Xavier’s eyes stayed on Stephany the whole time. “Our perimeter has been breached.” His jaw worked. “A horde of elves and three or four wolves are on their way to the manor house as we speak. Brant is missing. You need to come with me now.” For the first time, he turned dark eyes on her.
“I need to get dressed.” Her heart raced. If anything happened to Brant she would never forgive herself.
“No time,” he growled.
Stephany grabbed a little silk robe. She must’ve caught the look on Tanya’s face because she added. “What? I wanted you ready for Brant’s apology.”
Xavier turned away from the tub. “Hurry. We don’t have much time.”
Tanya had barely rubbed the water from her arms when Xavier growled low and deep. “You really need to move or I will be forced to put you over my shoulder just like that.”
She shoved her wet body into the silk robe, which clung to her like a second skin. It barely covered her naked ass. She had only just tied the cord when Xavier grabbed her and pulled her through the bathroom.
“What about you?” she shouted in Stephany’s direction.
“I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
There wasn’t any time to argue, so she allowed herself to be dragged into the suite. Asking to stop to put panties on didn’t seem likely to go over well so she bit her tongue instead. Her dagger was on the side table next to the bed. Tanya only just managed to snag it as they walked past. She put the sheathed blade into the side pocket of her robe.
Without missing a stride, Xavier reached into his vibrating pocket and pulled out a phone. “Yeah.” A pause. They kept on walking. “I have her. I’m on my way as we speak.” Another pause. “Of course, my lord.”
“Let me speak…” She let the sentence die as she watched Xavier shove the phone back in his pocket.
“Brant is safe. He will meet us at the cellar entrance. You are to go underground until we have the situation under control. Chances are good that they are here for you.”
Her heart was already racing from the exertion of keeping up with him, but somehow it managed to kick up another gear. Zane’s words came back to haunt her. Tanya would rather die than end up mated to the alpha. With one hand firmly on her robe in an attempt to seal it shut and the other clasped with Xavier’s arm, she worked harder at keeping her legs moving one foot in front of the other.
Shouts from outside. A bloody scream.
She gasped.
“They are here,” Xavier stated unnecessarily as he picked up the pace. Okay, forget the panties, a sports bra would have been awesome. They rounded the corner and nearly collided with two elves.
“Fuck,” Xavier snarled. He head butted the closest male who crumpled on impact. The second elf had time to prepare. He was a big son of a bitch with golden hair down his back. The elf pulled a long, thin blade.
Silver.
A shiver raced up Tanya’s spine as the elf lunged for Xavier, who side stepped the deadly arch easily. “To the study. I’m right behind you!” Xavier shouted as he punched the elf. Xavier yelped as the blade sliced his forearm. “Now!” He shouted punching the elf a second time.
At first she was frozen to the spot, too afraid to move so much as a muscle, but hearing Xavier shout snapped her out of it. Her choices were stick around and become the next Mrs Wolf or run and save her naked ass. She ran for the study. It was funny how big the manor seemed all of a sudden.
The robe be damned, she pulled the knife from her pocket and removed it from the sheath, shoving the sheath back into her pocket. Both her fisted hands pumped as she pushed herself to run faster. She reached the head of the stairs just as a lone elf stepped up. “Well, well, what have we here? If it isn’t the human.” His crystalline eyes dropped to her chest.
Oh shit.
She flashed a look down. Her robe gaped, the silk edges barely covered her nipples which protruded through the thin fabric anyway so not much use.
The elf whistled. “Not really the alpha’s cup of nectar. He likes um tall and lean.” He flashed a glance at her face before dropping his gaze back down. “I’m sure he’ll gobble you up anyway. I on the other hand think you’re quite lovely.” He took two more steps towards her, still focused on her chest.
She did something really slutty, but in this instance necessary since her life was at stake, and pulled her shoulders back as far as they would go. Her right breast sprang free. The elf’s jaw dropped as she took the last small step to get close enough to stab him. She couldn’t remember anything Brant had told her about where to aim. She almost expected to be stopped and didn’t think her ploy would work, but the knife sank home somewhere just below his collarbone. The elf screamed and tried to grab her. She knocked his hand away and kicked his shin, which sent him flying down the stairs. They were long and steep and by the time he landed at the bottom he wasn’t moving. At this stage Tanya was half way down, she didn’t stop to check if he was dead when she reached the bottom. Instead she jumped over him. Trying to fix her robe while she ran.
“Tanya!” Brant roared.
Thank God. She could breathe a little easier. He wore a pair of leather pants, his chest was bare and covered in blood. There was no time for any type of greeting. He clasped her hand a little too tightly and they made for his study. They ran into elves twice more, the silk clad males had made it through the outside security. The first time there was just one and Brant dispatched him easily. The second time there were three. All with those same, thin deadly looking knives. Brant took a slash across the chest getting in close enough to give the first of the group an uppercut to the nose. With a sickening crunch, the elf collapsed falling to his knees. Brant had to put the elf to his back in order to take on the remaining two. Blood gushed from the fallen male’s nose, he swayed threatening to topple over. It didn’t stop him from reaching for his knife though. The elf went on all fours and shuffled in the blade’s direction.
She glanced at Brant who was working hard to avoid the silver while trying to down his opponents without the help of any weapon of his own. Although he was holding up fine, the fallen elf was in a perfect position to take him down if he managed to reach his knife, which was inches away from his fingertips. She looked down at the bloody knife white fisted in her hand. She had to protect Brant just as he was protecting her. Tanya planted the knife into the side of the elf’s neck. The one thing she clearly remembered was Brant telling her to pull the blade clear after a stab. She gave the hilt a jerk towards her and the blade slid clear. Blood sprayed from the small wound. Tanya shrieked as nausea clutched her stomach, causing her to gag. When she turned back, the elf lay face down in a growing pool of blood. The elf was dead. It had to be. She sobbed clasping her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming.
Xavier stepped in next to Brant, using what looked like a samurai sword. He made quick work of the last elf. Brant staggered. There was a puncture wound to his left bicep and a second slice across his chest. Tanya couldn’t help but to make another sobbing noise as she rushed to his side. Brant leaned on her for the first few strides before rising up to his full height. Xavier led the way. Brant pushed her in front of him, his hand staying on her waist as they ran. The front lobby was teaming with vampires in full combat. The elves surged as they caught sight of her. A large menacing wolf growled, it’s back a mass of wounds. It took a vampire’s arm into its massive jaws. The vampire screamed as the jaws closed in a loud snap. The male vamp pierced the wolf with his sword and the beast collapsed.
“This way,” Brant urged her through the study door. He closed and locked it behind them. Xavier used a key to open one of the drawers in Brant’s large mahogany desk. What was so important? There was a crash at the door.
“Hurry,” Brant growled unnecessarily.
Once the drawer was open, Xavier fiddled inside for a second or two. There was a creaking noise and the desk slid to the side revealing a gaping hole. She could just make out several steps leading down and then the dark swallowed a
There were loud bangs on the walls. “Good thing we blocked the entrances in the hidden passages,” Xavier said as they descended into the darkness. “The brick and concrete was reinforced with silver, so good luck to those bastards.”
Tanya whimpered. Shit, she couldn’t see a thing. Brant pulled her higher up against him and she wrapped her legs around his middle. Right now she was liable to have them all falling to their deaths if she tried to negotiate down the path. She looked up at the small square of light above just as the desk slid shut.
Pitch black.
She doubted she would see her hand in front of her face if she tried. Tanya wrapped herself tighter around Brant. “I have you,” he said.
They levelled off onto what felt like flat ground and Brant let her slide down beside him. She kept her arms around him, afraid to take even the smallest step on her own.
“Zane was right, we have been compromised. They will know about this cellar,” Xavier said. There were some clicking noises and another sliding sound from above. “That should take care of the study entrance.”
“Good thing I ordered for the passage way from the fountain to be sealed. That only leaves the forest entrance,” Brant’s chest rumbled as he spoke.
“I have our elite troops surrounding the entrance and archers on the perimeter. Rest assured, I will head there myself and will protect our king and queen with my life.” This was the first time that she had been referred to as the queen and it felt good. “Your human did well today. She is worthy of our people and will give you strong heirs.”
Tanya wished she could see facial expressions, but it was just too dark.
Brant moved forward a step and then she could feel the warmth of Xavier and the brush of fingers across her arm at Brant’s back. They were embracing. Brant grunted.
“Have your female look at that.”
“I will be fine. You stay with Tanya, I will—”
“No brother. You are the king. Without you or the human female, our coven would crumble.”
Brant laughed. “Hardly. You would step in to take my place.”
Tanya sobbed. “I know it’s selfish, but please don’t leave me.”
Brant tightened his arm around her.
“You have a nose my lord. You need to stay with her,” Xavier sounded stern. What did having a nose have to do with it? Could Brant scent something?
“What is it?” she asked.
Both men ignored her. “Fine, but take care of yourself brother. Our queen needs a guard,” said Brant.
“Nothing like a bit of target practice,” Xavier chuckled. Retreating foot falls were her only indication that he was leaving.
“Right, there is a first aid kit around here somewhere.” Brant moved and she stayed at his side as if glued.
“Um, Brant. Please tell me there’s a light in here.”
A low chuckle caused another vibration through Brant’s chest. “I’m sorry, I forgot that you can’t see in the dark. There must be one somewhere, as humans designed this place.” He tucked her in closer and moved in one direction and then the other. He reached and there was a clicking noise as the room lit up. Although not all that bright, the sudden blast of light caused her to scrunch her eyes shut while they adjusted. The room was small with a double bed to the side and a free standing toilet in the corner. Oh God, she prayed she wouldn’t need to go any time soon. Her cheeks heated just thinking about it.
Brant released her and pulled a first aid kit from the shelf. The walls were lined with shelves filled with blankets, clothes and cans of food. There were vents in the ceiling and various other items that one would expect to find on a camping expedition or during a siege.
Siege.
Panic rose up in her but she shoved it down. They hopefully wouldn’t be trapped in here for long. Brant seemed tense, his eyes had a worried look, they kept darting upwards. Maybe he could hear something that she couldn’t.
“Is everything okay?”
“I should be with my men. There will be casualties” His jaw worked.
She cast her eyes downwards, guilt burned in her gut.
“No, Cenwein, this is not your fault.” He brushed her cheek with his knuckles. “Xavier was right, my place is at your side.”
“Give me that. Sit on the bed.” She took the first aid kit and followed him, taking a seat next to him. Tanya opened the latch and rummaged through the kits contents until she found a bottle of neat alcohol and a pack of swabs. She opened the bottle and poured some of the contents onto the swab using it to clean the wounds on his chest. The cotton pad quickly soaked through with blood so she repeated the process several times. Either the chest wounds weren’t as bad as she had thought or they were already healing. She guessed the latter.
Once she finished, she removed a tube of antiseptic cream but Brant shook his head. “That won’t be necessary, I don’t get infections.”
“Okay.” She dropped the tube back into the kit. Next, she took the half empty bottle and moved to the puncture wound on his arm. “This is going to hurt.”
Brant smiled, nodding once. If it hurt, he didn’t give any indication, not so much as a twitch of a muscle. She poured a second time over the wound, ensuring that the liquid went into the puncture. Tanya used the swabs to mop up the leaking fluid and to clean the wound. There was a crepe bandage in the kit that looked like it would fit well on a wound of that nature. She pulled out the sealed pack.
“Don’t bother, I will be healed within the hour. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
She looked down and noticed for the first time that the front of her robe was splattered with congealing blood. Tanya made a gagging sound but managed to keep the contents of her stomach down. She tasted bile. Her right hand was also covered. She’d been so busy with Brant that she hadn’t noticed. The memory of the blood pumping from the elf’s wound came flooding back.
“You did good, Cenwein. Don’t blame yourself. He would’ve killed both of us without hesitation.”
“Actually, he would’ve killed you and taken me to the alpha. I might’ve killed another one just before you came. It…he said that I wasn’t the alpha’s type but he would take me to the beast anyway.”
Brant growled and his eyes glowed. “The wolf is as good as dead. His people’s heads will roll and stakes will be erected. Both the shifters and the elves will bleed for this.” He stood and paced the small space. “He will not have you.”
“Leave their people out of this. Please don’t harm innocent women and children. Please Brant.”
“By trying to take you, he puts this coven and the future of our species in danger. Innocent vampire women and children will die. I will not allow that.”
“Please,” she pleaded.
His demeanor softened. “Do not concern yourself, Cenwein. I will do what is needed to protect you, to protect this coven. I am not in the business of killing innocents and will do what I can to avoid it, but those bastards need to be hit where it hurts. I will do what I have to.”
A tear rolled down her cheek. Damn. She was crying. Again. This was becoming an irritating habit. Brant pulled her against his warm chest.
“Alone with the female for five minutes and already she is balling like a baby. Can’t say I blame her,” Zane’s deep baritone voice filled the small space. Brant tensed, the wall of his chest turning to stone.
“You weren’t invited.” Brant released her. He probably didn’t realize it, but he pushed her behind him. Tanya had to tip her head to see past Brant. Leather clad, his muscles had freaking muscles and his dark eyes blazed. Zane pulled a backpack from his shoulders placing it on the ground.
Zane caught her staring and winked. “I invited myself. Had an interesting chat with Stephany outside a few minutes ago.”
Brant growled and pushed her further behind him.
“The female wants to choose both of us.”
Brant choked out a humourless laugh. “Not happening.”
Tanya stepped to the side.
“Suit yourself.” His eyes landed on her sweeping down the length of her. Damn, the arrogant jerk could have her hot and panting without so much as a touch. She immediately felt guilty. Tanya was fast developing feelings for Brant. He could be warm and tender, so thoughtful. He was also a deadly warrior. Brant growled louder this time.
“The sun has risen.” Zane smiled looking like a predator. “The female is mine.” He removed his jacket sniffing deeply. “I believe she is coming into heat.”
Tanya gasped. She wasn’t even mated yet. She wasn’t sure she even wanted children.
“Touch her and I will kill you.”
Zane locked his jaw, his eyes narrowed. They stood like this for what felt like a very long time. “If we fight in this small space the female will be hurt, is that what you want?”
“Bastard,” Brant spat the word. “You know I don’t.”
“If our covens were to join, we would be much stronger against the other species.” As Zane spoke, he removed a sheath from his back and several other blades that were strapped to his body. He threw the weapons on a pile next to the backpack. “My guard are attacking as we speak. The battle will be over within the next few hours. United we would make a terrifying force. Separated we may be defeated. Neither of us would have the human.”
Brant’s hands closed into fists at his side. “We are enemies Zane. It would never work.”
“We need to find a way. An arrangement that would work for both parties.”
Tanya was sick of being treated like she wasn’t in the room. “Three parties. I would need to have a say.”
Brant turned his eyes, moving them over her face. “You will be queen. You will have a say in all regardless of how this goes.” He turned back, his voice deepening. “I highly doubt it would work.”
“There is only one way to find out and since we’re stuck in this room for the next few hours...forced to play nice…” He threw a wicked grin her way. Zane removed his shirt, he moved to the bag on the ground gracefully lowering himself onto his haunches and removing water.
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