Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Desire Their Queen [Wyoming Warriors 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance)

by Paige Cameron

  His father had rope and tape in the garage. Pearce tied them securely and taped their mouths shut. He wanted to kill them, but this wasn’t the right time. Pearce would rest before the action started.

  * * * *

  When Kira asked to ride with Mitch to the cabin, where Dyna and Cindy were staying, Rex and Hakan said they were going wherever she was.

  “You can all three come with me. I might need you.”

  The guards were making their rounds as usual. When questioned, they reported they’d seen nothing. Mitch knocked on the front door. There was no answer. He took out his master key and opened it.

  Kira rushed into Cindy’s room. She tried to wake her. Mitch came to the door. “The rest of the cabin’s empty.”

  “She’s alive, but in a deep sleep.”

  Hakan moved Kira aside and checked her pupils and heart rate. “Her heart rate is slow, and I don’t like the looks of her pupils.” He held out his flashlight to Rex.

  Rex checked Cindy’s pupils. “It’s doesn’t look good. We’ll have to run some tests. My guess is she got hit in the head and has a slow bleed. I’ll call the ambulance and go to the hospital with her.” He glanced at Hakan and Mitch. “I expect you two to keep Kira safe.” Rex called for the ambulance and notified his surgical assistants to meet him at the hospital.

  “You know we’ll keep her as safe as she’ll let us,” Hakan said.

  “I know. I hate to leave though.”

  “You have to go. Cindy needs you, and she’s a very good person.”

  The slight smile she loved came and went quickly. He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. “Go. Do what you have to before I change my mind and tie you to my side.”

  “Like you or anyone else could stop me.” She raised an eyebrow at him.

  “I might take that challenge one of these days, but not today.”

  Hakan and Mitch urged her out of the cabin. They got in the truck. “Where to next?” Mitch looked at Kira.

  “I’m going to shift. In my bird persona, all my senses are more acute. If I find anything, I’ll contact you. Why don’t you call Mother Aileen again and see if she’s learned any new information? Also send the helicopter for Nanna. We need all our resources to beat this witch.”

  Hakan got out with her. “I don’t like this.”

  “You have to trust me and my abilities. I have to do this. Too many lives are depending on all of us.”

  He held her close. “Come back to us.” Then he watched as she shifted and flew high into the night sky.

  Her night vision was excellent, as good or better than her ability to see long distances during the day. She circled around the immediate area. A large eagle flew toward her.

  “I’m Aleron. My men are flying all around the ranch. We’re here to help. Tell us what you want us to do.”

  His telepathic message came through to her good and clear. “I’m glad to meet you, but I’m sorry it’s under these conditions. Are your men doing a search by sections?”

  “Yes. And they do a grid of each area. But if our enemies are smart, and they are, they’ll stay under the trees. We might miss them that way.”

  “While we fly along, let’s try and think about where they’d go. The only person Pearce worked with at the ranch, as far as we know, was Gala. Do you know where Gala was found?”

  “No, but Sahale and Lang do. I’ll bet they’re searching together. In this form none of us have a phone.”

  “True, but mine is in my jeans. I’ll shift back, call, and locate them, and then we can fly by the directions they give us.”

  “I’ll circle above you.”

  Kira landed and quickly shifted. She got her phone out of her jeans pocket and punched in Mitch’s number. “How do I locate Sahale?”

  “He’s out searching with the others. I’ll contact him, and he’ll get right back in touch with you. She ended the call and waited to hear from Sahale.

  In just a few minutes, her phone rang. “Where are you?” she asked when she heard his voice.

  “We’re searching the east side of the ranch.”

  “Tell me where you found Gala.”

  Sahale told her and added, “Lang and I and several of our men will head that way.”

  “Aleron and I will fly to the area immediately. See you there.” She put her phone back in her pocket and shifted. She flew upward and joined Aleron.

  “Follow me.” She flew according to Sahale’s directions. “That should be the area below us. I’ll go down and move into the denser area.”

  “Wait for the others.”

  “We don’t have time. If I get into trouble, I’ll let you know. Forget that you’ll be naked. I’ve seen naked men before. Just come to my rescue.”

  “If I was in my human persona you’d see my blush,” he joked with her. She swirled around him, and then dove for the ground. “My wife thinks I’m beautiful in the sky, wait until she sees you.”

  Kira landed, shifted, and walked gingerly into the thick trees. She didn’t smell them or feel their presence until she got to a central clearing. Kneeling, she still caught the metallic scent of Gala’s blood. This was where he destroyed her. He’d come back here.

  She moved further on and caught a hint of their foul odor. When making evil plans, the scent would be stronger. Here was where they decided on their next step.

  “Aleron, can you hear me?”

  “Loud and clear.”

  “Get a message to the shifters. Send them here. Let’s see if we can follow the scent of our enemies to their lair. The more of us who work on this, the better the chance of success. I’m going to start following the trail myself. They can catch up with me.”

  “You should wait for the others.”

  “Tell everyone to be careful. We have no idea of this witch’s capabilities. I won’t let them see me. Once I get to their destination, I’ll guard the area and wait.”

  She sniffed the air and started to move out of the forest, but the scent didn’t go forward. It went to the side. She shifted into her bird and flew low under the trees. Aleron had been right about them using the foliage for cover. But she’d find them, foliage or not. Their evil scent would lead her right to them.

  Chapter Thirteen

  As Kira got closer and closer to the more populated area of the ranch, she knew where they’d gone. What better place to hide than at the Rexfords’ house? She decided to stop several houses away. She shifted and called Mitch.

  “I’m almost certain they’re at the Rexfords’ home. I’m three doors down from there.”

  “I’ll contact all our teams. We’ll join you shortly. Just wait for us.”

  “I will.”

  Kira blinked her eyes, changed back into her bird persona, and flew into a nearby tree. From this point she had a good view of the house and the kitchen window. If anyone turned on the light, she’d see them.

  While waiting she thought about what Mother Aileen had said about getting rid of the witch for good. Kira had promised to destroy her by fire. It wouldn’t be so bad if the witch was already dead, but otherwise she’d have difficulty deliberately sending her flaming darts into a person. She’d accidentally used them once out in the woods. It was before she knew she had that capability. Thankfully, she’d gotten the fire out quickly. But she had never pointed them at a specific target.

  But she is evil, and has to be stopped. I have to keep that in mind, if I have to use my fire darts. And I don’t see any way of my not doing it.

  There may or may not be a fire in the fireplace. If there was then someone else could throw a burning log or something at her. But no, she’s too quick, and they’d get burned in the process. My fire darts are much faster and more accurate.

  She kept staring at the windows. There was no movement. She prayed Mr. and Mrs. Rexford were still alive. How did Pearce and his mother get in? Mr. Rexford wouldn’t have opened the door, but Pearce might have played on his mother’s feelings for him.

  Looking around
at the surrounding area, she saw the warriors coming from all directions. Several were going to the back doors of the houses closest to the Rexfords’ and quietly evacuating the residents.

  When she saw Mitch, Daren, and Hakan, she flew down and shifted beside them. “I’ve been watching the house. It’s quiet. I didn’t see any lights.” She turned to Hakan. “Have you heard from Rex?”

  “Yes, Cindy did need surgery. Last I checked, he was still working on her.”

  “He’ll save her,” Kira said, more to reassure herself than for any other reason.

  “He’s the best. Let’s hope she doesn’t need more.” Hakan hugged her. “I’m glad Rex doesn’t know what’s happening out here.”

  Mother Aileen walked up to them. “What’s the plan?”

  “We’re thinking of storming the place, but if the Rexfords are alive, they’d kill them before we got inside.” Mitch’s jaw clenched tight.

  “Hakan, have you ever picked a house lock?”

  “I should never have told you about Rex’s and my excursions in our teens.” He flashed her a gentle smile. “Yes, I did once. I was trying to sneak in so my parents wouldn’t know how late I was.”

  “Let’s check the garage door and see if we can slip in without being seen.”

  “I’ll try.” Kira and Mother Aileen followed behind him.

  “Mr. Rexford needs to change this lock. It’s old and easy if anyone has a hairpin.”

  “I do.” Mother Aileen handed him one.

  It didn’t take but a minute, and they were in the garage. Hakan motioned to Mitch, and a number of warriors crept to the side of the house.

  Kira led the way to the kitchen door. She put her ear against the wood and listened. No sound. She motioned to Hakan, and he came up beside her. He took the hairpin and worked on the lock. It took longer, but finally it clicked softly. They waited to see if anyone heard them.

  Kira carefully turned the door handle and pushed the door open. She shifted so she’d be able to see and hear better. Mother Aileen followed her and Mitch, with Daren and Hakan behind them. Mitch motioned for the others to wait in the kitchen.

  A small night-light lit the living room. Mr. Rexford lay on the floor. He was tied, gagged, and unconscious. Kira saw his chest moving. Mrs. Rexford lay beside him, but she was awake. She must have heard something. She turned her head slightly. Kira looked her in the eyes trying to wordlessly warn her to not make a noise. Across from them, Pearce was sleeping soundly on the sofa.

  Daren silently moved behind the couch and went around to Pearce’s head. Mitch walked toward the front of the sofa. Mitch grabbed Pearce’s arms as Daren clasped his hands across Pearce’s mouth. Pearce struggled, but Hakan had found the tape, and they soon had his mouth taped shut. Then Daren and Mitch tied his arms and legs.

  “Did you think you’d get past me?” Dyna stood at the end of the hallway. She flung her hands out, and a force of air knocked everyone backward. A black cloud surrounded her, growing bigger by the moment.

  Mother Aileen yelled out a chant, and the circle of darkness lightened. She moved closer to Dyna. Chants were yelled back and forth. Mother Aileen cast a spiderweb-type net out from her fingertips, but Dyna laughed as she jumped out of reach.

  “Your good magic is so much weaker than my evil sorcery. You don’t have a chance. If you all give up, I’ll let a few of you live.”

  “Like hell.” Mitch had pulled his gun. He shot at her, and the bullet bounced off an invisible wall, ricocheted back at him, and just missed hitting his head.

  She disappeared, but they saw imprints of her movements as she jumped around the room. It looked weird to see the imprint from her weight as she stepped on the carpet and some of the cushions on the furniture. She was fast, and her crackling laughter came from every direction.

  Mother Aileen whispered in Kira’s ear. “She’s playing with us, but soon she’ll start to destroy us one by one. You are the only one stronger than her. You must fire at where you think she is. Keep trying. Fire is the only thing she fears.”

  “But she’s alive.”

  “It’s her or us.”

  Kira glanced back at Pearce. His mother would want to free him. She pretended to look to the side, but kept her peripheral vision on him. Then she saw Pearce’s ropes move slightly, and if she really concentrated she could see a slight outline of a body. Preparing herself, she shifted and instantly spread her wings then sent darts of fire at the back of the couch.

  The witch screamed and let loose of the ropes. Kira spread her fire to each side of the couch, and suddenly the witch appeared, then crouched behind the sofa.

  “You’ve damaged her ability to hide from us,” Mother Aileen said. “Burn her.”

  A tall man with black hair ran past Kira and Mother Aileen. Two gunshots, one after another, hit the witch. Then they heard a roar. Pearce broke his ropes as he shifted into his huge wolf, and the shifting had torn his gag free. Pearce sprang at the shooter, Rex. Kira shot her fire darts at the wolf. His fur caught fire, but it didn’t stop his impact against Rex. Kira fired at him again.

  Rex was wrestling with the wolf to keep his fangs from sinking into Rex’s neck.

  Mother Aileen ran across to them. The wolf roared and took a swipe at her, but not before she dropped a knife beside Rex. The wolf shoved her aside and turned back to Rex. Rex’s arm came up under the wolf’s belly. As Rex shoved the knife toward the wolf’s chest, the wolf’s claws raked his arm. Rex grabbed the knife quickly with his other hand and plunged it into the wolf’s heart. Rex rolled as Pearce shifted and fell to the floor, dead.

  Hakan ran to Rex. He ripped off his shirt and tore it into strips to bandage Rex’s bleeding arm.

  Dyna lay on her back with black holes in her chest. “You can’t kill me for good.” She coughed. “I’ll be back and more prepared for your tricks.”

  “Destroy her,” Mother Aileen demanded. “She’s the devil’s handmaiden.”

  Kira looked into the witch’s eyes. They were red like her son’s had been, and her foul odor filled the room. Keeping eye contact, Kira raised her wings and shot the fire darts directly into the witch’s heart. She screamed. Then the light went out of her eyes, and she exploded into a puff of black smoke. Only ashes lay where she’d been.

  Mother Aileen motioned to one of the warriors who’d entered the room. “Shovel the ashes into a paper bag and bury them off the ranch, in the middle of nowhere. Put them at least three feet deep.”

  Daren stepped forward. “I’ll go with him. We’ll do it exactly as you say.” He and the other warrior left.

  “What do we do with Pearce?” Mitch asked Mother Aileen.

  “His skills came from his connection to his mother. When she died, all of her offspring lost their special abilities. Which is good to know, since we have no way of finding out if she had other children.” She looked down at him. “He can be buried as usual.”

  “I want him cremated anyway. Just to be sure none of his evil lingers. And he’ll be buried off the ranch. He never was one of us.” Mitch motioned at his men to carry Pearce’s body out.

  Kira shifted and leaned down to untie Mrs. Rexford. Then she checked on Rex’s father. By the time she’d untied him and removed his gag, Mrs. Rexford had crawled to her husband’s side and held on to his arm.

  “I’ve called for ambulances,” Hakan said, from behind Kira. “One for Rex and one for his parents.” He nodded at Mr. Rexford. “He’s beginning to come around.”

  Kira walked over to where Lonato sat with his back against the couch. His eyes were closed. She sat beside him. “I’m sorry he hurt you.”

  “Even in his death, he took one more thing away from me.”

  “What?”

  His eyes opened and glared at her. “Don’t you see?” He nodded to his arm. “I will very likely never be able to perform surgery again.”

  “Oh no. You can’t know that yet.”

  Lonato closed his eyes, shutting her out. Hakan came to her side. “I hear the a
mbulances,” he whispered in her ear. “Give him time. He may be right, and I don’t know how he’ll get over it. His job defines him.”

  The ambulance crew rushed in and took over. They checked the patients, put them on stretchers, and started out.

  “If you have room for one more, I’d like to ride with you.” Mother Aileen sat on the sofa between Garth and Cad. “I’m extremely tired.”

  One of the medics checked her while the others took Rex out to the ambulance. Rex’s parents had already headed to the hospital.

  “Is she all right?” Garth asked.

  “No. Her heartbeat is irregular.” The men returned with an empty stretcher. They put her on the gurney and hurried out. “I’ll give her medicine on the way,” the medic called back to them.

  “You all go on to the hospital. I’m going to fly there.”

  Kira hugged Hakan. “I’ll see you, soon.” She threaded her way through the many warriors and, once outside, shifted. Soaring up into the early-morning sky, a sense of freedom shot through her. She dove and then went straight up, she made wide circles, and she screeched loudly at the world.

  Aleron, in his eagle persona, joined her. “Hello.”

  “Go away.”

  “No. You’re hurting. I’m not leaving you alone. Talk to me.”

  “I didn’t save Lonato from getting hurt. He’s angry at me and the world. I need time to think.” Her guilt was overwhelming. If only she hadn’t hesitated. She knew what needed to be done. The woman had to die, and yet taking a life was not easy and had left her feeling sad.

  Kira dropped into a nosedive. The wind whistled by her body. Almost at the ground, she shot straight up. But the eagle didn’t let her get away. Aleron stayed right behind her.

  Finally, she slowed, and he flew beside her. “You’re also upset because you hated to kill someone. Mother Aileen said it had to be done. You do whatever is necessary for our people, regardless of the consequences to you.

  “Mother Aileen’s been a witch many more years than you’ve been alive. I bet when you’re her age you won’t think twice at having to do whatever is necessary to save us. Or maybe you will never get used to the times you have to protect us with force. It may not be in your nature.”