“What’s happening?” Jax asked and she knew he was angry that she had put herself in danger once again.
Tierney glanced instead at Sami, who stood with silent tears running down his soot-stained face and her heart wept for her best friend. “Soroyan took care of them, but I’m sure more men are on their way.” Then she took Sami’s arm. “C’mon, Sami.”
He didn’t resist and together they hurried back into the first barn, where Sami finally pulled away. “Let me go.”
“Sami, I’m sorry. We need to go before more of them come.” Tierney stepped up to him, wanting to wrap her arms around him and hold him, but he backed away from her, eyes glittering. “No. Let them come. They’ll regret what they did.” His fists clenched in anger.
“Sami—” Jax started, but the sound of barking dogs reached their ears and Jax moved back to the doors. He had just started to close them, when something rammed one door and sent it flying back.
Tierney gasped at the large black monster that flew into the barn, and pulled up at the sight of them. “Soroyan, shit!” Holy hell, he’s one big fucker! Tierney stared. Blood covered his muzzle and his eyes glowed bright red. He was the size of a small horse, and not someone she ever wanted to fight.
The barking grew louder as the dogs drew near, causing Soroyan to turn and face the doors. “Go!” he roared in their heads, making them jump. A moment later, the two Dobermans they had seen from the road earlier, shot through the doorway and skidded to a halt mere feet from him. Growling low in his throat, Soroyan bared large fangs that dripped with blood. With matching whines, the two dogs turned and fled the barn, as if it were on fire, whimpering as they ran. “I said go. You waiting for me to hold your hands or what?” Soroyan turned and glared, red eyes boring into them.
Tierney turned to Sami and, sensing his pain, she took his hand in hers. “Sami?”
He closed his eyes, took a breath, and when he opened them he nodded, and followed her back through the barn and to the hole in the wall.
Once on the other side, they waited while Soroyan changed back into human form. “Toren?” he asked right away.
They shook their heads.
“No, sorry. We did find Mark though—the guy Toren hung out with. He told us they took Toren and three others somewhere else. Arlow sold them out,” Tierney said.
Soroyan’s expression was grim as they started back along the trail towards the car.
“What the hell just happened?” Jax asked her as they followed Soroyan.
“You mean with Sami?”
“Yeah, with Sami.”
“You just witnessed the woman from Sami’s dream being murdered,” she answered him grimly.
“What woman? What dream?” Jax asked, confused.
“I’ll explain later. Right now, we need to get back to the car,” she said as they ran.
They caught up to Thaniel and Mark, but didn’t catch sight of any of the captives, making Tierney think that maybe they had all gotten away. She hoped that was the case as they all hurried along the trail, lost to their own thoughts at the horrors they’d just witnessed. A few minutes later, Jax, who now supported Mark, glanced at Soroyan. “So where did you disappear to?”
SOROYAN DIDN’T PLAN on answering, but then surprised himself. “I went to help those in the brick building.” And they should all be hearing an explosion anytime now. He tilted his head, waiting.
Disgust filled him as he thought of the horror he had found. What the hell were the Ilyium up to? They used to kill anyone with supernatural abilities, but now they seemed to be draining them of blood first. What was that all about?
“So, who—or what—did you find?” Tierney asked, breaking his reverie.
Soroyan turned and looked at her grimly. “You don’t want to know.”
“Try me,” she challenged and although he didn’t want to, Soroyan found himself starting to admire her. She never gave up and didn’t scare easily.
Still, no one spoke to him like she did. Not even his own brother. Her lack of fear and respect—well, no one dared treat him the way this female did. Not even his own mate, Delsie, had ever spoken to him like this. No, don’t think about her. Damn, how he missed his woman.
“Well, at least tell us what ‘Bleeders’ are?” she asked.
Soroyan glanced at her in surprise. “Where did you hear about Bleeders?”
“From Genna, a girl we met. Oh, I’ll tell you about her later.” She huffed at the thought of the annoying little devil-girl.
“Hey, where’d she disappear to, anyway?” Jax asked, frowning.
“She disappeared when that whore attacked me,” Tierney grumbled, hand unconsciously going to her healed neck.
Soroyan scowled, and knew his eyes would be flashing red. “You were attacked?”
“Yeah, bitch tried to kill me.” She frowned, startled at the outrage on Soroyan’s face and he quickly slid his bored mask of indifference back into place. “So you going to tell us what Bleeders are?” she asked again.
Soroyan wanted to growl but held his tongue. “Well, I’m not sure what they’re using the blood for, but they’re draining anyone with abilities.”
“That’s what you found in the building?” she asked.
“Yes, they used the first room as a lab. In the second I found eight captives strapped to tables, four dead—” he stopped speaking.
“Oh no.” Tierney shook her head, saddened by the news.
“Whatever the Ilyium’s doing with the blood, can’t be good,” Soroyan muttered.
Tierney agreed. “Did you at least free the four?”
Soroyan sighed, of course she would doubt that he’d have helped the poor creatures. “Yes,” he bit out. In fact, he’d helped get them over the wall, and on their way to safety, before heading back to the building.
He had been rigging some of the equipment to explode, when three guards rushed inside. What followed turned into a bloodbath. Only Soroyan walked out. He gave himself a mental shake. No matter how long he lived, he would never get used to seeing the horrors people inflicted on one another.
“What?” Tierney frowned.
Soroyan fortified his mental defenses when he realized she’d caught some of his thoughts. “Nothing.”
Seconds later, everyone jumped and crouched down, when a loud explosion rocked the ground. Tierney turned to Soroyan, the only one who hadn’t reacted to the noise. “You rigged the place to explode?” She scowled as she straightened back up.
He shrugged. He hadn’t always lived with the pack.
“You could have warned us,” she said, purple eyes flashing.
“Why would I do that? I enjoyed watching you jump.” Soroyan almost laughed at her peeved expression.
Tierney shook her head and smirked. “Holy shit. You just made a joke.”
TIERNEY SAT UP FRONT between Jax and Sami, rubbing Sami’s arm as he stared blankly out the passenger side window. After they got Mark and Thaniel some food, they convinced Thaniel to come to their mountain home with them as well.
She was grateful they’d found Thaniel and saved Mark, amongst countless others, but was still worried about Toren and her dad—and now Sami as well, and her heart ached for the girl thrown onto the fire. It wasn’t long before her head started to throb with all the anguish and unanswered questions.
But when they crested the rise of their driveway, she let out a sigh of relief.
“Home sweet home,” Jax said, as he pulled up near the door and cut the engine.
A moment later, Tierney sensed Kyrian’s presence. “Kyrian?”
“I’m here.” He waited for them over by the picnic table.
They climbed from the car, and Tierney watched, worried, as Sami headed straight inside.
Thaniel climbed out of the back seat and froze at the sight of Kyrian.
“It’s okay,” Tierney reassured him. “That’s Kyrian, he won’t hurt you.” She held her hand out, and after a slight hesitation, he took it in his. Then, followed by Mark, they mad
e their way over to Kyrian and stopped behind Soroyan.
The big bad wolf stared at his brother and Tierney could see him shake his head. “I will find him,” Soroyan said as the two brothers stared into each other’s eyes. Then Kyrian nodded and a moment later, Soroyan walked away. He changed into his wolf and then disappeared into the trees.
Seeing Soroyan change so fast left Thaniel gaping, confused. “How?”
“Yeah, they change fast. Did Real ever tell you about the Okami?” Tierney smiled at him, but Thaniel just shook his head.
“Toren shocked me as well, when he changed instantly,” Mark said, and at the mention of the missing wolf, Tierney’s heart hurt for Kyrian. Gods, she knew how worried he must be.
“I’m sorry we didn’t find Toren,” she said.
“I thank you for looking,” Kyrian replied and although he tried to keep his feelings inside, Tierney still caught Kyrian’s worry and fear deep inside.
“Thaniel, Mark, this is Kyrian, leader of the Okami,” she said.
Mark greeted Kyrian, but Thaniel stayed silent and peered through his hair at the Okami king.
“I’m happy to meet you both,” Kyrian said.
“I’m sorry about Toren. He is a fine wolf. I’d like to help find him,” Mark offered.
“Thank you. He is, and I appreciate your help.” Kyrian glanced at Tierney.
“Kyrian, I thought you might have questions for Mark, in case I forgot something,” Tierney said.
Kyrian nodded then looked at Thaniel. “You’re a new Were-cat.”
Thaniel tensed, though he didn’t meet Kyrian’s eyes and Tierney could feel how nervous he was.
“The Were-wolves chained Thaniel in the basement last August and left him there,” Tierney said and flinched as Kyrian’s anger swept over her.
“I would have thought better of Justin—” he said.
Mark growled. “Justin had nothing to do with it.”
Tierney put her hand on Mark’s arm to calm him.
Surprised, Mark’s gaze shot to her hand then her face.
Tierney smiled as he blinked. She turned back to Kyrian. “Justin wanted to help Thaniel, but the night Thaniel arrived, Arlow’s men murdered Justin and took Thaniel to the basement.”
“Arlow.” Kyrian growled in disgust as he studied Thaniel. “I’m sorry they did that to you. It was wrong and against Oberon’s law.”
Thaniel just kept his gaze lowered.
“Kyrian, I wondered if you might be able to help?” She gave Thaniel’s hand a squeeze. “He struggles to control his change.”
“I’d be happy to,” Kyrian said.
“Thanks. So, I’m sure Soroyan will fill you in, and we can talk tomorrow, if you don’t mind?” She gestured toward the house.
Kyrian nodded. “Of course. I’m sure everyone is tired.”
“Thanks.” She turned to Mark. “You can stay in the house, or you can pick one of the cabins, they are clean and all are presently empty.”
Mark nodded. “I’ll take a cabin, thank you.”
“Oh, and make sure you come to the house to get some food and water to take with you, the cabins aren’t stocked,” she instructed, then turned back to Kyrian. “We will keep looking for Toren.”
He nodded and turned away, but not before she caught the glint of tears in his eyes. Still holding Thaniel’s hand, Tierney started toward the house. “C’mon, Thaniel, let’s find you a room.”
Once in the kitchen, she opened the fridge and handed Thaniel a bottle of water. “If you get thirsty or hungry, you come and get something, okay?”
Although Thaniel nodded, she had her doubts that he would do so. Turning away, she led him through the great room and then down the hall to the guest rooms.
“Hey, I brought your clothes in,” Jax told Thaniel as he emerged from one of the rooms a few doors down.
Tierney grinned and led Thaniel into the same room. She smiled when his eyes grew wide as his feet sank into the plush, light brown carpeting. “You can choose another, if you don’t like this one.” She glanced around. The room, painted a pale cream, almost matched Thaniel’s hair. A leopard-print duvet covered the bed with black accent pillows, curtains and lamps. The dresser, night tables and headboard were all knotty pine. “It’s not white and black, like your leopard, but—”
Thaniel stared in awe. “This is nice and so … big.”
“Yeah.” She didn’t tell him how big some of the other rooms were. “Your closet is over here.” Tierney opened the door and Thaniel peeked inside, eyes wide. Then she led him to the bathroom. “There’s a shower and separate spa tub, if you like to soak.”
Thaniel gazed around in amazement. “This is, I’ve never seen a bathroom like this.” He sounded overwhelmed, and wiped at his eyes as he turned back to her. “Thank you.”
Tierney wasn’t sure what exactly he was thanking her for but it didn’t matter. “You’re welcome.” She really wanted him to be comfortable, and after all she’d seen of his life, he deserved it.
Tierney went back into the bedroom and watched Thaniel walk over to the bed and trail his fingers over the duvet. “Are you going to be okay?” For some reason she was reluctant to leave him alone.
He nodded, leaving her no choice. Besides, she needed to go clean up herself. “Okay, well I’m going to go take a shower. You can rest, watch TV, play video games … whatever you want to do. Just, make yourself at home here, okay?”
Thaniel just stared at her and Tierney smiled at him. “I’ll be back down in a bit.”
Later, when she stopped to check on him, she found Thaniel huddled asleep in a corner of the room on the floor. He’d moved the chair out of the way, and clutched one of the hoodies they’d bought him to his chest. Quietly, so that she didn’t wake him, Tierney pulled the duvet off the bed and covered him, aching to tuck his hair out of his face, but not daring to touch him.
With an inward sigh, she turned and went back up upstairs. She was just passing Jax’s suite when she noticed him staring out the French doors into the night. Standing in the doorway, she couldn’t help but admire the view. With no shirt, and a worn pair of jeans, he made her mouth water and she fidgeted as his dragon called to hers. Suddenly mesmerized, an intense need to run her fingers over every glowing blue scale covering his back, filled her.
Then Jax dragged a hand through his short, damp hair, and Tierney noted the defeat in his shoulders, breaking the spell.
“They’ll never stop,” he said without turning around. She understood what he meant. No, the Ilyium wouldn’t stop, but she couldn’t deal with that right now. When she didn’t say anything, Jax turned and studied her. “You okay?”
She gave him a small smile. “Yeah. You?”
He shrugged. “Sure.”
So they both lied. “I’m gonna check on Sami,” she said, finally turning away.
“I’ll come with. I tried to talk to him earlier, but he wanted to be alone.” Jax crossed the room and Tierney glanced up at him.
“Not surprised.” She pursed her lips, her heart heavy.
“You gonna tell me about the woman?” Jax asked as they crossed the hall.
“Yeah, Sami’s been having horrible dreams about the body pits and the woman they tossed in the fire.”
“She meant something to him,” he said telepathically as they neared Sami’s door.
“Understatement,” she answered.
“I could kick myself for not knowing what he’s been going through,” he said.
She nodded. “You’re not the only one, I just found out.”
They knocked and waited a second, and when they didn’t get an answer, they walked in to find Sami, now in sweats and a t-shirt, sitting in front of his many computer screens. Some ran programs, while others monitored different parts of the property.
“Sami?” she called, but he didn’t answer. They crossed the room and Tierney laid her hand on his shoulder. “Hey, sweetie, you okay?”
“Fine,” he said, but didn’t take his e
yes off his monitor. He hit a few keys and brought up another screen, and then began to type. Tierney and Jax glanced at each other. They didn’t buy it.
“Sami?” Tierney’s heart was weeping for her friend, and tucking a piece of shaggy blond hair back out of his face, she kissed the top of his head and waited, not sure what else to say or do.
“Hey bro, we’re worried about you,” Jax added.
Sami didn’t even pause. “Told you, I’m fine. I’m busy.”
Tierney and Jax waited a few more seconds with no clue of what he worked on, but it was like he had forgotten they were even there. Finally, she glanced at Jax who just shrugged.
“Okay, well … if you need us, we’re here.” She fought back tears.
Jax squeezed Sami’s shoulder, but he still didn’t say a word.
Chapter Twenty
Dead Were
SAMI STOPPED PECKING at his keyboard when his door closed, and sat staring blankly at his computer screens. Then he got up and climbed into bed without undressing, pulling the covers up.
He knew that they would have stayed with him if he gave the word, or indicated that he wanted them to. But, even aware of his pain, they couldn’t understand and really, how could they, when even he didn’t understand it? He was mourning a female he’d never set eyes on before today—except in his dreams, and sad didn’t begin to cover the emotions eating him up. He felt like he’d lost the most important person in the whole world to him.
Although he had dreamed of her, and knew what would happen, the fact that he still couldn’t save her, just about killed him. Despair and fury battled for dominance. Fury at fate, or whatever sent him a vision he couldn’t stop. Fury at the Ilyium, for their evil ways, and at himself, for not being able to save her.
When they had stepped into the barn, Sami realized his dream was happening, although he never saw Tierney’s attack. But after Serena disappeared, a sense of unreality claimed him and he found himself drawn outside. Then he stumbled upon the body pit and recognized it from his dream. He gazed around, but it wasn’t until he heard her yelling and cussing, that he finally spotted her. Then, as he ran towards her, her silver eyes met his for a fraction of a second and seared his soul. He’d never forget her spunk as she fought those men—she sure didn’t make it easy on them.
Bk 1 Dracones Awakening Page 22
