by S. K. Yule
He tucked her head under his chin and gently rocked her. “I’ll come back to you. I refuse to be taken from you just when I’ve found you.”
She leaned back, framed his face with her hands, and kissed him on the tip of the nose. “Good. Because I’ll be really pissed if you get hurt.”
“So will I.” He chuckled. He didn’t want to have this talk, but it was unavoidable. “If you ever find that you need a safe place, protection, money, anything, go to Ebony. There have been provisions made to assure the safety of our life mates.”
“Don’t talk like that. I won’t need any of that because you’ll be here to make sure I’m safe.”
“Yes, I will, but at least you know you have options for you and Lindsey if it comes to it.”
She placed her fingers over his lips. “Shh. Don’t say anything more on the subject. You make sure you get your ass back to me. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled. After another kiss—one that ended sooner than he liked—he reluctantly stood and helped her right her clothes before buttoning his pants. When he bent to pick up his duster, she gasped.
“Did you have that thing on the whole time we were just—”
She was undoubtedly referring to the sword on his back. He hadn’t wanted to waste the time taking it off. He’d wanted her too badly to bother with it. “Yes.”
“Only you could distract me to the point of not noticing a sword on your back.”
He pulled the duster on and reached for her. “Glad to know I’m such a distraction.”
He closed his eyes as he hugged her, memorizing her scent, her softness…her. He hoped like hell this wouldn’t be the last time he held her. He had every intention of returning, come hell or high water, but shit happened. Sometimes, life kicked you in the balls and stabbed you in the back without giving you a choice in the matter.
He kissed her tenderly, breathing her deep into his lungs to sustain him through the battle. When tears sparkled in her eyes, he reluctantly stepped back and barely resisted the urge to say fuck it and stay with her. She was putting up a brave front. She’d squared her shoulders and put on a happy face, but he could see that the smile didn’t reach her eyes. She was worried, and she had every right to be.
“I’ll see you soon. If you need me, you can call to me through our mind link.”
She nodded. “I love you.”
He reached out and cupped her cheek in his hand. “I love you too.”
Reluctantly, he shimmered back to the top of the building he’d been on before he’d come to find her. He hoped like hell he didn’t keep his promise of coming back to her via body bag.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Aldin had only been gone a couple minutes when a knock sounded on the door. Wilhemina opened it to find Ebony on the other side.
“Hi,” Wilhemina said, noticing the concern etched on her friend’s face.
“Aldin filled you in on what’s going on?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I need you to get Lindsey and come with me.” Ebony turned and started down the hallway.
“Why. What’s wrong?” Wilhemina hurried after her.
“Nothing. Ashe asked me to get everyone to the safe room until the battle is over as a precautionary measure.”
“Safe room?”
Ebony nodded. “Yes. It’s actually a room under the basement.”
“A basement under a basement? How does that work?”
Ebony stopped, turned around, and Wilhemina nearly slammed into her. “Ashe had it constructed about a year ago. I cannot even begin to tell you the mess it caused or the ungodly amount of money it cost. I personally did not see the need for it at the time. Now? I respect my husband for being overly protective. The room is lined by eighteen inch concrete around twelve inch thick steel around one inch iron. They had to demolish the entire basement to do it. Seriously, it was a freaking mess.”
Ebony turned and started walking again, and Wilhemina followed at a slower pace in case she decided to stop again.
“And Ashe thinks there is a need for us to use this room?”
“Yes. He wants to make sure all of us are safe until things settle back down. The room is the Mac Daddy of bomb shelters. We could live in there for years. No one can get in once the door is sealed.”
“I thought you guys could, um, just pop in and pop out.”
“Yeah, but we can only pop in and pop out of public places or places not owned by other vampires.” Ebony turned around again and frowned. “I guess that means you know Avril and I are also, um, poppers?”
Wilhemina couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes. I finally figured it out with help from Lindsey. Since I came here, my uncanny gift of putting things together has seemingly abandoned me.”
“Don’t feel bad about that. That tends to happen when you find out things exist that you never thought possible. And everything that happened with your sister?” Ebony shrugged. “You had some serious overload put on your poor noggin.” She turned and started walking once again.
“I’m worried, Ebony.”
“So am I, but don’t dwell too much on it until we have everyone in the room. You have to keep it together right now. Be strong for Aldin like I’m trying to be for Ashe. It’s not easy. My husband is lethal and can be scary, but he’s not invincible. I know he is unmatched in skills, but it doesn’t stop me from worrying about him every time he goes out. It doesn’t stop me from wanting to go with him.”
“Why don’t you go with him?”
Ebony shook her head. “He has taught me to fight well. I can take care of myself, but my first and second priorities are Marcus and Ashe—even though he insists they are Marcus and myself. If I went with Ashe, I would only be a distraction. I would never forgive myself if I was the reason for him getting hurt. Or what if something happened to me and I left Marcus without a mother?”
“Understandable,” Wilhemina muttered.
“I’ll wait for you and Lindsey in the entry way. Hurry up.” Ebony started for the steps, but stopped. “Wilehmina? I can’t express how sorry I am for getting you involved in this mess. I should have known better than to invite you here with everything that is going on. By the time I realized what I had done, it was too late. Even though it’s been a couple of years since the change, I’m still adjusting to things. I live in the past at times, times where I could invite friends over without putting them in danger. It was wrong of me to bring you here, to expose you to the danger that faces my family, and I hope you can forgive me one day. I also hope you don’t hold what Marilena has done to your sister against me.”
“You were being a good friend. There is nothing to forgive. While the circumstances may not be ideal, I can’t say it’s been boring. Besides, how could I ever regret it? I now have Aldin, and I have my sister back because you invited me here. You have been nothing but kind to me, and I thank you for that.”
Ebony nodded.
Wilhemina watched her friend head for the stairs as she continued on to the room she’d been sharing with Lindsey.
A half an hour later, after much hurrying and a bit of arguing with Lindsey, they were all sealed into the safe room, which of course, seemed as big as a football field. She had thought safe rooms were fairly compact-sized places for emergencies. Not luxury quarters that even a king would feel comfortable in.
Marcus played in the middle of the room while Ebony talked to Avril and a petite woman with red hair and lovely green eyes. Lindsey had immediately gone to the far side of the room and plopped on one of the big sofas. She had not been happy when Wilhemina informed her they were going to be sealed in a safe room for God only knew how long. She couldn’t blame her sister for it more than likely brought back unpleasant memories of being a prisoner for seven years. Fortunately, she’d managed to convince Lindsey that it was for their own safety.
She slightly shook her head. Yeah. If convincing means threatening to stay with your sister and putting your own life at risk by not going to the safe roo
m without her. Then convincing.
She walked over to Ebony, Avril, and the redhead—who up close had a spattering of freckles under her eyes and along the tops of her cheeks—smiled, and offered her hand.
“I’m Geri. Malachi’s other half.”
“Wilhemina.” She noticed Geri had the same flawless look Ebony and Avril possessed. Apparently, turning into a vampire didn’t get rid of freckles. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You as well. I’ve heard you are the one who’s been put in charge of taking on big, bad Aldin.” She chuckled.
“I guess I am.”
“Don’t worry. I’m only joshing you. Ask anyone here. Malachi could scare the bejeezus out of Satan, but he’s a big teddy bear once you get to know him.”
Wilhemina had caught a faint glimpse of Malachi, and she didn’t think anything about him could be considered teddy bearish. He was one huge, scary mofo. Movement at the far end of the long room caught her attention, and she turned her head to find Marilena and Ragnor. Wilhemina leaned closer to Ebony.
“Why is he in here? Shouldn’t he be helping Aldin and the others?”
“He can’t,” Ebony answered.
“Why?”
“Because if something happens to him, we will all most likely die. He’s the only one who can bring the guys into their true blood powers,” Avril said.
Marilena began to walk toward them, and Wilhemina didn’t miss the venomous stare-down Lindsey gave the woman as she passed. Marilena didn’t give any indication that she’d noticed other than a slight straightening of her shoulders.
“Ragnor is going to try for another vision. He thinks that since the boys are in danger and the first wave of the uprising is at hand, he may be able to tap into some otherwise unavailable energy to get more info about Trinidad.”
They nodded and followed Marilena back to the far end of the room where Ragnor had set up a large copper bowl filled with what looked to be water. Lindsey remained on the couch. The code needed to open the door of the safe room had not been given to either one of them so Wilhemina wasn’t worried about her sneaking out.
Come to think of it, she’d have to ask Ebony about that after Ragnor’s little séance or whatever the hell it was he was trying to do. She had never put much stock in psychics and mediums, but then again, she’d never thought vampires were real either. That one bit you in the ass. She inwardly rolled her eyes at the unintentional bad pun.
“Quiet please,” Ragnor said before leaning over the bowl and placing his fingertips just over the surface of the liquid.
She barely contained a gasp when the liquid turned red and began to swirl. Soon, black, yellow, and orange mixed with the red and the surface reminded her of one of those giant lollipops she used to love as a kid.
As the minutes ticked by, the tension in the room grew. Ragnor began to sway, and sweat beaded his upper lip. She wasn’t sure why, but the sweat thing really creeped her out. Maybe because he’s a freaking legendary vampire, and if what he’s seeing is causing him to sweat, it must be bad.
Several more minutes went by before Ragnor slumped over the bowl. Marilena went to him and helped him to a chair where he sat down heavily.
“What is it? Marilena kneeled beside him.
“I know who Trinidad is.” Ragnor’s voice was low and strained, as if it took him great effort to say those few words.
“Who?” Avril asked.
“Someone please get me a pen, paper, and two envelopes,” he said without answering the question.
“But who is Trinidad?” Ebony asked this time.
Ragnor didn’t answer. Marilena got to her feet and went to a small desk on the opposite side of the room. Moments later, she returned with the requested items. Ragnor started writing at a blurred speed. Five minutes later, he folded the papers up, slipped them in two separate envelopes, sealed them, and waved his hand over them before handing both to Marilena.
“I have to go help our sons.” Ragnor rose. All signs of any weakness were nearly gone.
“You cannot!” Marilena grabbed at his arm.
“Why won’t you tell us who Trinidad is?” Wilhemina finally asked.
Ragnor bent and kissed Marilena before gently prying her fingers from his arm. “He is my brother.”
By the time their gasps were audible, Ragnor was gone.
* * * *
The battle had begun. At exactly midnight, Aldin, his brothers, and the rest of the hunters—even Alaina and Grady—had stormed the warehouse. Aldin was with Aiston on the roof fighting off drifters coming at them non-stop. If things were on schedule, Malachi and Ashe were doing the same thing on the first floor while Conrad and Dominic had started on the third and Uriah, Alaina, and Grady the fifth.
The only plan they had was to seal off the entryways and exits and kill all the drifters inside. If this went accordingly, the others would work their way up and end up on the roof with Aldin and Aiston.
Trinidad had yet to make an appearance, but Aldin had a gut feeling he would rear his ugly head at some point tonight. Ragnor had said there would be two waves to the uprising, but if Aldin had anything to say about it, he’d make sure the second wave never happened by taking Trinidad out. Of course, he was certain that was everyone’s goal. They still had no idea who or what Trinidad was or if he’d developed any more pesky drugs to use on them.
He’d already dodged more darts than he could count. The tranqs Trinidad had used on Malachi when he’d kidnapped him had only had a lasting effect when used along with a spell. Whatever Aldin had been tagged with at Drake’s a few nights back had been stronger. He’d recovered well enough, but the weakness it caused could prove detrimental in a fight.
He twisted sideways and felt a wicked set of talons graze his hip before he swung his sword arm out in a wide arc and slicing off two drifters’ heads. While the bodies flopped to the ground and began oozing the stomach-turning black goo, the heads tumbled through the air and rolled to the edge of the building. The low ledge stopped them from falling seven stories to the ground below.
“These fucking things are multiplying faster than rabbits,” Aiston yelled from behind him.
“Sooner or later, we’ll cut a path through them. Keep at it, bro,” Aldin said as he took another graze of talons to his left arm.
If he continued getting tagged, the poison in the talons would start to build up and make him weak. The drifters were coming at him and Aiston faster than they could knock them back.
“Use your fire, Aiston. We have to take some of these bastards out. There are too many of them.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth when a flame of fire shot from Aiston’s fingertips and sprayed through the onslaught of drifters. The hideous screams told Aldin it was now or never. Aiston would be weakened from using his special ability, and his brother’s life depended on his skill.
He ran full speed at the drifters on fire and began taking heads off in a flurry of springs and wrist flicks. He’d seen some horrifying shit in his day, but he wouldn’t be surprised if even he had nightmares after tonight.
He kept an eye on Aiston who, in his weakened state, appeared to be holding his own as he dealt with a stray here and there. Suddenly, electricity shot up the power pole next to the building and a blue blaze buzzed down the electrical line. Obviously, Ashe and Malachi were getting pummeled as well because he was positive the source of that electrical surge came from Malachi using his special ability. Now two hunters were weakened.
Thankfully, the number of drifters was finally starting to dwindle and Aldin hoped this was the beginning of the end. But he didn’t believe in leprechauns and fairies granting pretty wishes, and didn’t expect an easy ending. They’d been fighting for what seemed like hours. He ducked a dagger aimed at his throat and threw up his arm as he spun around to block another dart. Unfortunately, he was a split second too slow and the sharp point embedded deep into his wrist.
He jerked it out quickly before too much of whatever was in it could get
in his system. He gritted his teeth and continued fighting. The poison from the countless talons he’d been tagged by and the drug in the dart was taking a toll on him. He spun and caught a drifter under the chin coming up behind him and followed around with his sword to finish the job.
He’d never been more relieved when he saw Uriah, Alaina, and Grady enter the rooftop. They all appeared to have taken some serious hits, but were all standing, which meant they’d survive. Shortly after, Conrad, Dominic, Ashe, and Malachi were on the rooftop. There was only a few straggling drifters that were quickly dealt with, which left only Aldin, his brothers, and the other hunters on the building.
“Everyone okay?”
“Don’t know about okay, but I’ll live,” answered Ashe.
The other hunters nodded. All had torn clothing and blood in various places.
“Too easy. There has to be more.” Aldin spun slowly, scanning the rooftop.
“Oh there is much, much more.”
Everyone froze at the voice that seemed to come out of nowhere. But it came from somewhere all right. It came from a tall figure that stood at the opposite end of the roof.
“Trinidad,” Malachi growled, and tried to charge.
It took Ashe, Aldin, Uriah, and Dominic to hold the hunter back.
“Don’t,” Aldin warned.
Malachi’s anger was palpable. Aldin imagined it to resemble a flowing black cloud of rage pulsing around him.
“Never could hold your temper, boy,” Trinidad said.
His voice was like fingernails on a chalkboard to Aldin, and by the expressions on the other hunters’ faces, he was sure it was having the same effect on them. Trinidad was clad in a black cloak and cowl, which adequately covered his features. He resembled the Grim Reaper, and Aldin wondered if there was any relation.
“I’ll fucking kill you,” Malachi yelled.
“Always did think you could do things far out of your reach. I’d be more than happy to teach you some more manners. I did so enjoy our sessions.” Trinidad cackled.
The sound sent shivers of dread down Aldin’s spine as he began to understand just exactly what took place in Trinidad’s sessions. No wonder Malachi hated him. Trinidad was like nothing they’d encountered. Power emanated from him in waves, waves similar to those that Ragnor gave off. Could Ragnor be wrong? Could Trinidad be a true blood?