“Too late. Ezares let Tessa and her brothers leave with the stone. They’re on the way to Santutegi now.”
Larina cursed softly. “That must be what the new mission is about.”
“What mission?” Adrian gripped the bars of his cell. “Larina, what do you know? Tell me.”
“I’ve been pulled from the Seer duty and assigned to some secret mission. An elite squad being sent to Santutegi tonight. We’re supposed to be airborne in two hours. Getting briefed on the way there.”
“You’re part of the team?”
She nodded. “Me and four others. Small team, high kill rate. We hoped we were going after Azotay or Criten but figured it was probably some low-level cell of Mendukati. Now I’m thinking we’re going after your girlfriend and her family. Prevent that stone from getting to Criten by whatever means necessary.”
Adrian released the bars and stepped back. “That means you’d be taking out the apaiz nagusi, an entire family of Seers, and the last Stone Singer.”
Larina frowned. “I can’t imagine they’d order us to go that far. Apprehend the Seers, secure the stone maybe. But not kill them. Especially not the Stone Singer. That would make us no better than the Mendukati.”
“Don’t underestimate my father’s ambition,” Adrian said. “He’s determined to be the man who brings down the Mendukati. Yes, taking the stone anywhere near Criten is a risk, but what if the Seers prevail? What if they’re able to bring the stones together and overpower Criten? Wouldn’t that be worth that risk?”
“A lot of ‘ifs’ in that sentence, A.”
“I know. But it’s better than assassinating our own allies.”
“You’re assuming that’s what our orders will be.”
“And you’re not? Come on, Larina. You can see the strategy laid out just like I can. If you factor in my father’s somewhat oversized ambition when it comes to preventing any further cataclysms, there’s no other way this can go. He’s going to remove any obstacles to his own agenda, even if those obstacles are direct descendants of Agrilara herself.”
“Agrilara? Seriously?” Larina gave a low whistle. “That wasn’t included in my dossier.”
“They’re basically the royalty of Seers. And my father is sending a hit squad after them.”
“You think,” she clarified. “You think that’s what he’s doing. Maybe we’re going in as backup for the Seers.”
“If that’s his angle, then why didn’t he make that offer when the Seers asked for the stone back? And why all the secrecy?” He paced the cell. “No, he’s pissed at them. They got the better of him, forced his hand by threatening the Ascension Stone. Plus, his own son helped them. No, he wants them gone. Trust me on this, Larina. I know my father.”
“I have a hard time thinking Ezares would do something like that.”
“Okay, try this. I have a twin brother.”
“Okay.” She lowered her brows in confusion. “And…?”
“When my father moved with the temple, he took me but left my brother behind with our mother.”
“So he’s not Dad of the Year. How does that prove anything?”
“My brother Gadeiros has made quite the name for himself.” Adrian stopped pacing. “He calls himself Azotay now.”
Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open. “Azotay? That’s your twin? Wait, didn’t your father order you to kill him?”
“He did. Which is my point. One of the reasons I am in here”—he indicated the cell—“is because Azotay dropped that bombshell on me during battle, and I refused to kill him.”
“So your dad sent you after your brother and didn’t even tell you he was your brother?”
“Now you’ve got it. Yes, me losing the battle did allow Azotay to get hold of one of the stones. That pisses me off, and I take full responsibility for it. But Ezares is taking things too far. He uses people and discards them when they’re no good to him anymore.” He came to the bars again, clenched his hands around them. “The only reason Judgment was not invoked on me is because they need a full Council vote to do it, and Evenor had fallen ill. But by tomorrow, I expect to be a drooling shadow of my former self, unless you help me.”
“This is crazy. This is all crazy.” She shook her head as if to clear it. “You’re asking me to go against Council orders and let an accused traitor out of his cell.”
“Is that what they’re saying about me now?” He gave a rueful smile. “I was wondering what story Ezares would cook up.”
“It’s hardly a story if it’s true,” Larina said. “You did help non-Warriors break into the treasury room and steal that stone.”
“Only to save lives. Larina, please help me. They’re going to die if I’m not there to prevent it.”
“How can you help them in your condition? No, A, I can’t.”
“Adrian,” he said.
“What?”
“My name is Adrian. You always call me ‘A.’”
“It was easier. Your father called you Atlas, you called yourself Adrian. ‘A’ seemed like a good compromise.”
“I’m done being Atlas Itzal. He was my father’s son. I’m Adrian Gray, my own man. That’s who I need to be to save the Seers and recover that stone.”
“It’s because of that girl, isn’t it? Damn it, A … Adrian. Isn’t treason a little far to go for a woman?”
“Not when she’s the woman. My destined mate. Once in a lifetime.”
“Yeah, yeah. So you said. How are you even going to help them? Your powers are bound.”
“I still have my training and my intellect. And knowledge of the Mendukati and Santutegi that they don’t have.”
“I must be as crazy as you for even considering this.”
“Larina, you and I both know that war means casualties.” Adrian held her gaze, willing her to believe his sincerity. “But this is murder for one man’s ambition. And that just isn’t right. Help me. Please.”
Long minutes passed as she considered him with narrowed eyes and pursed lips. He was counting on all their shared missions, all the times they’d had each other’s backs and saved each other’s lives, and even their interludes as on-again, off-again lovers, to override her training and sense of duty. It was a lot to ask—maybe too much—but he had to try. It was his only chance to get to Tessa.
“All right,” she said finally. “But I’m not going down for this. It has to look like you overpowered me.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Do you want out or don’t you? Just grab me through the bars and knock me out, then use my hand to open the cell.” She indicated the electronic hand plate on the door. “It’s the only way. I’m sure they wiped your template from the system already.”
“I’m sorry about this, Larina.”
She stood with her back to the door and folded her arms. “Just do it. And remember, you owe me one now. A big one.”
“Absolutely.” He slipped his arm through the door and hooked it around her neck, yanking her back against the cell door and tightening his hold to block the blood flow to her brain for the critical amount of seconds needed. She fell unconscious, and he caught her around her waist before she fell. He managed to snag her hand and flatten her palm against the hand plate. The lock clicked, and the door slid open.
He pulled Larina into the cell and laid her on the bunk. “Thank you,” he whispered into her ear. Then he took her car keys and access badge and ran out of the cell.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“How long have you known?” Darius demanded.
“A couple of days,” Faith said. He’d cornered her near the coffee machine on the far side of the lounge.
“And you didn’t think to tell me?” Darius raked a hand through his long hair. “Geez, Faith. You’re pregnant. You didn’t think I’d want to know?”
“Of course, I thought you’d want to know!”
“You’ve known for a couple of days, and you didn’t say anything. I had to find out from a stupid rock! If I’d known—”
“If you’d known, you wouldn’t have let me come along.”
“Damned right!”
“But you need me¸ Darius. The plan doesn’t work without me.” Faith glared right back at him.
“It’s not too late. I can send you home right now.”
Faith leaned in. “You need me.”
“Of course I do! I need you in my life, which is why I should send you home.”
“You need me on this mission to control the stones,” Faith corrected. “Unless you can produce another Stone Singer, I’m staying.”
“You know damned well you’re the only one there is,” he muttered.
“That’s right. So I’m staying.” She tilted her chin.
He stared her down for a few moments, and then his features softened. “I’d die if anything happened to you.”
“I’m surrounded by a bunch of trained killers, not to mention your brother, who can turn into one at the blink of an eye. No one’s going to get to me.”
He cupped her cheek. “That’s right. I won’t let that happen.”
“I won’t go home to sit by the phone. You need my skills on this one, Darius, whether you like it or not.”
“I don’t like it.” He sighed. “But you’re right. We do need you.”
“I promise not to go running into danger,” she said, the ferocity fading from her eyes. “I’m really happy staying on the plane and managing the stone, like we discussed. There will be a bunch of armed men between me and the Mendukati at all times, I promise.”
“And me.” He stroked his thumb over her cheek.
“That’s right, trained killers and you.” She covered his hand with hers. “I know we didn’t plan this—”
“Don’t.” He brought her hand to his lips. “I’m not unhappy about the baby, sweetheart, just surprised.” He chuckled. “The timing could have been better.”
She rolled her eyes. “Tell me about it.”
“Everything okay?” Rafe asked from across the room.
“Yeah,” Darius answered, not taking his eyes from Faith. “You’re going to be an uncle.”
“Hey, congratulations!” Rafe came over to clap his brother on the back. “You hear that, Tess? You’re going to be an aunt!”
“I heard,” Tessa said.
“Tessa was there when I found out,” Faith said. “So was Cara.”
The mention of Cara dimmed the joy in the room, a reminder of why they were there. The smile faded from Rafe’s face. “Tessa, any word from Gray?”
“No. And I haven’t been able to sense him either, not for hours.” She twisted her fingers together.
“That can’t be good,” Darius said.
“I am starting to get worried,” Tessa said. “I should be able to at least feel him out there.”
“The Warriors may have done something to him,” Darius said. “They were pretty pissed.”
“I know.” She rubbed her new focus stone between her fingers. Hearing her own trepidation spoken aloud made her fears seem more real.
“Well, we can’t wait much longer,” Rafe said. “We have to be in Santutegi by tomorrow, and it’s a long flight.”
“Call Mendez,” Darius said. “We might as well prepare for the possibility that Gray won’t show. Or might not be able to … for whatever reason.”
Rafe pulled out his cell phone just as Rigo and his men came back in.
“Hey,” Rigo said. “Look who we found.” He stepped out of the way to reveal Adrian in the doorway.
Her brothers and Faith rushed forward to greet Adrian, but Tessa held back. That place in her mind where Adrian usually lingered was silent, but he stood before her big as life. The mate link seemed intact. She let down her shields a little more. His thoughts drifted to her, much as a human’s would. Different than mind speaking, but something she could understand because of her gifts. It wasn’t speech so much as ideas. What was wrong with him? Why didn’t he talk to her directly?
“We didn’t know what was going on,” Rafe said. “Tessa was telling us that she couldn’t sense you anymore.”
Adrian nodded, his expression grave. “That’s because the Council bound my powers.”
“What?” Darius scowled. “What the hell does that mean?”
“It means that I no longer have the speed and strength of a Warrior,” Adrian said, glancing at Tessa, as if to gauge her reaction. “I can still be of use. I still have my fighting skills, and my knowledge of strategy and Santutegi, but I can’t Whisper or invoke Judgment. I’m just another soldier with human-level limitations.”
“Not good news, Gray,” Darius said. “We were counting on you being our edge in this.”
“I can still be an edge. I know the players and the country. I’m hoping you won’t bench me on this one.”
“We can use him,” Mendez said. “When we lay over in Bermuda, he can be on the seaplane with us to back you all up.”
“Good deal,” Rafe said. He looked at Adrian. “Does that work for you?”
“Fine with me. Like I said, I’ve still got skills.”
“Okay then.” Darius raised his voice. “Let’s get this party rolling, folks. Time to board.”
As everyone gathered their things and headed for the door, Adrian took Tessa’s arm and pulled her aside. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Look, what do you want from me?” she whispered, keeping an eye on the others filing out the door so they wouldn’t overhear. “My parents have been kidnapped, and there’s no guarantee any of us are coming back from this alive, much less with the stone intact.”
He peered into her eyes. “There’s more to it than that.”
Rafe’s voice echoed through her mind. Tessa, what’s the hold-up? Let’s go!
“Rafe wants us to get going.” She tried to step around him, but he snagged her arm.
“Tessa—”
“No.” She jerked away from him. “You lied to me.”
He reared back. “About what?”
“About your brother. You know, Azotay.” Guilt flickered in his eyes, and she turned away. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell your secret. Not unless I have to.”
She headed out to the tarmac without bothering to see if he was following.
* * *
Tension remained between Adrian and Tessa all the way to Santutegi. He tried to speak to her a couple of times, but she made it clear she wasn’t interested in anything he had to say.
How had she found out about Azotay? He knew how she felt about being lied to—that Luke guy had done a number on her. He should have told her about his brother earlier, sure, but he hadn’t had the courage. Given her trust issues, he hadn’t wanted to give her any reason to question his loyalty. But that had clearly backfired.
Or did her distance have to do with the fact that he no longer had his Warrior powers?
He couldn’t deny a certain feeling of impotence without his abilities. He had told Tessa once that every Warrior considered his powers and training the essence of his identity, that without these things a Warrior didn’t believe he had value. He was certainly feeling that now, like half a man. At least he still had his training. He clung to that small thing and hoped to be able to prove useful in the upcoming mission.
He had to figure out a way to get Tessa to believe in him again. He just had no idea how to make that happen.
* * *
They landed in Bermuda just long enough for Adrian, Mendez, and his men to disembark to pick up the seaplane. The Montanas took off again on the jet, and as they entered Santutegi airspace, they were contacted by the Mendukati and given instructions on what to do once they landed.
“How are they going to control an exchange at the airport?” Tessa asked. “What about airport security?”
“I suspect the Mendukati have full rein in Santutegi,” Darius said. “They probably own airport security.”
“Great,” Faith said. “Are you sure we’re not walk
ing into a trap?”
“Not sure all,” Darius said. “But all we have is the plan. We follow it, and hopefully we get Mom and Dad back and still hang on to the stone.” He reached for her hand. “You sure you’re up for this, baby?”
“I’m pregnant, not dying.” Faith took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”
“Let’s do this,” Rafe said.
They landed and disembarked, waiting near the bottom of the plane’s steps as instructed; all except Faith, who remained on board. Three black SUVs came roaring across the tarmac. All three vehicles stopped near them. The door of the first one opened, and Azotay got out.
“Where is the stone?” Azotay demanded.
“We have it,” Rafe said. “Where’s my family?”
Azotay gestured, and two other doors opened on the other vehicles. Men pulled John, Maria, and Cara from a backseat. They were all bound and gagged. Rafe started forward, eyes on Cara.
“Stay right there,” Azotay said, holding up a hand. “The stone for your family. That was the bargain.”
“You want the stone?” Darius growled. “Fine.” And he reached for the power of the Stone of Ekhia.
And got nothing.
Faith, what’s happening? Tessa asked.
I don’t know! It just went dormant all on its own.
“I’m waiting,” Azotay said. “You have sixty seconds.”
We have to fight, Darius sent to all of them.
My pleasure, Rafe said. His focus stone began to glow.
Tessa, try to get back in the plane, Darius said.
Tessa had only taken one step when the vision hit. At least fifty Mendukati soldiers appearing from nowhere. Darius and Rafe charging forward. Guns firing. Her entire family gunned down in the space of minutes.
“Stop!” she shouted, as her brothers braced themselves for a fight. “He has hidden soldiers!”
Her brothers froze. Azotay grinned. “True Seer, you are correct.” He snapped his fingers, and a legion of Warriors appeared as if from nowhere, guns pointed at the Montanas.
How did they do that? Tessa asked.
They might have a Light Bender, Faith replied. Light Benders can make things invisible by bending the light a certain way.
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