Chapter 31
Guardian Manor, Tetartos Realm
Alex paced the confines of the war room in Drake’s manor, something she’d been doing for a good hour. No doubt there would be a nice circle in the tile where she made her laps. Havoc had followed her for probably the first ten minutes before realizing they weren’t actually going anywhere. He soon crashed out on the couch against the wall. So now all she heard was the snoring pup mixed with Vane’s irritating finger-tapping. She blew out a breath; she really wasn’t angry with Vane. She knew he was just as frustrated at being left behind.
Her brother sat at the big conference table, going over what seemed like painfully boring DVD surveillance of the hallways and corridors in Cyril’s demolished compound. His brows furrowed as his eyes continually scanned the screen. She wished she had something useful to do.
Alex had already gone and checked on Sam and Erik after the Guardians left, only to find Sam curled up against her brother as they slept. Sam was on top of the black comforter, dressed in the yoga pants and a sweatshirt they had sent to Erik’s room. Erik had apparently moved in his sleep so that his big body faced Sam’s slender frame, wrapping her up. Sam’s blonde head had been tucked under Erik’s scruffy chin, and Alex’s vision had blurred at seeing how tightly her brother held onto his mate even in spelled sleep. She had barely made it out of the room before her shoulders shook and tears tracked down her cheeks. Things would be so difficult for them. Her heart ached as she walked back to the war room. She and Uri hadn’t had time before the raids to try their newly merged powers on Erik, and she didn’t dare attempt it alone.
Last night she’d awoken to the feel of power surging in her veins and a deep feeling of peace and rightness. Uri had held her in his strong arms as they lay on the temple bed and adjusted to the newness of it all, together. They’d stayed there, holding each other and kissing for hours.
She knew it would take time to fully use all the power inside her. Her biggest experiment had been to attempt teleporting to Earth. Hitting the Realm’s confinement spell had been a blow. It had been a crap shoot that she’d hoped would hit pay dirt. It hadn’t. She frowned in irritation at that fact.
She touched the link she shared with Uri. She didn’t want to interrupt, so she didn’t speak. He’d said he would let her know when the first batch of raids were complete. They had surveillance that showed Cynthia—beautiful, blonde, and cold blooded—was at one of her homes. They chose to go in at night, with teams of two each to incapacitate six of her facilities at once. Then they would go into her last two locations after. They didn’t have enough damned people to go around over there.
Damn it, when would he contact her? She hated that he was out of her reach. Hated how trapped she felt.
She was sick of pacing. She walked over to the couch where Havoc lay sprawled, and sat in the small corner that was left, pondering the sexy things Uri had done to her for far too long. She looked over and saw Vane’s uncomfortable look before he cleared his throat and stared at the screen again.
“Sorry.”
“The whole thing is just awkward. I’m truly happy for you. But, shit, you’re still my sister. I can’t imagine how Erik’s going to deal when he wakes up.” Vane shook his head. Sadness there, they both knew how pained Erik would be when he awoke, and not because of her mating to Uri.
“I know, but even without your extra-special enhanced animal senses, I’ve still smelled females on the two of you for centuries.” She grinned at his uncomfortable expression. She swore his cheeks even got a little pink.
She laughed as she sat rubbing Havoc’s sleek, barreled chest. His eyes slit open before the snores started again. He was so warm.
“I’m worried about Erik and Sam. What if Uri and I can’t do anything to dull his memories like we did with the females?” She said it quietly but knew her brother would hear.
“Erik is strong. He’s stubborn as hell, but strong. He’ll do what’s best for Sam.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. What if he fights the frenzy? Doesn’t complete the bond to try to protect her? He could end up hurting them both more by waiting. I can’t see either of them allowing the process to restart if they screw up this chance. She’s still mortal and will be vulnerable until he completes the ceremony making her Immortal.”
Vane looked off, sprawled back in the office chair, but he nodded tightly after a while. “I know, but we can’t make his choices for him.”
“Sirena explained some of it to Sam. She’s willing to complete the bond, in theory. They looked so peaceful when I looked in on them. I just want him happy, Vane. He’s been so serious and controlled, nothing like the boy he was. I hate that my mistake cost so much.” She felt tears threatening and fought them back as she rubbed Havoc’s ears; his warm body was comforting.
“Shit, you can’t think like that, sis. He’ll be fine. We may still have weeks to figure it out.”
Are you okay?
She grinned, expelling a relieved breath at hearing Uri’s voice in her head. He must have felt her sadness.
Everything’s fine, just talking to Vane about Erik and Sam. Is everything okay there?
That seemed to soothe him. We’ve just finished clearing the first batch of locations, but the bitch had a series of tunnels she escaped through. Drake and Jax are tracking her now. Conn and Dorian are working to collect the last data. I’m heading out to the other location with the others. Will be back soon… His last words were sent with a rush of arousal. Her breath whooshed out.
“Guess Uri’s fine.” It wasn’t possible for Vane’s voice to get any drier.
She couldn’t help chuckling at his scowl. “Yep,” she said with a big smile, which fled when she relayed the rest of what Uri told her.
Vane frowned and leaned forward, thinking, obviously not liking the situation any more than she did.
Suddenly her body stilled and compulsion overwhelmed her. A knowing stronger than anything she’d ever known. She was spurred into movement, rushing to the weapons cabinets. It was incredibly powerful and jarring, but she didn’t fight it. A relaxed sensation flowed through her veins and her limbs moved almost completely on their own. Her hands pulled the cabinet doors wide and were pulling items out. Both Havoc and Vane jumped up and were at her side in the span of a second.
“What is it?” Vane asked, muscles tensed, ever the warrior ready to spring into action. He accepted the weapon harness and spelled vest she thrust in his hands. She pulled item after item, Sigs with multiple clips, sniper rifle, knives, more clips, heat-sensitive goggles. “Holy shit,” Vane said as he quickly donned the gear she gave him. She turned her attention back to the cabinets and started outfitting herself in much the same fashion.
“Out on the balcony,” she said, and Vane and Havoc quickly exited the French doors. “Now get on the ground and hold as tight to Havoc as you can.” Even the hound, though completely alert, didn’t move as Alex went through the motions.
Vane crouched down, and Havoc licked his face as he held to the beast’s neck firmly. Vane glared at the pup. “This better not be a joke, Alex.” He was thoroughly disgusted and uncomfortable.
That was when the pain hit, nearly exploding in her body and almost taking her to her knees. She knew instantly what was happening. Uri was hit. Her mating bond pulsed as she teleported. When she hit the barrier this time, her body pushed painfully through. It was like every cell was being constricted inside a vise.
She reformed, gasping for breath, on the ground next to Uri.
Need backup. Alex thought the quiet request came from Sacha, but she could barely hear it through the buzzing in her ears.
She nearly passed out with panic as she looked over the damage to her mate. Still panting, she moved her hands over Uri’s body, using her small bit of healing power. Checking inside, she found a mess. He would live, but it would be painful. Thankfully, he was unconscious. The fact that he was covered in blood was freaking her out. Metal shards were imbedded in his shoulders, legs, and neck. Bones were broken, organs collapsed.
She heard Havoc growl, guarding the area at Uri’s feet.
Vane was also assessing the area for a threat. There was an alarm blaring on speakers all over what seemed like a secluded estate. Heavy stands of large trees were everywhere around the lawn she was sitting on. A tree above them still smoked, and there were branches scattered on the ground. She encircled the four of them with her shield, not willing to act as a target while she funneled healing power into Uri. She could spare only enough that his internal injuries were no longer dire and his own body’s abilities could start working on the rest.
She reached for the bond she’d shared with the Guardians from nearly the moment she and Uri’s mating began. Drake! Havoc, Vane and I are with Uri. He’s down, unconscious but stable. He was hit hard with shrapnel or something. She stroked Uri’s bloody forehead as her heart’s frantic beating started to even out. The constant noise of the alarm was driving her mad.
Shit. I can’t contact any of the others. Can you see or get to anyone else? I’m trying to get out of these fucking tunnels to get there. They’re thick with metal and spelled. She could hear his anger and frustration in her mind.
Who was with Uri? she asked. She and Vane would need to get the others out.
Sirena, Gregoire and Bastian. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Do what you can. Sacha sent out an alert before she passed out. Conn and Dorian are there now. I’ll inform them you’re at the other location. Watch your backs.
We will.
Havoc started growling, hackles up as puffs of smoke came drifting up. He was facing the stucco and ivy exterior of the old mansion, but she didn’t see anything. Unless… An explosion hit her shield, almost taking it down, but the metal pieces didn’t make it through.
“What the fuck was that?” Vane said. “That came from the fucking house. I didn’t even hear it over that fucking alarm.”
“Vane, I need you to teleport Uri farther away. Set Havoc to guard him. I can’t do it myself and hold the shield over all of us. Sirena, Bastian and Gregoire are here somewhere. Drake lost contact with them.” They heard shouts and footsteps coming from the direction of the house.
“Shit, got it. I’ll get Uri back, but then I’m going fucking hunting.” Vane’s expression was fierce. Jaw tense, shoulders rigid. He was itching for a fight. She knew he wanted to transform, but right now they needed their weapons. Alex’s stomach clenched in near agony at having to leave Uri wounded. She didn’t dare have them teleport far. Seconds counted. She looked inside herself, found Uri’s bond with Havoc, and gave the beast thoughts of what she wanted him to do. Protect. Guard.
“Vane, please don’t give me your alpha crap right now. We don’t want the Mageias to get their hands on the others. You go clockwise, and I’ll go counter.” Her head was pounding. Uri’s pain? Or maybe the blast to her shield? She willed it away as she watched her brother’s features. He didn’t want her in the mix, but she didn’t give him a choice. They needed to end this now.
“Fuck.”
She knew exactly how he felt, but footfalls were getting closer, so Vane teleported just as she released the shield. He was taking Uri and Havoc away as she’d asked.
Alex pulled the rifle off her back and teleported high into the trees lining the secluded mansion. She counted: one, two, three Mageias in black with ear protection, how nice for them. They had come from the house, moving stealthily to her previous location. They were being cautious with their movements, but not enough. She hit the first two in the head before the third took cover behind a tree. She teleported again; third down.
The wind rustled through the leaves, the thick branches swaying. She heard gunfire on the other side of the house. Hopefully Vane’s.
See any of the others yet? she asked her brother.
Not yet, but five down on this side of the house.
Three here, but no sign of the Guardians. She moved steadily through the trees, no more than a whisper of movement. She paused, attempting to hear through the mind-numbing alarms. She saw movement further to her right, away from the house. There were half a dozen Mageias in all, dressed in black like the others. The ones in the middle were carrying something. Crap, she saw blonde hair; she was sure of it.
I think I’ve found Sirena, she sent to her brother and Drake.
I may have Bastian. Listen, the alarms have to be so fucking loud to hide the sound of the missiles. That’s the only reason I can think of. I think they might be heat-seeking. Don’t stay in one place too…
Crap, she moved right before a blast hit the tree she was standing in. Moving fast, she shouldered the rifle and grabbed both Sigs. She shot the two holding Sirena. Teleporting in and out of view, she came in behind another two. Back and forth she moved and shot the other two while they tried to figure out where the threat was coming from. She was spattered in blood but had Sirena.
She teleported Sirena to where she felt Uri and Havoc. To Vane and Drake she sent, I have Sirena. They are using heat-seeking missiles, Vane. Drake, tell the others not to stay in one place too long.
Got it, he growled back.
She felt fury radiating through the bond. It would not be pretty when he got there.
Alex reached inside herself for the link to Havoc. Finding it, she sent pictures of Vane coming to them. Surprising a fire-breathing animal was never a good idea, her presence he could feel, not Vane’s. She felt her energy stores depleting, even though she had more power flowing in her veins than she had ever imagined possible. She felt like a superhero.
Vane teleported next to Alex as she was settling Sirena beside Uri. A bloody but semiconscious Bastian was laid out next to Sirena and she saw sweat beading on the Guardian’s exotically beautiful olive skin. His teeth were clenched against the pain.
“Where was Gregoire?” she asked Bastian as Vane used his minimal healing abilities on the Guardian. Acid eroded the inside of her stomach. She needed to find Uri’s friend and get him out before the Mageias did something to him.
“Bastian’s got a punctured lung,” Vane said.
Do you know where Gregoire was? she asked, using Uri’s mental link to the Guardian.
Front of the house.
Drake, how are the others? We’re going for Gregoire now.
Slow. Let me know when you have him. His anger practically vibrated through the connection.
Alex and Vane moved as quickly as possible around the house. She saw armed guards at the windows and doors, but no Gregoire. Her heart rate sped up. They had to have him. She heard glass break and more gunfire; Vane was picking them off. Whipping on the thermal goggles, she used the strongest rounds she had and found her targets through the walls.
She cleared an opening in what looked like a downstairs bedroom. I’m in a downstairs bedroom west of the front entrance.
Shit, don’t get shot. I’m in a library on the east side. No Gregoire.
She moved quietly through the house; someone finally killed the alarm. Probably Vane. The lack of noise had her ears buzzing as she teleported around another guard and cut his throat. She didn’t want to alert anyone she was inside. She picked off a couple more now that it was so easy to hear their heavy breathing.
My side is clear. Did you find him? Scent him anywhere?
No, but it reeks of death and Mageia. Fuck, I’ll check the upstairs, Vane said.
Crap, something wasn’t right. Her head was pounding, and sweat was beading on her forehead. Where did they take him? It was quiet; the place was empty. She checked the garage, and there didn’t seem to be any missing vehicles. She worked her way back through the downstairs rooms that she had already checked. Nothing. There was an office with video surveillance set up.
Vane, get down here. Help me with this video equipment. She felt his warmth right next to her a moment later. He moved around the room, quickly accessing the computer systems with the speed of a true hacker. Her heart was pounding as she listened to the rapid tapping of the keys.
Before she knew what was happening, her brother was gone. She rushed behind the desk to see that the monitor was showing four men holding a much larger one. Had to be Gregoire. They were getting inside a hatch hidden in the ground outside of the house. Shit, she’d never even seen that spot.
Vane, where are you?
Don’t worry. I’ve almost got him. I’ll meet you at Uri.
She blew out a half-relieved, half-irritated breath. Her hands were shaking when she reformed.
Drake, Vane’s got Gregoire. Did you get the others?
Good. Yes. Just got Sander; he’s the last. Taking them to the Earth compound now. Send me the visual of where you are, and we’ll help get the others.
She did as he asked and sank to the ground next to Uri. She was worn through. No way would she be able to teleport them all. Vane set Gregoire on the other side of Alex so she was between them. He was again giving what little healing he could to Gregoire as he had done for Sirena and Bastian.
Drake and the others came a split second later, and Havoc released a growl and steady stream of fire at Drake’s feet before Alex realized she hadn’t warned the hellhound of their arrival. Jax chuckled.
“Damn it, you little bastard.” Drake’s loud voice boomed under the trees, but he didn’t kill the animal. Havoc proceeded to sit at Uri’s feet and stare at Drake.
“I should have warned him that you were coming,” Alex apologized. Havoc hadn’t aimed to kill and didn’t do anything to the others. She had a feeling the hound had better senses than they had imagined.
“We’ll discuss how you got here when we get to the Earth compound.” Drake’s voice was filled with the authority he’d carried for centuries. He gently lifted Sirena, and Alex could see the pain blanketing his features as he saw the damage wrought on the healer’s body. Then he was gone.