by G. K. DeRosa
My brows furrowed as I regarded the warlock.
“Do it, Aristaeus,” he commanded.
With a growl, I tugged the shirt over my head. My alpha wolf did not appreciate being ordered around. I watched as he dipped the dagger into the cauldron and brilliant azure flames coated the blade. He turned toward me, pointing the tip at my chest.
“It’s going to hurt, I won’t lie.”
“Just do it,” I grated out.
He struck so quickly, the gleam of the dancing flames was all I could make out before a searing pain lanced into my flesh. I gritted my teeth to keep from cursing as scorching heat flared at the spot above my heart and surged outward. It rushed through my veins white-hot pain crawling over every inch of me.
Darkness crept into the corners of my vision as I squeezed my eyes shut. It carved out my insides until I was sure there was nothing left. My wolf let out a piercing howl, his furious snarls intensifying the turmoil within. Oh, gods. I clenched my teeth through the pain, forcing myself to remain conscious. I focused on Sierra, on her beautiful smile, on her mesmerizing irises, on the feel of her touch.
I sucked in a breath, my shoulders heaving as iron bands wrapped around my torso. I couldn’t breathe. Panting, I drew in a ragged breath and another.
“It’s almost over.” Garrix’s voice was nothing more than a blip through the swell of constant pain.
A storm of emotions swirled through my core, and a terrible thought rose to the surface. Sierra. Was she feeling this torture? Gods, I hoped not. I’d been trying to block her all day, and I only prayed it had worked. I would never want her to endure this hell.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I turned my attention to the bond and concentrated on keeping our connection closed. Liquid fire raged through my bones, through every inch and dark crevice. My claws extended, digging into my palms and another growl tore out of my mouth. Black fur sprouted across my arms, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold off my wolf. He wanted out, and I couldn’t blame him.
Garrix’s deep voice broke through the chaos. “Filiae terminum cursae immeditum!”
Everything stopped.
Ice doused the flames within and the pain, anguish, tornado of emotions all vanished. I slowly opened my eyes.
I felt nothing.
Garrix’s curious gaze searched mine. “Well?”
“Well, what?” I spoke slowly, my throat raw as if I’d been screaming for hours. “I—I don’t feel anything.”
Chapter Fourteen
Sierra
* * *
A jabbing pain pierced my flesh and I jolted up, my eyes snapping open. Pressing my hand to my heart, I drew in deep breaths to force my lungs to keep pumping. What in all the realms? I scanned my dark bedroom, my heart stamping out a manic beat. Connor lay in the cot beside my bed, his face still sallow beneath the moon’s pale light. Shoving the comforter back with my feet, I wiped the sweat from my brow.
Hunter? I searched the bond for a hint of him. Hunter, are you okay?
Nothing. Nothing but the persistent ache in my chest. The pit of dread in my gut grew to boulder-sized proportions. Where the hell was he? I was sure he’d come here after the impromptu visit with the queen of vampires. He couldn’t still be in Nocturnis, could he?
Hunter, please answer me. I tried again to no avail. He’d blocked me out. I could feel the one-way link unraveled with no one on the other end. I’d been attempting to contact him all evening, and I must have fallen asleep trying.
What could he have been doing in Nocturnis that warranted blocking me out? Or was he even there at all? I massaged the sore spot above my heart as I watched the slow but steady rise and fall of Connor’s chest. I’d hoped that by making love to him earlier, I could succeed in convincing him we’d made the right choice. That us being together was the only choice. But as soon as he’d left the happy bubble of the Mystic changing area, his anxiety and inner turmoil rushed right back.
And now, I feared he’d done something terrible. What if he’d broken our bond? My heart constricted at the thought. I shook my head, steeling my jaw. No, I would’ve felt that. Whatever was going on, wasn’t the mate link. But it was something big. I could feel it deep within my bones.
Please, Hunter answer me!
Nothing. I let out a string of curses before clapping my hand over my mouth. My eyes drifted toward Connor. He was in a magically induced coma and according to Terra, might not wake for days. And still, I worried my obscenities would somehow disturb his sleep.
I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Just past midnight. Ransom had gone home around ten after our catch-up night and if I hadn’t been so worried about Hunter, it would’ve been fun. We watched a movie, ate pizza, and drank wine. Even Braxton seemed to enjoy it. I tiptoed toward my door and opened it a crack.
Past the hallway, I could just make out Vander and Cass curled up on the floor on top of a mound of blankets. Braxton was sprawled across the couch, his long legs hanging over the edge. All three had spent the night at Hunter’s request. I felt bad for my ex-mate-to-be since he’d only just moved into his new place the day before. Granted he only lived three dens down, but I’m sure he’d been happy with the privacy and hint of independence.
As I watched them sleep, so peaceful in their slumber, another pang streaked across my heart. I clapped my hand across my chest as a searing burn scoured my insides. Gods, what was happening?
Hunter! Answer me! Waking my she-wolf, I poured my alpha power into my wordless plea. Are you okay?
Yes, I’m fine. I’ll be back soon. The answer was clipped, his voice ragged, but my heart somersaulted at the sound. As quickly as it had come, he was gone. The connection between us slammed shut.
Hot tears pricked my eyes as I turned back to my bed. Why was he acting like this? That damned dread brewing in my belly multiplied as my mind conjured countless daunting scenarios. I bellyflopped onto the mattress, convinced I’d never fall asleep until Hunter was back, and I was snuggled in his arms. We’d find a way past Jacinda’s death, just like we had all the others. It was terrible, but it was true.
I still hated thinking about my mom and Grams. It was easier not to, to pretend they were just on some extended vacation. My brain, and more importantly my heart, couldn’t deal with the reality of never seeing either of them again. As the darkness pressed around me, the silence swallowing me whole, I couldn’t push away the pain of their absence.
The burn in my eyes became too much, and I let the tears fall. I cried for my mom, for my grandma, for the aunt I never knew, for Jacinda, for Hunter and finally for me. My shoulders shuddered as I sobbed, remembering everyone who was now gone and for the uncertainty of our future. Tears rolled down my cheeks until the tightness in my chest dissipated, and I had nothing left.
I curled up into a ball, the steady hum of discomfort still dribbling through the bond. I might have released my bottled-up emotions, but Hunter’s were still raging, even with his attempts at blocking me. Rubbing my eyes, I swept away the last of the tears. It was all the self-pity I’d allow myself for tonight.
As I drew the comforter down to crawl back under the warmth, I caught a flicker of movement from the corner of my eye. My head spun toward Connor, and I leapt out of bed. “Connor?”
His lids fluttered.
I grabbed his hand and squeezed. “It’s me, Sierra. You’re okay, you’re going to be okay. I’m here with you.”
A faint groan slid from his lips.
“Connor, just rest. You’re safe, and everything’s going to be okay.” What a bunch of B.S. I didn’t even believe my own words. Everything was a freakin’ mess. The tether around my heart tightened, the one that tied me to my pack, and a swirl of hope kindled in my weary soul. “Connor?”
His lids fluttered once more, then slowly opened. A pair of deep navy eyes skimmed over me. He pushed himself up and groaned.
“No, don’t. You need to lay down. You’ve been through a lot, and you have to rest. Do you remember what happen
ed?”
His head slowly bobbed up and down. “Where’s my mom?” he rasped out. A deep cut bisected his brow, and dark bruises mottled his pallid face.
I clenched my jaw. I’d prepared for this moment all day, but still the words stuck at the back of my throat. “I’m—I’m so sorry, Connor. She didn’t make it.”
Hard lines carved into his jaw as he gritted his teeth and cursed.
“What were you doing here in Moon Valley? And did you recognize who attacked you?”
“I have no idea. Wolves, lots of them. They surrounded us just outside town.” A swell of rage crashed through the pack link as he undoubtedly lived through the memory of the assault. “Then they dragged us all the way here half-dead.” He paused and raked his hand over his face, wincing. “I tried. I did what I could to defend her, but there were just too many of them.” He snapped his jaw shut and swallowed hard.
“It’s not your fault. I should’ve been there to protect you. I wish I would’ve known you were here.”
He slowly shook his head. “Mom couldn’t stay away. Once the memories started flooding back, she had to come. I told her…we never should’ve left the island.”
Oh gods, I wished they hadn’t.
“I promise Jacinda’s death won’t be in vain. I’ll find a way to make this right somehow, I swear it, Connor. I’m so sorry.”
“It was the supreme alpha that did this?” he asked.
I nodded slowly. “If you don’t feel safe here, I can send you back to Isle of Mordis. I’m sure Demetra would love to have you back. At least until things settle down. There’s no shame in that. You didn’t sign up for any of this.”
“Hell, no,” he gritted out. “I’ll kill that son of a bitch with my own hands for what he did to my mother, my father and our pack. I remember my dad, you know? I remember him sending us away. He made me promise to take care of her.” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he paused. “And he made me promise to fight for the Mystics, that one day it would be up to me to be one of the leaders of the pack.”
The burn in my eyes returned, but I blinked back the tears. “And you will be, Connor. Braxton and I are lucky to have you. Somehow, the three of us will bring back the Mystics, and we’ll do right by all our parents.”
Through the pain, a ray of light shone as I watched this brave young man. He’d lost everything to Tyrien, and still he wanted to fight. And so would I. Until my dying breath.
Chapter Fifteen
I zipped up my lavender suit, fingers trembling. Hunter never returned last night, and I’d barely slept an hour. I felt nothing through the mate bond, not even a flicker. Anxiety bubbled up, nausea clawing up my throat. Where was he?
Whipping open the door of my private changing room, I scanned the Lunar Lounge. Ransom and Castor stood by the elaborate buffet along with the two Atlantic wolves. Triton shot me a sneer as he popped a fig into his mouth. Zuriel and Araton lumbered out of their changing area, the two wolf-angel hybrids looking as bright as daisies. Damn them and their angelic healing.
No Hunter.
Viceroy nudged me in the shoulder as he passed with his cousin, Vix, at his side. “Why so glum, little wolf?”
“Nothing,” I muttered and stomped over to the table. Maybe a little wine wouldn’t be the worst thing to steady my nerves this morning.
“Where’s Hunter?” Ransom asked as I approached.
“No idea. He never came back last night.”
His dark brows bunched, and he dropped his drink back on the table. “That’s disconcerting.”
“No shift.” I pressed my arms across my chest and scowled. The day’s event started in a few minutes. He wouldn’t dare not show.
“He’ll be here, don’t worry, Violet. He wouldn’t leave you unprotected in the last round.”
I grunted. “Any idea what today’s exciting event will be?”
“I don’t, but it should be an easy one. According to my sources, the day after tomorrow will be the big one.”
“What does that mean?”
“Hunter told you about how he was eliminated, right?”
I nodded as his tale of the Underworld came back to the forefront of my mind.
“From what I’ve heard, we’re getting dropped off at some unknown location soon.”
“Great,” I grumbled. With Braxton and Connor left to their own devices, the timing couldn’t be worse. The hair on the back of my neck prickled, and my eyes shot to the doorway. The magnet that connected me to my mate compelled me toward the scowling beast at the entrance.
My feet moved of their own accord as I barreled between Araton and Zuriel and halted no more than an inch away from Hunter. “What the hell?” I screeched as I jabbed a finger into his chest. “I was so worried.”
His dark gaze razed over the other wolves, and he hauled me into the corridor without a word.
My eyes shot daggers at my brooding mate. “Did the freakin’ vampires eat your tongue? What the heck happened to you yesterday?”
“Nothing,” he muttered, eyes cast down to the floor.
“Nothing?” I shrieked. “You disappeared all night, didn’t answer any of my calls, texts, or mental messages, and you blocked me!” I poked him again. “I deserve answers, and I need them now.” An expressionless mask blurred his features. I searched the mate link, and still I detected nothing. “And why are you still blocking me?” I threw my hands up.
“I’m not. Anymore.” His words were so low I barely heard them over the angry thumps of my heart.
“What do you mean? I can’t feel anything from you.”
His eyes were still glued to his feet, and I was about a second away from throat punching him.
“Hunter!” The unease growing in my belly multiplied as my mate refused to meet my gaze.
The shuffle of feet turned my attention to the approaching male in white. The attendant glanced at me, then Hunter and lowered his gaze. “Apologies, but it’s time to start.” He quickly scooted by and darted into the Lunar Lounge.
A second later, the wolves trickled through the double doors filling the corridor, and put an end to our conversation.
This isn’t over. I laced my words with venom as I shot my thoughts through our connection.
Hunter didn’t respond. He didn’t say anything. With his head down, he followed the rest of the Lunar wolves through the tunnels as I seethed. Stomping through the narrow walkway, I replayed our short discussion in my mind. He claimed he wasn’t blocking me, but then why couldn’t I feel anything from him?
My worse fear was that he’d tried to sever our mate bond, but that wasn’t it. I could still feel his presence at the end of the mystical tether. Plus, we could still communicate so the bond must have still been in place. Then what in the blazes was going on?
I squinted as we walked through the archway into the bright rays of the morning sun. Five rings had been set up across the arena with an attendant stationed at each one. Great. I couldn’t imagine what sort of torture they’d conjured up for us today. As we filed atop the platform with the crowd cheering, I willed myself to focus. After yesterday’s poor display, I had to win today. Only a few days remained, and if Ransom was right, things would only get more brutal.
The head attendant moved to the center of the platform, and the audience went silent. “For today’s event, our remaining ten participants will battle one of their fellow Lunar pack competitors. Everything goes in this round—you may fight in the form of your choosing, with powers or with brute strength. It’s sudden death, ladies and gentlewolves. Whoever loses, is out.”
A gasp rippled through the crowd, mirroring my own sentiments. Shift. One round and if I lost, everything I’d endured would’ve been for nothing. I caught Hunter glancing in my direction from the corner of my eye.
Who would I be paired with? I scanned the remaining competitors and considered my chances. I was half the size of most of the males, but I was the only one with magic. Unpredictable magic, but still.
“And now for the
pairings.” He ticked his head at Vix and Araton and motioned to the farthest ring, then moved down the line. I was second to last beside Ransom.
“I hope you get someone good, Violet,” he whispered.
I grunted. “Like who?”
“Too bad the faeries are out; they would’ve been an easy match.”
“Not helping.”
“I’d pray for one of the Atlantics if you’re into that sort of thing. They’re both big and bumbling on land.”
“Obviously you don’t remember the last time when Triton gored me with his trident.”
“Oh right.” He smirked. “I forgot about that one.”
The attendant pointed at me, and I held my breath. “Alpha Sierra and beta Zuriel, ring four.”
The angel/wolf tossed me a feral grin from down the line. Awesome. Zuriel was an expert with his angel sword, and he could fly. This was so not good.
Be careful with Zuriel. The sound of Hunter’s voice in my head made me jump. He may seem all smiles and charisma, but he’s an angel of death with that blade. You need to move fast and strike quickly. Catch him off guard. Use your magic, every ounce you have. It’s the only way you’ll defeat him.
I glanced over at my mate and nodded. I’d been so preoccupied with my own rambling thoughts I hadn’t heard who he was up against.
“Competitors, to your rings. You will have five minutes to knockout your opponent or force them to yield. Everyone understand?”
A chorus of yeses flared around me.
“Who’d you get?” I turned to Ransom when I realized I’d missed his pairing while Hunter was spouting off instructions.
“Triton.” A big grin stretched across his mouth, showing off pointy incisors. “Don’t worry, Violet, I’ll make him pay for what he did to you last time.”
“Thanks.” I gave him the best smile I could muster as we walked toward the awaiting rings.
Hunter moved beside me, his arm brushing against my shoulder and sending a wave of tingles down my arm. “Remember, be quick. The longer you draw it out, the harder it’ll be.”