––––––––

ASIA HAD TAKEN A FEW steps when David appeared. He looked her over and then smiled. “Let me help you with that. We have a few seconds to get back into the tents before she realizes you’re here.”

She handed him the bags of food and picked up a bag Jasmine had dropped. “Go take it, I’ll follow.”

David took the bags and ran.

Asia moved slowly, looking around as Baez memories filled in blanks. Then she felt it, the screeching call from his mistress to report immediately. She and Mistress hadn’t decided how to handle this, one thing for sure she wouldn’t be the same Baez who left yesterday. Nor would she allow Nadira to kill anyone, if necessary she’d fight the woman.

The command came again but wasn’t as bad this time. Hawke’s interference all but neutralized the call. She walked slowly, looked at the camp area. David nodded at her from the inside. She saw the feet of someone and tossed David the remainder of the supplies. Rather than walk up the steps as she was being commanded, Asia sat on a large stone near the camp.

She sensed Cain’s approach and someone else's.

Asia looked up into the furious gaze of Nadira in her naked glory. She flicked her fingers and erected a barrier between them before the woman reached her.

“Where have you been?” Nadira asked in a low growl.

Asia looked at her shrugged.

Nadira frowned. “What is wrong with you? You’re not responding. What happened?”

Asia cut her eyes at the woman and shrugged again.

“Kneel in my presence,” Nadira demanded.

Asia gave her a ‘get real’ look and leaned back against the wall.

Gaze narrowed, talons extended, Nadira swiped at Asia and jumped back holding her hand. “Bastard! What is wrong with you? What did they do to him?” she asked Cain.

“I don’t know,” Cain said frowning.

She threw a punch into the shield. “This is from your people,” she yelled at Cain. “They compromised him. Fix it.”

“What?” Cain said in a low tone.

“You heard me.” She took several steps backward, began an incantation.

“Get ready,” Asia told Hawke and braced herself for a mental assault.

Nadira slammed into her mind with brute force. Searching and seeking for something to attack or attach. Hawke kept things fluid, frustrating her ability to lock Asia down.

A look of horror crossed Nadira’s face. “What have they done to you? It’s like your mind is neutered. Who is your Alpha?” she whispered.

“La Patron,” Asia said boldly.

“They sent you here to negotiate terms for their release?” She pointed at Cain and then David.

“Yes,” Asia said, making it up as she went along. They hadn’t heard from the High Priestess, but it was time to get these men out of the mountain. Neither the Canadian government nor the Inuit Elders would allow them to remain in the mountains much longer.

Nadira grinned and rubbed her hands together. “Good. I will release the men if La Patron releases me.”

“Or he can negotiate with the High Priestess for their release,” Asia said.

Nadira’s gaze narrowed. “Did you tell them that? Are they speaking to her?”

Asia nodded.

Nadira hissed and walked in a tight circle. “I will release one in good faith.”

Asia stared at her.

“The black wolf may leave.” Nadira waved imperiously as she placed her hand on Cain’s arm possessively.

“You know Priestess Isodora will not allow you to leave, think of something else La Patron can do for you,” Asia said in a calm voice.

“So you channel for him too?” Nadira yelled. “There is nothing else he can do for me!”

Cain looked at her. “There’s one thing you want.”

Nadira looked at him and smiled. “Can he give me that?”

“Don’t know but you can ask. Just so you know, I’ll test it for you but won’t be staying after that.”

She frowned and then smiled. “I can draw others.”

Asia wondered what they were talking about.

Nadira looked at Asia. “If the Alpha can restore my libido, ability to orgasm, I’ll release the men.”

“All of us?” Asia asked to be clear.

“You are of no use to me,” Nadira snapped.

Asia relayed the terms to Jasmine.

###

JASMINE STARED AT SILAS in disbelief. “Did she say what I think she said?”

Silas had been listening and nodded. He waited to hear his mate’s thoughts on such a delicate subject. Cain had informed him of Nadira’s inability to reach completion and thought it would be a good bargaining tool that wouldn’t involve releasing her from the mountain.

Silas approved Cain tossing it out for consideration, neither thought she’d go for it.

“Can you heal her?” Jasmine asked.

“Probably. So could you,” he added as an option.

She exhaled. “I wish the Priestess would get in touch with us. Something about this seems off... unnatural.”

“She all but raped Asia’s mind. If Hawke hadn’t held tight, Asia would be a vegetable,” Silas reminded her. “For a succubus, the inability to experience pleasure is horrible, probably worse than death.”

“Hmm, maybe,” Jasmine said. “We need to get them out of there, we’re running out of time. I’m surprised we haven’t seen any government officials, they made it clear we couldn’t remain long.” She looked around.

“Don’t worry about them, make a decision,” Silas said.

“Okay, let’s do it.”

“What are you saying? Strike the deal? Heal her?” Silas asked.

Jasmine hesitated a few seconds, released a stream of air and nodded.

“Cain?”

“Sir?”

“Have her release David and Lucas first.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“David and Lucas should be coming out soon,” Silas told Quinn and Tyrese. “Prepare to take them to camp in the copter and send it back to us.”

Tyrese nodded.

Minutes later, David walked out carrying Lucas. Jasmine rushed to him as Tyrese took Lucas and headed to the copter. Silas and Jasmine embraced David for a few seconds and sent him with Quinn to the copter.

“Sir, she says they’ve left the mountain, do you see them?” Cain asked.

“Yes. They’re on the way back to camp. I’m going to heal her, but it won’t be complete until you and Asia are outside.”

“Understood.”

“Place your hand on her forehead.” Silas ran through Cain’s memories, felt her frustration and realized the problem. He pulled her wolf and corrected the problem. While in wolf form, he triggered an orgasm for her.

Cain whistled.

Silas looked through Cain’s gaze and saw Nadira shivering on the ground. When she finished she returned to human with a wicked smile.

“Yum, that was unbelievably good, years of backed-up pressure released.” She touched herself and blew a kiss at Cain. “Go, I’m done with you.”

Cain looked at her, turned and walked with Asia toward the exit they’d escorted David a few minutes before. Cain walked out first. Asia followed.

A whirlwind followed Asia knocking her down.

Silas threw up protection and looked around. Slowly, a form solidified.

“Nadira,” Cain said.

“Yes. I suppose I should thank you, La Patron, for my release.” She spun around. “Free, finally free!” She disappeared.