Flint was so engrossed in his thoughts, of his feelings for the woman who lay unconscious in his arms, and the wrath that raged through him for those that dared to threaten her safety, that he jerked in surprise when Talon spoke.

“All right, let’s do that mumbo jumbo mind stuff of yours.” The Wolf didn’t sound happy. In fact, he sounded pissed off and angry as he spun around in his seat, faced the back and stared hard at him. “But no messing around inside my head other than to do what you need. Okay?”

Flint gave him a sharp nod, leaning forward to gaze intently into the man’s eyes he reassured him, “I won’t. I promise. I rarely use this, Talon. It’s not something I like doing at the best of times, so rest assured, I won’t mess around with you . . . ready?”

Talon cracked his neck from side to side, scowling. “No, not really, but it’s the only way for the boss not to catch me in a lie. So, aye, go ahead.”

Flint took a deep breath, centering his power and allowing it to flow from him, gently so as not to overpower the Wolf and spook him. The last thing he wanted was for Talon to freak out in the confines of the cabin. His dark eyes zeroed in on Talon’s, capturing them and freezing them in his enthrall as his power flowed effortlessly into the Wolf, his brown eyes glazing over and his jaw slacking as Flint compelled him. “You drove me to Edinburgh and I ordered you to stay in the car. You didn’t get out but I did. You remained there until I returned with the injured woman and I told you to drive quickly away and I told you that I’d rescued her from some thugs with the names of Kragen Smithson and Stelian. I told you about a Vampire’s Thirst and that she’s my Bloodmate. You told me who they were and that they’d come after us and I called Victor for help. Got that? Talon, tell me . . . you’ve got that?”

Talon’s voice was robotic as he murmured, “I stayed in the car and you got out. You returned with an injured woman and said you’d rescued her from Kragen Smithson and Stelian and she’s your Bloodmate. I told you they’d come for her and you called Victor for help.”

“That’s right, Talon, you didn’t come with me. You stayed in the car. Now, wake up.” Flint pulled his power back, slowly, watching as Talon’s eyes refocused and blinked.

“So, the Healer is already there,” he said, checking his phone as if nothing had happened. “She’s waiting at your cottage and I’ve used her before, so I know she’s good, Flint. She’ll take care of the lass as soon as we arrive, oh, and I’ve also had a text from the boss. He says to get to the big house as soon as we can. It’s not a request, it’s an order.”

The news about the Healer settled him, somewhat, he was still concerned that there was no sign of his Bloodmate waking but the fact that she was going to be taken care of as soon as they got back definitely was good news. However, he wasn’t leaving her alone with just a Healer. Not happening. “If your boss wants to see me then he’ll need to come to the cottage. Until my Bloodmate has guards, I’m not leaving her side. It’s just not happening, Talon, so you can either tell him to send men to my cottage, or tell him he can meet me there.”

Talon looked around, as if just realizing they were no longer moving. His skin puckering beneath his brows as he frowned. “What the fuck? I canny remember why we stopped?”

“You stopped to check your phone . . . jeez, you’re losing it.” Flint chuckled. “You getting too old for this game, or what, Talon?”

His insult did the trick, Talon’s shoulders straightening as he glared at him, grabbing his phone up and firing off a text. “There! I’ve let the boss know to send men to guard the lass. Satisfied?”

He turned away and without any further preamble the Range Rover shot back onto the road and on its way. Flint looked out the back, checking over and over for the telltale sign of them being followed, even though it wasn’t likely, his worry was growing by the second and he couldn’t wait until they were back within the confines of Quinn’s estate with the back-up of his “army.”

Maybe then he wouldn’t feel like someone was trying to rip his heart out of his chest with their bare hands or gut him with a thousand silver daggers. Because that’s how he felt with every passing second his Bloodmate wasn’t surrounded by a bevy of men ready and able to keep her safe. Fuck! He wished it were his own men. Then he’d know for certain that they’d fight to the death for him . . . for her.

As soon as the Healer gave her the all-clear they were going to be on the damn jet and heading home, back to the US where he could keep her safe. Make sure that each and every guard knew the consequences if even one damn hair on her head was damaged. He gulped in a great gasp of air, trying to calm down before he lost himself to the anger that was growing inside him . . . instead he turned his focus to the woman he held. He adjusted his eyes, poring over every detail and then some more, trying to figure out exactly what she was.

He hadn’t even tried before, so intent on everything else that he had overlooked that basic fact. He knew she wasn’t a Vampire, he’d known that immediately, but what was she? He appraised her more fully, sending his powers out to discover what secrets she held within her frail, beautiful form. There was a good portion of human in there but that wasn’t all, no, definitely not. There was something else within that he caught a glimpse of . . . it glinted beneath the surface, peeking out at him as if she were trying to hide it from the casual observer, but she couldn’t keep it from him. No, he was her Bloodmate and she could hide nothing from him. He’d seen it, caught a hint of a gleaming light that twinkled and sparkled at her core . . . what? Fae? Faery? He wasn’t certain but it was something along those lines he was sure, but why try to hide it? She was definitely doing that, for sure she was. It was hidden deep inside her, masked even, but he wasn’t sure why, and she was only part of whatever it was too.

Never mind, he’d soon find out when she woke and he could ask her directly. He didn’t care either way what she was. She could be a Demon from Hell and he’d still worship her with his entire being from here to eternity. He just wished she’d wake the heck up and show him some sign that she was okay. So far she’d not moved a muscle, not a twitch, not a moan, not a damn thing and that had emotions firing up inside him that he wasn’t even aware he was capable of. Anxiety, fear, and an agony that was almost crippling ran through him in waves that rippled one after the other. He wished they’d fucking stop so he could concentrate properly, but his mind was having trouble focusing, flashing from one thought to another and back again.

He breathed in and exhaled loudly, Talon glancing over his shoulder. “Not long, we’re almost there.”

“Thanks,” he said, knowing he’d relax . . . slightly, when they crossed the threshold onto Quinn’s land.

And when they slowed to take the turn, Talon cursed loudly, setting him on edge until he looked out the window to see a large contingent of men armed to the teeth as the shifter rolled down the window in greeting. “Hey, guys, glad to see you. I’m grateful you’re all here.”

One stepped forward, a huge hulking man dressed like he was in the middle of a fucking war zone, resplendent in black military fatigues and weapons. “Talon, are you okay? How’s the guest and the wounded passenger? Were you tailed or do we have time to set up another perimeter? How many can I expect and who are we up against? I’ve not been passed details yet, I’ll be grateful for anything you can give me.”

Flint was impressed. The man conducted himself exactly as he would have in the same situation. Succinct and to the point. Talon opened the driver’s side door, stepped out and responded in kind, “I’m fine, Ace, guest is too but the passenger has remained unconscious. No tail and you should have time, I don’t think they’ll find us until at least tomorrow morning . . . I’m sorry to be the one to tell you but it’s Kragen Smithson who’s gonna be coming.”

“Kragen Smithson, that dirty bastard, shit.” Ace cursed before turning to yell out orders before turning back to and sticking his head inside the open door and addressing Flint directly. “You’ve picked a fight with a right bad fucker but I’ll get another line of defense set up now. Unless he’s planning on attacking with just his wolves then we’ll have plenty of time because he’s not got too many day walkers on his payroll.”

Flint sized the Vampire up. He could feel his power but he wasn’t certain of his age so he just plain out asked, “Are you? A day walker . . . I am, but I’d like to know if you’re going to be in charge come sun-up.”

Ace’s blue eyes roamed over Flint, obviously taking his measure as well, before answering, “I am and I’ll be in charge until this party’s over. Don’t worry on that account. My men are made up of day-walkers, shifters, and some warlocks . . . there are no weak links in my command. I’ll keep you and your lady safe.”

Flint snorted, shaking his head. “No need to worry about me. I’m capable of looking after myself. In fact, I’m looking forward to meeting this fucking asshole and taking him out personally, but more importantly . . . I want the other guy, what’s his name? Stelian, yeah, that guy . . . he’s mine. He did this to her and if he comes here, I’m gonna tear him apart for what he’s done.”

Ace looked over the prone body Flint held, his mouth hardening and eyes glinting harshly as he saw her bruised face and bloodied head. “Fucking Neanderthal. I’ll help . . . he should’ve been put down decades ago. Shit, he should’ve been drowned at birth. Anyway, what I’m saying is, I’ve got your back . . . what’s your name?”

“Flint, and thanks, no doubt I’ll catch you later but we need to . . .”

A commotion behind them had Flint’s heart hammering in his chest and Ace darting away as his men surged forward. Two large jeeps approached and skidded to a halt behind them. Shit, what now? Had Kragen arrived?