by Maggie Walsh
Micah decided that the empty lot where their home once stood would now be used to build a place for the fae to call their own. Ryland would have a new castle for himself, Phenex, and any fae who wished to stay there.
They had no idea when Minos would strike, but when they all sat to dinner last night and the explosion sent shock waves into their new home, they knew it was time. The call was put out to all the players and everyone made their way to the old pack house immediately. Everyone took their place in a huge circle around the house and watched through the windows as the Nephilim and then the rogues filled their home.
But they didn’t know that Shelby’s family was helping Minos, and now his beautiful, spunky mate was gone.
When Xander came to and found Jesse and Micah standing above him looking despondent, his heart ripped and he knew something happened to his Shelby.
Everyone awakened to find themselves in their new home, a surprise to all of them. Evan and his boys had come to see what had happened, and along with the felines, they moved them all so they would be better protected. Then he found out from Rain, the tiger shifter from Storm’s pride that was guarding Shelby, that a vampire disseminated right next to Shelby and then disseminated out just as quickly. There wasn’t even time to react. He wasn’t happy about it, but he realized that it wasn’t Rain’s fault. Didn’t mean he wasn’t pissed at the cat, though. He wanted his mate back and he wanted him now.
Xander paced the den as he thought about all the things Shelby had told him about what his family had done to him the last time they had him. His body tensed with anger and his heart constricted with panic. He needed to find Shelby, not stand around here waiting.
Xander sighed heavily and squared his shoulders as he stood at his full height. He would get his mate back alone if he had to, if it was the last thing he ever did. Xander stormed toward the door to the hall, but Micah blocked his way.
“I know it sucks, brother. I know how much anger is boiling within you and how deep your pain is. Just give Dante a few more minutes before you run out there crazed and get yourself and Shelby killed.”
“I can’t just leave him at the hands of those psychos, Micah. Do you have any idea what they did to him?”
“Some, yes. Shelby told us, but I’m sure he left some things out. I want Shelby back, too, brother. He’s your mate and a part of this family. We won’t leave him behind. I promise you,” Micah vowed as he laid a hand on Xander’s shoulder.
“I got it,” Dante said as he disseminated into the room.
Micah and Xander turned to face him. “You know where he’s taken my mate?”
“Yes. Vladimir has a home just north of New York City. It’s his main residence, but he’s not there. My men turned the place upside down. All they found was his two daughters and they sang like birds in exchange for protection from their father. I have promised to move them far from here and give them new identities, as well as guards until the day their father dies.”
“What of his brothers?” Xander asked.
“The fae guards followed the tunnels to their end and searched within them. They found the bodies of all of Shelby’s brothers. None of them made it through the tunnels in time when they collapsed,” Micah explained.
“And we’re sure it was them? All of them?” Xander asked.
“Yes. Viktor went and identified all the bodies. As my second, it’s part of his job to know who all threats to me are, and what they look like. He has known the whole Zharkov family for many years and has been keeping an eye on them. The only one he had never seen before was Vasily, because he left home when he was a hundred, long before Viktor started keeping track of them. He only knew of him.”
“So these sisters, ”Xander sneered. “What did they have to say?”
“Vladimir has another house near Boston. They use it as a vacation home, but only family knows about it. They said that’s where their father kept Shelby the last time, but they also warned that there were spells around the property. No one but their father could disseminate in or out.”
“And we know they’re telling the truth?” Micah asked.
“Yes,” Dante said with an evil smile. “Slade questioned them himself.”
Micah snickered and Xander’s eyes went wide. Slade was Dante’s most intense soldier. He was the equivalent of a kill enforcer, but Slade was more than that. He kept to himself and sent shivers of fear down the spine of everyone who came across him. Well, everyone except for Micah, Dante, Viktor, Raith, and a few others. He even made Xander nervous sometimes. The man would do anything to get what he wanted and he would do anything for Dante. Xander didn’t know the story behind that, but he knew that the only person Slade ever listened to was Dante.
“So when do we leave?” Xander asked.
“I have some men from the local coven and packs out there doing recon right now. They should be checking in soon. Once we know the layout of the house, we’ll come up with a plan of attack.”
“If Vladimir hurts one hair on Shelby’s head, I will tear him apart,” Xander threatened.
“And we would never stop you, brother. He’s all yours. We’ll just stand by and make sure he doesn’t try to escape.” Micah gave him a mischievous smirk.
* * * *
“Son of a bitch! Not again! Gods dammit, Vladimir! You are the stupidest asshole to have ever been born!” Shelby yelled as he pulled on the silver chains holding him to the bed.
He hissed in pain as the silver burned his skin, but he didn’t care. He needed to get out of here and back to his mate. Xander must be going out of his mind worrying about him. Tears sprang to Shelby’s eyes and his heart clenched when he thought about Xander waking up to find him gone. He only hoped his mate didn’t think he ran. Please, Xander. Please don’t doubt me or my love for you, because I do love you, mate. I know I never told you, but I do.
“Sweetheart?” Shelby jumped as much as his shackles allowed and yelped when he heard in his mate’s voice in his head.
“Xander?” Shelby cried and tears rolled down his cheeks.
“Can you hear me, Shelby?”
“Yes, Xander.”
“Are you answering me out loud, sweetheart?” Xander asked with a chuckle. Shelby couldn’t say anything around the lump in his throat, so he nodded as he sniffled. “Are you nodding your head, baby?” Xander laughed again.
“Yes,” Shelby answered through his tears.
“Well, I can’t see you, sweetheart, and I’m sorry, but I’m not there with you. I can hear you through the mating link. So when you need to talk to me, just think it. Okay, sweetheart? Don’t speak out loud.”
“Okay,” Shelby answered in his mind.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m close. We’re here to get you out of there. Just hold on, Shelby. Can you do that for me, love?”
“Yes, but Xander. I was so scared that you thought I ran when you woke up to find me gone. I didn’t leave you, mate. I swear I didn’t. This fucktard took me again.”
“I know, sweetheart. Rain, the tiger that was watching over you, explained to us how your father disseminated in, grabbed you, and disseminated right out again before he could stop him.”
“But how did he know? How did he find me there?”
“We’ll talk about it later, sweetheart. Right now, let’s get you out of there and back home where you belong.”
“I love the sound of that.”
“What’s that?”
“Home. I’ve never had a true home until now. Until you. Home with you, where I belong.”
“Oh, sweetheart. It’s going to be okay. I promise you.”
“Thank you for coming for me, Xander,” Shelby cried again. The tears wouldn’t stop falling as Shelby listened to his mate’s loving words and soothing tone.
“Always, my love. I will always come for you. I love you, Shelby,” Xander declared. Shelby’s body shook from the sobs that were taking over his body. The tears ran uncontrollably down his cheeks. “Oh, sweetheart. Are you okay? What
is it? What’s wrong?” Xander asked anxiously.
“No one has ever told me that they loved me before, except for my mother. I love you, too, Xander. I love you so much.”
“Later, when I get you home, I’ll show you just how much I love you, mate.”
“I’m gonna hold you to that.” Shelby laughed around his tears.
“It’s a promise.”
“Xander?”
“Yes, sweetheart?
“I like it when you call me starshine. It makes me feel special. It’s something that only you call me,” Shelby confessed.
“I like it, too...my starshine.”
“Mmm. I like that even more, my sunshine.”
“Okay, starshine. Whatever you wish. Now let’s get you out of there. We’re surrounding the house, but we don’t know where you are.”
“I’m in the same room I was in last time. If I remember correctly from when I escaped, if you go through the front door and go straight down the hall in front of you, you’ll end up in a media room. The TV unit moves. There’s a door hiding behind it. Then a flight of stairs, and another door at the bottom. I’m in there.”
“Thanks, starshine. Hold on, we’re on our way.”
Shelby’s head went quiet after that and he felt the loss of Xander's presence. He bit his lip as he waited to hear anything from above. The door squeaked and Shelby twisted his head to see who it was. He didn’t think it was his mate this soon, but he was hoping it was someone who had come with Xander. Of course, with his luck, it was his father. The man strolled into the room like the royalty he thought he was, dressed in pressed black slacks and a black silk shirt with the top two buttons open. He looked and smelled freshly showered. His bald head gave off a reflection as he passed the light.
He clasped his hands behind his back as he walked closer to the bed and sat on the edge. “Welcome home, Vasily.”
“This is not my home and my name is not Vasily. It’s Shelby, you asshole.”
“Call me all the names you want, Vasily, but let me warn you, I will get the information I want. And after I do, I will kill you. You have always been a great disappointment to this family. You shame us and I won’t have my kingdom ashamed of their new king. They will respect me or suffer the consequences. To show them how serious I am, I will use you as the example.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard it all before, nut-job. You want to know where your true mate is. You want to know where all their true mates are, but my answer is now and will always be the same. I will never tell you.”
“I could care less where your brothers’ mates are. They’re all dead, so their mates are of no more use to me, and your sisters are weak females. I’m sure their mates wouldn’t be any better than they are.”
“My brothers are dead? All of them?” Shelby asked, perplexed.
“Yes. It was an unfortunate event. Or should I say a fortune one. Now I don’t have to worry about taking care of their useless asses anymore.” Vladimir reached into his pocket and pulled out a syringe. “This time you will answer my questions, Vasily, and this little vial of dragon’s blood will make sure of it.”
Shelby’s eyes went wide in fear at the thought of his father shooting dragon’s blood into his veins. It would slowly burn him from the inside out. He needed to shift. He had to get away from this crazy psycho before he killed Shelby and broke Xander’s heart. No, he wouldn’t let this man hurt his mate.
Vladimir pulled a plastic top off of the syringe and threw it aside. Then he gently pressed the plunger and a small drop of the crimson liquid beaded on the tip of the needle. He shook the drop free and it landed on the desk beside him. Shelby watched as the spot began to burn the wood. He shifted his gaze back to his father and watched as the man slowly moved the tip of the needle toward his outstretched arm. He began to shake with fear and sweat broke out over his brow as the needle got closer.
“Wait!” Shelby cried out. “Wait, okay. Just wait.”
Vladimir stopped and pulled the needle back. “Does this mean that you will tell me what I want to know, Vasily?”
“What exactly do you want to know? Just where your second mate is?” He was stalling, trying to give his mate a chance to get to him.
“Yes. Where is she?”
“But that’s it, right? You just want to know where to find her?”
Vladimir closed his eyes as he let out an angry sigh. “Yes, Vasily. All you need to tell me is where my mate is.” He opened his eyes and glared at Shelby.
“If I tell you, will you let me go?”
“No. I have already told you, Vasily. I have no more use for you...for any of my bastard children anymore.”
“Then, if that is true, why would I tell you? What would be my incentive? If I tell you then you will kill me, but if I don’t tell you then you’ll still kill me. Doesn't really make me want to sing like a bird, you know?”
“Because if you tell me then I will kill you quick, with the least amount of pain, but if you fight me, and don’t tell me, then I will pump your veins full of dragon blood and watch you die a very slow, painful death,” Vladimir said with a glint of excitement in his eye.
This sick fuck was really hoping Shelby would fight him so that Vladimir could watch as Shelby writhed in pain until he died. His own father wanted to torture him to death and took great joy out of it. This fucker needed to die.
He must have taken Shelby’s silence as his answer not to talk, because his father began to move the needle closer again. “Wait, damn it! Just wait!” Shelby sighed and looked his father right in the eye. “Fine. I will tell you, but let me tell you this first. You know I’m a real shape-shifter because of my mother, but neither of us ever told you the full truth. As a true shape-shifter, I can shift into any living organism.”
Vladimir’s eyes went wide from Shelby’s confession. Then his eyes filled with want. He wanted to use Shelby for his sick plans. “Go on.”
“I can take on the form of any living thing as long as I know what it or they look like, but I can also take on their powers, as well as keep my own.”
“How is this possible?” Vladimir asked in wonder. Shelby could practically see the hamster running the wheel inside Vladimir’s head, as he tried to figure out a way to use Shelby for his own gain. Unconsciously, Vladimir moved his arm and placed the syringe on the bed behind him. Then his eyes met Shelby’s again. “There must be more. What else can you do?”
“You know how the wolves have omegas?” Vladimir nodded. “Well, I am the equivalent of an omega. I have many powers besides being able to see someone life line and fate line. I can also see their aura and tell what kind of person they are.”
Vladimir stared at him as an evil smile crossed his lips. “You have saved your life, Vasily. I will not kill you, but you will tell me where my mate is. Then you will stay by my side and tell me who people are. That will help me to build an army of vampires that I know I can trust. All the others will be destroyed. You will be my best weapon against the paranormal world as I take the throne and become the royal leader of the paranormals.”
“You’re about eleven eggs short of a dozen, you know that?” Shelby declared sarcastically. Then his head flew sideways as his father backhanded him with all his strength. Shelby could feel a trickle of blood run from his bottom lip. He licked the blood away and turned cold eyes to his father, but said nothing.
“The first thing you will learn is to show me respect, Vasily,” Vladimir sneered.
“Do you want to know where your mate is or not, fucktard?”
“Tell me. Now.”
“She is at 1218 Whispering Hills Way. Lot four. In Syracuse, New York. Are you happy now, limp dick?”
Vladimir’s eyes filled with glee as he whispered Shelby’s words to himself. “Whispering Hills, Syracuse, New York.” Vladimir’s gaze shifted back to him. “You will stay here tied to this bed until I return with my mate.”
“Sorry, but no can do,” Shelby announced sweetly. “You may have me tied to this bed,
but without my brothers around to do your bidding, you forgot to do something.”
“What’s that?” his father asked cautiously.
Shelby gave him an evil smile and his body shimmered. Vladimir’s brows drew down as he watched Shelby take on his form. Then Vladimir’s brows raised as high as they could go as he looked down on himself.
“You forgot to give me something to block my powers.” Vladimir watched his clone say. “It’s time for us both to go. I’ll see you in hell...Daddy.” Shelby disseminated from the ties that bound him. At the same time a needle was jammed into Vladimir’s neck from behind. Shelby reappeared across the room in his own form, and watched as his father’s body began to convulse uncontrollably. Xander released Vladimir and crossed the room. He pulled Shelby into his embrace as they stared at Vladimir.
Dante stepped in front of his father and gave him an evil smile. “Whispering Hills is the name of a cemetery. Your mate is dead, and has been for many years. You should have listened to my father thousands of years ago when he told you what the Gods’ wishes were. You may be older than me, Vladimir, but you would never be more powerful. I am now the only true vampire left, and my sons will continue on upon my death. So you see, Vladimir, what my parents told you was true. As long as you have your true mate, even if that mate is of the same sex, then you can have children. My male mate has recently blessed me with twins. So the Calabrese bloodline continues.”
Vladimir’s body continued to shake and twist in agony as he stared at Dante, listening to his words. Blood started to leak from his ears, eyes, nose, and mouth.
“Maybe if you had treated your son Shelby with more love, he would have helped you find your other mate while she was still alive, but don’t worry, Vladimir. His true...male...mate will show him what you yourself never knew. What love is, and the power it gives you.” Dante stepped away from Vladimir and stopped in front of them. “Should we let the dragon’s blood continue its torture until he turns to stone or behead him and end it?”