Chapter 13
Guardian Compound, Earth Realm
Alex was beside Uri when they stepped into an expansive room with computer monitors and TVs showing maps with lighted areas, all along one wall. In the center was a large, warrior-sized, wood conference table. Big office chairs housed Conn, Sirena, Jax and Gregoire while Drake stood to one side, watching them enter with his big arms crossed. The position was testing the endurance of his olive T-shirt.
All eyes were on Alex and Uri; some looked a little wide, though she didn’t know, or care, why. Her gaze sought and connected with her brother at the opposite end of the big table.
That was when Alex lost it; the edges of her sight burned bright crimson at the view of her baby brother chained to a chair. His arms, legs and shoulders were bound so that if he transformed into his lion, he would dislocate both shoulders, while the metal itself prevented any teleportation.
The warrior blood flowing in her veins mixed with centuries of training, and undiluted fury and instinct hit full throttle, proving just how dangerous an angry Demi-Goddess could be. Multiple things occurred almost simultaneously: preternatural speed and strength surged through her, propelling her body forward while pushing Uri back out the door they’d come in. His big body didn’t have time to brace against her Goddess strength. Surprise was her best friend in that moment.
The occupants seated closest flew back as she let her shield fly free; the impact of chairs and bodies flying against fortified walls was loud in the room. One bay of TV screens caught an errant body, crashing into a sea of glass.
With only a split second of disorientation on her side, she assessed her target. Both Jax and Gregoire were armed, but Jax’s blades were more accessible for her needs. Teleporting, Alex had Jax flat on his stomach as she straddled the male, pinning his massive arms and bulk under her bare body. She wouldn’t think on that now. She lifted his head by the chin with one hand while holding his own blade against the male’s throat with the other.
“Undo my brother’s chains, now!” Alex demanded. The thought of them hurting Vane sent her into annihilation mode. If they’d harmed one hair on his beautiful head, they’d need a bulldozer to clean the rubble left in her wake.
Surprisingly, it was Vane who spoke. His chair was still upright, just further back from the table; he’d managed to somehow keep from toppling, probably since he’d been the furthest from the blast. “Hey, sis. Much as I’m enjoying watching you kick Guardian ass, they did this so that I wouldn’t tear apart your mate.” His jaw tightened, and he bit the word mate out as if it was something vile, all the while glaring daggers at Uri, who had just walked back into the room.
Her breath stuttered as she looked at Uri. He was staring at her with what looked like… pride?
Damn it.
“Drake, is this true? Will you let him loose once he’s gained control over himself?”
“I’d let him loose now, but we need to talk, and if he’s loose, he won’t be willing to do that, will you, Vane?”
“Yeah, maybe after I’ve shredded him a bit.” Her brother’s voice was pure menace, and his gaze was directed at her male.
Wonderful… If Vane’s rigid jaw was any indication, he wouldn’t be backing down any time soon.
Vane, are you okay? she asked telepathically.
I’m fine. It sounded like he was gritting his teeth, even though he wasn’t speaking out loud.
Admitting defeat for the moment, because soon she’d feel the energy drain from what she’d done, she teleported to the head of the table, choosing the seat across from her brother. She could teleport inside a metal area, she just couldn’t exit through it—ah, the limitations of Gods and Immortals. Alex slid Jax’s blade down the table to where he was putting his chair back into place. The male was grinning from ear to ear, making her frown. Why would he be grinning? She had just held his own blade to his neck.
Judging by his expression, I’m betting he loved having you, half naked, straddling his ass, my mate or not. The growl in Uri’s mental voice set things off lower in her body. She forced the thoughts away as quickly as she could manage. Being in a room full of those with enhanced senses was making her twitchy, especially since one was her brother. She watched Uri glare at Jax. The other male just snickered.
As impressive as you were, little Goddess, if Jax hadn’t worried about hurting you, he could have reversed your hold, Uri telepathed, with what sounded a lot like pride mixed with irritation. A quick glance showed the cause of his ire. He was adjusting a massive erection as he seated himself next to her, lounging back in the chair he’d taken to her right. The seat put him catty-corner to Vane’s seat. It was all awkward as hell. Uri was shoeless and shirtless and didn’t seem to care.
He could have tried to reverse it… she sent back. Her fighting ability was the one thing she didn’t lack confidence in.
The stare-off between Uri and Vane began as everyone took their seats. Sirena appeared the most amused by the whole incident. That female had so much energy, it was like she would burst. And not a silky blonde hair on the Guardian’s head was out of place. Impressive, as she was one of the ones that took flight into the wall. The Guardian healer was truly stunning, causing Alex to wonder if she and Uri ever…
We were never lovers, he said before her thought was formed, and she swore his inner voice sounded smug. The answer relieved her and she didn’t care that it shouldn’t.
Blowing out a breath, she looked around the room. Wasn’t it odd that no one seemed to take offense at the fact that she’d just held one of their own at knife point? Not to mention she had just thrown everyone, including their leader, into the walls. She just knew Drake would make her pay for that. She felt only slightly uneasy watching the others grab their chairs. The table must be bolted down.
Conn had been the one to take out the TV, and aside from shaking some of the glass out of his shaggy brown hair, she didn’t see any blood. He seemed more concerned with the laptop he was checking. It was encased in some thick rubber thing. He picked it up from the broken glass, and judging by his grin, she guessed the thing still worked, although she wasn’t sure how.
Conn, along with his laptop, lounged back in a seat at the table. Dark tattoos peeked out from the sleeves of his flannel shirt, and those beautiful amber eyes looked out from below the three black loops piercing one brow. She wondered if his wolf form would hold the piercings; she assumed they were made of something other than metal. That would be something to see.
Uri’s growl vibrated divinely through their mental connection.
She looked over, surprised. Jealous? she sent, feeling curious. She couldn’t help the warmth that flowed through her chest. At least they were even now. He looked mildly confused by his own reaction, and that tilted her lips.
Are you okay? Did he hurt you? What the hell happened? She felt how all over the place Vane’s emotions were, but at least he had gotten it together enough to speak. Worry was at the forefront with anger and hurt mixed in as he spouted his questions. Alex understood. She felt horrible that he was caught in this mess with her.
He didn’t hurt me. I decided to go to Uri because I didn’t want you to take the chance of going to Conn. I didn’t know Uri was my mate, but I’ve been drawn to him for centuries… I didn’t mean to worry you; it’s just… when we came in contact, everything just got out of control. I’m sorry I got you in to this. I will fix it. I’ll fix everything, she said with meaning. What a screwed-up situation she’d gotten them in. How was it possible for her entire world to be flipped upside down in a single moment? Even now, when her priorities should be her brothers, she felt Uri’s heat next to her and she just wanted to curl into him and rub herself all over his warm body.
She heard a low groan to her right. Uri grabbed her hand under the table, and the innocent contact heated her blood. She needed to get a grip. Get some control over her ridiculous thoughts.
You weren’t forced into it? The question from Vane caught her off guard. She could hear what it cost her brother to ask. He and Erik had been there at her attack, and after. It had been hell for them all.
Uri growled and looked at her. She would explain later… no matter how much she didn’t want to.
No, I wasn’t forced. It’s a mating. Things are… mutual. She saw some of the tension drain from her brother’s shoulders, but he still shot daggers at Uri from across the table. She wanted to reassure him, but they had other things to deal with now. It will take some time to get used to and work out. But right now we need to focus on helping Erik. How is he? She felt lower than low for not thinking of her brother. For losing sight when she was with Uri. She loved her brothers more than anything in the world. It had always hurt to think she was the weakest link.
Not good. Nothing has changed. She heard him sigh. We need their help, much as it pains me to ask, especially being tethered to a damn chair. Vane’s groan tilted her lips.
“Like to share with the rest of the class?” Drake’s voice oozed sarcasm.
Not having many bargaining chips royally sucked. After she cleared her throat, she decided taking the offensive was the best course, so she dug in with the first thing she could come up with. “As you know, we’ve been essential in the fight against demon-possessed on Earth. We don’t need thanks. We were happy to help, but we’d like to call in a favor now for thousands of years of assistance.”
Vane groaned. Well, it wasn’t like he’d offered up anything brilliant.
Uri’s arm was twitching next to her. When she looked over, she saw from the glitter in his eyes he was barely suppressing laughter. She narrowed her eyes in warning.
Sirena, Jax and Conn had no such compunctions in yucking it up. Drake crossed his arms over the bulk of his chest and the T-shirt that clung to his frame, one eyebrow raised, challenging her to continue the tactic. She hoped no smoke was a good sign. She hated having to deliver her speech as he towered over her, but he was the only one not seated. A frown creased her forehead. Intimidating bastard.
More shoulder shaking came from Uri.
“What did you have in mind, cousin?” Alex really hoped that Drake’s continued mention of their family tie was a positive rather than a negative. It could go either way with families like theirs.
“I would like exemption from Exile, for myself and my brothers, in payment for our centuries of service to the Guardians and humanity. And as compensation for our continued service, I would ask for Sirena’s medical assistance, and any other assistance you can find, for a family situation.”
The laughter, that had gotten louder at Alex’s exemption-from-exile request, abruptly halted at her request for medical assistance.
Erik? Uri’s sexy voice in her mind made her soften a little uncontrollably.
Yes.
“Request noted. Now, do not tell me that you have contaminated my compound. Explain. Quickly.” Oh, good, there was the smoke… Nothing like pissing off the Demi-God with Guardian powers. She might end up grilled by the end of this after all.
“No, it’s not for Vane or me. It’s Erik we need help for, and I wasn’t the one that teleported my ass here.” She pinned Drake with her gaze. More smoke filled the air. She looked over to see Vane shaking his head.
“The compound’s on lockdown,” Conn announced, the wolf must have sent word to the other Guardians not to come in, likely as a precaution.
“Speak,” Drake growled.
Alex detailed the events after her hop into Sam’s head, reiterating that Vane had sent the visuals of the hop to Conn. She focused the details of the trip to Sam’s apartment toward Sirena. The healer was their best bet for helping Erik. Sirena leaned forward in her chair, absorbing the details, and asked that Vane and Alex both show her their perspectives and thoughts.
Vane, being strong in telepathy, sent the detailed images directly to Sirena, even with the metal that should have affected his abilities. Show-off.
Sirena leaned back, and after a moment her expression morphed from wide-eyed to beaming. Then as abruptly as it came, the female’s smile was gone, making Alex’s stomach plummet. Somber, Sirena cleared her throat before relating what she’d found. “Okay, the good news is that your brother doesn’t appear to be compromised.”
Then Sirena looked to Conn. “Go ahead and lift the lockdown.”
The healer went on, “I need to see him, but I’d say Erik shows signs of the mating frenzy. I have been studying this for centuries, and we know that the females Cyril and Elizabeth are collecting are of elemental Mageia descent. Some have DNA markers that are that of potential Immortal mates.”
Sirena eyed both her and Vane before taking a deep breath. “I think that Sam may be Erik’s mate.”
Alex saw her own horror and confusion reflected on Vane’s face. That was bad. If it was true, her brother’s mate was suffering right now. Her limbs instantly tensed. Alex’s energies had been depleting almost exponentially since she’d used her shield on the Guardians. She forced herself to work through the fatigue, needing to know more about her brother’s situation. The tension in the room was almost unbearable. Those seated knew how horrible this could be. Having your mate taken by a sadistic monster who was doing Gods knew what to her?
She needed answers.
“How is that possible? He never came into contact with her. Uri and I didn’t know we were mated until we made physical contact.” She sucked in a breath at a more frightening thought. “And she’s mortal?”
Alex glanced over at Uri; he looked grim. His hand tightened on hers under the table, and she was grateful for the silent show of support. Why did she feel so incredibly connected to him? Not just sexually, it was more. Was it because of the mating? Their souls attempting to connect on some deeper level like was said to happen?
Sirena spoke again. “With those able to transform into beasts, it is easily triggered by scent because of how sensitive their olfactory senses are. Sam’s unique fragrance would have permeated the closed space of the apartment. That could have started things for him. The fact that he roared and mentioned scent after smelling her pillow is telling. I have an idea why he’s taking in so much energy, but it’s only a guess until I examine him.” The blonde paused before answering her other question. “And mortal mates can become Immortal… with a special ceremony.”
Well, at least she didn’t have to worry about how horrible it would be for her brother to mate someone only to lose her in a few short decades. The problem was that they still needed to get Sam away from the monster first.
“All from a pillow…” Alex said incredulously.
Sirena nodded. “I believe so. I’ll need to examine him. Taking him from the apartment should have dulled some of the effects, but he already knew that Sam was in danger after your head hop. Most mated couples end up linking minds, along with bodies, in the frenzy soon after scenting their mate. I’ve never come across a case like this. His drive to find her would be intense, especially because of the danger. The good news is that Erik may be the key to finding Sam, as well as the others.” The Siren seemed completely immersed in her own thoughts, while Alex was fading fast. She could no longer process what the female was saying.
Sirena’s Guardian characteristics were clear. Gone was the ecstatic little blonde from before; she was all business. It should have offered Alex some solace, knowing that Sirena was so focused on helping her brother, even if her reasons were for the sake of research. But, damn, the thought of what Sam had already been through and what her poor brother would suffer even when they got Sam back… It was too much. The last reserves of her energy were sapped away with worry for her brother. Alex wasn’t sure how Erik was going to deal with this; her heart was breaking for him.
It wasn’t fair. She wanted to rail, but she had to keep it together. They had work to do.
Her sight started to get spotty. She needed to get out of there. First the head hop… then trying to help Erik… the mating… battle in this room… her shield activating twice—yeah, she was depleted.
Uri moved from his chair, sending it sailing. With lightning speed she was caught up in the solid strength of his arms. She was so far gone, she only wanted to cuddle up and let darkness have her, but she needed to help her brother…
“I’m taking her to recharge,” she heard Uri announce to the room.
Vane growled at Uri, but she saw him close his eyes for a moment as if gathering himself for torture. Sis, he’s right. You need to refuel. I can see you’re fried. And honestly, I can’t be around your mate without wanting to beat the shit out of him. Let me take care of Erik, and you go take care of yourself. Find out information about the mating. That might help Erik when we recover his mate. I’ll let you know after the doc checks him. We need you powered up so we can rescue Sam, he sent to her mind.
His serious look killed all her protests. Guilt ate at her, but Vane was right, she didn’t have the strength to be of use to anyone until she refueled.
Finally capitulating, she nodded. Tell me as soon as you get Erik. Let me know he’s okay. I’ll meet back the minute I’m refueled. And… be careful.
I’ve got this. Don’t worry, sis. It’ll be all good. He gave her a reassuring grin. It was strained, but she appreciated the effort. She hoped he’d get over his violent tendencies toward Uri quickly. They needed to work together or she didn’t know how it would all be with her and Uri after this was over. Erik and Sam were the priority.
“I can walk,” Alex informed Uri and the room, mostly to the room because he could hear her thoughts. The protest came out a little slurred, even to her ears. She couldn’t remember ever being this depleted. She bit the inside of her cheek, thinking a little pain might help, and tried to wiggle out of his hold. She refused to look weak.
Uri answered with a growl. “Not happening.”
Hell, she knew to pick her battles with her brother. This wasn’t even a fight she cared to win. He could do the “I, Uri; you, small female” move, this time. She relaxed in his hold with a shoulder shrug. She wouldn’t have made it two steps before face-planting, and that would have been a far worse exit.
“I’ll inform you when Sirena gets us a time frame for the next meeting.” Drake barely looked at them as he began barking orders to the rest of the room. As they were going down the hall, she heard Drake say, “Sirena, Jax, Gregoire, take Vane and get Erik; bring him back here. Conn, get the others. We need to be ready at the first chance of a rescue mission. This is the best opportunity we’ve ever had. I don’t want to fuck this shit up. Conn, I still want the area where that possessed was picked up checked for evidence and that syringe. Find out who we can spare for a quick look.”
Syringe? What was that all about?
*****
Sirena, I need you to watch my hellhound, Uri sent to his sister Guardian.
I actually want to see him hunt. Take care of your mate. Once Alex’s brother is taken care of, I will see that he’s fed. Havoc will be fine with me. Sirena’s words were melodic, easing his concern.
Thanks.
Uri relaxed a little, still not able to process everything. For now his female needed to get her strength back.