by Raven Steele
When she was gone, Lynx sighed. “I don’t envy her position. Love can really mess you up.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Aris said.
Samantha jumped to her feet and hurried into the kitchen. “I’ll get the booze.”
“Bring enough for everyone!” Lynx called.
Aris turned to Mateo. “Tomorrow night then?”
Mateo nodded.
“What’s tomorrow?” Lynx asked.
“We’re getting Oz back,” Angel answered.
I sucked in a breath. “Mateo, Korin can’t know you’re alive. Not yet, anyway.”
“Don’t worry. He won’t see me. Aris is going in to talk to Korin and distract him while Angel and I sneak in. We’ve already talked to Teddy. He’s going to help by getting us in the back.”
My gaze shifted to Aris. “I want to help.”
Aris opened his mouth, his eyes darting between me and Mateo. “Um, well, we can do this without you.”
I readjusted my position blocking Aris’s view to Mateo, who was looking sharply at Aris. “Of course you can, but you’ll be stronger with me there. I know the layout of Winter’s Cove inside and out. I’ll also wear a mask, just like Mateo will.”
“I wouldn’t mind having you there, but you need to work it out with Mateo.”
Mateo groaned. “Damnit, Samira. I wanted to keep you out of this.”
He gripped my side, pulling me away from Aris to face him. His hands cupped my face and he searched my eyes. Passion and acute anxiousness filled our bond. “My anima gemella, if anything were to happen to you, I would cut my heart out of my chest and leave this world to join you again. Nothing can happen to you. Do you understand me? Nothing.”
I touched his hands, caressing them softly. “My love. We’re in this together. Where I end, you begin. I will not leave you to face Korin alone. If we leave this life, we leave it together.”
“No one is going anywhere,” Aris growled. “Except Oz. We’re getting him out of that asshole’s house. This plan will work.”
“See?” I smiled slightly.
Mateo stared into my eyes, the bond between us burning with our love, then he blinked and nodded. “Fine. We four will go together. Tomorrow night.”
“I can help too,” Lynx offered.
Turning away from the man who held my heart, I glanced at her. “Briar needs your help. I have a feeling her life is about to be turned upside down.”
Samantha returned with a box full of alcoholic beverages. “Take what you want.”
The rest of the night until sunrise, we plotted and drank. Briar never returned to us, but we did see Trick and her sidekick leave the mansion in a huff, stomping her feet and slamming the door. Luke and Briar remained in her office. They had a lot to discuss. Being an Alpha, Luke had a duty to his pack, but he was also in love with Briar. Love and duty often conflicted. And unfortunately, duty to others almost always trumped love.
But maybe I was wrong. I hoped so.
Chapter 20
Detrand and Adelade arrived at Lynx’s house, and as soon as Detrand saw me in the kitchen drinking my breakfast, he frowned. “You’re about to do something insensible. What is it?”
Adelade elbowed him playfully. “She’s the smartest person you’ve ever met, and you know it.”
“How did you know?” I asked, astonished.
“I know you, Samira. Now tell me what you’re doing.” They moved toward the kitchen, and he pulled out a chair at the table. After Adelade sat down, he sat next to me, his back straight but leaning forward to look intently into my face. “Tell me.”
“We’re going to free our friend Oz, the weapon maker. Korin’s keeping him at Winter’s Cove.”
Detrand’s eyes darkened. “Maybe it’s time I speak with Korin myself. It’s been centuries, but I’m sure he’ll remember our last encounter. It did not end well for him.”
I sucked in a breath. “When did this happen?”
“Did I not tell you?”
“Never.”
He rubbed at his chin. “It was shortly after I took you into my care, fighting the Kiss’s control over you. You were in a state, rambling, not making sense. But you did speak about Korin and all the terrible things he made you do. I decided to pay him a visit.”
“You did that?” I stared at him in wonder.
Adelade linked her arm around his. “This is why I love him so much. My silent and deadly hero.”
I lowered my gaze to the table, truly touched Detrand had done that for me. A stranger to him.
He lifted my chin. “Say the word, and I will slit his throat with my fingernails, then hang his innards out in your garden, so that you can smile every time you see it.”
I frowned, blinking through my tears, touched by his violent words. He would truly do it, too. “No, this is my fight, and you know it.”
“And you will rise from the ashes, like a phoenix.”
I held back the roll of emotions threatening to overtake me. His confidence in me meant everything. “Thank you.”
“Are you wearing those silly masks again?” Adelade asked.
“We are.”
She shook her head. “It’s too dangerous. All someone has to do is rip it off and you and Mateo will be exposed.”
“What do you suggest?” I asked.
She grinned mischievously. “I happen to be very good at glamour spells. I would’ve mentioned it before, but too many people were at Fire Ridge. I like to keep this secret limited to a few.”
“Thank you for sharing it with me.”
“Of course.” She rubbed my arm. “When are you leaving?”
“As soon as possible.”
“You and Mateo come see me before you go. I’ll fix you up.”
I nodded, standing up. “Will you wait for me here?”
Detrand shook his head, as both he and Adelade joined me to walk into the hallway. “No, but we will return tomorrow. We have other duties.”
I frowned, wondering what he was doing here besides helping me, but I didn’t ask. If he wanted me to know, he would’ve included me in on his plans.
“We’ll leave shortly after you.” He nodded at me, then led Adelade into the living room, where Aris was waiting.
I went up the stairs to Briar’s room to inform her of our plans. The sound of Briar’s upset voice through her closed door stopped me.
“You should’ve told me!” she yelled.
“I already told you, I couldn’t.” Luke’s voice was strained.
“Then tell me why. Explain it to me.”
“Because I wanted to have this conversation when the time was right.”
“And when was that going to be?” When Luke didn’t answer, Briar growled, her voice angry and exasperated. “What were you waiting for?”
“Fine. You want to know?” I heard him slam his fist against the wall. “I was going to ask you to give up the pack, come live with me in Michigan. Does that make you happy? I was going to ask you when things were better between us.”
There was quiet on the other end, and I assumed Briar was just as stunned as I was. Was she actually considering it? I shook my head, frowning. She couldn’t give it up, not with everything we had going on. Besides, she wasn’t just an alpha, she was a Komira. That responsibility was much larger than being an alpha, even for a strong pack in Michigan. Even for Luke.
He paused, and his voice grew softer. “I couldn’t leave without you, but my pack can’t go on forever without me. It’s where I was raised, and my mom is a good beta, but she’s not an Alpha.”
She spoke, her voice too quiet for me to hear, and I felt like I was invading her privacy at this point. I hadn’t meant to listen in this long. I glanced away and spotted Angel was also listening in at the end of the hallway. His face was blank, a mask of cold, and I knew he was holding back raging emotions inside.
Just like Mateo, Angel was the kind of man who would do anything, give anything, for the person he loved.
That is why he rarel
y gave it. I’d only known of one woman he’d given his heart to, and when she’d died, he’d been so heartbroken, he hadn’t even looked at another woman for years. And even then, his women were short term, for a month long excursion, or a string of women to warm his bed for the night, and nothing more.
Not until Briar.
And the twitch of his nose, the tightening of his fists, the stiff way he held himself, betrayed his emotions. He did love her. Had loved her, for a long time. Enough to form a blood bond with her.
And now, to hear Luke ask so much of her, without sacrificing anything in return, made Angel’s heart thunder. I could hear it despite the distance between us.
His eyes met mine, and the coldness of his face was not reflected in his eyes, but rather a burning, raging fire. He held my gaze, and I nodded my head, letting him know I approved of his decision. He would fight for her now.
I stepped away from the door, leaving them, even though I wanted to tell her goodbye.
My heart ached for what they must all be feeling. Luke must have known that this was coming, and he’d delayed it because of his love for Briar. I didn’t agree with his methods, but I knew his intentions were honorable. He loved her, you could tell it by the way he looked at her. I didn’t envy his position.
I walked away and went down to the basement to find Mateo. He had just showered, with only a towel wrapped around his waist, and I eyed the water dripping from his long hair. It was usually tied back, but now it was loose and wavy. I loved it when he had it down.
His gaze simmered into me, heated and hungry. “My anima gemella. You have come to me, my love.”
I nodded, unable to look away from his gaze. “Always.”
I stepped forward, running my hand through his hair and he closed his eyes, a shiver going down his back. His hand slid to my side.
Ever since we’d returned, we hadn’t had much time for just us. Even now, we had to leave soon to rescue Oz; I knew Aris was impatient to leave. But for now, for just one second, I wanted to be in this moment with him. To feel his heart against my hand, to feel his heat against my body, to remind myself he was mine again.
I lowered my hand down his hair to his chest, feeling his heart pound against my palm.
His hands gripped my side, dragging me upward to meet his lips. They pressed against mine in an urgent kiss, soft and searching, as if he’d lost me and only now found me. I teased his lips with my tongue, giving in to the kiss, loving the way he felt against me. Desire coursed through my veins, reminding me of everything we’d once had—passion, love, and devotion. And Korin had ripped everything away from us. My arms wrapped around his neck, and I could feel his hardness against my stomach. I moaned, wishing I had time to revel in the feel of him inside me.
“Tesoro mio,” he murmured, his deep voice infusing into my skin, my blood, my heart.
“Yes,” I sighed. “Sei la mia vita.” You are my life.
“And you, mia stella polare.” My polar star. “Vivo per te. Sempre.” I live for you. Always. His arms around me held me tight, as if he would never let me go.
“Samira,” Aris’ voice called down the stairs.
Mateo paused briefly, then his kiss became more passionate. I let him, reveling in it. His love and dedication for me erupted through our bond, his complete and utter devotion, and I was drowning in it, in him. I would never let him go again either. We were one now, never without the other.
“I’ll wait for you by the door.” Aris’ steps marched away. I was certain his vampire hearing allowed him to know exactly what we were doing down here. And yet, Mateo’s love for me burned through me for a few more moments, until, hesitatingly, he stepped away. The heat in his gaze was unmistakable. “Later, tesoro mio.”
I nodded, forcing my heaving breaths to calm. “Always.”
I took full advantage of the moment to watch his sexy body as he moved lithely across the room, flinging his towel on the coffin, then dressed quickly. I held back my desire, squeezing my eyes shut, and forcing myself to think of other things. Briar and Luke fighting. Teddy still at that house, nervously waiting for us. Oz being forced to work for Korin.
It didn’t take long for my thoughts to focus on the task at hand and when I opened my eyes, Mateo had done the same thing. His towel hung on a hook, and his hair was tied back. He wore dark pants and a black button-up shirt, the sleeves rolled to his elbows. The determined look on his face told me he, too, was thinking of Oz. He held out his hand, and I placed mine in his.
Adelade and Detrand were waiting at the top of the stairs when we arrived, a smile at the corner of Detrand’s lips. Angel joined us, and we all walked through the foyer to the door where Aris waited with a determined jaw and anger in his eyes. I hoped he could calm down before we reached Winter’s Cove. Korin might see right through him otherwise.
Mateo opened the front door and motioned me to go through. “After you.”
When we reached the car, Adelade stopped me. “Are you ready?”
I nodded.
Aris and Mateo glanced at me questioningly, but I just smiled.
Adelade stepped in front of me, her eyes twinkling. She lifted her hands to my face, then paused to say, “This might feel funny, but it shouldn’t be painful.”
Mateo drew closer to me protectively.
Adelade’s hands lifted so close to my face I could feel her body heat radiating from her palms, but she stopped just short of touching me. She closed her eyes and began to whisper words in the old language.
An electric sensation zapped across my face so suddenly, I sucked in a quick breath. A second later, warmth spread through me almost to the point of burning.
Next to me, Mateo gasped. “Samira?”
Adelade stepped away.
Angel also stepped back when he saw me. “You look… very different.”
Aris’s mouth fell open.
“Am I hideous?” I asked, laughing uncomfortably.
Adelade chuckled. “Hardly. You’re just different.”
I turned around and stared at my reflection in the window of the darkened car. My hair was similar in color with new highlights, but my complexion had darkened and bone structure widened with my cheekbones and jaw line becoming more defined. With thicker eyebrows and brown eyes, I looked like one of the native, female warriors from the mountains near Detrand’s old home.
Adelade turned to Mateo. “Your turn.”
She lifted her hands to his face and mumbled the same words. In less than a minute, Mateo had turned blonde with wavy hair on top and bright green eyes. He reminded me of a young college boy who liked to surf on the weekends.
Angel laughed at him. “You look so stupid.”
Mateo growled at him but when he caught his reflection in the window, his expression slacked. “I really do.”
I elbowed him. “I think you’re cute.”
“Cute?” He grimaced, then shifted his gaze to Adelade. “How long will this last for?”
“At least four hours so don’t get caught, and I must warn you. If you strain yourself too hard, it could break the magic. So no fighting. Take it easy.”
Aris opened the car door, his expression grim. “Let’s get this over with. We have a weapon maker to save.”
Chapter 21
It didn’t take us long to get close to Winter’s Cove. Aris had driven fast, the whites of his knuckles on the steering wheel as bright as arctic snow caps. I understood his worry. Our plan had its risks, especially with Korin suspecting the Ministry was behind the attack on the cathedral. Aris slowed the car and parked on the shoulder of the road almost a mile from Winter’s Cove.
I exited the vehicle and stared into the forest, the path we’d take to cut over to Korin’s home. The sky was dark and heavy with clouds, not a single star in sight. A bad omen. I shivered and followed Aris into the forest.
We traveled quickly, using our vampire speed. The branches of the trees clawed at me in passing until we reached the shadows of the expansive lawn surrounding
the mansion. Several lights were on. Aris eyed all sides, his gaze settling on a vehicle in the front.
He glanced back at us. “Anyone recognize it?”
No one could answer him.
“Korin might not be home,” Angel said.
“Let’s hope.” Aris straightened along with Angel. “We’ll go through the front. Is Teddy in position?”
I pulled out my phone. “Texting him now. He’ll let us in the back.”
Aris nodded and stepped out of the safety of the forest with Angel and walked toward the front door. They’d considered driving but thought better of it. If something bad happened, it could leave us without a vehicle and we may need to get Oz out and others if we discovered them.
My phone buzzed, and I looked down at the screen. Teddy was ready.
I texted back. “In fifteen.”
We wanted to give Aris and Angel enough time to start a conversation with Korin. Aris was going to claim he met Angel after searching for Mateo, who was the known coven leader for the Nocturnas. Aris wanted to meet Mateo to see who his allegiances were tied to, but when he couldn’t find him, Angel thought Korin might know.
The front door opened and someone ushered Angel and Aris inside. After ten minutes passed, Mateo and I circled to the back door. When I saw it, it was already wide open, I hesitated and searched the area. Only when Teddy poked his head through the opening did we jog toward it.
He backed up at our appearance, his eyes widening. “Where’s Samira?”
“It’s me,” I answered in my normal voice. I waved a hand over my face. “Just magic.”
He glanced at Mateo. “Mateo?”
Mateo nodded, but scowled when Teddy tried to hold back a laugh.
“Where’s Korin?” I asked him.
“They’re in the living room talking. Can’t you hear him? He’s mad.”
I focused my hearing. Korin’s angered voice was shouting at Aris, accusing him of working against him. “Let’s hurry. Which way is Oz?”
Teddy lifted his hand in a stopping gesture. “Before we go, you should know Zane is here.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Where?”