by Faith Gibson
“Your father wanted Isla dead?” Remy didn’t believe it. The electronic voice of the navigational system interrupted their conversation, directing Nash to take the next exit onto a different interstate. When Nash didn’t put on his indicator, Remy pressed the sword against his throat. “Take the exit,” Remy demanded. Nash glanced briefly into the mirror, but he wasn’t looking at Nash. Remy didn’t turn to look behind them. He already knew Lorenzo and Pierre were there. Nash flipped on the turn signal and hit the exit.
“Instead of having your sister and nephew killed, you thought they’d be better off used as lab experiments?” Tamian asked once they were rolling down the next section of interstate.
“Craven assured me they would only be used for their blood.”
Tamian narrowed his eyes at Nash. “None of that matters now. Where were you rushing off to in such a hurry?”
“I wasn’t—” Remy pushed the blade he’d allowed to go lax, and Nash swallowed hard. “My father called. Said he had proof Rain was alive. He demanded I come home.”
“So you were driving to Australia via Europe?” Tamian laughed. “Here’s what I think. Isla was the oldest and next in line to run the family business. Sure, she left home to build a life with Remy, but she was still in your way. With her alive, she would inherit half of everything should your father cross over. If something happened to her, that half would go to her son. With them both out of the picture, you set yourself up to be the sole heir. “How am I doing so far?”
“No. That’s not—”
“Now, your father knows you lied about Rain, so it makes sense you lied about your sister as well. A male like Felix Hogan who’s made his mark on the world with no help from anyone surely knows how to dole out punishment to his wayward son.”
“He said if I didn’t bring Isla to him, he would not only remove me from the family, but he’d personally take my head. I tried to do the right thing. I thought Craven would let Isla and Rain both go once he had enough blood to create his antiserum.” Nash licked his lips. “I honestly thought they’d find their way back to Remy. Gods, I was wrong.”
“Nash, what happened to Isla?” Remy was vibrating with anger. His beast was ready to tear the male’s limbs from his body and send them to Felix wrapped in a bow.
Nash hesitated. He eyed Remy in the rearview mirror as his hands tightened on the steering wheel. The sound of leather creaking was as loud as Nash’s deep breaths. “After Craven was through with Isla, he sold her to a German couple.”
“You motherfucker!” Remy sliced through Nash’s neck. It wasn’t enough to take the male’s head, but the coating on the blade would slow his reflexes. “Fuck! Pull over. Pull the fuck over!”
“N-no. You’ll kill me. I c-can take you to Isla. I know where she is.”
Tamian pointed a sharp claw. “Pull the godsdamned car over before you can’t. He wasn’t kidding about the blade being treated. You’re going to feel the effects in a matter of minutes.”
Nash pulled over to the shoulder and sat, unmoving. Tamian got out of the passenger side and walked around the car. When there was a break in traffic, he opened the door and pushed the other male, urging him to crawl over the console. “Move your ass,” Tamian commanded. Once they were seated, Tamian pulled out his phone. “Aldredge, it’s Tamian. I need a favor. Go ask Craven who he sold Isla Durand to. Yes, sold her. Yep.” Tamian glared at Nash who was staring back, his mouth hanging open.
“You have Craven?”
Tamian scowled. “Yes.”
“Hang up. Fuck. Hang the phone up. Craven didn’t sell Isla.” Nash slumped against the door, his head lilting to the side. “I did.”
Remy’s fangs and claws came out. If he weren’t in a confined space, his wings would have been spread behind him. He reached between the seats to grab Nash, but Tamian caught his wrist.
“Remy! If he sold her, he knows where she is.” Tamian waited until Remy retracted his claws to release him. “Where is she?” Tamian’s voice was low, and Remy felt the power behind it. He held his breath, waiting on Nash to answer.
“She’s in Germany. Just across the border.”
“You’re going to need to be a little more specific.” Tamian punched in the address Nash rattled off, then called the males in the two vehicles waiting behind them. Once they had the information, Tamian pulled back onto the roadway. The city where the German couple lived was in the opposite direction from where they had been traveling.
“You said Felix demanded you bring Isla to him, yet you were driving away from Germany. Why?” Remy no longer had the sword pointed at Nash. It wasn’t necessary. He held a syringe filled with a stronger dose of wolfsbane Tamian had given him earlier.
“I’m not going to let our Father kill her. Despite what you think, I love my sister. I didn’t agree with her mating with you, but that isn’t a death sentence. Not in my book.”
“But selling her into slavery is a better alternative?”
“It wasn’t like that.” Nash’s words were slurring. The wolfsbane was taking effect. “They wanted a… child with… Original blood, and Isla—” Remy shoved the needle into Nash’s neck.
“What the fuck?” Nash tried to raise his arm, but his muscles were no longer cooperating.
“And Isla what? You pimped my mate out like some brood mare?” Remy slapped Nash’s head, but the poison had done its job. Too well. “Oh, gods. The child. That’s who was in the picture Connor drew.”
“Maybe or maybe not. The drawing depicted Isla and a girl at your vineyard. You said Isla’s appearance was different, so there’s a possibility that is your child with your mate in the future. The good news is there is a future with Isla in it. We’re going to get your mate back.”
“But what if it isn’t my child? Nash said this couple wanted a baby.”
“If that’s the case, she somehow ends up with Isla, at least for visits. Will you be able to handle that?”
“What? Yes. I…” Remy didn’t want to think about his mate being with another male. What if she’d been raped? He didn’t know who this couple was, but they must be Gargoyles to know about Originals. Gods, what had his Isla endured these past two years? “I just want my mate back. I want her safe in my arms, and I want her to be reunited with Rainier. If these Goyles bought her for the purpose of carrying their child, they’re not going to let the child go with her.”
“And you’ll deal with that together. The main thing is to get her back home where she belongs. Help her heal from whatever she’s endured the same way you’re helping your son.”
Remy’s mind was a tornado. It swirled between horrid thoughts of the worst his mate could have endured and the thrill of seeing her again. Knowing she was alive. Anticipating reuniting her with Rain. Those were the things he tried to focus on. Tamian was right – whatever she’d been through, Remy would help her recover no matter what it took. Then he was going to deal with her father.
When they were half an hour away from their destination, Tamian pulled off the highway. Remy didn’t question the male until he parked behind a large church. “Why are we here?”
“To transfer Nash to one of the other vehicles. When we get Isla away from the couple, she doesn’t need to see her brother slumped over and paralyzed.”
“Or maybe she does. If she knows he’s responsible for selling her, she might want to take his head herself.”
“Maybe we wait and see about her mental stability? You showing up is going to be emotional enough, don’t you think?”
“Yes, you’re right.” Remy got out and helped Tamian move Nash to the back of Lorenzo’s SUV.
Lorenzo closed the hatch once they had the male situated and covered. “I had Henry look up the couple while we were driving. Elias and Anna Weber are the current owners of the address Nash gave you. According to the satellite image, the property is considered a farm, and it’s on approximately seven acres. There are other houses around but not so close we should have trouble. How do you want to handle this?”<
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“Remy and I will use the driveway. If someone happens to stop us before we make it to the house, I’ll say we’re tourists and got turned around. If we don’t meet with resistance, we’ll take the front door. Leo, I want you to stay with Nash. The wolfsbane should keep him paralyzed for a while, but I don’t want to take any chances of him coming around and causing trouble. Lor, you, Pierre, and Santiago will surround the house in case they try to leave either out the back or through a window. With Elias being Gargoyle, he could take to the sky in an attempt to escape. You will park on the road and come in from the sides and back. Remy and I will leave our swords in the car, but the three of you should be armed just in case. Be ready to rush to our aid if you hear me call for you. I doubt Weber will give us any trouble since he shouldn’t be expecting us.”
With a plan in place, they drove the rest of the way. The closer they got, the antsier Remy and his beast became. His Gargoyle wanted to be turned loose, but Remy kept it right at the surface. Once the others were in place, Tamian was able to drive up to the house without anyone coming to see who the strange vehicle belonged to. It was eerily quiet as they made their way to the front door. No voices were talking inside the house. Remy reached out with his senses searching for his mate. It didn’t take long for her heartbeat to reach his ears. There were two other beings inside, but they weren’t his Isla. He’d slept next to her enough times to know how her blood pulsed through her body. Remy fisted his hands to keep his claws from extending. Tamian rang the doorbell. It took almost a minute before footsteps sounded from inside. By the heaviness, Remy could tell it was a male. Since there were only three people in the house, he was ready for Elias to open the door.
“Can I help you?” The male who opened the door, wearing silk pajamas and house slippers, appeared to be in his late thirties, but his countenance was much older.
Remy pushed his way inside. “Where is she? Isla!” A strong hand gripped Remy’s shoulder, but Remy jerked out of the male’s hold. “Where is my mate?”
“I think you must have the wrong house. There’s no one here but my wife and me.”
“I know you’re lying. I can feel her heartbeat. Isla!”
Elias’s eyes flickered toward the stairs. Before he could take a step, Tamian clamped down on the male’s bicep.
“We have your home surrounded. If you don’t want to lose your head, you will let Isla go.”
“Elias, what’s going on?” a woman asked. Remy assumed she was Anna.
“Nothing to worry about. Go back to bed.”
“No, don’t,” Tamian commanded. “Where is Isla?”
Anna’s fear was tangible as she looked to Elias. “Who? There’s no one here but my husband and me.” Her voice shook, and her hands grasped her robe tighter around her chest.
“You’re lying. I know my mate is somewhere in this house. I can feel her heart beating!”
Anna turned and rushed up the stairs. Remy chased after her. Elias yelled for Remy to stop, but he didn’t. He trusted Tamian to keep the male from catching him. Remy caught up with Anna at the top of the stairs. She attempted to slip into a bedroom, but Remy was quicker.
“Isla!” Remy yelled. He didn’t need to since his mate was a Gargoyle, but he wanted to make sure she heard him.
“Remy?” A faint voice sounded from above.
“Where the fuck is my mate?” Remy turned to Anna, his claws and fangs out.
“Anna! Don’t you fucking touch her!” Elias yelled from downstairs.
The front door opened, then Remy heard Lorenzo’s voice telling the male to stand down if he wanted to keep his head. Remy’s beast was the flutter of a butterfly’s wing away from bursting through. Anna must have sensed his anger because she pointed to a door behind him. He didn’t trust the woman, so he gestured to the hallway. “After you.”
Anna, wide-eyed, skirted around Remy, keeping her eyes on him as she moved to the door she’d indicated. A door which was thick steel and locked from the outside.
“You have five seconds to get that godsdamned door open before I send you downstairs where three sharp swords await.”
“I-I have t-to get th-the keys,” Anna stuttered.
“Then get them.” Remy’s patience was gone. “Isla? I’m here, my love. Hold on.”
“Remy? Is that really you?”
“Yes, it’s me. Are you okay?” Remy kept an eye on Anna as she retrieved a set of keys from the dresser in her bedroom.
“I’m okay.” Isla’s voice wobbled.
Anna’s hands shook as she tried to put the key in the first lock. Since Remy didn’t know which key went to which lock, he waited, trying not to growl at the female. As soon as the last lock was undone, Remy pushed the female out of the way, none too gently, and pulled the heavy door open. The most beautiful sight Remy had ever seen was rushing down the steps. When Isla saw Remy, she grabbed hold of the rail, catching herself. “Remy?”
“Isla!” Remy opened his arms and caught his mate as she launched herself at him.
“Oh, gods! I can’t believe it’s really you.” Isla’s words were muffled against Remy’s throat. “Rain’s…” Isla sobbed so hard her body shook.
“Rain’s safe. He’s with some friends, but our son is safe.”
Isla jerked back, tears streaming down her pale face. “What? No. Nash said—”
“Nash lied. To both of us. Look.” Remy pulled his phone out of his pocket and opened it to his photos. “See? He’s back in the States with my new Clan. He’s going to be so happy to see you.”
“He’s really alive?” Isla hiccupped, her pale blue eyes shining through the tears.
“He is. And as soon as we deal with your captors, I’ll take you to him.” Remy picked his mate up and started down the steps.
“No! I can’t leave.” Isla slapped Remy’s arm.
“What? You want to stay here?” Was this some Stockholm Syndrome bullshit?
“Of course not. Look.” Isla held up her arm. There was a silver band around her wrist. “If I go outside, this shocks me.”
Remy growled low in his chest. “Just outside or outside this room?”
“Outside the house.”
Remy strode down the steps. Anna was nowhere to be seen, but her voice was coming from downstairs mixed with Elias’s and Tamian’s. When Remy and Isla reached the front room where the couple was surrounded by Tamian and the others, Isla ducked her head against Remy’s neck.
Remy continued until he was just outside the circle. “Where is the key to remove this cuff?”
“We don’t have it. The man who brought her here took it with him,” Elias said, tipping his chin up. Lorenzo pressed the tip of his blade to Anna’s throat. “Stop! I swear to you, we don’t have the key.”
Tamian placed a hand on Lorenzo’s wrist. “He’s telling the truth.” The male walked over to where Remy was holding Isla. “May I?” he asked Remy permission to touch his mate.
“Yes. Please.”
Tamian gently took Isla’s hand in his and studied the cuff. “Does this shock you?” he asked Isla.
“Yes, but only if I go outside.”
Tamian took a picture of the band. “I’m sending the picture to my uncle. He might recognize it.” Remy assumed Tamian was referring to Jonas Montague. The male was a doctor, but he was also a scientist who created amazing gadgets like prosthetics and voice modulators for his family to use when they worked as watchers.
“Wait. He said the man who brought Isla here.” Remy turned to Elias. “What’s the male’s name?”
“I’m not telling you shi—” Lorenzo once again pointed his sword at Anna who cried out when the tip punctured her skin.
“Nash! His name is Nash Hogan.”
Tamian tapped his phone and placed it against his ear. “Leo, check Nash’s pockets for a small key. It should be octagonal in shape.”
“Nash did this?” Isla asked.
Remy cradled his mate tighter to his chest. “I’m afraid so, but it gets worse.”
>
Tamian focused on Isla as he spoke to Leonardo. “Excellent. Please drive to the house.” When he disconnected, he smiled at Remy. “There’s an odd-shaped key on a chain around Nash’s neck.”
Remy walked Isla away from the others. “Before we go outside, there’s something we need to talk about. Nash admitted to selling you to the Webers. He said he did it because your father wanted you and Rain dead.”
Chapter Six
“What?” Isla trembled, her eyes filling once again with tears. “Dead? But why?”
“Because of me. Because I don’t have Original blood, and you mated outside your ‘station.’ He said Felix didn’t want his heir to be anything other than pure blooded. Nash said both he and Felix refused their true mates for the same reason. I don’t know whether or not to believe him. Nash said he faked your deaths and sent someone else’s ashes to your father. He delivered you to Craven. You and Rain both.”
“But you said Rain was safe!”
“He is, Sweetheart. I promise he is. Now. I don’t know all the details or timing. I don’t know why Craven turned you back over to Nash when he did. We didn’t get that far into our interrogation of Nash before we found out where you were. I had to get to you first. Answers were secondary.”
“But my father…” Isla shook her head. “And my mother? Does she know all this? No, she can’t. She wouldn’t…”
“Do you think she knows she isn’t his true mate?”
“She has to. At least I would think so.”
“Remy, here’s the key.” Tamian held it out, and Remy took the small object hanging from a chain. He placed Isla on her feet, then unlocked the cuff from her wrist. He handed the metal and key back to Tamian before rubbing his mate’s wrist gently.
“How do you want to handle this?” Tamian asked, gesturing to the couple still held at bay with swords pointed at them.