“What could be more important than you calling your best friend?” Anika’s voice came through the phone. Nadira sighed, missing her friend dearly. She had been a horrible friend lately. Ever since the scare on the elevator, Nadira had not called or visited Anika.

“There has been a lot going on,” Nadira sighed, shifting on the couch in the study. “I don’t even know where to start.”

“Let’s start with why boss man said that you are taking a leave from work,” Anika said, making Nadira cringe, hearing the hurt in Anika’s voice that she was being left out.

“It’s official family business and the guys are being even more protective than before,” Nadira said softly.

“I’m sure. My little guard that sits outside my apartment building is too cute! I’ve tried to invite him up several times but he won’t budge. I must be losing my touch!” Anika’s laughter caused Nadira to smile, knowing that Nicu would have the balls of any of his vampires that messed around with her or her best friend.

“You must be,” Nadira agreed, rolling her eyes, leaning back against the plush pillows.

“You think that your brothers will allow you to come to the club tonight? Maybe we can find you a suitable guy you could take advantage of! I think if you go any longer, you’re going to have a sandstorm brewing in between your thighs!” Anika laughed at her own attempt to be funny.

“Ha, ha. I can see if they will let me go with you, but I don’t need to look for someone,” Nadira started. It wouldn’t be a bad idea. She could find a donor tonight and not have to use a stored bag from the fridge. Cooper’s warm brown eyes came to mind. They hadn’t really discussed her feeding from him. She was not sure if she could feed from him without binding herself to him. “I’m actually with someone now.” She pulled her phone away from her ear at Anika’s squeal of delight.

“Who? You have to tell me all the steamy details!” Anika screamed into the phone. Nadira laughed, quickly catching Anika up on her relationship with Cooper. “So that’s why the sparks between the two of you were about to catch the diner on fire,” Anika said sighing. “So are you going to, you know, mate with him?”

“I’m not sure he wants to. I’ve never been with a human before. I don’t know if he understands truly,” Nadira said shifting her legs under her.

“Well, I can tell you, that human men have no clue when it comes to relationships,” Anika said sighing. “Wait a minute! Didn’t you tell me that something will happen to a vampire if they are unable to bind to their mate?” Anika asked, suddenly serious.

“Yeah, they will die of a broken heart,” Nadira whispered, fear slowly trying to crawl into her chest at the thought of not being able to mate with Cooper.

“Fuck that!” Anika exclaimed. “There is no way that I’m letting my BFF die because some guy can’t make an eternal commitment!” Nadira sighed, missing her friend even more. She knew that Anika would go to the moon and back for her.

They chatted for a few more minutes with Nadira promising to call her back once she talked to her brothers about going out to a club tonight. She hung up feeling a little bit better after their conversation and went to look for Nicu.

She paused at the threshold of his office and her blood instantly chilled. All of her brothers were captivated by something outside the large windows.

“What’s going on?” she asked, slowly stepping into the office. Her stomach rolled as she slowly made her way to her brothers. Something was not right; she could feel it all the way to her bones.

“Nadira,” Toma turned around first, striding over to her, grabbing her in a crushing hug. “Don’t look, honey. It’s not pretty.” Her brothers all glanced at her, pity clouding their faces.

“What is it?” She tried to rush to the window but Toma held her back. She continued to struggle but he tightened his grip on her.

“I’m so sorry, Naddy,” he murmured in her ear.

“Stop, let me go!” She was almost in tears as she struggled against Toma. Her stomach was in knots, not knowing what awaited her outside the window.

“Let her go, Toma,” Nicu commanded, his face grim. “She needs to see this.”

Time seemed to move in slow motion as she made her way over to the window. Toma followed closely behind her as she arrived to the windowsill. The sight that greeted her raised a blood-curling scream from the depths of her soul.

Toma grabbed her again, trying to comfort her as she continued to scream out again with tears flowing down her cheeks. “Naddy, it’s okay,” he murmured, trying to calm her down. She screamed until she was hoarse, her throat burned. Her knees gave out, but Toma held on to her refusing to let go. Five hooded figures stood out on the lawn.

Necromancers.

It was dusk outside, with low light but she could tell who stood out on their property. The main figure that caught her attention floated in the air near a tall figure in the front of the small crowd. She would know that body anywhere.

Cooper.

She could sense that he had been severely beaten. His broken body hovered in the air alongside the tall robed figure in the front.

Xalak.

Her eyes frantically searched for a sign of life from Cooper, but couldn’t see any. Without him, her life would have no meaning. If he died, she would surely join him in the afterlife.

She cried out Cooper’s name, as Toma squeezed her again. Her mate was in trouble and she was helpless right now. Her other brothers briefly looked helpless at the pain she experienced. Their helplessness quickly morphed into anger.

“No one kills Xalak but me,” Nicu growled.

Grunts were heard around the room. Toma’s chest vibrated as a growl resonated from within his chest.

“They are not getting her,” Adrian stated, agreement circled around the room.

“They dare bring the war to my house! How did they get past security?” the king demanded, stalking into the room, coming to stand in front of Nicu. In his anger, he didn’t catch sight of Toma holding Nadira until another sob escaped her. His face turned feral at the sight of her.

“Handle them,” her father said, his voice cold and deadly as he reached for Nadira, engulfing her in his strong embrace. The Olaru sons rushed to leave the room.

“Nicu,” she called out, causing all of her brothers to pause and turn their now crimson red eyes to her. “Kill them,” she said softly leaning away from her father. “Kill them all,” she growled around her fangs. They nodded their heads and stormed out of the room. She glanced out the window again as more figures appeared as the last rays of daylight disappeared.

“Father,” she looked up to her father. “They have Cooper. My brothers need to bring him to me! I don’t care whether he is dead or alive.”

“They’ll get him,” he said fiercely. “Now go up to your room and lock your door. Cyran is on his way.”