by Quinn Loftis
“Even if we were not bonded, my life would not go on if you were not in this world,” Lucian said, having heard her thoughts.
They were quiet for a few moments as they stared into each other’s eyes. Then with whispered words caressing her skin, Lucian showed her just how necessary she was to him.
Drake stood off to the side as he watched the mated pairs interact. As Decebel’s third, he’d been asked to assist in the war against the vampires and, naturally, he’d obeyed. He would never admit to his Alpha that it was difficult to be around the group—this group. They seemed to always be the ones called on for such missions because all of them were mated. But he…well…he wasn’t. It was hard enough that he had spent so much time in the Serbia pack while it had been under the control of a crazed alpha obsessed with killing Alina and Vasile. Drake couldn’t talk about the things many of them had endured at the hand of their old alpha. Since Decebel had taken over, he’d been able to hide what Thad’s leadership had caused in some of the males of his pack. Not only was it degrading but memories remained that no wolf should ever have to carry. Add to that the fact that, at a century old, he still hadn’t found his true mate, and things were pretty dark in his world. Some days he truly considered defecting, becoming a lone wolf, just to get away from all the laughing, touching, and loving.
Like any male of his species, he longed for the day he would meet his true mate. There wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t think about her. He didn’t have a face to go with his thoughts, or a voice, or smell, or anything. Those were all things he wondered about, of course. Drake longed to know what color her hair would be and how it would smell. He wanted to see if her mouth had full lips or smaller thin ones. Were her eyes large and round or more almond shaped? Though truly none of that mattered; he would want her regardless of what she looked like. And he was sure he would think she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. He also wondered what she would think of him. Would she find him attractive? Would she be able to see past the stains that his previous alpha had left on him?
Drake’s gut clenched and his wolf stirred restlessly. The familiar darkness that was a part of who he was scratched and clawed at him. It tried to gain more ground every day. He fought it back, trying to hold on to his sanity so that he would not go feral. He wasn’t sure what was causing it, but for some reason in the last nine months he felt as though the darkness was growing stronger at a much quicker rate than it had before…before what? He didn’t know.
Vasile and Alina stepped into the room and silence descended drawing Drake back from his thoughts.
“Peri, Alston, and Nissa” —Vasile motioned to the fae who were standing to his right— “will be flashing us to Little Rock, Arkansas. They’ve found an empty warehouse where we will congregate and from there decide our next move.”
Drake watched as the three high fae spread out and the others began placing their hands on one of them. Decebel motioned with his head for Drake to join them. He made his way over and placed his hand on Alston’s arm. He didn’t feel comfortable touching one of the female fae. Touching any female seemed to bother him. There was only one he wanted to touch and be touched by. Drake gritted his teeth together, willing himself to push away the thoughts of the mate he didn’t have.
Suddenly the world was sucked away from them—they were weightless, and then a breath later, they reappeared in a large room with a concrete floor, steel walls, and a twenty-five foot ceiling. Drake released the fae and stepped back. Like the other males in the room, he immediately began evaluating the situation. Where were the exits? Were there any potential hiding places that could conceal a foe? Were there any foes? The usual things that every male of his species did when walking into new territory.
Once everyone had arrived, they formed a circle with Vasile, Alina, and Peri standing in the center. He waited, like the loyal soldier he was, for instructions to be given. Drake didn’t know where that thought had come from. He’d never begrudged his place in the pack. In fact, when Decebel had asked him to be his third, and one of his warriors, he’d been pleased. But lately nothing seemed to be enough. Nothing made him content. He was as restless as a caged lion. So far he’d been able to keep it concealed from the others, but the feeling was getting worse. He knew his Alpha was going to pick up on it sooner rather than later. Drake also knew that Decebel wouldn’t hesitate to end him if it became necessary. It would hurt him to do so, that was the kind of Alpha Decebel was. But he would do it nonetheless, and for that Drake was unbelievably thankful. If he lost it, if the darkness took over and his wolf went feral, he wouldn’t want to live as a monster. He made a promise to himself in that moment that, if it all got to be too much, he would talk to Decebel.
Decebel hooked an arm around Jennifer’s waist when she immediately tried to leave his side as they flashed into the warehouse. She glared up at him. He simply shrugged at her. He’d warned her that she would not be leaving his side, and he’d meant it.
He ignored her attempts to loosen his fingers but couldn’t ignore the well placed elbow she jammed into his side. He grunted and heard her chuckle in satisfaction. His mate had a mean streak, and the ridiculous thing was, he liked it. Decebel was pretty sure Jennifer had messed up his head in some fundamental way.
“Maybe you were already screwed up before we met. Ever think about that?” He heard her voice in his mind and loved how it made him feel close to her. He needed that after the fight they’d had, even if they had made up.
“Thoroughly made up, I might add,” she interrupted his thought and he felt his heart pick up at the reminder of just how thorough their making up had been.
“Nosy much, mate?” he growled at her. He didn’t need her distracting him at this moment. Then again, Jennifer simply breathing was a distraction to him, and to most other males for that matter.
“If you would let go of me, I could give you some space so that I won’t be a distraction,” she told him sweetly—too sweetly.
“As long as you are breathing, baby, you will be a distraction. And not an unwelcome one…most of the time,” he told her gently as he gave her side a gentle squeeze.
She groaned. “How am I supposed to be a jerk to you when you’re being all syrupy sweet?”
He chuckled as he turned his attention to Vasile who’d begun to speak.
“Peri has found the location of the entrance to this coven’s underground lair. This is going to be a simple in and out operation. We go in, we kill everything that moves, and we come out. We act without remorse and without hesitation.”
“What if there are some children still alive?” Jacque asked.
“Sally and I will be in charge of any survivors,” Alina told her. Decebel noticed that Jacque didn’t seem appeased by the answer.
“Are we all going?” Costin spoke up next.
Vasile shook his head. We will have two teams. One team will stay on the surface as backup, ready to help if needed. They will also serve as a lookout. The other team will engage the enemy.” He then motioned for Peri to take the floor.
“Okay, pay attention. What I am about to say might just save your furry little lives. Some of you have fought vampires before, some of you haven’t. Only a few of you have fought them recently, so here are some things you need to know,” she began. “Most of the vampires can’t match your strength or ferocity. They don’t like a heads up fight. They like to play mind games. Ignore them. Whatever you do, do not engage them in conversation. Do not think of them as people. They are not people. I cannot be too clear on this. They care for nothing other than their next feeding.
What the vamps lack in strength, they make up for in sheer toughness. They’re bloody hard to kill. Once you are engaged with a bloodsucker, make damn sure the thing is dead before you go on to the next one. Heads and hearts, people. That’s what you will be focusing on. Take off the head or rip out the heart. Nothing else will stop them.”
“This is going to be bloody,” Jen said sounding much too eager for De
cebel’s liking.
“Jen, don’t you dare go bathing in the blood of your fallen enemy like we saw in that movie,” Sally warned. “You aren’t some Viking warrior princess with a vendetta against the king for killing your brother.”
Decebel looked down at his mate to see her considering Sally’s words. “Can we go with a female Spartan warrior, the first of her kind, who is searching for the people who destroyed her family?” Jen asked.
“No. Blood. Baths,” Sally reiterated. “But good call on the whole first Spartan female warrior thing. I like it.”
Jennifer smiled and winked.
“Are you two done?” Peri asked for what felt like the millionth time in her life, knowing that it certainly wouldn’t be the last.
Both girls nodded.
“As I was saying,” the high fae continued, irritation lacing her tone. “Once we’re done, get out quickly because we’re going to be torching the place. For obvious reasons, we need the bodies to disappear. Burning them should be the most efficient way to take care of that. Hopefully, the humans will chalk the fire up to a methane gas explosion. Any questions?”
Everyone was silent. Vasile stepped forward once again.
“Good, then these are the teams: Myself, Alina, Costin.” He glanced at Decebel. “Is that alright with you?”
Decebel knew he was asking out of respect since Costin was Decebel’s Beta. “I’ll follow your lead on this,” responded the Serbian Alpha
Vasile nodded and then continued. “Sally, Cypher, and Nissa. The second team obviously will be Decebel, Jennifer, Fane, Jacque, Drake and Alston. To stay fresh, each of the teams will take turns attacking. Peri will assist with whatever team is on the offensive at each location.” He paused. “The fae will flash us to the alley where the opening is.” He motioned once again for everyone to place a hand on one of the three fae.
Decebel pulled Jen over to Peri. His stomach tightened as she flashed them. He clenched his teeth together and didn’t unclench them until they were standing on solid ground again.
Jennifer slipped away from him before he could put his arm around her again. She walked over to where Jacque and Sally stood. He decided to let her be. How much trouble could she get into just standing and talking to her two friends? He decided not to answer that question.
Jen let out a sigh when she realized that Decebel wasn’t going to come snatch her away. He’d been smothering her since they’d left their room that morning. Not for one second had he not been holding on to her in some way until they’d flashed into the alley, and she’d totally taken advantage of his momentary lapse in grabbiness.
“So, how are you guys feeling about this?” Sally asked as she rubbed her hands together. It was cold. They’d worn only thin jackets so as to keep their movements unhampered.
“I’m thinking I want you two to be careful,” Jacque told her. She looked at Jen and glared. “Don’t be doing anything stupid just for a cheap thrill.”
Jen tilted her head to the side. “Come on, Red, you know better than that. I’ve got Dec for any cheap thrills that might need doing.”
Both girls groaned. Jen laughed.
“Besides,” she continued, “Decebel doesn’t let me get two feet from his side. Nothing will happen to me. And he’s been training me. I’ve got all sorts of mad fighting skills now.”
“Uh, huh.” Sally eyed her skeptically. “I know what kind of training you two do. How many of those training sessions were cut short by uncontrollable groping?” Sally challenged.
Jen tapped her lip. “At least…all of them,” she said with a wicked grin.
“Why didn’t I see that coming?” Sally asked looking at Jacque.
Jacque patted her. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. Every once in a while she actually acts like a real life human being who doesn’t think with her girl parts. Sometimes that tricks us into thinking she’s normal. It happens to the best of us.”
“These prego hormones have made you a bitch,” Jen said folding her arms in front of her as she looked at Jacque. Then she winked at Jacque. “I like it.”
“Only you would,” Jacque muttered under her breath.
“My team” —Vasile spoke loudly so that the group could hear him. Jen, Sally, and Jacque turned to look at the Alpha— “will be going in first. Peri has something for each of us.”
Peri started handing out silver short swords.
Jen grinned. “Hell. Yeah,” she said practically jumping on her toes. “I’m fixing to go all Peter Pan on these vamps’ butts.”
“Peter,” Jacque started.
“Pan?” Sally finished for her.
Jen paused in her happy feet bouncing. “What?”
“Peter Pan isn’t exactly an intimidating hero,” Jacque told her.
Jen thought about it for a minute and then she snapped her fingers. “Got it. I’m fixing to go all Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon on these vamps’ butts. Better?”
Jacque pinched the bridge of her nose. “Just remember you can’t fly, okay?”
“Noted,” Jen said giving her a thumbs up.
As soon as Peri held out a sword to Jen, a large hand snatched it before she could take it.
“That’s it!” Jen growled at the same time she stomped her foot.
“Oh hell,” Jacque muttered. “She totally foot stomped.
“Not a good sign,” Sally agreed.
“You” —Jen turned and pointed at her mate—“are going to stop being an overbearing, overprotective, but incredibly hot, asshat.” She paused. “Okay, so incredibly hot doesn’t really do you justice with that sword in your hand.” Jen’s eyes widened. “Did I just say what I think I said?”
The group around her was filled with chuckles, sighs, and groans.
“If you mean did you just talk about your mate’s sword and how he holds it,” Peri offered, “then, yes. Yes you did.”
“Okay, well, well.” Jen placed her hands on her hips and looked from Dec to Peri to the others. “Well, now I’ve lost my place.”
“You were telling him to quit being an asshat,” Cypher offered.
She snapped her fingers. “Perfect. Thank you, warlock.” She turned back to Decebel. “I am going to help. I am going to fight. And you are going to be okay with it.”
Decebel glowered at her. Finally he let out a resigned sigh and flipped the sword in the air so the blade was in his hand and the handle was held out to her. “Just be careful, please.”
“You’ve been training me, B. You know what I’m capable of. Have a little faith.” Jen paused and looked down at the sword. “Um, just to be clear, the pointy end goes into the vamp, right?”
Her two best friends snorted out laughter but quickly covered it when Decebel shot them menacing looks. Vasile cleared his throat. “Decebel, you keep your team up here. Alston will shield you from any humans that wander by. If we need assistance, Peri will flash out here and let you all know. Any questions?”
The group shook their heads.
“Let’s go,” Vasile rumbled as he made his way to the manhole cover.
Peri motioned her hands over the cover and it slowly slid open. Vasile was the first to jump down into the dark hole. Alina followed, then Cypher, Nissa, and Costin.
Just as Sally was about to step into the opening, no doubt trusting her mate to catch her, Jen called her name. “No heroics,” Jen said evenly.
Sally’s lips tightened and she nodded. “You either.”
Sally blinked several times, attempting to get her eyes to adjust to the darkness. She was acutely aware of the others staring at her, waiting until she was ready. They, of course, with their supernatural selves, didn’t have any problem seeing in the near dark.
“You good, brown eyes?” Costin asked her as he took her hand.
Sally nodded. “Just wasn’t expecting it to be so dark.”
“Nissa and I will give a hand with that,” Peri said as she whispered under her breath and held out her hand. Nissa did the same thing and both fae women rele
ased glowing orbs into the air. They lit up the area around them and at least fifteen feet in all directions.
“I will take the lead,” Vasile spoke up. “Cypher you take the rear.”
They moved into a single file line. Costin gently tugged Sally behind him. He turned his head to look at her as they continued forward. “Stay close to me.”
Sally glanced down just as a rat scurried in front of her. “You don’t have to tell me twice,” she told her mate as she moved closer to him.
The group was quiet as they followed the tunnel. Every fifty or so feet they would stop and Vasile, Alina, and Costin would all suck in deep breaths through their noses. She understood what they were sniffing for—blood. As they continued on, Sally noticed that the deeper they went, the heavier she felt. As though with every step she took, a brick of despair was being set upon her shoulders. Her heartbeat increased and her hands began to shake. Sweat trickled down her back despite the fact that it was cool underground.
“You okay?” Costin’s voice filled her mind and for a brief second his presence chased away the heavy feeling, but then it was back.
“I don’t know what it is, but there’s just so much sorrow down here.”
He reached back and grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
After ten more minutes of walking, Vasile held up his hand, stopping everyone in their tracks. “Do you smell it?” he asked turning to look at his mate and then to Costin.
Costin nodded. His jaw was clenched tight and his eyes had begun to glow.
“What is it?” Sally asked him, using their bond.
“Blood.” She heard the hesitation in his voice. There was more but he didn’t want to tell her.
“And?”
“It’s young.”
Sally swallowed back the bile that rose up in her throat. She’d known that they were targeting children, but to be this close to it was completely different than standing in Vasile’s office being told about it. The misery that had begun filling her continued to expand, and she was sure it was going to choke her.
