Evernight: A Kindred Novel (The Kindred Book 4)

by Donna Grant

Jarin stalked to Synne until he stood inches from her. “If you’d seen Lachlan’s face when he thought he’d lost you, you wouldn’t be standing here talking like this. Your arse would be finding a way to get back to him.”

  “I want nothing more,” Synne said, her throat closing at the mere thought of never seeing Lachlan again. “But this is about more than just me. This is about the survival of the rest of the world.”

  Armir dropped his arms and walked a few steps closer to Synne. “Why do you think Malene made Lachlan remain behind with her and Helena? The bone is safe. For now. Do you think it’ll remain that way if Sybbyl gets her hands on you?”

  Jarin gave a shake of his head. “What do you think your man will do if Sybbyl tells him she’ll let you live if he turns over the bone? What would you do?”

  Synne looked away, unable to answer.

  “She has a point,” Elin said into the silence that followed.

  All eyes jerked to the witch.

  Elin twisted her lips and shrugged. “We all have magic. Asrail got the two of you to me and Synne, but she won’t be able to do that again for several more hours, at the very least. Individually, we could probably manage to find a way to get to Blackglade with magic. We’re making good time, but Synne’s right. We won’t make it.”

  “What do you suggest?” Armir asked.

  Elin glanced at Synne and grinned. “We pool our magic together.”

  “Could that work?” Jarin asked with a frown.

  Asrail chuckled and looked at Elin with bright eyes. “It just might.”

  “All five of us?” Synne knew it took an obscene amount of magic to move one person any amount of distance. To add four more to the mix meant it would take a lot of magic.

  Armir put his hands on his hips and stood there silently for several minutes, staring at the ground. Finally, he looked up and let his gaze meet each of them, landing lastly on Synne. “It might.”

  “What will happen if it doesn’t?” she had to ask.

  It was Asrail who said, “It could kill one or more of us.”

  “But we’d be away from Sybbyl,” Elin added.

  Jarin shrugged. “That’s a reason to chance it right there.”

  Synne couldn’t deny that she wanted to get back to Lachlan more than anything. She didn’t care that he had a bone of the First Witch. He was what she wanted. It was Lachlan that she loved. If they didn’t take this chance, she’d never make it back to him. But…if they tried to pool their magic to get to Blackglade, she could be in his arms in a matter of minutes.

  “We need to make a decision now,” Asrail said suddenly.

  Synne didn’t need to ask to know that her grandmother sensed that Sybbyl was closer than ever before. “All right. I’m game. Not that I have much to contribute.”

  “Not true,” Asrail said as she came to stand beside Synne. “You’re part Gira. You have more magic than you realize. I know how to call it forth.”

  Asrail put her hand out. One by one, they put their hands atop the others. Then Asrail began the spell. Synne was shocked into a stupor when she actually felt the magic running from the others into her hand and then into Asrail’s. When the rest began saying the spell along with her grandmother, Synne joined in, too.

  The force of the magic was so strong that she put her other hand atop Armir’s in an effort to hold on. The more she tried to cling to them, the more it seemed as if someone or something was pulling her away.

  “Don’t let go,” Asrail called out to her.

  Synne looked into her grandmother’s eyes and realized then that someone was trying to pull her out of the group. Synne dug in her heels and clenched her teeth. No one was going to take her away from her friends…her family.

  Armir put his free arm around her, drawing her against him as even more magic poured through their hands. The snow falling around them began to swirl in a giant circle, moving faster and faster as the power grew, and the spell continued. Synne started to smile. They were going to get away. And soon, she was going to be in Lachlan’s arms. This was actually going to work.

  She had to close her eyes because the wind was blowing so fast around them, it flung her hair into her eyes. The wind howled in her ears like a scream. And then, there was silence. An instant later, they fell to the ground. Synne blinked up at the sky above her. There was no snow here. That thought immediately vanished as her stomach rebelled. She rolled onto her side and emptied what little was in her belly.

  “Lass.”

  Arms she recognized came around her, holding her gently as she finished being sick. Then she turned and pressed her face against Lachlan’s chest.

  “I thought I’d never see you again,” he whispered.

  She clung to him, happier than she’d ever been before, ecstatic to be back in his arms. No longer would she deny what was in her heart. “I love you.”

  “And I love you. More than anything.”

  Synne looked up at him when he pulled back. They shared a smile. She saw the love in his eyes and knew that nothing could stand between them. Against all odds, they had made it to Blackglade. There was so much she wanted to say to Lachlan, but it was put on hold as others came up, talking to the group.

  Lachlan helped her to her feet, and she looked to find that they were in the middle of the city. Malene was with Armir, Helena with Jarin, and some unknown Varrorki warrior was tending to Elin. But there was no sign of her grandmother.

  “Asrail?” Synne called.

  That got Elin’s attention, and she also looked around for the Gira.

  “I’m sorry,” Jarin said as he came to stand before her.

  Synne swallowed. “What for?”

  “I tried to hold onto her.”

  A tear slipped down Synne’s face, and she hastily dashed it away. “What happened to her?”

  “She was held behind,” Armir answered.

  Elin stumbled as she tried to get to her feet. Finally, she managed it, her entire body shaking from either sickness or anger, it was hard to tell which. “What do you mean, she was held back.”

  Armir’s gaze moved to Synne. She then looked at the witch. “Something tried to hold me there. I could feel it.”

  “It was Sybbyl,” Malene said. “I’m sorry.”

  Elin’s face went white. “Sybbyl will kill her.”

  “We can’t let that happen,” Synne said.

  Jarin had his arm around Helena as he said, “Sybbyl could’ve taken any of us.”

  “But she didn’t,” Synne stated. “She took my grandmother.”

  “Who let herself be taken.”

  Synne jerked her head to Armir. “What did you say?”

  “She let go,” Armir replied.

  Synne shook her head. “She wouldn’t do that.”

  “Aye, she would,” Elin said and wiped her eyes. “She would’ve done anything to protect you.”

  That’s when Synne remembered Asrail telling her to hold on. Her grandmother had known what Sybbyl was doing. Tears choked her. Synne turned her face into Lachlan’s chest once more as both of his arms came around her. He held her, letting her cry.

  “Sybbyl is too crafty to kill Asrail outright,” Malene said.

  Synne sniffed as the words penetrated her brain. She lifted her face and looked at the Lady of the Varroki. “What do you mean?”

  “She means that Sybbyl will use Asrail against us,” Elin said through silent tears.

  Jarin nodded gravely. “Just as she would’ve used you against Lachlan.”

  “What do we do, then?” Lachlan asked.

  Malene drew in a deep breath. “We prepare.”

  “To save her?” Synne asked.

  Armir glanced at Malene before he said, “To kill Sybbyl.”

  34

  “What are you doing?” Lachlan asked as he hurried to catch up with Synne.

  There had been a lot of planning and ideas for how to take out Sybbyl, but through it all, Synne had remained silent. Lachlan knew it was because she was worried about
her grandmother. A Gira.

  It was odd since she had been so terrified of them before. But discovering that the only remaining member of your family was one of the magical nymphs could change things. He knew it would with him. Why should Synne be any different?

  “Lass,” he said in a whispered hiss.

  She halted and turned to look at him. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I feel helpless and unable to contribute.”

  “From what the others told me, you did just as much as they did.”

  “It’s not the same.”

  “Because you doona have magic?”

  She looked away with a sigh. “A witch used a spell on me. I was trained better than that. I should’ve known it was coming, but I didn’t. I let myself believe that I was better than Avis. That I could defeat her. Instead, she nearly killed me. Because of that, Sybbyl now has my grandmother.”

  “Doona blame yourself for something that could’ve happened to anyone.”

  “I’m a Hunter, Lachlan. It shouldn’t have happened to me.”

  He reached for her, and thankfully, she let him pull her against him. “Lass, I understand the pain you’re feeling. It’s the same thing I dealt with while Armir and Jarin were out searching for you, and I was here.”

  “I don’t want to lose Asrail,” she said, her voice muffled against his chest as her arms came around him.

  Lachlan kissed the top of her head. “Asrail was the queen of the Gira. That means she’s smart and capable. She’ll find a way to get free.”

  Even as he said the words, Lachlan knew they were a lie to make his woman feel better. He had Synne back in his arms. It shouldn’t be all that mattered, but it was.

  Synne leaned her head back to look at him. “Do you know where they’re keeping Avis?”

  “Doona do this, lass,” he said with a shake of his head.

  Synne gave him an innocent look. “What? I’m just asking.”

  “Because you’ve got some plan concocted in that brain of yours. Something the others would shoot down immediately.”

  “The others. But not you,” she said with a smile.

  Lachlan blew out a ragged breath. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

  “I’m going to get my bow back.”

  “You’re in a city full of witches and warlocks. Any of them could make you another bow and spell it and the arrows, just as Edra did.”

  Synne stared at him. “I want my weapon.”

  “That isna wise. Malene put Avis somewhere no one could see. She did it for a reason.”

  “Maybe Malene just wanted to keep her away from you.”

  Lachlan crossed his arms over his chest and quirked a brow. “I can refrain from attacking someone who is imprisoned.”

  “I wouldn’t be able to,” Synne stated.

  He wanted to disregard her words, but he couldn’t. Because they were true. He had wanted to find Avis and exact his revenge. It didn’t matter that Lachlan had warned Synne to let go of vengeance. She was his. The woman he loved. And Avis had harmed her. When the witch had been captured, Lachlan hadn’t known if Synne was alive or dead. But he knew he wanted to take it out on the one person responsible—Avis.

  “Bloody hell,” he murmured as he dropped his arms and turned away.

  “You don’t have to help me. Just don’t stand in my way.”

  His head swung back to Synne. “I love you. That means that no matter what you do, I’m going to stand beside you.”

  A smile broke out across her face. “Really?”

  “Really,” he said and pulled her against him for a kiss. “I may no’ agree with this, but I willna let you do it alone.”

  Synne wore a frown as she looked up at him. “I wasn’t entirely truthful with you about Avis.”

  “I hadna guessed,” he replied, his words heavily laced with sarcasm.

  She chuckled and ran her hands over his chest. “I’m ready for all of this to be over so we can have some time together.”

  “We can have that time now.”

  Synne bit her lip as her frown grew. “You mean instead of trying to find Avis.”

  “Aye, lass,” he murmured and put a finger under her chin to tilt her head back so he could look into her amber eyes. “I thought you were dead. I couldna eat or sleep as I waited to learn of your Fate. Now that you’re here, all I want to do is throw you over my shoulder and find a quiet place to strip you so I can have my way with you.”

  He wanted her to know how much she meant to him. He hadn’t expected his words to affect her, but the moment he saw her gaze darken with desire, he continued.

  “We’ve had one night, but I’ve relived it every time I close my eyes. I think of the ways I want to bring you pleasure. I think of how you clung to me when I filled you with my cock. I think of holding you against me, feeling your breath on my skin once more. I think of how good it feels when our bodies are joined.”

  She put a finger to his lips, the pulse in her neck quickening. “I’m a fool. From the first moment I realized you weren’t with me, I’ve been trying to return to you. And once I was back in your arms, all I could think about was battle.” Her hand lowered to his chest as she gave a single shake of her head. “You’re right. We need this time because we don’t know what tomorrow brings.”

  “Shall I throw you over my shoulder?” Lachlan asked with a grin.

  She chuckled and took his hand as she turned them. “Armir mentioned something about a place.”

  They were smiling as they hurried back to the tower. Once there, Armir stood at the base of the stairs and said, “Second door. The chamber is all yours.”

  “Thank you,” Synne said as Lachlan pulled her up the stairs after him.

  The door shut behind her, and Lachlan pushed her up against it, his mouth covering hers as need clawed at him. He’d discovered how quickly Synne could be snatched from him, and it had left him reeling. He needed to feel her against him, to sink into her wet heat and feel her flesh against his.

  They tore at each other’s clothes, removing one item at a time as their kisses grew frantic and fiery. Just as the last piece of clothing hit the floor, someone knocked on the door. Synne’s head swung toward the sound.

  “Ignore them,” Lachlan told her and kissed her once more.

  But the knock sounded again.

  “We should answer it,” she said.

  Lachlan bit back an angry response when a third knock sounded. Synne reached for the blanket on the bed and wrapped it around herself. Lachlan stalked to the door, not bothering to cover his nakedness. He halted at the entrance, his hand on the lock. “Who is it?”

  “We’ve got hot water for your baths,” came a soft voice from the other side of the door.

  Lachlan was about to tell them to come back when Synne said, “Oh, a bath sounds amazing.”

  With a sigh, Lachlan opened the door and stepped back so the women couldn’t see him. Six of them came in, carrying buckets of steaming water that they dumped into a large tub he hadn’t seen. Though, he hadn’t really looked at anything in the room since he’d been otherwise occupied with Synne.

  The women filed back out. Lachlan began to close the door behind the last one when it was stopped. He looked around the edge to find Armir holding the door open with his arm while wearing a smirk.

  “You need to leave,” Lachlan said.

  Armir glanced at Synne, who had walked to the tub with the blanket still wrapped around her. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”

  “Then leave,” Lachlan said in a low voice.

  The smile left Armir as he met Lachlan’s gaze. “I know what you were doing before. You won’t find Avis.”

  “I doona want my woman anywhere near that witch.”

  Armir stared at him for a little while longer before he bowed his head and stepped back. But Lachlan still wasn’t able to close the door as the six women returned with more buckets. It took another two trips before the tub was filled. Lachlan had never been so happy to close a door in his life. When
he turned back, Synne stood in the middle of the room, naked.

  She held out her hands and smiled. “Look at this place.”

  “Aye,” he said.

  She flattened her lips. “You didn’t look.”

  He shrugged and let his gaze move around to see the bed, the hearth with a nice fire built, the table and chairs, two windows with the shutters closed, and the tub. “It’s nice.”

  “It’s amazing,” Synne said with wide eyes. “I can’t believe I’m in Blackglade. I honestly thought I’d never find my way here.”

  Lachlan ate up the distance between them until he stood before her. He reached up and smoothed her blond hair from her face. “There’s only one thing I find amazing in this place. And I’m staring at her.”

  Synne rose up on her tiptoes and kissed him. “I love you.”

  He bent and lifted her in his arms before he lowered her into the tub. She grabbed his hand and pulled him in with her. It was large enough to fit them both comfortably, which Lachlan really enjoyed.

  “This is nice,” Synne said when he pulled her back to his chest and held her. Her head leaned back against him.

  He watched the long strands of her golden hair float in the water before his eyes moved to her breasts and her hardened nipples. “Hmm.”

  Synne chuckled and turned to face him. Her gaze met his as her hand wrapped around his cock. “We might want to hurry before we get interrupted again.”

  “I’ll be taking my time, lass,” he informed her. With a smile, he grasped her hips and brought her against him tighter.

  There was no more need for words as the flames of desire took them.

  35

  It felt so good to be back in Lachlan’s arms. Synne hadn’t realized how much she needed his touch until it was gone. She had come to depend on him in short order. More than that, she had come to love him with all her heart.

  And she had nearly lost what they had because she’d been overconfident.

  The steam from the bath caused her hair to stick to her face as she ran her hands up and down Lachlan’s arousal. His lids lowered as he leaned forward and placed his lips against hers. It was gentle and soft, completely different than when they had first come into the chamber. But if she’d thought he would take things slowly, she was wrong.