Please let them find Jax, Tierney’s dad, and Real … please. He silently chanted the mantra over and over until the door flew open as if it had been kicked, and Soroyan stepped out. He carried something in his arms. Thaniel looked past him, waiting for Tierney to appear, but no one else followed, so Thaniel focused back on what he carried.
Blood and pain screamed across his senses, making his leopard go wild at the scent and sight of Soroyan carrying a badly injured male. Quickly, Thaniel climbed from the truck and went around to the back of the vehicle. He pulled the door open just as Soroyan reached him.
“Who—” Thaniel breathed, watching as Soroyan gently lowered the blanket-covered male into the back.
“This is Tierney’s father,” Soroyan said.
“What happened to him?” he asked.
“They cut off his arms and one leg, we have to be careful of that one. It’s been broken and has started healing wrong,” Soroyan informed him.
Thaniel fought not to be sick at what Tierney’s father had gone through. He’d thought he had it bad as the Were-wolves’ prisoner, but this was horrendous. “The others?” he asked, not taking his eyes off the man who now lay unconscious in the back of the SUV.
“They’re still looking for Jax,” Soroyan said, gazing at Tierney’s dad before looking back at Thaniel. “Can you guard him?” Soroyan stared intently at him, making Thaniel swallow hard. He could barely look after himself and now he was being asked to look after someone very important?
He took in Tierney’s dad for a moment longer before looking back up at the big, intimidating wolf. Soroyan still scared him, but somehow, he felt deep in his bones that the big male wouldn’t hurt him. “I will,” he said, feeling the weight of the words settle upon him. After all they'd done for him, it was the least he could do. He’d die for the man if he had to.
With a nod, Soroyan turned and hurried back to the mine and a moment later Thaniel heard the door creak open and then closed.
Thaniel went around to the back seat and grabbed another blanket from the pile they had brought with them. Somehow, with her abilities, Tierney had known her dad and Jax were hurt. He closed the door and hurried back to climb up beside Zander. Then he pulled the other door closed and carefully spread the blanket over Tierney’s father.
Even without his arms and one of his legs, this male was a large man. He’d seen photos of Zander in the great room, and in all of them, Tierney’s dad had shoulder-length black hair that he sometimes wore tied back, along with a trim black beard and mustache.
However, now his hair was a matted black spider web and his facial hair had grown out into a full, thick mess. It reminded Thaniel of how his friends had found him. Blood covered Zander, and Thaniel had to fight his leopard who was banging around inside of him at the scent.
He didn’t know what he’d do, how he’d help Zander if the male awoke, so instead, he concentrated on watching the steady rise and fall of the man’s chest.
Chapter Eighteen
Leopard Attack
THE MALE MELTED BACK INTO THE CREVICE of the jagged rock wall. The shadows kept him from prying eyes as a large group of people hurried past. This group was different. All the other prisoners who had run blindly by had been seeking escape. But judging by the fact that they carried an injured male with them, he knew they were on a rescue mission, which meant they knew the way out of this underground hell hole.
Silently, when they were far enough away that they wouldn’t notice him, he began to follow them down the tunnel, studying them. They may not care if he followed them, or they might, and he wasn’t taking any chances on gaining his freedom.
He had just passed a closed door when the group stopped at one of the torture chambers.
He paused, and with nowhere else to hide if they turned around, reached out and grasped the handle, knowing it would be just his luck to be locked. He sent up a silent thanks to his brethren when the handle turned. He slipped inside the dark room as the tall male in the rear of the group, who was supporting a smaller dark-haired man, glanced back. Glad that the door hadn’t creaked, he eased it shut behind him when a gasp made him tense up. Ready to fight, he turned and scanned the room as his eyes adjusted.
It was lit by the screens of the computer monitors. Two chairs, one empty, sat in front of the monitors. He scanned the guard slumped in the other chair and dispassionately noted the blood covering the man. Taking a step forward, he saw that the guard’s throat had been slit. Humph. Feeling no pity for the vile creature who could sit and watch all the evil happening down here, he continued his perusal of the room.
He cursed under his breath.
A woman, who appeared to be in her twenties, crouched in the corner. One hand held a scalpel as she leaned against the side of the desk, while her other hand clutched her belly. Her thin hospital gown was covered in blood. She was hurt.
He scanned the monitors and saw the group out in the corridor hurrying away from the torture chamber with yet another man.
Not wanting to lose them, he turned and reached for the door handle, when the woman’s words stopped him.
“Please, help me. Take me with you.”
No, don’t do it, leave her here. He hesitated. He didn’t want or need to be held up. He needed to get away, before more guards arrived. Steeling himself, he pulled the door open.
“Please, don’t leave me. Please.”
The last plea came out a whimper and he swore silently to the heavens before he glanced back. Her brown hair was damp from perspiration, and she looked terrified. It reminded him too much of someone else he’d failed. He closed his eyes. As much as he didn’t want to, he couldn’t leave her, for while it may not be noticeable to anyone else, he knew without a doubt that she was pregnant.
Opening his eyes, he crossed the room, reached down, and pulled her to her feet. When she winced and cried out, he saw the blood running down her legs. Without a word, he picked her up, and carried her out of the room and down the corridor. “Shh,” he hissed in her ear when he caught up to the others, but he needn’t have bothered. She was passed out cold.
***
THANIEL WATCHED ZANDER until a screeching, like claws dragging down a chalkboard, made him cringe. It was the door of the mine easing open inch by careful inch. The sun was almost down, casting the night in a dusky darkness. But with his keen eyesight, Thaniel watched the door as a chill rushed through him. If it was Tierney, or any of his friends, they wouldn't be so careful coming out.
His skin prickled and heart thumping, he gazed down at the man beside him. A Fallen, Tierney had called her dad, and Thaniel knew he couldn’t let anything happen to Zander. Somehow, he needed to do what he’d promised and protect this man. But how?
The scent of evil drifted to him on the air, and it smelled just like Arlow’s two friends who had killed Justin, the Were-wolves Alpha. Tierney said they were called Ilyium. He bit back a growl as the leopard inside him grew angry and he worried that he might hurt Tierney’s father.
Heart pounding, and with no other options, he climbed over the back seat and eased open the side door. He slid out, closing the door quietly behind him. Heart racing in terror, he quickly pulled his clothes off. He thought about the spell Kyrian had done to make his shift easier and faster, and prayed that it would work.
It did.
Stunned, Thaniel found himself on four furry legs only seconds later. It was usually agony going through the change, but this time it hadn’t hurt. He’d have to remember to thank Kyrian when he next saw the Okami wolf leader.
The Ilyium drew closer and Thaniel’s head rose as he inhaled all the scents in the air. Yup. It was the same scent he recognized from that brutal day four months ago, and again, just days ago when they found Mark—definitely the same evil, or what he’d come to relate as evil.
Stealthily, he crept around the front of the vehicle, marveling at all the other outdoorsy scents he was able to pick up on the breeze, along with all the sounds he couldn’t hear while in hum
an form. He watched the two men, one in a long black robe and the other in a guard’s uniform, make their way to the front and back driver side doors.
Belatedly, he realized this was the first time he’d ever voluntarily shifted into his leopard. Now, he only hoped his beast didn’t let him down because there was no way he could take these men on otherwise.
Both men carried automatic weapons slung over their shoulders, while the robed man carried what appeared to be a sword. Weird! Knowing he chanced getting shot, he nevertheless crept ever closer as the only way he’d be able to keep his word to Soroyan was if he managed to catch both men unaware and take them out.
He shuddered at the thought. He’d spent the last four months terrified of hurting someone and that fear hadn’t gone away, but the next moment, all fear disappeared as the man in guard garb spoke.
“He’s in the back,” he said to the other man as he looked over the back seat. The robed man turned away from the driver’s seat and slammed the door shut.
“Good.”
Then both men cautiously started for the back of the SUV. “Do we really have to carry him back?” the guard asked.
The robed man cocked his head and then shrugged. “Nah, let’s just take care of him here. Don’t know why the master’s been keeping him around anyway.”
Thaniel’s leopard growled low in his throat, rage pulsing through both him and his beast. These men were so cold—unfeeling. At the sound of his growl, the robed man hesitated and looked around while Thaniel crept even closer, keeping his belly low to the ground. His leopard was growing impatient at waiting and furious paws swiped at Thaniel’s mind. Then everything went black.
The leopard, now in complete control, stalked the men with a predator’s silence. Then, when the timing was just right, he gathered all his strength, gave a mighty leap, and flew through the air.
When Thaniel finally managed to fight his way to the surface, he found himself still in leopard form, but now lying languorously over the body of one of his kills, licking his paws. Horror swept over him as he surveyed the carnage all around. Heavy, coppery blood was everywhere and made the human part of him want to gag while his leopard purred. He could even taste it on his tongue, making the human side of him feel utterly sick. His beast was blissfully happy and very proud.
He took a second look around and began to worry. What was Tierney going to say? If anyone ever had any doubt of whether he was dangerous, this had just put that to bed. Luckily his beast was content with letting him take over. Rising to his feet, he padded to the back of the truck. If I hurt Tierney’s father … Heart in his throat, he sniffed and stared at the closed door. No, it appeared neither he nor the Ilyium had gotten to the man as he could still smell Tierney’s dad inside, and though faint, he heard the slow but steady rhythm of his heart. Relief poured through him.
Thaniel closed his eyes for a moment, but the scent of blood was everywhere and wouldn’t let him forget. There was a chill in the air, and with a last glance at the door of the truck, he moved over to lie by the back tire where he could keep an eye on things.
Chapter Nineteen
Miracles
THANIEL BEGAN TO TREMBLE when the door of the mine opened once more and a large group spilled out. Heart pounding, he searched the group and the sight of Tierney, followed by Soroyan carrying Jax filled him with happiness. Still, it wasn’t enough to erase the fear of what Tierney would do when she became aware of the destruction all around her. Then he caught the scent of Genna, the crazy girl. She had her arm around a bloody young man he’d never seen before. Sami was also carrying someone who appeared to be unconscious.
“Shit, are you okay?” Tierney asked as she drew near. Her horrified stare made him realize he must be covered in blood. “Right—you can’t talk in that form. Okay, well, thank you for protecting my dad.”
Thaniel blinked. That had not been what he was expecting and though they all noticed the dead guards, no one said a word. In fact, he thought he caught a slight, satisfied light in Soroyan’s eyes. Tierney just bit her lip and hurried to open the back of the SUV. Thaniel followed her, slinking close to the ground, ready to be yelled at, reprimanded, but she didn’t do any of that.
“Jax is hurt bad,” she told him as she climbed in and glanced at her dad.
Thaniel heard her relieved sigh, then she sat down and Soroyan laid Jax in her arms. Thaniel jumped into the back and settled down beside Zander while everyone else piled in and Sami put the truck into drive.
As they began to pull away, Thaniel gazed out the window, thinking he’d heard the door to the mine creak open again. He searched the night but didn’t see anything. Still, he shivered, feeling as if someone was watching.
They didn’t get far before he realized how dire Jax’s injuries actually were. He watched Tierney try to push her power into Jax, to heal him, but still his heartbeat slowed. Then it stopped and Sami slammed on the brakes, put the truck into park, and jumped into the back.
Thaniel stared, horrified. Surely they hadn’t found the guy to lose him, had they? His heart ached as he wished that there was something he could do.
As Tierney and Sami cried, Thaniel rested his chin on his paws when a flash of bright light illuminated the back of the truck. He looked up, startled to see a ghost-like form, which appeared similar to Jax, hovering beside them.
In-drawn breaths and gasps filled the SUV and Thaniel shrank back with a sharp hiss, claws flexing.
Tierney frowned. “I know you. You’re Adariasthorn,” she said while Sami just gaped at the ghostly apparition.
“I am. And you are?” Adarias asked.
Tierney explained who she was, then looked back down at Jax. Adarias followed her gaze.
“Who? No,” he said in a stunned whisper.
Tierney nodded. “Yes, this is Jax. Can you help him?”
“He’s—” Adarias said.
“Yes, your son. But—” Tierney’s tears started again and Thaniel’s heart was breaking for his friends.
“How are you here?” Sami asked the apparition, now that he’d found his voice.
Thaniel stared as Adarias told them Tierney had summoned him through the spirit realm when her tears and power touched the stones on Jax’s choker, and while Thaniel didn’t really understand, it didn’t matter.
They spoke a little more, then the ghost’s gaze sharpened on Tierney. “Do you love him with all your heart and soul?”
She nodded. “He’s my soul mate. I’ve loved him since I was a small child.”
“Are you willing to do whatever it takes?” he asked.
“I would die for him!” she said fiercely and Thaniel knew that she would.
“Give him your blood and I will pour my dragon light into him. His soul is still here. I pray this works, but he will need time to heal. Whatever you do, do not leave him alone. He will need you,” Adarias warned her.
Tierney sniffed back tears. “I won’t,” she said, knife ready.
They all waited with bated breath as Tierney sliced her hand and pressed it to Jax’s lips, letting her blood drip into his mouth.
Thaniel shrank back even more and let a whimper out when a white-hot light shot from Adarias into Jax, causing him to arch into the air before falling still.
“Now you wait,” Adarias said.
“T-thank you,” Tierney whispered as they watched the faint rise and fall of Jax’s chest. The relief was palpable and everyone was silent when Genna let out a ragged sob, drawing everyone’s attention to her. Tears were streaming down her face.
Thaniel didn’t think things could get any stranger until he learned crazy girl was also Adarias’s long-lost daughter and Jax’s half-sister.
Finally, Adarias turned to Tierney, face filled with torment. “I’m being pulled back. Take care of my precious children for me.”
Tierney nodded and then with no other warning, the ghostly apparition disappeared.
“Here,” Soroyan said a little later, and held a blanket over Thaniel so he co
uld shift back and dress.
“Thank you,” he said when he was done.
Soroyan nodded. “It will be good when you learn to shift back into clothes.”
Thaniel agreed, but didn’t know if he’d ever learn.
They pulled up to his friends’ massive log home to find Kyrian waiting beside a tall, slender, brown-haired woman. Seeing the question in Tierney’s eyes, Soroyan nodded. “Our healer.”
Tierney nodded absently. “Good, thanks.”
Once inside, Tierney instructed Sami to take Jax to her room. Then she turned to Soroyan who carried her dad. “We’ll put my dad down here, make it easier for your healer to care for him.”
Thaniel watched Tierney lead Soroyan down the hall to a door just past the office. He hoped they’d be able to help her father. Then, he debated whether to go to his own room to take a shower. Even though there wasn’t any blood on him since he’d shifted back, he still felt dirty. Finally, deciding it would wait, he turned and hurried up the stairs, following Sami into Tierney’s room.
He didn’t understand, but something had changed for him drastically. Jax had been one of his friends, someone he cared about, but now, Thaniel didn’t want to take his eyes off the male. Silently, Sami, whose face was pinched with worry, settled Jax onto Tierney’s king-size bed.
Sami watched Jax for a moment before turning to Thaniel. “Will you, can you—” Sami ran a hand through his hair. “I need to go help Tierney with everyone,” he finally said, talking about the three other people they brought home with them. It was clear he didn’t know what to do and that he’d prefer to stay and guard his brother.
Thaniel nodded. “I’ll watch him.” He’d have offered to go take care of everyone, if he had any idea of how to do that, but he didn’t. However, he could keep watch over Jax.
“Thank you.” Sami stared at Jax for a second longer, wiped at his eyes, then without looking at Thaniel, he hurried from the room.
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