by Sydney Addae
“Kim or anyone else here,” the old man said evasively.
“How’s it going?” David asked Sarita.
“Okay. Kim is really good.”
“So are you,” he encouraged.
“Not like this. I never knew she was this good. Kinda feel like all those years I was friends with a different person. She’s cold, distant to me now. I don’t understand why, if anything I have a reason to be angry with her.”
His heart went out to her. “Maybe the pressure’s getting to her. Grandfather’s here. He doesn’t want me to ask questions about Kim.”
“What’s he doing here? Never mind, I’m coming. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him.”
“Still the same, speaks in riddles, won’t give a straight answer,” David said while smiling at the old man.
“Hey, he was always nice to me,” she said.
“Never said he wasn’t nice.”
Sarita walked through the door.
Grandfather’s eyes lit up as he stood with outstretched arms. “The sweetest pup has returned, I’m glad to see you,” he said hugging her and then looked her over from top to bottom. “Heavy lines, I see. That’s good.” He released her after placing a kiss on her cheek. “Good for the Pack.”
“Why?” David wasn’t surprised the old man could see the vines beneath Sarita’s top. Grandfather could do things no one else could. He’d always had a good relationship with the Elder and didn’t expect that to ever change.
Sarita sat next to David and took his hand while watching Grandfather.
“She’s blessed, that’s why,” Grandfather said as if it was common knowledge. “Her lineage, you know the story.”
“We know the story,” David said. “Have heard it many, many, many times.”
Sarita chuckled. “That’s a lot of times.”
“Seems like it. Don’t let him off the hook, try to get a straight answer,” David said.
“If you know the story, you understand why it’s a blessing to have her in the Pack to protect the future. Our future,” Grandfather said.
Sarita stopped smiling. “What do you mean?”
“Pups are the future.” Grandfather’s gaze flicked between them.
“Of course. But there’s not an Alpha on the planet who wouldn’t give their life to protect pups,” David said. “That’s why I’m confused as to what exactly Sarita has to do with that.”
She nodded and squeezed David’s hand.
Grandfather stared at their joined hands and shook his head. “True. It’s in a mam’s DNA to protect her pups. If Salah’s Alpha had been protecting her pup he wouldn’t have died that day long ago.” He pursed his lips. “You’re here searching for rogues who’re breeding bitches for pups, true or false?” he asked David.
David sensed Sarita’s surprise. “Is that true?” she asked him.
“Partly,” he told her and met Grandfather’s gaze. “Our goal for being in Canada was to meet several Packs, gather information and gauge interests in joining the Canadian Packs with ours. We learned of the rogues and the possibility of them operating a breeding farm but have never been able to confirm it. Do you know more about it?” he pressed.
Grandfather waved his hand as if the question disinterested him. “This isn’t new, it’s been going on since the Liege, maybe before that on a smaller scale. Saving our pups, keeping them safe has been a constant battle for decades. Why do you think Silas never traveled and kept his pups under lock and key? He didn’t trust anyone else to keep you safe. It wasn’t until all of you were much older, able to defend yourselves that he allowed you more freedom and started traveling himself.” He pointed to Sarita. “Same for you little one. We all took precautions, but some haven’t been as fortunate. Ask Jackie and Quinn, they’ve dealt with it firsthand. It’s still going on.”
David remembered Jackie’s retelling of how she and Quinn met. It had to do with saving pups. Quinn’s uncle and his mate were still heavily involved with rescuing pups and returning them to their dens. David had no idea it was this big and wondered if his parent were aware of the magnitude of the problem.
“If pups are being taken or harmed, David and I will help in any way possible,” Sarita said, drawing David’s attention.
“It’s not an if, little one. Many are in danger and you’ll be needed to help.” He looked at David. “So will you.”
“I support her in whatever she needs to do,” David said automatically, as he tried to read Grandfather’s expression.
“Of course, as mates, that’s what you do. There will be times when she’ll need your help, especially with these breeding camps.” Grandfather stroked his chin. “There are quite a few dis-placed pups who need to be returned to their sires and others who will be adopted. Soon as we get this fight out the way, you can get started.”
“You know Nadira?” Sarita asked eagerly.
“I know of her,” Grandfather said. “Trouble with a capital ‘T’.”
David wasn’t surprised and believed the upcoming fight with Nadira was the real motive for Grandfather’s appearance.
“David already fought her,” Sarita said and shared David’s recent adventure in the mountain.
“Since your mate is familiar with her moves that will come in handy during the fight.” David met his grandfather’s gaze but still didn’t speak.
“Yes. They’ve been working with me, trying to get me ready.” She stared at Grandfather. “I don’t want to fight. I mean, I understand I have to or she’ll kill me, but...” she shrugged. “What should I do?”
“Fight like your life depends on it,” he said in a kind tone. “Because it does.”
Sarita leaned back and stood slowly. “In that case, I need to get back to practicing. Goodbye, Grandfather, it was great seeing you again.” She kissed the old man on the cheek and then kissed David. “See you soon.”
David wondered if Sarita and Kim would practice or if Isodora planned to work with her. They’d been there a few hours and time wasn’t necessarily on their side. His father should be at the camp by now, which meant Nadira would be nearby.
“You’re worried,” Grandfather said watching him.
Unsure if worry was the right emotion, David shrugged. He’d seen Sarita’s reaction when threatened and believed she would do a lot better against Nadira than any of them believed. Practicing with family didn’t show her full abilities. Sarita doubted herself, and still tried to shield or protect him by not using their connection.
“Concerned is a better word.”
Grandfather nodded. “Totally understandable. Have faith. There’s more to your mate than either of you can see. Believe in the strength of your bond.” Grandfather patted his hand and walked away.
ISODORA RE-ENTERED the room with Sarita after Grandfather left and spoke to David. “Come, I want to show both of you something.”
David had been reading a book on the history of Salah the Blessed and was fascinated by the details of her exploits throughout the years. According to the book, Salah rescued thousands of pups over the centuries from drownings, falls, hunter’s traps, experiments, extreme abuse, starvation and more. He’d been shortsighted and assumed Salah’s people only went after groups like the Liege. But their mission was broader than that, this group saved pups from every kind of danger.
He stood and set the book aside as Sarita reached him. “You okay?” he asked her as they followed Isodora down the hall.
“Yeah, I’m learning new things.”
He took her hand, wishing he could infuse her with his confidence that they’d be win against any threat when they worked together. It had always been that way. No matter what project they worked together on, in school or not, they clicked into an unbeatable unit.
Isodora stopped and looked at them. “Where we’re going you have to be connected to Shala’s bloodline to enter.” One moment they stood in the hall, the next they were in a large, brightly colored room with several pups and attendants watching indulgently.
“These are a few pups we rescued and haven’t found their dens yet.” Isodora looked, at Sarita. “This is who we are and what we do. We save the next generation from extinction. You haven’t noticed the decline of pups in your country because your Alpha and his mate are very protective of their entire pack. That is not the case on other continents, although Alpha Barticus is making great strides.” She waved them forward, they stepped inside the room where the pups could see them.
“This area is restricted to Salah’s descendants and those who serve the order. The next time you come, you’ll be able to bring your mate with you, just as I brought you this time,” Isodora said.
Sarita nodded as a toddler waddled over to her holding a toy in one hand and something else in the other. Smiling the pup started talking and then giggling as Sarita stooped to tickle his round belly.
Most of the pups stopped and stared at them. Several ran to Isodora with their hands lifted, she picked up a couple while laughing and speaking in a different language to the others.
“I understand what she’s saying,” Sarita told David, excited as she stood. “How’s that work? I don’t even know what language she’s speaking but I understand it. She’s telling them how special they are and how blessed she is to see them again.”
“It’s coming to me through you,” David said surprised. “I’m beginning to understand too.” He watched Sarita with the pups and thought one day they’d start their den. His breath caught at the smile on her face as she accepted a kiss from the toddler. One day she’d hold their pup like that. The idea made his heart burst with pride. Two small pups ran to David and held up their hands. He picked them up and smiled at them.
“Are you my sire? Come to take me home?” One of the bright-eyed pups asked David.
Touched, David brushed a kiss against the pup’s forehead. “No little one, we’re still seeking your mam and sire. I’m sure they’re seeking you as well.”
The pup leaned back and gazed deep into David’s eyes for several seconds as if weighing his words. “Okay.”
With another smile, David put both pups down as he and Sarita followed Isodora out the room.
They stopped in front of a wall with a huge glass partition, allowing them to see inside the room. David’s heart broke at the misery and suffering he saw.
“This is the infirmity,” Isodora said in a soft voice. “Unfortunately, there are more pups here than in the other. Often, we find pups maimed, malnourished, dehydrated, burned, broken, seriously wounded... it’s inhumane what’s done to them either through negligence or for being different or with criminal intent.”
Sarita moved closer to the glass and watched caregivers move around the room checking on the pups. “There are so many of them,” she whispered, surprised. Heart-aching, she pointed to the incubated ones. “Some are so tiny Look at the small arm and leg casts.” She gazed at several pups and reached for David’s hand as she counted 53 pups in the room.
He took it and stood next to her. “I had no idea. My parents have no idea,” he said surprised by the number of patients. He looked at Isodora. “Is this the only place for the sick?” he asked.
“No. We have a critical care ward, a mental ward and a place for older pups.”
“What happens to them after they’re better?” Sarita asked as she wiped away tears.
“If we cannot locate their den, we train and care for them until they are able to care for themselves. Many remain here to help as teachers, caregivers, administrators, you’ve seen them with Salas’ mark on their foreheads. Some go away to college and return as doctors, dentists, therapists. All of our medical staff are pups who were saved by our order,” she said with pride. “Others return to the country we found them or any place of their choice.”
David marveled at the undertaking and wondered how they remained undetected. Humbled he nodded and locked gazes with a small pup with his arm in a cast. “What do you think happened to him, the little one on the second row?” he asked Sarita.
“I don’t want to guess. I just want to hug and cuddle him, he looks so sad and alone,” Sarita said inching closer to the glass. “My heart’s breaking, David. We’ve been so blessed. Our pack is blessed. Can you believe this is happening, and we’ve lived in a bubble... how could we not know about this?”
“No one’s told us about this,” he said.
She looked at him. “Are you sure? Do you think grandfather knew?”
The question surprised him. “There’s not much he doesn’t know. Same for the Goddess.” He rubbed his chin. “I don’t think my parents have any idea pups are being damaged to this degree. When you came to live with us, back then the Liege did this kind of thing. Between my dad, Alpha Barticus, and your parents, the Liege was shut down. Pups were returned. Maybe they missed some or this kind of abuse is random and targeted. I don’t know.” He met her troubled gaze. “One thing for sure, we know now.” He knew with absolute certainty his future was intertwined with hers in working to solve this problem.
Sarita met his gaze and nodded. “We know now.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
DARKNESS HAD FALLEN by the time Silas and Cain reached the campground. Tyrese and Tyrone had sent the coordinates and explained how the camp was situated. The Knights surrounded the area and were assigned to the largest building with several sleeping bags. The couples each had a cabin and for the most part had turned in.
“I’ll be there after I eat and shower,” Silas told Jasmine.
“Okay. Everything go okay?” she asked.
Isodora’s representatives met Silas to explain the challenge and then the battle process. Before they could finish their explanation, Nadira appeared.
“I challenge the seed of Hanna to an extermination battle over the mistaken death of their mam.”
The moment she finished speaking a barrier surrounded her and she disappeared.
“How much time before the challenge?” Silas asked understanding the formalities of the challenge had just been met.
“The window is 36 hours,” the attendant said. “By making the challenge first, Nadira is entitled to a safe place of preparation. She will not interfere with anyone nor will anyone interfere with her until the challenge begins. Once it begins, it must continue until death claims Hanna’s seed or Nadira.”
“I suppose. Nadira just started the clock, the challenge takes place within 36 hours,” he told Jasmine.
“Bitch.”
He grunted. “Yeah and not in a good sexy way.”
She laughed and gave him directions to the dining hall.
Silas had fought too many challenges in his lifetime to misunderstand the implications of what was going to happen. He just didn’t like it. Losing Sarita wasn’t an option. The Priestess said interfering would allow Nadira to win, the Goddess instructed him that couldn’t happen. She’d been very clear in her instructions. Nadira could not return to the States with them. Cain’s death would kill Nadira, but that wasn’t an option either.
Hawke, Asia, David, Jasmine, hell any of them would step in to avoid Sarita being killed by this witch. And he was right there with them. Not that Jasmine or any of them would listen. He knew she’d burn brighter than ever if it looked like Sarita was losing. What to do? Nadira trained as a warrior most of her life. But so had David.
Tired, he and Cain headed toward the dining hall. Inside they grabbed food and drinks and sat at a long table. Neither spoke. Moments later Hawke entered, grabbed a bottle of water and sat next to him. “What am I going to do?” Hawke asked. “That’s my little girl.”
Silas had been thinking along those lines himself. “I know. She’s the daughter of my heart and Jasmine’s as well. One thing for certain, we will not allow her to die by Nadira’s hands. My word on that.” Whatever it cost him, saving Sarita was worth it.
&
nbsp; Tyrese and Tyrone walked in, greeted him, grabbed a bottle of water and sat down.
“Did you learn anything new?” Tyrese asked looking at Cain and then Silas.
“The Liege altered her personality.” Silas told them what he discovered, the discussions on the boat and ended with her making the challenge.”
Adam, Quinn, and Storm entered and took seats. Silas continued eating as the others talked about Canada, the mountains, local Packs, everything except the impending battle.
“David?” Silas asked during a lull in the conversation.
“He and Sarita are with the High Priestess. David says it’s a cool place,” Adam said. “Grandfather showed up.”
Storm snorted, sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.
Tyrese chuckled over Storm’s antics. Everyone knew Storm and his grandfather didn’t get along. It had taken Renee a week to talk Storm into agreeing to invite the old man to the wedding. Grandfather would’ve shown up regardless and no one would’ve said or done anything.
“No big surprise there,” Tyrone said.
Silently, Silas agreed.
“Maybe he knows something that can help,” Adam said looking at the others.
Storm snorted. “If he knows he won’t be able to tell. What good is that?”
“True,” Tyrone said looking at Cain. “Is Nadira good?”
They all looked at Cain expectantly.
“Good?”
“A good fighter?” Tyrone qualified.
“Yes, she is.” Cain nodded as if in deep thought. “Very selfish and sees this as her get out of jail card.” He looked at each of them. “She uses energy with finesse, is a decent conjurer, fairly decent with a blade.” He looked at Silas. “Will they use weapons?”
“I don’t know.”
“Everything was primitive in the cave, only saw her with a sharp blade she’d created out of something.”
“David said she had a succubus vibe going on,” Adam said. “Anyway to backfire that, use it as a distraction?”