the other three and walked with him to the exit.
“This one’s nasty, it’s specific.” She looked at him. “To make this work he has something personal of each person.”
“Can you break it?”
“No. It’s personal.” She looked behind her. “Who are they and why are they here? They should leave while they can.”
Barticus shook his head, feeling the trap tighten around his neck. The need to protect his den pulsed through him. His wolf grew agitated. He needed to think.
In the distance he heard chanting. Their time was up. Somehow Ira had found other priests for this ritual and they were on their way. Frustrated and unwilling to be a guinea pig, he ran and slammed into the barrier to break through, but couldn’t penetrate the ward.
“Go, hurry. Run while you can,” Amynta said to the other three, not realizing Asia couldn’t leave.
“I cannot leave my mate,” Hawke said, standing next to Asia.
“Why can’t he leave?” Amynta said, looking at Asia’s male form.
Damian’s confused expression clearly wondered the same thing. Hawke placed his hand on Damian’s shoulder, the two looked at each other. Damian’s eyes widened as he looked at Asia, who appeared to be a man. He shook his head and looked at Hawke’s serious expression.
Barticus pulled Amynta close and held onto her. “Asia is his mate. She is in disguise, but that is our daughter. Please do not alert Ira until the last moment.”
Amynta stiffened, turned and looked into Asia’s eyes. For a few seconds she said nothing, just stared.
And then she fainted.
Chapter 26
Asia shook off the shock of seeing her mam lying helpless on her sire’s lap. Unbelievable, after all these years they were in the same room. Her heart raced and if Hawke hadn’t sent calming energies, she would have hyperventilated or worse, passed out as well.
The High Priest looked familiar but she couldn’t place him as he moved in their direction. Then she noticed the cable connected to her mam, and searched her sire’s eyes for answers.
“Hawke, he’s got mam connected to some wires.” The next second Hawke held the priest in the air. Heart in her throat, she moved quickly to check her mam while Hawke and Damian dealt with the power source.
While Hawke gave Damian instructions, she slid her fingers beneath the metal to prevent charges from entering into her mam. The charge surged through her system like wildfire. She heard Hawke yell through their link as her body shook like a leaf. He was pissed. But what else could she have done, her mam was unconscious.
When he grabbed the cord and tore it in half, she soothed him through their link. “Don’t ever take a risk like that,” he snapped.
She forgave his tone because she felt his fear. Following Barticus through the temple, she glanced at the walls embellished with gold and precious metals. For a defunct god, Nicromja’s temple was immaculate.
“He cannot move through the ward, give me your hand, we’ll go together,” Hawke took her hand, at first she passed through with no problem, but when she moved her other leg to walk through, the slight tingle turned to a burning sizzle pushing her back. The pain made her double over.
She heard chanting and looked at her sire, saw the defeat and desperation in his eyes. When her mam couldn’t break the ward, Asia knew it was a matter of seconds before the priest realized the reason she couldn’t walk through the ward.
“Mistress?” She bit her lip in indecision.
“Asia?”
She gave Jasmine a quick run-down on their current situation, including the news of her ma
m fainting when she saw her. “Do I remove the mask now, so that there are no questions regarding the chameleon or leave it on and run the risk of it being discovered. I don’t know what we’re dealing with here.”
“Silas? What do we do?” Jasmine asked, and Asia realized he was on their link.
“The chameleon cannot be taken, it’s too powerful. In the wrong hands… it doesn’t bear thinking about.”
“So I tell Damian and show myself before the priest arrives.”
No one spoke. The chants grew closer. She couldn’t rush them but she prayed they’d hurry.
“Yes, show the real Asia. Protect the secret of the chameleon. I believe we can trust Damian now,” La Patron said, although it sounded like a question.
“Yes, yes, we can. I’ll have Hawke tell him. And my sire will tell mam.” She paused. “Mistress, would you intercede with the Goddess on my behalf, I would like to link with my mam and sire.”
“Yes, I will ask, but you can ask her as well, Asia. She will hear you.”
“Thank you, I will ask. I don’t know anything about Nicromja, my sire thinks this is a ruse, empty worship. But the High Priest seems determined and I cannot leave. There must be a way out of here.”
“Silas? How can they break the ward and leave?” Jasmine asked.
“I’m not sure. Let me ask around, and get back with you. Okay. And Asia…”
“Sir?”
“If you have to take some heads to gain your freedom, shed blood and we’ll deal with the fall out later.”
Her heart slammed in her chest. “Yes, Sir, thank you, Sir.”
Jasmine laughed. “And you call me blood-thirsty. You just made her day.”
“You are a blood-thirsty bitch, you want to blow up the temple to get her out of there.”
“True.” Jasmine chuckled. “I’m here with you, Asia. Just call and I’ll pick up.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” She cleared their link.
Her skin tingled, the next moment she was in her natural form.
Damian’s eyes widened. His face went from surprise to awestruck and then pleasure as he stared at her. “Wow. Asia Montgomery, I cannot believe it, maybe I can. Timber had a vicious streak. You are so lucky,” he said to Hawke, who nodded, bent forward and brushed a kiss against her lips.
“Hi sexy.”
She smiled and hugged him. “Hi stud.”
“Asia?”
She turned and saw her mam’s outstretched arms. Tears ran unchecked down her smooth caramel cheek as she stepped away from Barticus and walked toward Asia.
“Mam?” Too choked to speak above a whisper, Asia moved into her mam’s arms and was enfolded in her embrace.
“My baby, my baby, blessed be the Goddess for keeping you. I prayed that you would survive and one day return.” Her hands smoothed Asia’s hair, back, and finally her face. They stared at each other for a few moments. “I never gave up looking for you, you must believe me. Every morning I prayed to the Goddess for your health and well-being. Not a day passed when I did not miss you.” She pulled Asia close again and rocked her back and forth. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Amynta’s body shook from the force of her emotions. Asia’s blouse was soaked from her mam’s tears.
Hearing her mam’s pain from their separation, seeing the love on her sire’s face, Asia’s heart expanded and broke. Her chest heaved as she took in gulps of air. Her mam’s face blurred beneath the avalanche of her tears. All her life she’d missed this. Her mam’s arms tightened around her and then there was another. Her sire wrapped his arms around both of them, holding them close. Her mind, battered and bruised from years of abuse, cleared and she could see things so much clearer. The songs her mam sang to her as a child flew across her mind. There was a field she played in as a pup. Two men, one blond, the other dark, tossed her in the air, causing her to laugh and squeal.
Happy memories filled her mind, lighting an area that had been dim. Hawke and Damian wrapped their arms around their small circle, sealing their love and commitment to each other. She opened their link and shared her memories with Hawke, felt his pleasure at her homecoming.
“The priest watches,” Hawke said into the quiet. He and Damian peeled off. Barticus moved back, but kept to the side of Amynta. Asia stood next to her mam, Hawke moved to her other side, and Damian stood next to his sire as they faced the High Priest.
Ira clapped. His thin face stretched wide with a smug grin. “I told you she would come. Now that you are all here we can begin.” He pointed at Hawke and Damian. “You two, leave. You have no business here.”
Hawke bulked to his largest size and growled. “Make me.”
The High Priest frowned and looked at the other priest, who took a few steps back. “He cannot enter the inner sanctuary.”
The other priest looked at the High Priest as if he had lost his reason. “How do I stop him?”
“By whatever means necessary, must I think of everything?” the High Priest snapped. The other priest turned and ran.
Hawke returned to his normal size and took Asia’s hand. “If we are separated, take whatever you need from me.”
She nodded, not quite sure what to expect, but didn’t want to waste time arguing with him.
The High Priest shook his head, closed his eyes and started chanting. The floor shook. Asia grabbed her mam’s hand, reassured the woman wouldn’t be leaving her any time soon. They smiled at each other.
“Damian,” Hawke snapped as the barrier shrunk, separating him from the others. Hawke reached for his pup and was separated as well. He and Asia held hands, but that was the only part of him inside the barrier. He slammed his fist on the invisible wall but couldn’t break through. Pain radiated up Asia’s arm from the point of their connection.
“I love you, remember, pull my energy, anything you need to beat this thing,” he said through their link as he released her hand.
“Love you too.” Asia looked at Hawke and Damian standing next to her, yet separated.
Ira looked at the three of them and nodded. He turned and walked into the inner sanctuary.
Asia raised her palm onto the barrier.
Hawke placed his much larger palm on hers.
“Talk to La Patron about this. It’s creepy.”
He nodded but kept his hand in place, the gesture warmed her. The ground shuddered beneath their feet.
She looked over her shoulder at her parents, they were staring into each other’s eyes, holding one another. The image of the two of them, together, settled her core. No matter what, at least she knew a part of her history, and if that crazy priest had his way, she would discover more.
“The library,” Hawke said.
“What?” She looked at him.
“I knew I saw the priest somewhere before, he’s the guy from the library.”
Asia thought back and nodded slowly. “You’re right, I knew he looked familiar but couldn’t place him. Good thing he didn’t recognize me then. But he’s probably put it together now.”
“Asia?” Jasmine called.
“Mistress.”
A long sigh came through their link. “The Goddess answered quickly, although…”
“Jasmine,” La Patron snapped.
“What? This is crazy.”
“Nevertheless, we will abide by Her wishes.”
Butterflies filled Asia’s stomach at their tones. “What happened?”
“This god, Nicromja, seems he’s real and he’s taken an interest in his people again,” Jasmine said in a peevish tone.
“He is? But my sire said he’s been away over a hundred years. Is it because of me? Because I’m here seeking answers? Did I do this?” Her breath caught in her chest as she glanced at her parents who might die because of her.
“No. See Silas, this is what I’m talking about. No one wants to answer questions and then we deal with the fallout. Asia, listen to me.”
“Jasmine!” Silas snapped.
“Asia, listen to me. None of this is your fault. You a
re following your destiny, seeking answers that only your parents can provide. The Goddess spared your life, refused to allow you to die so that you can close this chapter. Right now, you are where you’re supposed to be. Be watchful, seek clues and you will beat this. You’ve come too far to allow anyone, of any species, to defeat you now.” She paused. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
The passion-filled words from her Mistress found fertile soil in her mind. She recalled all the times she should’ve died, could’ve died easily, but didn’t. The Goddess had preserved her and should be praised for her mercy and grace.
“Yes, Mistress. Blessed be the Goddess for her kindness to me and my parents.”
“Good. That’s the spirit. Now, the Goddess has forbidden Silas and me to interfere. But, I will be on our link, encouraging you. Remember, you and Hawke are one and even if he cannot physically fight, his strength, wisdom and determination combine with yours. Think of him as your co-pilot. Open your link and allow him to see and experience everything. No one can interfere with mates, not even gods.”
“Jasmine,” Silas said, this time there was a hint of humor in his tone.
“Leave me alone, Silas. If I cannot interfere, I will help prepare her for meeting this…”
“Nicromja,” Asia said, reeling. “So he’s real? And he’s coming here? Today?”
“Do you believe in the Goddess?” Silas asked in a soft voice.
“Yes, Sir. Of course.” She couldn’t fathom not believing.
“Well, if you believe there is one god, you can believe there are others, especially since She never claimed to be the only one. Nicromja is god over male wolves and has an interest in you and your sire. According to the Goddess, he has every right to inspect his servants.”
“But he’s not a believer any more. He and mam worship the Goddess now.” Asia wasn’t sure that mattered since the Goddess already knew this.
“He is not my concern, you and your den are. Be prepared for anything, I have confidence you’ll come through this stronger than ever.”
Asia swallowed her fear and met Hawke’s gaze. “Did you hear?”
He nodded. “So…he’s calling the god now? Is that what all that noise is about?”
