Bound To The Demon

by C. J. Brookes

  “Wonderful.” Emily smiled her gorgeous smile in Kindara’s direction. No one questioned why Kindara was on his lap, though he suspected they were all wondering exactly what it was he was doing. Very rarely was he questioned on anything. “Joselyn is already making plans. She has a list of personnel she wants to bring from Denver.”

  “Human?” The king’s reluctance was clear for all to hear. “Em—”

  “Those that we can trust,” Emily said, insistently. “No more than four, but they are our top people. Including Dr. Anna Macgregor—Joselyn’s partner. Anna will help immensely. She and Joselyn are very close; and work well together. Plus…Anna has no family of her own. The only person I know she’s close to at all is Joselyn. She can be dialed in and trusted, if needed.”

  “You’re staying with them?” Rand asked, his eyes on his sister and cousin. “Just giving up everything to be with these…assholes...after what they’ve done?”

  Mallory and Emily both nodded. Emily was the one who spoke. “Yes, it’s where we belong now. We’re going to make this work, Rand. No matter what.”

  “I see.” The wolf stood and began pacing again. “So everything’s settled then? You’re just leaving with them?”

  “Yes.” Emily’s voice was firm. “And Kindara and her daughter. This petty ‘kidnapping the women for revenge’ stops with us. It’s stupid and archaic and ridiculous. It should be against the law. As for Grandfather...”

  Rand released a growl before speaking that had the Dardaptoan males shifting protectively in front of the three females. Jade was still hidden near the wall. “First, we want proof of what he is accused of. He’s eighty-five years old. I’m not just turning him over, no matter how much we all despise the bastard.”

  Kindara pushed her chair back, a hiss escaping as she stared at the wolf. She had yet to calm from him claiming her daughter. Who had refused to step foot in the conference room, and was sleeping in a nearby family room.

  “You want to see proof of what that monster did? Let’s start with these...” She held up her wrists for everyone to see the scars. She spun, pulling the borrowed T-shirt up to her shoulders, revealing the stripes across her back that thirty years hadn’t faded. Thirty decades probably wouldn’t fade them—at least from Rathan’s memory. “Or maybe these will convince you? Or the videos Dhar Rydere has of that bastard and Al Boltier torturing my sister-in-law until she bled to death? She was four years younger than Jade when she was murdered, and a whole lot more naive. She had blond hair like Jade’s, too. And that same mischievous sweet spirit. There are videos of my Rajni as he died watching me being tortured by your grandfather. He held us for three weeks before my brother and Aodhan found us. Found me. Or what was left of me. Because Healers have a damned hard time dying, no matter how hard they beg the Goddess. And I begged, over and over again, just to die like my Rajni. It’s all there, every last minute of it. I’m sure we can arrange for your viewing pleasure. I’ll even pop the popcorn, if you need it. We won’t even mention the videos of what he did to Jierra, when she was only a newborn babe. Do you want to see those, wolf? Is that what you want to know? What he did to her that still gives her nightmares at night—nightmares she can’t identify and has always had?” Her voice wobbled, but she was determined as she turned back to face the wolf. “Do you think we’ve fabricated this?”

  Mallory stood and wrapped an arm around the smaller female before Rathan could move. Rathan could easily see how Kindara shook. “Rand is just being stubborn, Kin. He’s not seen the pictures that Emily and I have.” She shot a glare at her twin. “He’s not seen the things Grandfather has done. But he will trust that Emily and I have seen enough to be one hundred ten percent convinced that turning him over to be dealt with is the right thing to do.”

  Rathan looked at his friend. The wolf stood, pale and shocked, as he stared at Kindara. The room went quiet until Rand nodded. “He’s at the Fort Collins home. I want a promise that he won’t be tortured or killed. I’ll send some of my people to collect him. And if he did the things…I demand the right to be there when he faces justice.”

  Rathan and Kindara alone knew what he meant.

  A Mate’s Right. The right to punish one who had seriously hurt their mate.

  The most sacred right of vengeance in any of the Kinds.

  “We are a civilized race.” The king nodded as he spoke. “Our justice system far exceeds the human one. As much as we despise the bastard, we won’t be putting him to death without much deliberation. But he’s killed over fifteen hundred of our people, and is suspected in the disappearances of almost four hundred more. Including Kindara’s brother Cravic. Our people demand and deserve justice...Kindara and her daughter more than most.”

  Rathan pulled Kindara from Mallory’s arms. Kindara dove toward him, burying her face in his chest. Even though the healer in blue was reaching for her, too.

  As was her asshole brother.

  But she came to Rathan.

  Rathan pulled her into his lap as he sank back to his chair, whispering soothing words of comfort and just holding her. She needed his arms tight around her, that was what he would give her.

  The bonds were forming between them. He felt them.

  His eyes met the brother’s, not surprised to see a challenge and anger in the male’s expression.

  The Dardaptoan would learn soon enough that he was now the male responsible for Kindara.

  No doubt, the Predatoi knew what gamata meant.

  “So it’s decided then? No more abductions, or plots of revenge against either our family or against Rydere’s people?” Emily pulled everyone’s attention away from Kindara. She focused on Rand. “This is what we—Mallory, Joselyn, Mickey, and I—want. But we don’t want to lose our family either. And this fight, it’s not between anyone but Grandfather and the people he’s wronged. We’ll be leaving this evening for Dardanos. You’re welcome to visit with us. Explain to my father and everyone else that we are fine and where to find us.”

  “So soon?” It was clear the wolf wasn’t pleased with that news. “We’ll have a lot to discuss regarding the new facility.”

  “You can bring Uncle Jason with you when you visit. I’m sure he wants to see Joselyn as much as she wants to see him and Jade,” Emily said. “Bring whoever else wants to come. But we need to get back. Rydere and Kindara especially have duties that demand their presence as soon as possible.”

  Rathan started to protest, state his claim on his female publicly. Feminine fingers pinched his side. Her lips brushed his ear as she whispered. “Don’t even think about it, demon.”

  “I will say nothing of my plans or our spawn if you stay exactly where you are. It has been too long since I’ve held you, my pet. I hunger…for you.”

  She stilled before giving a small reluctant nod. Rathan smiled in triumph, eyes meeting the brother’s.

  The brother’s face darkened, and he tensed, mouth opening to say something. Before he could speak, the door was flung open, and a male rushed in. “Rand! We—”

  One Rathan easily recognized. Rathan’s hands tightened on Kindara. He would need to move quickly, to stop what he suspected was about to happen.

  Rand’s uncle rushed Kindara’s brother, knocking him to the floor. Furious growls issued from the Lupoiux male’s throat as he fought the Dardaptoan.

  The Dardaptoan was clearly holding his own, releasing a laugh as he took a slash across his chest from a clawed Lupoiux hand.

  Rand pulled the other wolf off the Dardaptoan. “Jason! Back off! Now!”

  The other male was as strong as Mallory’s brother, and Rathan quickly set his female aside, her scream still ringing in his ears.

  Her terror.

  If someone didn’t stop Jason—Jade and Joselyn’s father—the older Lupoiux could seriously injure his new son-in-law.

  Which would harm Joselyn most of all. If Jason killed the Dardaptoan, it would be an instant death sentence for Jason’s daughter.

  Rathan helped Rand pull his unc
le away from the Dardaptoan, conscious of Jade’s wide eyes watching their every move. Jason never would have attacked if he had realized his youngest daughter was watching.

  Jason fought, as Rathan expected. “He smells like my daughter! What the hell has he done with her?”

  Rathan used his superior strength to hold Rand’s uncle until he was subdued. The alpha wolf was extremely strong—but Rathan was the king of demons. That hadn’t just been given to him. He’d earned it by being the best. The strongest.

  The Dardaptoan rose to his feet, wiping blood from his dripping nose. “Wouldn’t you like to know, wolf?”

  Jason growled, long and low. Kindara stepped in front of her brother, ridiculously protective of the big brute. She glared at Jason and Rathan. And her brother. “Enough of this. Joselyn is just fine; she’s still with Mickey in Dardanos.”

  “Who the hell are you?” Jason’s tone held clear threat as he straightened his clothing.

  Rathan resisted the compelling urge to kill the male for even daring to speak to her that way. And Jason was a close friend.

  No one threatened her. Ever. She was now the queen of all demons, after all.

  He tamped down the fury before the others in the room sensed it.

  “This is my brother you just tried to kill. But like I said, Joselyn’s just fine. I know you’re worried, but your daughter is ok. If you don’t believe me, ask your nieces.” Kindara waved toward Mallory and Emily. “As you can see, they’re both in one piece.”

  Jason jerked his head in the direction she indicated, surprise hitting his face when he saw the two young females. They stood just behind their Dardaptoan males. And the guards.

  The Dardaptoan warriors had just been letting the Predatoi battle the wolf alone as a courtesy, no doubt.

  Jason’s face softened, and the tension in his broad shoulders released. “Emmy. Mal, girls...”

  Rathan released the wolf. Mallory and Emily threw themselves into Jason’s embrace. It was obvious he cared for them a great deal, something Rathan had long known. Jason placed a kiss first on Emily’s forehead, then Mallory’s. He cupped his redheaded niece’s cheeks, checking her closely. “We were so worried, girls. Where are your sister and Joselyn?”

  “We’re fine, Uncle Jason. I promise,” Emily told him. “So are Joselyn and Mickey. Everything’s fine, and this madness all ends today.”

  Rand grabbed his uncle’s shoulder. “Jay, what are you doing up here?”

  The older wolf’s face darkened again. He stiffened. “I came to get Jade the hell out of here. Now. We don’t have time to mess around.”

  Rathan looked around. Jade had disappeared.

  No…there she was. Near the rear of the room, a wide-eyed look on her pretty face as she stared at her father.

  Jason looked around for his daughter. It took him a moment to spot her. “Damn it, Jade Elizabeth. You are not supposed to be here.”

  “Damn it, Dad, that’s exactly what Rand and Rathan said. Yet here I am. Where I am supposed to be. What’s up?”

  Jason looked at his nephew. “How many do we have on property now?”

  “Just what you see. And the guards. Why?” Rand asked.

  “We need to evacuate now.”

  “What? Why?” Rand asked as the Dardaptoans sat, silently eyeing them all.

  “Forty Lupoiux from the Redd Gothan pack are coming from the north and east sides of the mountain. They’ve got one purpose in mind—getting Jade. How many do you have here?”

  Rand let out a quiet growl. Rathan understood. No one threatened Rand’s family. “Fourteen Lupoiux, plus what’s in this room, Jade, and another young Dardaptoan female. I sent everyone off property because of the Dardaptoans’ arrival.”

  “We’ve got less than an hour, I expect, until this place is overrun. I made good time getting here, but I knew the way.” Jason released his nieces and turned toward Rand fully. He wrapped one hand around his daughter’s elbow. Which was probably a good thing—she could get herself into far more trouble than she knew.

  “Twenty-four people on property now. Eleven of them female...Jade’s the only human.” Rand’s face held his rage.

  “Evacuation.” Jason nodded before looking at the Dardaptoans. “I suggest you all leave now, unless you want to wait around until it gets ugly.”

  Kindara’s brother gave a feral grin, far more wolfish than any expression of Rand’s. “Bring ’em on. I love puppy fights. And I have a personal grudge against the Redd Gothan pack. They attacked your daughter and Emily two weeks ago. I want as many of their pelts as I can collect. To make a rug for Joselyn.”

  The Dardaptoan king spoke, immediately drawing attention his way. “We have space in our helicopters for your people. We can and will offer sanctuary in Dardanos. And you’ll be able to visit with Emily and the others while you work out the details of Emily’s plans.”

  “But we’ll need to leave immediately.” Rand nodded, though all had no trouble sensing his reluctance. Rathan knew it went against the wolf’s instincts to run from a fight.

  Had they not had their females to protect, he and Rand would have enjoyed the battle.

  But Jade…she was too close to the fight. There was no way any of them would ever risk her. Plus, if they caught the scent of Rand’s female, newly mated, they would come for her immediately.

  Those Redd Gothan wolves were becoming too much of a problem.

  Threatening those Rathan loved. He would not stand for that much longer. “The Redd Gothan are becoming far too much of a problem.”

  “We’ll deal with them when we can,” Rand said, a growl escaping.

  The king pulled Emily closer. They looked odd together—her so small, him so big and strong. The king looked quite regal, a natural leader. One of great skill and power.

  A formidable ally—or enemy.

  Rathan would not forget that.

  “Gather your people. I want to send the first helicopter in fifteen minutes, and I want all the females aboard. They won’t stand a chance against a Lupoiux attack.”

  36

  Rathan had handled most of the political negotiations with the Dardaptoans. He was far more skilled and experienced in these types of inter-Kind politics than Rand. Rand wasn’t a politician at all. And had no intention of becoming one. Period.

  He studied his sister again. Mallory was urging Jade to gather her things, and to hurry. She and Emily had surrounded Jade the instant Jason had said Lupoiux and threats. They at least were accepting that Rand and Jason and Rathan were different.

  And they knew exactly what could be at stake now.

  He had never wanted Mallory to know. He’d tried for years to keep her safe.

  His failure when they’d been twenty-one was something he would never forgive himself for. Had Rathan not been visiting that day because he’d been damned bored ruling a realm, Mallory would have been killed.

  Dead at a Jareth Predatoi’s hands.

  He shot the Jareth healer a look. Her brother was at her side, practically hovering over her.

  He knew who Cormac Jareth was. He’d done his research.

  What would that bastard have done had it been his sister targeted by Jareth’s family for something she had known nothing of?

  Then again, if what they’d said was true, that was exactly what had happened.

  To Kindara—and to Jierra.

  Rand’s female. He could scent her nearby, of course. His.

  Rand needed to see her. To get her as far away from the property and the Redd Gothan pack as possible—as soon as possible. If they got close enough to catch her scent—she would be a far greater target than Jade ever would be.

  Jade was a mere human. She’d be a toy, an easy prize. A novelty. But Jierra…

  Jierra was newly mated to a Lupoiux alpha. And was the heir to the wealthiest Dardaptoan tribe in existence.

  She was worth double her weight in gold to those bastards if that information ever became common knowledge.

  That didn’
t leave him sitting easy right now.

  He needed to see her, to check on her again.

  He slipped from the conference room.

  Jason was taking charge of the evacuation for the time being. That was in good hands.

  Rathan had handed his Dardaptoan healer over to her asshole brother, before flashing out, himself.

  Rathan was going scouting, a task he was uniquely qualified for. The demon was going to get a feel for what was going on with the Redd Gothan while they waited.

  Rathan didn’t want any kind of a threat near his precious Kindara now either. That demon baby she carried was going to be the biggest target in the demon world.

  Rathan didn’t have the demon legions with him now to protect her.

  That was no doubt eating the male raw at the moment.

  Jierra was still sleeping, curled up on a couch in the family room. Jade had covered her with a blanket earlier, he thought. She seemed to have taken Jierra under her wing.

  Rand didn’t know how to wake his female without scaring her, so he settled for going to his knees beside her. Her gold eyes opened as soon as he touched her. His mouth went dry. He didn’t know what to say to her. “Get up. We’re leaving.”

  “What?” Fear filled her face. Fear of him.

  Him, the monster in her nightmares.

  He pulled the blanket back and then guided her to her feet. The animal part of himself wanted to rear up and devour her. She felt perfect beneath his hands. “There are Redd Gothan too damned close to us. They’re after my cousin. But if they realize the rest of you females are here—it’ll be a nightmare. They’ll want you most of all.”

  He wasn’t about to let that happen. He’d kill any threat to this female. In an instant. He just hoped she realized that.

  “Lupoiux are coming for us?”

  “Yes. I’m not about to let them touch you.”

  No one would ever touch her and live. Ever again.

  “Let’s go.”

  37