Jonah's Salvation [The Order of the Mist 2] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Abbie Carlisle

  Emilia stared at each of the guards that surrounded them. She could feel her power travel through her arms as she lifted them both and swept them in front of each guard. Closing her eyes, she focused as her mind misted a red haze and heard the screams of the guards as they each fell to the floor. Agony flowed through them as they gripped at their heads.

  Jenson stared in disbelief at Emilia. She seemed to have disabled their vision and movements and they were screaming out in pain. Now he could see why Harvey had wanted to keep her locked away. She was powerful and dangerous. She appeared to be able to control who she projected it to as each member of The Order were still standing. He was immensely grateful that she’d warned him not to touch her. He turned and stared at Harvey.

  “James. Get round Harvey and help Luca get Alana back to the vehicle. I will wait here with Emilia.” Jenson had no intention of leaving Emilia, even though it appeared that she didn’t actually need his help.

  James nodded as he ran to the right and behind the large trees in Alana’s direction.

  Jonah had seen the effect of Emilia’s power and had used the opportunity to head in Harvey’s direction. He felt a sudden fire through his skin as an energy built in his muscles. The power that soared sent electricity though his arms and legs and he roared out.

  Glancing over at Alana, his mind flashed back to the cells. The only other time he’d felt the same energy was the day he’d escaped. He’d been held aggressively but had felt the power build inside him and had thrown the guards against the wall. Realization hit. It had come from Alana!

  She had been the one that day that had given him the power he needed to escape and she was the one now who was giving him the power to fight. He lunged toward Harvey and landed full force, taking Harvey’s feet from under him. As they hit the floor, Jonah jumped over Harvey’s head and planted his boot straight into his jaw. Blood splattered across Harvey’s face as Jonah grabbed at his shirt and pounded his fist into his face.

  Harvey landed violently on the floor, unaware of his surroundings. He’d been hit hard and felt disorientated, unable to focus his vision. Black shapes clouded his sight as he tried desperately to see where The Order were. As he tried to sit up, pain blinded the right side of his temple. He saw movement in the corner of his eye and knew Emilia and another of The Order was running toward the fence. Forcing himself up onto his knees he watched as Alana, Emilia, and The Order scaled the fence and ran to their vehicles. Harvey roared out, the sound carrying on the wind.

  Chapter 23

  Jonah grabbed Alana as he ran across the lawn and lifted her clean off her feet. He felt her wrap her arms around his neck and hold on tight as he pulled himself up the fence. Using the immense power flooding through his body, he lifted them both onto the top of the railings and jumped, landing on the road in front of the SUV.

  Alana watched over his shoulder as Jenson scaled the fence, pulling Emilia over and lifting her down to the sidewalk. Everything happened so quickly as the rest of The Order made their way toward them.

  Jonah pulled the door to the SUV open and pushed Alana inside. Following her, he slammed the door shut behind them. Luca jumped into the driver’s seat while Lucian ran round the front of the vehicle and into the passenger seat.

  Alana’s heart thumped hard in her chest. She pulled at the seat belt and struggled to push it into its holder. Her hands were shaking and she could feel herself on the edge of tears. Jonah’s intense gaze tore at her already tense emotions.

  The SUV’s engine roared into life and Luca slammed the gears into first. Pushing hard on the accelerator, he swerved round The Order’s SUV in front of them. Alana knew that Jenson, James, Tobias and Emilia were in the other vehicle and saw the reflection of their headlights surround her as they raced behind them. She turned and stared at Jonah. He held her hand tightly. His chest rose and fell quickly and she knew he was angry with her.

  Silence surrounded them as each of them sat, staring out at the road ahead. It was dark and only the flash of headlights as they passed flickered inside the SUV.

  Alana could feel the tension inside the vehicle as she glanced at Luca and Lucian. They had all escaped and her heart felt like exploding with joy that they were all safe. It was only the firm grip on her hand that reminded her that she’d not done as Jonah had asked. She’d put herself in danger and gone against their agreement. Jonah was pissed.

  “I’m sorry, Jonah.”

  Luca’s gentle tone told Alana that he felt distraught at allowing her to get out of the vehicle. Alana felt guilt stab at her. It wasn’t Luca’s fault that she’d scaled the fence and she’d have to try and convince Jonah to take it easy on the male.

  Jonah sat in silence. He knew if he opened his mouth that the pure volume of his anger would explode and he didn’t want to lose control in front of his mate. He would deal with Luca later but first he needed to deal with his own emotions. He turned and stared out at the dark shadows that rushed by as they drove. She had not done as they’d agreed and put herself in danger. She could have been taken by Harvey and the mere thought had his heart roaring out in fury. The tension in his muscles still fired with the energy that she had projected to him and he released his grip on her hand just enough to ensure that he didn’t crush her bones.

  As the SUV hit the highway, Jonah thought about the moment he’d seen her scale the fence and fall. She could have broken something and his anger toward Luca for crashing her to the ground was on the verge of murderous. He just hoped they would get back to Genesis before his control snapped.

  Alana sat and watched as they drove down the highway before heading down the smaller roads toward the vast fencing of Genesis. It was nearly midnight and the roads had a shimmer of ice but had not been treacherous as they pulled up to the vast security gates. Opening slowly, the SUV pulled through and drove up to the garage block to the side of the main house. Alana turned and watched the gates close, relieved that they’d all returned in one piece. The Order’s other SUV pulled up behind and Alana turned back to watch as the door to the garage lift.

  The bright light hurt her eyes. She felt the sting of tears and blinked rapidly to hold them back. The Order had rescued Emilia and now she would be able to speak to her for the first time since they’d been separated. Her heart felt heavy in her chest. It had been so long and so much had happened. She hoped more than anything that Emilia wouldn’t hate her for what had happened to them both. It was a possibility that she would and Alana would understand her bitterness. She would have to try and explain that she’d spent years searching for her but it may not make a difference. The time she’d spent in the cells may have changed her and Alana had to be prepared to face the fact that the sister she once knew may never be the same.

  As the SUV parked, Alana listened as Luca cut the engine. She watched as Luca and Lucian exited the SUV and felt Jonah release her hand before pulling at the door release and stepping out of the vehicle. He’s not spoken a word to her all the way back and she dreaded the conversation when he did finally talk to her. He would be angry but she’d made a decision that she’d felt she needed to. She’d had to do anything and everything to save her mate and she’d just have to convince him that her decision had been the right one.

  Jonah walked round the side of the SUV and opened Alana’s door. He reached inside and took her hand, helping her out of the vehicle. Slamming the door shut, he walked toward the garage door. His large strides had Alana almost running to keep up with him.

  “I need to go and see if Emilia’s okay.” Alana turned to see Jenson leading Emilia behind them.

  Jonah nodded as he released her hand.

  Alana stared at Emilia before stepping slowly toward her. Emilia’s pale and withdrawn complexion startled her and she could see how much weight Emilia had lost. Her dark hair was longer and untidy and her skin had lost the vibrancy Alana remembered. The clothes she wore just seemed to hang from her body and Alana’s emotions felt torn between sadness and elation. Her sister had suffere
d but at least she was now free. Fury at Harvey’s cruelty had tears filling Alana’s eyes.

  Stopping directly in front of Emilia, Alana felt a lump catch in her throat. So many years she’d wished to have her sister standing in front of her, to hold her in her arms and tell her how much she’d missed her. Now she was here, Alana could do nothing but let the tears fall down her cheeks. The clawing at her heart hurt so much from the pain in Emilia’s gaze. Reality of their reunion was heartbreaking.

  “You okay?” Stupid question but it was all Alana could say.

  Emilia stared at Alana before nodding.

  Emilia’s dismissal cut through Alana’s heart like ice. She’d expected her sister to be withdrawn and knew she shouldn’t expect too much but it hurt just the same. Alana watched as Emilia dropped her gaze before moving slowly around her and back over to stand with Jenson. She closed her eyes tightly feeling her heart break.

  Jonah walked silently over to Alana and took her hand in his. He had stood and watched the encounter between her and Emilia and knew Alana’s pain. The love she felt for her sister was something that he’d felt for his brother and he hoped that one day Emilia would recover enough to build her relationship with Alana again. It would take time though but at least they had that now.

  Jonah led Alana across the stony path and up the steps to the main door. Opening the door, he led her through, pulling his headset and holster off and discarding them in the entrance hall.

  Alana turned to see Jenson leading Emilia up toward the house. Emilia stared around at the elaborate doorways and Alana could see the amazement in her eyes. She’d felt the same when she’d first come into the house and had loved all the ornate features of the rooms.

  “Jenson will take care of your sister.” Jonah’s tone was gentle.

  Jonah led Alana upstairs and down to their room, pausing at their door. He stared at the beautiful ornate teardrop shape that now adorned the front. It tore at his heart that Carrick had carved the beautiful symbol of their mating while they’d been out. His heart melted slightly, but he still had to deal with the raging emotions inside him. He pushed at the handle and walked inside, closing the door shut behind them.

  Alana stood quietly as Jonah released her hand and walked to the side of the bed to turn on the lights. The room lit brightly, making Alana wince as she watched Jonah sit and remove his boots. He didn’t seem in the mood to talk and her heart pounded with fear of the coming argument that she knew she couldn’t avoid.

  The leather jacket that Jonah had given her still hung loosely on her shoulders and she pulled at the ends of the sleeves to hold her hands together. Watching Jonah closely, she noticed the uneasy look in his eyes.

  Jonah watched her intently and stood before walking toward her until he stood directly in front of her.

  Alana stared up into his strikingly auburn eyes. They seemed to glow with such pain that it hurt.

  “Unlock your hands.”

  “I’m sorry, Jonah. I know I should have stayed in the car.” Alana frowned as she followed his instruction.

  Jonah lifted the jacket gently from her shoulders and threw it on the floor.

  “Lift your arms.”

  Alana lifted her arms as Jonah pulled at the T-shirt, pulling it gently over her head. Alana’s long dark hair fell in soft sweeps as he knelt and undid the button of her jeans. Untying the laces of her boots, he lifted one foot, removed it, and then did the same with the other boot. Pulling the jeans gently over her slim hips, he eased them down her legs until she stood in just her underwear.

  “Turn and face away from me,” Jonah instructed.

  Alana did as he asked, feeling confused as to what he wanted. He didn’t want to discuss what had happened and she felt tense as she felt his eyes bore into her.

  “What are you doing?” Alana asked hesitantly.

  “You fell. I want to make sure you’re not injured.” Jonah continued to look at every inch of her skin to make sure she hadn’t hurt herself from the fall or from Luca’s takedown.

  “I’m fine, Jonah. A little sore from falling on my arm, but other than that I’m good.” A small smile curved her lips at his concern.

  A firm grip pushed at Alana’s arms as Jonah spun her round. She toppled slightly, a little off balance at the speed in which he’d turned her and Jonah grabbed at her waist to stop her from falling. Checking every inch of her legs and waist, he finally rested his gaze on her injured arm. Bruising still remained from the break and the fall had bruised it further. He growled as he thought about the pain she must have suffered from the fall. Lowering his head, he sighed. If she’d been injured further, he would have never forgiven himself. She was his female and it was his duty to protect her from harm. He’d been stupid to not have stuck to his decision to make her stay at Genesis. His weakness in trying to make her happy could have cost him the one thing that he loved more than his own life. His female.

  Grabbing the sides of her face, Jonah stared into her deep, seductive eyes. They melted his resolve every time he looked at her and no matter how angry he was that she had not stayed in the car, he loved the way she made him fire with desire inside.

  “Why did you not stay in the vehicle?” His tone was sharper than he’d intended, but that was only because of the pain that filled his heart.

  “I’m sorry, Jonah. Emilia said she needed me to come to you so we could take out the guards. I was scared Harvey would kill you.” It was all Alana could see. Her mate in danger was the driving force behind her decision and she hadn’t regretted it for a moment.

  “You said you would stay in the car. You promised you wouldn’t put yourself in danger. It was the only reason I let you come along. If I’d known you would come so close to Harvey, I would never have agreed.” Jonah felt terrified of losing control. His emotions were on the brink of snapping.

  “I had to, Jonah, please understand. I think Emilia’s powers only work when we are close together. Mine, it appears, I can project at will, but it’s not the kind of power that could have taken the guards out. Only Emilia could do that. I didn’t know the full extent of what she could do until I stood in front of you. I don’t regret it, so don’t try and make me. You were in danger and I would do it again if it meant saving you.” Alana stared straight into Jonah’s eyes. Her heart felt true to her word. She didn’t regret her decision and his anger wouldn’t make her feel she’d done the wrong thing. What was the point in having a power if you didn’t use it?

  “You can never put yourself in danger like that. Even if my life is on the line, I won’t have you at risk. I love you with everything that I am, and I’m not prepared to lose you. Not for anything. Do you understand?”

  Alana stared at her mate. His passion for her life was overwhelming and she smiled. Her heart filled with such an intensity of love for him that tears formed in her eyes.

  “I love you, too, but I won’t promise not to do what I believe is right to save you if it came to it. You are my world and I won’t live without you. Do you understand that?”

  Jonah smiled. His mate was strong and fierce. She had used her power to save him, more than once, and he respected and admired her. She had lived a life where she’d had no control but had broken free of the past to take control of her own destiny. She had chosen him as her mate and he felt honored to have such a strong, vibrant female to show him how to love and trust. She had become his salvation and more than anything, he wanted to prove to her that he could be the male she deserved.

  “You were the one who gave me your power in the cells. You also gave me it to me again in front of Harvey. It’s quite impressive.”

  “From the first moment I saw you, my heart pulled to you. I fell in love with you in an instant and when you were in danger, I couldn’t stand to see you being hurt. It was the same at the Headquarters.

  “When I was a child, Emilia and I played a game with our father. Emilia seemed to have a power over him and I felt like I wanted to help him. I didn’t really know what I was doing
then and well, I’ve never shown any signs of having any power since that day. I think that when I love someone, my power projects to them. I think that’s why Harvey wanted me with him. I think he thought if I loved him then he would be able to gain my power. I never did though. I hated him for what he’d done to us.” Alana had finally figured out why Emilia was kept away from her. Harvey must have found out how their powers affected others but she’d need to speak to Emilia to find out how Harvey had found out.

  Jonah watched Alana closely, seeing the pain in her eyes. To have lost the last fifty years with her sister had almost destroyed her and Jonah felt empathy at her loss. He’d not been so lucky to have another chance to see his family, but felt elation that Alana would have the chance to build a relationship back with her sister.

  Lowering his hands, he grasped Alana’s hand in his and pulled her toward the bathroom.

  “What are you doing?” Alana felt the pull as Jonah led her. Confusion spread across her face.

  “I’m going to shower you. You smell of Luca and it’s making me feel aggressive. With that and the power still in my veins, I need to get it off you. I want you to smell of me.”

  Alana felt shocked. She’d never considered that Mist sense of smell could be so intense. Jonah could smell Luca on her even though all she could smell was the damp smell of the grass she’d landed on.

  As she entered the large bathroom, she watched as Jonah flicked on the light switch and winced at the brightness against the cool blue tiles. The mirror that hung on the wall reflected her face and she stared at the dirt marks that covered her skin. She looked a mess and her hair had small pieces of grass intertwined.

  “You could have told me I looked terrible.” Alana picked out a few small blades of grass that she could reach with her spare hand.