by Sydney Addae
La Patron's warning of trouble ahead resonated in his mind. He looked at Raoul in the rear view mirror and frowned at how close he sat to Ivona. The human didn't seem to mind as she tapped on her tablet in silence. Raoul met his gaze and lifted his brow.
"Expect trouble," Damian told him.
"From her? Always," Raoul tilted his head slightly to Ivona.
Damian frowned. "No, when we arrive at the Loch where her mother's being held."
"You still believe that? After everything that just happened?" Raoul frowned.
"I haven't given what happened between her and the hag much thought. Have you learned something? Is that why you're sitting in her lap?" Damian asked.
Raoul's face reddened as he glanced at Ivona. "Hadn't realized. I'm not in her lap and yes, I learned she's lying about her mom. Must be someone else she wants rescued."
That ticked him off. "What about our sick brethren we left behind in the clinic for this bullshit? What game is she playing?"
"Not sure it's a game. She's scared for someone; her concern can't be faked. I just doubt it's her mother. We'll find out soon which way this thing will go. No need in getting upset now."
Damian thought over what Raoul said and agreed. "Just keep your senses alert, La Patron's instructions."
"Really? He expects trouble? Why didn't you say that?"
"I did. You either weren't listening or have forgotten how instructions pass from Alpha to the pack." Damian kept his face neutral with that last dig and wondered how Raoul liked being schooled on pack behavior.
"You're right, my bad. Barticus said you had Alpha status on this trip, he sounded really proud. Did La Patron say what to expect specifically? I mean are we fighting humans or something else?"
"Just expect trouble, that's all. If it happens out here in this remote area, our wolves can play. We just need to wait and see what comes at us. And then we rescue the mother." He stressed the last word. "To fulfill our contractual agreement."
"Then what?"
"La Patron will give me instructions at that point."
"About Ivona," Raoul said in a halting tone.
Damian met his gaze in the rear view mirror. "What about her? Is she causing problems?"
"Not really. It's just... there's a connection. Don't look at me that way, I don't like it but can't help it either. I was pissed when I first realized it, you better believe it."
"What kind of connection? To your beast?" Damian wiped his face of all emotion.
"Yes, that's the problem. My beast likes the way she smells."
"What?" Damian frowned and glanced at Ivona, who continued working on her tablet. "I don't smell anything."
"Good to know," Raoul snapped.
"What? You aren't making sense."
"I know this is confusing as hell. I talked to Barticus about it and…"
"Barticus? Why? Is there danger to the team?" Damian turned in his seat to look directly at Raoul, noticed his sheepish expression, and turned back around when Ivona looked at him.
"No, not that I know of. You don't smell anything and no one else seems to either. What Barticus said is she may be my mate."
"Mate?" Damian shook his head certain he hadn't heard correctly. "A witch? A human witch?"
"Sucks to be me right now, doesn't it?" Raoul said, and then looked out the window.
Damian didn't know what to say or if he should say anything. Raoul and the witch? No wonder Raoul had insisted he come along on this trip, it wasn't to watch Damian's back, but to be with the witch. Shit. What if La Patron or his mate had plans of retribution for the witch for what she'd done to the full-bloods? Where would that leave Raoul?
Swallowing hard, Damian didn't know what to do. His first allegiance was to La Patron and this mission, but he and Raoul were friends. "La Patron?"
A few seconds later. "Damian, did something happen?"
"Yes, Sir." He told La Patron the gist of his conversation with Raoul. La Patron's silence didn't ease Damian's concerns. "Sir?"
"I'm still here. That puts a twist in the whole ugly situation. Dealing with the Lamia, the witch hunt, and now this. Barticus reached out to me earlier, this may be what he wanted to discuss since he knew my plans did not include the witch returning to the states." He paused. "I bet she knew."
"Sir?"
"I'm betting she knew one of you would be her mate, that's why she waited until both of you were in place. No wonder she's not worried about her mother being moved to another location. She knows her mate will not allow her to search for the witch alone. Damn it. Barticus may not care if Raoul traipses all over Europe searching for a witch, but you and the doctor have posts to fill and I need you back on the job. I'm not sure Raoul will accompany you to meet the Lamia. Leave the witch at her mother's prison. If Raoul stays, it's on him and Barticus."
Damian's chest expanded and then relaxed at the idea of Raoul remaining in Europe. It'd be strange at home without hearing Raoul's off key singing, but Damian would adjust. "Yes, Sir. Has the itching stopped?"
"Not yet, but it's slowed down. Those infected are now able to rest peacefully, but the underlying problem is still there. Hawke and his team are working on finding a solution." He paused. "I wonder if the Lamia has knowledge of a way to stop the itching."
"She's seen a lot of things, so it's possible. Doctor Okla can ask her. I believe if the Lamia knows, she'll share the knowledge with her," Damian said.
"I agree. This may not be a wasted trip after all. One of my doctors will have the opportunity to sit and talk with the Lamia, that's not something that happens every day or once in a decade. When you finish at the witch's dungeon, head toward Barticus’ den where the Lamia's resting. He'll contact you directly with the coordinates."
"Yes, Sir. Sorry to keep bothering you, Sir. Tell Mistress I said hello." Damian held his breath and cursed for being so familiar. Granted, he had sat at La Patron's table and shared a meal, but he was on assignment, there were protocols to be followed.
"All Alphas contact me directly," La Patron said. "Don't forget that. On this assignment your Alpha status means you must direct all of your questions to me, so don't apologize or hesitate to contact me with any updates. We're in a foreign country, even though Barticus has a large presence and has granted us rights to fulfill this mission, you represent me. I'd be upset if you didn't report or ask these questions. You're doing a great job; your parents are very proud of you. Now free your mind and stay alert for trouble." He clicked off.
"Alert for trouble." Damian repeated those three words in his mind.
“Tree in the road,” Quentin said an hour later and slammed on the brakes.
Chapter 18
Gem flew forward, her face hit the back of the seat. "Ow," she yelled as she caught her breath and tried to sit, but the seat belts held her at an odd angle on the edge of the seat until she scooted back.
"You okay?" Raoul asked.
"Yeah, just sore," Gem said.
"I'm okay," Ivona said, answering at the same time. Raoul nodded and stepped outside, and closed the door.
Gem removed her seatbelts and strained to see outside where Damian, Quentin, and Raoul were looking around.
"Shouldn't you be out there helping?" Ivona asked without looking at Gem.
"If they need me, but I doubt it." A van pulled up behind them. Several full-bloods exited and spread out.
"Probably right."
In no mood to spar with the witch, Gem grabbed a bottle of water from her bag. After she emptied it, she dropped it back in her bag and leaned back against the seat.
"What was it like?"
Disinterested in talking, Gem didn't respond. Instead her thoughts traveled to her patients. Were they doing better? Had there been any other deaths?
"When the Lamia chose you, how did it feel? Where you scared? Did she talk to you?" Ivona asked again.
"What makes you think she chose me?" What did the witch know about all of this?
"She brushed against me before she mov
ed on. I'm sure she did the same to Saffi. Then she chose to merge with you. I just researched her legend and she's only done that three times."
"That people know of," Gem said to be contradictory.
Ivona nodded. "True, could be more, but I'm betting this was the first time she tried to hijack a wolf. I'm sure she won't make that mistake again." She paused. "How did it feel?"
"Itchy, real itchy," Gem said, and stared at Ivona until she turned around. "La Patron will not let that go, you know that, right?"
Ivona shrugged. "I'm not worried."
Gem frowned. The witch wasn't concerned over La Patron's wrath? "Crazy fool," Gem murmured and looked out the window again.
Ivona sighed. "I'm not crazy, just mated."
Gem's heart stopped beating. For a ridiculously long moment she imagined Damian and the witch with pups running around. No. She shut out the image and shook it off, not Damian. The Goddess wouldn't be cruel enough to pair him with this crass witch.
Gem snorted. "Sure you are."
"Do you smell a lie?" Ivona asked in a flippant tone.
"Wasn't listening for one but I'm sure you were." Gem strained to see outside.
"Raoul's my mate. Poor thing, he hates it, doesn't care for me either, but... Well, it's just the way things are. Good thing humans don't have to reciprocate that mating call, huh?" She chuckled.
Stunned, Gem sat back in her seat staring at the back of Ivona's head. Why would the Goddess pair this evil witch with such a nice, easy-going guy like Raoul? It didn't seem right. "What makes you think he's your mate instead of Quentin or one of the others?" Gem refused to throw Damian's name in the ring.
"Just do." Ivona continued looking at her tablet.
"Damian, Ivona says Raoul is her mate, that can't be true, right?"
"Can you link with him?" Damian asked.
She frowned. What did that have to do with anything? "No, we never linked up, why?"
"No reason, and he thinks she could be his mate, at least his beast likes the witch."
"She's going to use him. I know it." Gem slumped down in the seat and stared at the back of Ivona's head.
"That's possible."
She waited for his outrage and when it didn't come, she pressed. "So a member of this team is about to be ambushed by a conniving witch and you don't care?"
His long sigh whistled through their link. "From what I've been told, no one should ever come between a wolf and his mate. Whatever happens with them, they'll work it out. I think the witch is in for a few surprises."
She thought about his comments for a few seconds, looked at Ivona and hoped Damian was right. "What's going on out there?"
"A tree is across the road. We're scouting to see if anyone's around before I shift to move it."
"Can you talk to Raoul like you do with Damian?" Ivona asked.
"Ask him, he's your mate," Gem said, holding her head to ease the pain. "Lamia stop."
"I don't plan to merge with him like that, but I suppose it would be better than cell phones. But that would mean I'd have to accept him and I'd never accept a wolf as my man."
"You called me?" a voice whispered in Gem's mind.
"Who? What?" Gem stuttered.
"Lamia, you spoke my name."
"Based on what I've learned, I don't have to accept him," Ivona continued. "I can live my life the way I want, but he's stuck. Whoever's in charge of this stuff for your people made a mistake this time, but it worked in my favor, so I'm not complaining." She looked over her shoulder at Gem with a smug smile. "So no, I don't fear La Patron. Raoul won't allow anything to happen to me. His father's just as powerful as La Patron." She paused and chuckled. "I do my research."
"Did you hear her?" Gem asked Damian while glaring at Ivona.
"Yes, we all heard her. This is the problem La Patron has with breeders and full-bloods, he won't be happy, neither will Barticus. Raoul is angry and just walked into the woods, I need to go after him."
"Goddess, I'm so sorry. Can I give her a shot of something?"
Damian chuckled and she appreciated the dry sound.
"You contacted me?" Lamia said, her voice stronger.
"No. My head hurts from when you were inside and I wanted it to stop. So I said, Lamia stop," Gem finished lamely, unsure how to communicate with what amounted to a spirit.
"It will ease, give it time. Your Alpha could not remove everything, there will always be a connection between us, that is what you feel. It's weak now, but will strengthen over time."
"Get out of the truck, we're under attack. Raoul's down," Damian said.
Gem pushed the seat forward and opened the door. "Lamia, we will finish this later."
"What's going on?" Ivona asked. "Where's Raoul?"
Gem stepped out and moved around to the front of the SUV, listening to the sound of animalistic grunts, low growls, and agonized screams. Spinning, she returned to the truck as Ivona stepped out, and grabbed her medical kit. After a brief check on her supplies, she moved toward the fight. Ivona was hot on her heels.
On the opposite side of the tree, Damian and the others fought several huge red deer with massive horns. The animals charged with single-minded ferocity against the men. Human males stood behind them, holding thuribles emitting incense and swinging them from side to side.
Without knowing if the humans had knowledge of their kind, the full-bloods didn’t shift. They fought the beasts with their hands, some had blades, but weren't making much progress. The stags relentlessly charged with their horns, goring and pinning the men.
Frozen in shock, Gem watched horrified as a stag lifted a full-blood in the air with his horns. The agonized scream raced down her back, galvanizing her into action. Grabbing her bag in one hand and a large stone from the ground, she threw it and hit the stag between the eyes. It dropped to one knee as blood trailed down its face. Gem ran forward to help pull the full-blood from the horn but a few pack-mates beat her to him.
To the left of her, Ivona raised her hand and began chanting. She tapped her fingertips and a bell-like sound spread through the battle. The deer looked up, startled to be so close to humans, and backed up before running off. Unfortunately, several deer lay dead and pack members were injured. Damian, Quentin, and several others ran after the human males.
Ivona stopped chanting but clicked her fingers again, releasing another bell sound.
Gem moved quickly to check on their fallen. Most were healing on their own, others required her assistance. In the back of her mind she prayed to the Goddess. Raoul had self-healed and was on his way back to the SUV. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Ivona head into the woods and hoped the human would tap her fingers to help Raoul if he needed it.
Thirty minutes later, Gem wiped the sweat from her brow and leaned against the truck. Everyone, except Raoul, was accounted for. Ivona had returned alone from the woods with a confused expression. She’d gotten back into the truck and remained there. Damian, Quentin, and the others captured most of the humans, and were questioning them in the woods.
A pack member passed her a bottle of water. "That was quick thinking, throwing the stone, it saved my brother's life. Thank you."
Touched, Gem smiled and accepted the bottle. "We're pack, no thanks needed." She drained it within seconds.
Damian walked at a steady clip in her direction, stopped and shifted. Her eyes widened as his large hybrid lifted the tree and placed it on the side of the road. Seconds later, he returned to his normal size and continued to the SUV. When they were a few feet apart, his heat brushed against her. She understood his need for contact and extended her hand. He grabbed it as if it were a life line, pulled her close and held tight.
"They took Raoul somewhere. He's asleep or drugged or unconscious, I can't reach him. The humans swear they don't know where he is, they weren't instructed to remove anyone, just hold the incense burners so the animals would remain bespelled."
"Witchcraft? You think it's the people holding Ivona's mother?"
"Could be, I don't know. The sooner we finish that part of the mission; the sooner we can meet with the Lamia."
"And Raoul? When do we look for him?" She leaned back to read his expression.
"As soon as we get clearance."
She stepped back, releasing him. "Clearance? What do you mean?"
"We're here on La Patron business and must complete those tasks first," he said, his expression guarded. It was as if he'd wrapped himself in duty so he wouldn't need to think or feel.
"Finding Raoul, our pack-mate, is La Patron business."
He frowned at her. "So you speak for him now? I didn't mind you setting the witch straight in the airport, but you're crossing the line by speaking for Alpha."
Gem took another step back, placed her hands on her hips and looked up at him. "Line? There's no line. We're pack, and pack comes first. We should be looking for him now." She sensed his anger over her comments but couldn't, no - wouldn't, apologize for them. Didn't he understand how pack worked? No one was ever left behind.
"Until Alpha tells me differently, we continue with the instructions he's given."
"But what about Raoul?" Gem asked, looking around at the men moving toward the van.
"When he wakes I'll know more." He walked away leaving the sting of his anger behind.
Turning, she picked up her bag and strode to the car door. Seeing Ivona, Gem hesitated, took a deep breath to calm down, and then opened the door and sat in the row behind the witch. Quentin and Damian entered the front and a few moments later, they pulled out.
"Wait," Ivona said, a nervous quiver in her voice. "Raoul's not back yet." She looked at Damian and then at Gem.
No one said anything.
"You can't just leave him," Ivona said, clearly panicking as they picked up speed on the road.
"What do you care?" Damian said, his voice low, angry. "You've done your research so you're safe, right?"
Chapter 19
Damian tried to connect with Raoul every few seconds, and was met with silence. La Patron had been advised of Raoul's disappearance, and he had instructed them to continue the mission to rescue Tara. Barticus had sent several pack members to search for Raoul, including Randi, Raoul's sister.