by Caris Roane
But the major difficulty remained: Julio and Glissane’s bizarre wave power.
It’s hard to know how to combat the inexplicable. But you and I together might be able to figure this one out.
Are you thinking about your storm power? Kiara used her levitation to adjust her arm around his waist so that she held him tighter still. The small movement improved his flight trajectory.
His first thought went to their recent lovemaking and how his storm had manifested. Sex wasn’t the only time in recent days he’d experienced a surge of power because of his storm. He recalled trying to subdue a shifter high on emerald flame. Lightning had traveled along the surface of his arms and shoulders, igniting a new level of battling power. After that, he’d brought the out-of-control wolf down quickly.
The memory brought a brief awakening of his new skillset and electricity flowed through his body once more, though in a soft wave.
An idea began to form.
A wave. Kiara produced her own kind of wave as well.
I felt that. Kiara’s voice was gentle in his head and eased the faint storm sensations away.
Did I hurt you?
No, not at all. I like your storm power. Something about my witchness loves it as you well know.
He smiled and squeezed her waist. I do know.
When they reached the edge of the security spell, he slowed to a stop then floated midair. His idea took greater shape. Let me try something.
Go for it. A very wolf-like response from the witch.
He chose to access his emerging warlock abilities while at the same time tapping into his storm. He forced himself to relax since the two parts of his power seemed at odds with each other.
Kiara grew very still as well. He focused on the strange connection he had to her.
Kiara. Storm. Warlock.
The three elements converged and something within his mind shifted around like the locking mechanism of a powerful bank vault. The security spell revealed itself like the violet and green web he’d witnessed before only with much more detail.
He realized he could forge a hole in the web and pass through if he wanted.
Kiara gave his waist a squeeze the way he had.
He glanced down at her and she smiled up at him. You see it, don’t you?
He nodded. It’s beautiful. I saw a portion of it earlier, now I see it like a domed web that surrounds your property.
Her smile broadened. Take us through, wolf.
Not so much a wolf right now. But he chuckled then shook his head. He couldn’t believe this was happening, his connection to Elegance Territory. He could never become a true warlock or wizard, but with Kiara so close he could tap into her abilities then make them his own.
Though he’d already been able to pass through, now he had full control of the spell. He carefully extended his hand toward the web and as though drawing back a curtain, he slid a portion of the green and violet filaments aside. With a quick forward motion, he pulled himself and Kiara through. Once beyond the security spell, he turned around and watched the spell heal the breach. The refuge was secure once more.
He flew her swiftly to the front porch and touched down for an easy landing. Setting her on her feet, he was reluctant to release her, so he held her in a loose embrace. “You did great.”
A smile curved her lips, but there was a serious light in her dark brown eyes. “So, did you.”
He dipped his chin in acknowledgement, wolf-style.
Knowing they were still held within her spelled invisibility shield, he cupped her face with one hand. “I’m loving this time with you.”
“Same here.”
He dipped down and kissed her gently on the lips. He felt her quick response as she leaned against him and slid both arms around his waist. When she parted her lips, he gently pummeled her mouth. Her sweet freesia scent rose in a wave around him then ignited his alpha-mating need all over again. Wolf fur rose on his cheeks and chest and the backs of his hands. He felt his incisors thrum in his mouth with a need to bite her and bond with her.
She drew back and stared at his wolf-sign. She rose up on tip-toes then pressed her nose into the fur. She sniffed and the tip of her tongue dabbed at his skin and his fur. It was so hot, his leathers shrunk.
He hadn’t expected any of this, her level of sensuality, her wolf-like qualities in the same way he exhibited warlock-sign, or how game she was. It was perhaps the latter that had him stirred up the most. He’d always thought of her as somewhat reserved, but not with him. She had an all-in attitude he loved. They were the same in this way, no half measures for either of them.
When he felt his phone vibrate, he drew back though he didn’t let her get far. “Fergus.”
“Mary and I are in the vicinity of the refuge. I’m thinking we need to scrutinize the plans then blow Julio’s compound apart.”
~ ~ ~
Once inside the refuge and seated in the dining room, Kiara poured coffee for Fergus, Mary and Warren. The men stood over the plans now spread out on the table in front of them. Mary stood beside Fergus also perusing the architectural drafts.
Kiara handed the mugs to each of them, then sat back down at the other end of the table. Her thoughts were fixed on the female wolves chained up in Julio’s bedroom. She knew what it was like to be bound and tortured. So, from the time she and Warren had flown out the back entrance of the compound, she’d thought of little else than returning and breaking those chains.
Maeve had done as much for her two months ago. She could still recall the tremendous sense of joy she’d experienced at seeing Maeve and Braden when they’d freed her from Veyda’s prison.
Fergus said. “There’s a lap pool on the second level. Huh.”
“That’s from the original compound,” Warren said. “I remember now. The alpha had been a swimmer before he became a wolf.”
“Right.”
Mary, steaming mug in hand, left Fergus’s side then moved to sit in the seat next to Kiara. She was a tall beauty with long blond hair and light brown eyes. “How are you holding up?” she asked quietly.
Kiara’s gaze flitted to Warren then back to Mary. For whatever reason, she knew exactly what the lovely fae meant. She kept her voice low. “I’ve never been so confused in my life.”
Mary placed her free hand on her chest. “I remember that feeling so well, like I was caught in the middle of a never-ending storm. It was frightening yet exhilarating at the same time.”
Mary was fully fae but exhibited many wolf traits and abilities because of her connection to Fergus. She was known mostly, however, for her ability to create and operate a functional dreamglide. She made an excellent spy.
There was one question Mary would be able to answer, however, that no other woman could. She kept her voice low. “Do you regret the bond? Being a fae yet serving as an alpha female to a pack?” All the other alpha-mates were wolves.
“To be honest, I thought I would because it’s such a significant commitment. But taking on wolf qualities has made it so easy to understand the needs of the pack as well as Fergus’s needs. I’m more at home in Savage than I ever imagined possible. I confess, I rarely go into Revel Territory anymore.”
“You don’t?”
She shook her head. “I even sold my vet practice. But these were the right decisions for me. It doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Just figure out what’s right for you. Whatever you choose, the rest will follow.”
Kiara nodded slowly. It was good advice, though hard to put into practice.
She turned her attention to Warren. He’d taken a seat adjacent to her and was on his cell with his beta wolf, Alessandro. His brow was pulled together in a familiar, tight line. “All right,” he said. “Keep Caldion locked down. I want our wolves safe.” When he ended the call, he met Fergus’s gaze. “Julio has added even more spies. My wolves won’t be able to help in an offensive, at least not right now. If they tried to leave the compound, Julio would know something was up.”
Fer
gus remained standing over the plans. “Sounds about right based on what my men told me. We can use my warriors for the battle. They’re ready.”
“Then we’re set.”
It wasn’t long ago that Warren had given Fergus shelter at the Caldion compound. A truly heinous dark witch and her lover had tried to take over the Gordion pack. Mary had helped battle the pair and had saved Savage at the same time.
Here it was only a few months later and Julio was making a play on behalf of the cartels for the same purpose. Kiara was convinced his goal was to take full control of Savage. But this time and for whatever reason, Kiara was at the center of the fight.
She found it comforting to have Mary sitting nearby, sipping her coffee. Mary had been in her shoes.
She picked up her own mug and took a drink then glanced at Mary. “Did you see the women in Julio’s bedroom?”
Mary compressed her lips for a moment. “I haven’t been that angry in a long time. Julio is a psychopath.”
“I would have to agree.”
“Fergus said Wizard Glissane is involved.”
“He is,” Kiara said. “Warren and I both believe he helped Julio create the wave that subdued the packs he took over.”
Mary’s brow puckered as she stared into her mug. “But he’s one of the most powerful wizards in Elegance. How will he and Julio ever be defeated?”
Kiara rubbed her forehead. Her heart rate rose just thinking about it. “Warren has this storm thing happening, something new and very powerful. We think the two of us, together, will have to take Julio and Glissane on.”
She met Warren’s gaze. He dipped his chin slowly in return.
Warren glanced at Mary. “Any suggestions?”
“Only one,” Mary said. “Trust each other no matter how hopeless the situation appears.”
Warren shifted slightly toward Fergus. “And you?”
Fergus slid his gaze in Mary’s direction and a loving smile touched his lips. “We were there just a few months ago. I agree with Mary. Trust each other.”
“Have you two set a strategy yet?” Kiara asked. “In terms of breaking into the El Lobo Grande compound?”
“Yes,” Warren said. “The architectural plans show four different potential entrance points to Julio’s compound. We’re going to attack at each location. Even if Julio and Glissane try to use their combined subduing power, there’s a chance the wave we’ve all heard about won’t affect the entire pack. The mission will be to safely remove as many pack wolves as possible while battling Julio’s forces.”
“How will you know the difference between Julio’s men and the original pack wolves?” Mary asked. “Wait a minute. It’s emerald flame, isn’t it? You’ll be able to tell by the addiction markings.”
Warren nodded. “That’s right. Julio’s private force isn’t addicted, but the pack wolves have been forced to take the drug. The flame markings will set them apart.”
Mary frowned. “So, the question seems to be, how do you defeat Glissane’s efforts to create a wave that knocks your force senseless?”
Warren held his hand out to Kiara. Because the moment felt so important, she rose to her feet, rounded the table then took his hand in hers. He stood up as well.
She continued to meet his somber gaze as he said, “Kiara and I will have to figure this out when the battle begins. But we won’t know what we have until we actually face Julio and Glissane.”
Warren then switched to telepathy. You don’t have to do this.
Kiara was surprised until she saw the glint of fear in his emerald eyes. He was afraid for her. Unlike last time, she’d be going into battle where wolves, armed with AR-15s, would engage in gunfire. She’d already witnessed the kind of damage these guns could do in a closed room.
She shuddered as memories of the atrocity at Ralph’s club poured through her mind. She blinked and lowered her gaze from Warren’s.
He moved closer to her and caught her chin so she was forced to meet his gaze again. I’m serious. You don’t have to do this and honestly, I don’t want you to get hurt.
She gathered her thoughts. Warren, I don’t have even the smallest doubt I’m supposed to be with you at the compound. If I hesitated, it was only because I was remembering what happened at the club.
She continued, But I’m okay. I want to do this more than anything. Our world suffers every single night and right now we have a threat that could sink Savage for years to come. If Julio and Glissane succeed in taking over your territory, I can’t begin to think of the horrors they would inflict on your wolves. I’m determined to see this through.
She watched as a slow, serious smile curved his lips. “You’ll do.”
She’d already told him the truth. He was her role model. If he ran into battle naked, she’d do the same.
~ ~ ~
Warren released Kiara’s hand, but he could have held it forever. That’s what he knew. She’d become important to him in only a couple of days, even critical to his happiness.
But from the time he’d become alpha to the Caldion Pack, his life had ceased to belong to him. Every decision he made had to be right for his wolves. Where Kiara fit into his future, he wasn’t sure. For now, though, they had a wizard and a bad wolf to put down.
He shifted his gaze back to Fergus, ready to get on with the night’s work. But Fergus wore a broad grin and a knowing light in his eye. Warren could read his thoughts. He chose, however, not to rise to the bait of Fergus’s idiotic expression. Even Mary offered him a scathing look, but it did no good. Fergus kept on grinning.
Warren ignored him as he turned back to the compound plans. It had been decided to leave the Caldion troops out of the action, which might work in their favor. Fergus’s wolves were being ignored by Julio but were as fit for combat as Warren’s. Both packs engaged in sand pit battles for practice.
They would wear full warrior gear which included coms. Fergus would be able to talk to the entire contingent as needed. Warren would reserve his cell for Fergus.
When the strategy was set, Fergus and Mary left to return to the Gordion compound. Mary would need to be in a protected environment to create her dreamglide which she would use to surveil Julio’s entire set-up as well as the dispersal of his troops. Fergus had built a safe room for Mary for exactly that purpose. Building and piloting a dreamglide would put Mary in a deep, meditative state, which in turn meant she was physically vulnerable.
Warren suited up and checked his com with Fergus. He wore a plate-carrier vest which Fergus had provided for each of them. Warren helped Kiara don hers and adjust the straps. The reality, however, that he’d be taking an untrained soldier into battle gave him pause once more. This wasn’t fair to Kiara. She wasn’t a warrior. Beyond that, he wasn’t sure he could handle it if anything happened to her.
“Hey. Stop worrying. This is my choice, Handsome. Whatever happens, this isn’t on you, it’s on me. Got it?”
She looked stern and serious.
“Did you read my mind just now?”
She smiled. “I definitely don’t have that kind of ability. But over the past few weeks, watching you as I have, I’ve come to know the signs of your fretting.” She reached up and pressed her finger between his brows. “This is your main tell.”
He chuckled as he cinched the strap at her waist.
She patted the front of her vest. “This is heavy.”
“It’s supposed to be.”
“Right.”
She wore jeans, running shoes and a light blue t-shirt. She’d pulled her hair back in a ponytail. She looked more like a kid playing dress-up-in-army-gear than a warrior. Was he out of his mind?
“Stop it.” She put a hand to her head. “Dammit, Warren, I can feel how much you don’t trust me in this situation and your concerns are battering my head. So, let me just say,” she planted her hand on the center of his vest, “I can do this. I went with you to Ralph’s club, I held my own at Julio’s compound and because there’s a wizard involved, I need to be there right
now or Fergus will lose his wolves to Julio and Glissane.”
He gripped her upper arms. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.” He was practically shouting at her.
For a few seconds, she stared back at him. He had no idea what she was thinking, but after a moment he sensed she’d come to a decision. “There’s something you need to remember.”
“What?” Still, more bark than a respectful question. His brow hurt it was pinched so tight, but he released her arms. He wasn’t sure he wanted to hear what she had to say.
“I’m prepared to die, if necessary, to do what I can to stop these psychopaths. Just. Like. You.”
Air rushed into his lungs in a stiff gasp. He squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his fingers along the grooves of his forehead. “Okay. Okay.”
He had to let go of his fears for her safety.
But here was the hard truth: She’d become damn important to him.
With that, he opened his eyes and said the only thing he could in the face of her sacrifice and courage, “Let’s go.”
He took her from the safety of the refuge, past the security spell and into the air.
~ ~ ~
Secure within her invisibility shield, Kiara hovered with Warren at the north end of the El Lobo Grande compound overlooking the parking lot. Fergus’s troops had the front door off its hinges and were making a slow progress into the hall. The rat-a-tat of AR-15s popped in the air from all directions. Fergus’s wolves had laid siege to the compound and were making steady progress.
“Any sign of Julio?”
Kiara listened as Warren spoke into his cell. He was in constant communication with Fergus and she could hear every word spoken between the two powerful alphas.
Fergus said, “Julio’s nowhere to be seen, but Mary’s on it. She’s scouring the compound. Hold on. I’ve just had word from the squad in the eastern escape tunnel. They’re on the second belowground level where the security room is. Taking fire. Wait, they’ve broken into the room. They’ll be using explosives on the electrical box. I’m hearing more gunfire. They’ve got a countdown going, then all the cameras will be offline.”
Every muscle in Kiara’s body tensed. The seconds lagged then she heard the muffled explosion.
