Mercy paled. “Taking out half of their members would put the Seven back eons. Maybe more, if it takes a long time to replace the fallen members.” She stood and grasped Karma’s hands. “You know the Kurjans. Would they do such a thing? It would mean certain war with the Realm and the demons.”
Karma’s lips trembled. “The Seven attacked first. They charged into Kurjan territory, and the Kurjans could claim they were just defending themselves.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Mercy said. “There is no way the Realm and the demons wouldn’t declare war over this. No way.”
Karma leaned forward, desperation chilling her very bones. “The Kurjans don’t know that. They won’t understand, I think.” She really wasn’t sure what Dayne would choose to do. “If Dayne’s loyalty truly is to Ulric, and I believe it is, he’ll do what he has to for Ulric to succeed. That means weakening the Seven at any cost, even if it means war.”
Mercy shook her head. “That doesn’t make sense.”
Karma grabbed Mercy’s hands this time. “You don’t understand. Ulric is their spiritual leader. Their prophet and their god. Dayne has lived his entire life preparing for Ulric’s return.”
Mercy bit her lip. “I’m not sure what to do. We could call in Zane, but that’d be a disaster.”
Karma released her and sat back. “I do not know, either.”
Mercy looked back at the Kurjan encampment, where very little movement showed. “I trust Logan,” she said softly. “You trust Benny, and we both know Garrett is a badass. I’m sure Sam is in good enough shape to fight for his life, and now that his brother is there, he’ll gain twice the strength. You’ve never seen those guys together.”
Karma tried to pull faith from Mercy’s words. “You’re saying we need to let them continue their mission?” The males wouldn’t survive the following night. She just knew it.
“We either trust them or we don’t. I do,” Mercy said reverently.
Karma couldn’t swallow over the lump in her throat.
Linda popped up next to her, and she fought a yelp. The ghost looked the worse for wear, if that was even possible. “We have a problem.”
“I know,” Karma murmured. “They’ve taken the Seven hostage.”
Mercy angled her neck to stare at the air around Karma. “That is so weird. I can’t see or hear anything. Did she track the guys?”
Linda leaned forward, her eyes blazing. “I didn’t see anybody, but I discovered General Jaydon’s plans. He’s going to duplicate Ulric’s ritual and make himself invincible.”
Karma swayed on her feet. Her head spun. “What?” Her voice trembled.
Linda’s hair shook around her too-pale face. “Yes. He’s going to murder a hundred enhanced females, and the way he made it sound, the younger the better. His obsession will get our girls killed.”
Mercy cleared her throat. “What did she say?”
Linda struggled but soon disappeared from sight.
Oh, God. Now Karma really didn’t have a choice about going back. She had to save her girls. “Nothing. Linda has been watching the encampment but didn’t see the Seven.” Karma was going to have to call Terre herself. He’d trade her for the Seven, even if he had to go around Dayne to do it. “It’ll be okay, Mercy. Trust me.”
* * * *
Benny woke up strapped to a chair in what appeared to be a cement-block building lacking any windows. A lone bulb hung from the ceiling, barely illuminating the room, while a heavy-looking wooden table rested again the opposite wall. He tested the bindings holding his arms behind his back and then the ones securing his ankles to the metal chair, which seemed to be attached to the floor. His head pounded, and the coppery taste of blood lingered at the back of his tongue.
“You’re awake.” The voice sounded young.
He turned his head to see a Kurjan teenager lounging on the dirt floor with his back to the wall, a game console in his large hands. The kid had long black hair, greenish eyes, and a bored expression. “Who are you?”
“Who are any of us?” The kid grinned and set the game aside. “You’re one of the Seven.”
“I am,” Benny affirmed. “Even have the multiple cuts across my hand to prove it.”
The kid nodded. “I saw. Those happened in the ritual, right? When you became brothers?” He cocked his head, the intelligence in his eyes obvious.
“Yeah. Deep enough to scar.” Benny looked around for an escape route, but there was only one door. “Why no windows?”
“Who needs windows?” The kid glanced at his watch. “It’s after dark, and clouds have covered the moon, so there’s nothing to see.”
Benny’s chin dropped. “I was out all day?”
“Yeah. Those sedatives are a little strong.” The kid stood and stretched his neck. He had to be a few inches over six feet tall—maybe more. He seemed to be around sixteen or perhaps a year older.
“Who are you?” Benny asked. “You should always give your name before you torture somebody.”
The kid yawned. “My name is Drake, but I’m not going to torture you. It’s not my thing.” He slapped Benny on the shoulder and loped toward the door. “While torture is certainly part of the world in which we live, I’d rather do anything else. Life’s too short, right?”
“I’ve found life to be pretty long,” Benny admitted, testing the ties at his wrists again. Pretty damn solid.
“Well, that’s probably about to change.” Drake glanced over his shoulder at Benny. “It appears that you’re the most expendable in the group right now.”
“I figured,” Benny said. It was odd to meet the next generation of the enemy. The kid was calculating and arrogant. “Where are my friends?”
Drake shrugged. “Garrett is with my dad, Dayne. Logan is with Jaydon, and Sam is unconscious again.” He sighed. “You get my Uncle Terre, and I have to tell you that the scent of Karma is all over you. I’m guessing that since your mating mark is still dark, you didn’t mate her. But you’re definitely going to pay for touching her.”
“Why is that?” Benny asked softly, the animal deep down swelling.
The door opened. “Because she’s mine.” Terre strode inside, the red tips of his black hair sharp and bloody-looking. His face was paler than the kid’s and his eyes more purple than green. He was several inches taller than Drake, and his chest was broad and muscled. “A fact we are going to discuss at length.”
Drake strode toward the door. “Good luck, Benjamin Reese. It was nice to meet you.” Then he was gone.
Terre shut the door. “My nephew is bored by such banalities as torture. He’s a strategic genius, however, and I have no doubt he’ll someday be responsible for bringing down the entire Realm.”
“I can see he’s a thinker,” Benny agreed, testing his ankles this time. Nope. Solidly in place. “I’m extremely disappointed that you resorted to using sedatives like you were big game hunting. The Kurjans of old never would have admitted their fighting weaknesses in such a manner.” True story. “It’s just so wimpy of you.”
Terre placed a black bag on the table and drew out a cattle prod. A short one with a wide head. “We’re in a bit of a time crunch, unfortunately.” He turned toward Benny and ignited the burning end. “Remember this?”
Benny lifted a shoulder. “Sure. Although I believe I didn’t tell you jack shit last time we were together. In fact, if I remember correctly, I ended up escaping along with a very pretty blonde. What was her name?”
Terre’s lips peeled back. “Right. I smell her all over you. Don’t tell me it was just a one-night stand.” Fury burned in his face, turning his way-too-white cheeks a blood-colored red. His movements were jerky and his breathing harsh. “Where is she?”
Interesting. It was telling that Terre’s first question was about Karma and not the Seven. Benny forced a smile. “Unfortunately, the lovely blonde is buried beneath a ton of r
ubble. That’ll teach you to bring down mountains.”
“Liar,” Terre said, almost conversationally. “I’ve been concerned about that, but her scent is fresh on you. Very.” He casually placed the burning poker on Benny’s knee.
Benny sucked in the pain and fought a growl as the smell of his burning flesh filled the too-small room. “She borrowed this shirt the night we spent together. Or was it daytime? You know, I think it was both.” His voice remained level, although the pain in his leg was lancing down to his bound ankles. “Yeah. That’s right. It was all day and all night.” He met Terre’s gaze evenly. “Why did you have to bomb our mountain and kill her?” If nothing else, he’d get Karma free of this bastard.
Terre smiled, and damn if his canines didn’t look even longer. “She’s not dead. I would know it, somehow. She’s been teasing me for centuries, and I’m this close to finally having her. Just think of the sons that female will give me. Although she is certainly going to pay for sleeping with you—whether she consented or not.”
Anger centered Benny even more. “You know, Terre? You’re a complete douche. I’m going to enjoy killing you.”
Terre lifted the prod away, and the swish of cool air over Benny’s damaged flesh brought still more pain. A knock sounded on the door, and Terre paused, frowning. “I said I was not to be disturbed.”
The kid poked his head in, obviously not worried about the disruption. “Thought you should know. Karma is on the line and has offered to trade herself for the Seven. The techs are trying to get a bead on her location right now.” He disappeared.
Everything inside Benny went cold and then raging hot. Damn it. What the hell was Karma thinking?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Drake settled down on his cot, finishing his game. The Seven were impressive, and not one of the males had shown an ounce of fear at being captured. Of course, they were probably accustomed to being tortured. Someday he was going to make the Kurjan nation so strong that nobody would ever dare try to infiltrate a Kurjan holding. It was the only way to guarantee peace and prosperity for his people, and he’d do it. No matter what it took.
Sighing, he closed his eyes for the mandatory five hours of sleep he needed to train effectively in the morning. Peace could only be achieved through battle, a fact he accepted easily.
The sun warmed him with soft purple rays as the ocean rolled in, a lighter pink mixed with aqua this time. He looked around to see Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood sitting on a rock, watching him. She got prettier every year with her extraordinary blue eyes, thick, curly brown hair—and elfin features. In fact, her eyes were so blue they were almost violet, much like his people’s coloring. Was it a coincidence? He didn’t think so. “Hello.”
“Hi.” She wasn’t smiling. “I believe you have three of my uncles in your cells.”
He kept his expression blank. “Interesting. Why would you say that?”
She jumped down and stomped toward him, her bare feet leaving perfect indentations in the greenish-colored sand. She wore white cutoff shorts, a blue tank top, and sparkly earrings. Her toes were painted a lovely shade of pink. “I know you have Sam, Logan, and Garrett. They’re my uncles, Drake.” She put both hands on her hips and leaned up into his face.
God, she was beautiful. So he kissed her. She tasted like bubblegum and sugar, and she kissed him back, her eyelids closing. It was as close to heaven as he’d ever get. Then he released her, watching carefully. Cataloguing. Did she like the kiss?
She blushed and stepped back. “Well.” Her voice was hoarse. “Where are my uncles?”
He shrugged, his mind reeling from the kiss. Oh, he’d kissed other girls, but this one was special. “I have no idea. Why would you think we have them?” The Seven were a danger to the world, and his people had no choice but to eliminate the threat so Ulric could rule again. It was foretold.
“I dreamed about them being in Kurjan cells,” she spat, looking even more gorgeous when she was mad.
His hands itched to grab her and kiss her again, so he slipped them into his jeans pockets. He needed Hope to stay on his side for as long as possible. “I don’t know anything about your uncles or any cells, Hope. The Realm and the demon nation have made enemies of everyone. So if your uncles are in cells, they could be anywhere.” He had to fulfill his duties, and if lying to her was necessary, so be it.
She huffed out air. “You know they’re part of the Seven, and I know that you know about the Seven. So stop playing dumb.”
Surprising. She knew about the Seven? He glanced at the prophecy mark winding down her neck. “What else do you know?” he asked. “Do you see Ulric returning? Do you see a final ritual? What can you envision?”
She took a step away from him. “Most of that is murky.” She hugged her arms around herself. “However, I do see that if you ever lie to me, I won’t forgive you. Since you and I are supposed to change the world, you might want to remember that fact.”
He had no problem lying to get the right result. It was nice for her that she lived in a different world and had the luxury of honesty all the time, but lives were at stake here. Important ones. “I don’t know a thing about your uncles, but I’ll see what I can find out for you. I promise.”
Her stance relaxed. “Okay.”
Then Paxton Phoenix walked down the beach, having appeared from around a series of rocks. The vampire-demon hybrid was finally starting to fill out, at least in the chest area. He’d grown to a couple of inches over six feet, and his black hair was shaggy around his ears.
“What is he doing here?” Drake asked, feeling a rare need for battle sing through his veins.
Hope watched Paxton walk toward them. “He’s sleeping in my room at home. It seems that the only time I can create dream worlds is when he’s nearby.”
Well, that was interesting. Drake waited until Paxton had reached them. “This is becoming a habit,” he said quietly.
Paxton looked from him to Hope. “Why are we here?”
Hope pushed her hair away from her face. “I don’t know. I fell asleep, and here we are. Drake is going to try to help us find my uncles.”
Paxton’s gaze narrowed on Drake. “Sure, he is.”
Drake fought a smile. The hybrid was much less trusting than Hope, which was unfortunate. Years ago, they’d almost been friends. There was no doubt someday they’d be enemies. Such was the way of life, according to his research. “How’s life, Paxton? You still with your uncle and his nice group of lunatics?”
Hope swung her gaze toward Paxton. “What’s he talking about? Your Uncle Santino has crazy friends?” She rocked back on her heels. “I know he’s an odd scientist.”
Paxton looked at Drake. “What do you know about my uncle?”
Drake smiled. “More than you think we know. It’s nice to be on the same side.” The dream world began to fade away. Hope must be awakening. “If we have your uncles, I’ll help them escape, Hope. No matter what. We’ll see each other soon.” He awoke on his cot with the covers pushed off.
He glanced at the clock. It had barely been an hour since he’d shut his eyes. He idly wondered if the torture was still going on. Then he went back to sleep.
* * * *
Paxton awoke, still leaning against the wall beneath Hope’s bedroom window. “That’s the last time I’m agreeing to do this.”
She sat up in bed, and her hair flew forward onto her shoulders. After the summer, she still had golden highlights through the chestnut color, which brought out the violet hues in her blue eyes. “We can’t save the world like superheroes if we avoid the work.” Her voice was light and teasing with a hint of steel beneath.
“We’re not going to save the world with the Kurjans.” Paxton pushed to his feet. They were going to save the world from the Kurjans. It was okay that Hope didn’t want to give up her grand plan, but he wouldn’t lie to her just to make her happy.
Sh
e narrowed her gaze. In her cute yellow pajamas, she looked delicious and kissable. He’d thought about their one kiss whenever he’d gotten together with other girls, but nobody compared to Hope. Nobody ever would.
“Paxton? What was Drake talking about?” She reached over and tugged on the little chain to light the pink glass lamp by her bed.
“What do you mean?” He edged closer to the window, ready to head back home. It was getting too difficult to control his body with such a pretty girl so close. Sometimes being sixteen really sucked. He’d love to be in that bed with her.
“You know exactly what I mean,” she said, her stubborn look pinching her face. “About your uncle, his lunatic friends, and the fact that you’re on the same side now. You’ve never been on the same side as Drake. What was he messing with you over?”
Pax’s own temper stirred. “What was he messing with me over? You. Of course. It has always and will always be you, Hope. Drake and I can never be friends, we can never be on the same side, and we can never agree on the future because of you.”
Her perfect bow-shaped mouth opened slightly. “Me? Seriously?”
“Yeah,” he said. How could she not understand any of this? For an incredibly smart and insightful girl, she sure was clueless sometimes. “I think Drake has a vision of your future that you might not like, regardless of your fantasies about the two of you finding peace for everybody.”
“We will find peace,” she said, blushing a little bit. “All of us. You, too.”
If she thought he was going to hang around and watch her fall for a Kurjan, be with a Kurjan, she was nuts. Oh, there might be a good Kurjan or two out there, but Drake wasn’t one of them. Paxton knew that to his very being, and not just because they both liked the same girl. How was he going to protect her when she kept wearing blinders?
“Nice deflection,” she muttered. “Are you going to tell me or not?”
“Not,” he said quietly. “I’ll never lie to you, and I hope you know that. But I don’t have to tell you everything, either.” He was sure she didn’t tell him everything, and that might be a good thing. He really didn’t want to hear about her feelings for Drake or any other guys she might be dating.
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