by Lexi Ander
I blinked grit from my eyes. "Yes, I'd like that."
He gave me a wan smile, pushing me toward the hut. "I don't want to keep you. Be safe."
Grabbing my bag, I said goodbye to Randy on autopilot. After locating where the kids played, I made them promise to behave and to stay near Randy.
Brian and the hunters waited for me on the green lawn in front of the King's Tomb. As soon as I joined them, Brian insisted on taking a selfie of the two of us; I found my smile was more genuine than it had been in a long while. We quickly headed to the edge of Sanctuary but, before stepping into the tree line, I glanced back to wave one last time to the kids. A red firebird perched on the roof of Randy's hut, stretching out his wings, and for a brief second looked like an amazing flash of flame. Quickening my steps, I caught up with Brian, a joy-filled grin played upon my lips. Already I was eager to return home.
Chapter Eighteen
"I was the monster that slipped into the night and exacted retribution." —from the journal of King Tristan Janick
Tristan Janick
Watching Brian leave was hard. But I trusted Stan to do everything in his power to protect Brian, and the knowledge calmed me somewhat. I tamped down on the urge to demand Brian return before he reached the edge of Sanctuary. Leaning back into Ushna's sudden warmth at my back, I knew he'd catch me, his presence a balm I sorely needed.
"He'll be all right, won't he, Uncle Tristan?" Justus took my hand. I glance down, giving him and his sisters a confident smile. I hadn't realized how soothing their presence was until they'd stood at the top of the hill yelling down at me. My dragon had been swimming in anguish, but the mere sight of their bright, laughing faces had sucked the turmoil away. How, I didn't know, and for the moment I didn't care.
"Stan and Uncle Brian will be back before you know it." Even as I spoke, I hoped the words were true.
Brian lifted his hand right as Stan turned and waved one last time before stepping into the trees. Justus, Neoma, and Dawn yelled and screamed, waving their arms around. Even from this distance, I could see Stan's grin. The sight brought to mind my shameless eavesdropping. Not fair, and perhaps ruder than I was willing to admit, but Theo had been placed in my care. Stan, well, before he went to train with the Ophidians he'd had a mouth that spewed his thoughts uncensored. Actually, he was one of the last people I'd thought would treat Theo kindly. If I hadn't seen the way he'd affectionately cupped Theo's face from the window, I wouldn't have believed the tenderness he exhibited. His soft expression as he stared at Theo spoke of a depth of emotion that made me wonder if Stan had known Theo before.
As Ushna escorted the kids to Randy's hut, I met the steady gaze of the firebird perched on the roof. I had questions for my friend, but they would have to wait until danger had passed.
When Ushna returned, we went to meet the extraction team Corey had put together. Jynx Roth and Gregori waited with some twenty Magi.
"Corey said you needed earthmovers. We brought our best," Jynx said. He and the Magi bowed quickly upon seeing Ushna and me.
Soon after, Corey and half of his captains arrived with a small contingent of warriors. "Are you sure this is the course of action you want to take? It could lead to war with the humans," Corey cautioned, taking his place at my side.
Everyone, including the Magi, wore the black and red uniforms of my royal guard. They called themselves The Shield of Zeev with pride. Wide leather belts adorned with hammered copper held scabbards on one side and a firearm on the other. In addition, Tasers had been added to the weapons they carried. We'd use extreme force only when necessary. Over the left breast was the embroidered symbol for my tribe: two curved scimitars encircled four golden claw marks. Connecting the two swords was a green dragon's eye. Ushna stood on my other side, dressed for battle in the dragon scale armor given to him by Tiamat; Ladon sat perched across his shoulders, unmoving.
"They should've thought about that before they took our people," I replied coldly.
Corey gave last minute instructions while we waited for the Shadow Movers. When Daniel had lured me into the underground cavern covered in the strange white tiles, I'd learned a valuable lesson. Whether or not he shared his knowledge with the humans, I wouldn't take any chances. There could be other places where I couldn't touch the Earth. Dragonets brought several sets of clothing, and the Magi shouldered med kits so we could triage our people if needed. Who knew what their physical, not to mention mental condition would be? If we could touch the Earth, then Gregori and I would handle the healing before they were transported to a safe location.
"What do you mean the humans are not to be harmed?" one of the warriors challenged Corey.
Stepping forward, I held up my hand to catch their attention and waited for silence. "All humans on the grounds are to be arrested. We'll round up the facility staff not in attendance shortly after we finish the raids. They will be held accountable for their participation and actions against our brothers and sisters, but we won't give the government fuel to deny our allegation by killing those involved. Trust me to know what I'm doing. Don't allow your anger to fuck this up." The warriors bowed quickly, giving me their promise of restraint. I stared at every one of them, confirming their obedience in this matter. Even though they stood straight and tall, they dropped their eyes and bared their necks.
"Any more questions?" Corey's sable gaze raked over his men. None replied.
Jory handed out close fitting black-and-white hoods designed to keep the facial recognition software from profiling our features. The warriors were also all given an ear piece and a set of goggles that would record every moment of the operation. They weren't allowed to take them off until they returned home.
Gregori handed me a headset with a microphone similar to the ones Ushna and Corey wore. "This will also connect you with the Magi so you can coordinate with us."
Shooting a quick look at Gregori, I asked, "Are you going to be okay?" He'd been brooding since our private conversation. By nature he was non-violent, and this mission had the potential to turn ugly fast. He'd stood by my side and fought when the ranch had been invaded, but tonight was different. I'd spare him if I could, but he was our best healer. For a brief second, my heart twisted in my chest. Normally, I would have brought Nathan along, too. I pushed the thought away and refocused on Gregori.
He flashed a sassy smirk. "You couldn't keep me home even if you had someone sit on me. I'm coming." His smile slipped, his gaze pensive. "I'm not as fragile as you think. I live with the constant worry I'll lose control of the flame and harm someone. I don't deny I carry my fair share of guilt over the crimes the old Triad perpetrated against the students, but we're making a different future for our people. I'll stand beside you no matter what comes." He gave me a swift, hard hug before moving to where Juan and Ace stood waiting for him. Not far away, Karen and her maidens gathered, ready to wade into the danger at Gregori's side.
The sun kissed the horizon, signaling it was time to go. Five teams gathered with their Shadow Movers. The warriors on location waited with secured transportation. When true dark fell, the Shadow Movers grabbed their charges before stepping into the void. Nacht took my and Ushna's hands when Jynx wrapped his arms around Nacht's waist. The shadows reached for us and pulled us into their dark embrace. There, the wind howled like a rabid beast, the ground disappearing from under my feet. Before I could release my breath, we were out under the stars. Around us, more people stepped into the open. The facility was on the edge of a suburban stretch of green between a small copse of trees and the chain link fence surrounding the grounds. Not far away, Jory typed away on his laptop, his concentration so complete he was paying no attention to what happened around him. With a brief signal, two warriors flanked him. They'd protect him while he worked.
I sent my senses out, pushing power from my alpha core, searching for the caged warriors behind the concrete walls of the facility. Like before, the trapped Lupes sensed my presence and clamored for my attention. They were frantic to be free
of their Lupe form, and excited to know we'd come for them. Their wounded howls of welcome could be heard from where we stood, alerting the perimeter guards something was amiss.
"Silence!" I commanded, sending my will through the Earth to them. In the months since awakening, I'd grown stronger. I'd taken away new knowledge from the encounter at The Center. I no longer needed to see my warriors to free them, I only needed to be close enough to sense them.
Following the ties connecting them to me, I tugged and twisted, giving the imprisoned Lupes control over their form. Their minds cleared of the feral rage they'd been trapped with for uncountable years. Many high emotions emitted from my warriors—relief, joy, fury—and I bid them to have patience.
Pulling back from the Earth, I opened my eyes to see Ushna's expression tight with worry. "It is done." I accepted the bottle of water he handed to me, gulping it down thirstily.
Corey issued orders into his mic. A quarter of a mile away, the fence line surrounding the facility simply melted under the Magi's focus. The warriors waded in, shooting tranq darts into the perimeter guards right before all exterior lights shut off.
"Internal power has been cut." Jory's report came through loud and clear over my earpiece. "They have backup generators, but I've blocked their ability to communicate outside the building. The facility cameras are now offline."
Corey confirmed his men's positions, and we moved to follow the warriors at a fast trot. Ushna stayed to my left and Corey to my right, holding their firearms at the ready. I carried two batons, knowing a staff wouldn't be prudent for use in the hallways.
When we reached the entrance, two Magi worked their way through the dense metal. "Allow me." Although my words were an offer, they recognized the command and moved aside.
Running my hands along the surface, the metal rushed forward to speak with me. Over the long years, the sorrows of those kept within had seeped into the material, and I pushed back the horror the touch caused. With a sigh of relief reverberating through my bones, the steel turned to dust under my palms, revealing stunned human guards on the opposite side. They gawked for a split second before raising their guns. Again, I called the metal of their weapons to me. Their cry of alarm went up when the guns melted in their hands, burning them before the iron balls came to rest in my upturned palm.
Corey and Ushna shot darts into the group. The teams filed by with their assigned Magi in tow as they moved deeper to secure the building. The hallways were dark, red strobe lights the only illumination. Frantic voices reached us as confusion and fear swept through their numbers. With stealth and precision, my men engaged and disarmed the human military personnel who crossed their path. The civilians surrendered without resistance.
"Devils!" One of the men screamed, pulling a dart from his neck before collapsing. My vision flipped to shades of gray as the heat of rage burned through me.
When I stepped over the man who'd spoken, shouts and the unmistakable echo of gun fire could be heard before the noise suddenly cut off, leaving behind only the sound of cussing and shouting. Ushna and Corey stayed by my side as I led my team toward the section housing our people. The acrid scent of pain and fear, and the metallic tang of blood, assailed my senses. I expected to see the walls draped with crimson, only to be met with stark white tiles, making what I sensed all the more horrific.
My beast pressed against my skin. "Let me out and we will show them what a real demanos does." Dragon's plea echoed through my thoughts. I wanted to rampage, to take retribution for the abuses heaped on the innocent. How could people perpetrate such atrocities and believe they were justified. We'd done nothing to bring this horror down upon us. We'd separated from the humans' society centuries ago, content to live in the shadows. Perhaps that was our undoing, for if we'd continued to live in the open we wouldn't be considered any more interesting than other race or religious group.
"Tristan." Corey touched the small of my back, grounding me.
I'd stopped in the doorway of an operating room, the blood of the last Lycan in the room thick and heavy in the air. Every breath made me want to choke. Crimson-soaked gauze pads littered a tray. The stainless steel table was soiled, the restraining cuffs dangling over the side.
"Tristan, please." Ushna grabbed my hand, his calming scent pushed back the others, filling my senses.
Corey whispered something in my ear I couldn't quite make out, too intent on not changing then and there. I needed to keep control. Eventually, with Ushna's and Corey's help, my mind cleared of the red rage. But I couldn't stop trembling.
"Have you changed your mind about what you want to do?" Corey asked, his expression as unreadable as ever.
I wanted to destroy the one who had harmed my people, to tap dance on the carcasses of those responsible. If I decided to kill them all, Corey would trust I made the correct decision. And because of his unwavering trust in my ability to make the right choice, I shook my head. "We have a plan. To shut this down we go to the top. Killing these people won't further our cause." Snarling in disgust, I swept the contents of a stainless steel table onto the floor.
Corey released a breath. Until that moment, I hadn't realized he'd been poised on the edge of violence. Ushna tugged on my elbow, and I turned, leaving the room, fighting the well of emotions the horrible place incited. My beast rumbled and pawed, anxious to be freed to wreak justice. Unable to calm myself, neither could I soothe him.
The warriors waited for us in the main thoroughfare, outside a steal reinforced door. The scent of Lycan was stronger here, telling me what we'd find on the other side. Calling the metal to me, I cleared the doorway, stepping aside to allow warriors to secure the area. Howls greeted us, reverberating off the cold concrete walls.
With rising apprehension, I stepped further into the room. Warriors were freeing their brethren from cages and bindings. My gaze didn't stay on one individual for long. Simply seeing what had been done, how they were hurt, darkened my soul with an unbound fury that licked at my self-control, goading me into action. But I couldn't give in, not yet. I released my alpha power and pushed the wave over everyone. More than one Lycan called out, "My King!" Their gazes upon me a weight of admiration I'd never be worthy of.
Once freed, the Lycans yearned to touch me, and I couldn't deny them. Gregori moved among the wounded. I joined him, needing to do something, wishing, not for the first time, that I'd discovered who I was much sooner. Perhaps I could've kept this atrocity from happening. But I hadn't, and my people had suffered.
Together, Gregori and I sang the song of healing. As I softly whispered the tune, I gave in to my wolf side and transformed into my Lupe. Gathering my people around me, I allowed them to see I wasn't a figment of their imagination. They truly were free of their battle form and the human cages. Finally, I took away the agony of their wounds. Soft whimpers and whines caused me to embrace them, the desire to soothe them overwhelming until each warrior calmed enough that they could be led away.
"Tristan?" Corey stood in the doorway, his gaze sharp and knowing as he took in everything about me. What did he see? I allowed my half form to slide away, returning to my human skin.
I disregarded his unvoiced question and removed my eye patch. I'd begun to believe what my inner circle kept telling me. My people wouldn't be afraid of my differences. "Is the building cleared?" I asked as the last captive left the room.
Corey straightened as if he recalled the reason he'd sought me out. "Yes, and we've removed all the files and computers as well."
My beast stilled, anticipation rising. "Pull everyone back and set up the cameras."
Corey paused as if he'd say something else. Instead, he turned and left. Ushna and I followed closely on his heels. The need to leave made my skin crawl.
The crisp night air brushed against my exposed skin, ruffling my hair as if welcoming me back. Ushna bumped against my back, his hands landing on my hips as I stopped next to Jory. Ushna moved around to cup my face, his gaze holding mine steady as if he searched for something. B
y the worried glint in his eye, I suspected he didn't find it. He pursed his lips and handed me the knit mask.
Ushna, Corey, and a dozen others pulled on the masks. What I was about to do would be filmed, and I didn't want those who stood with me to become targets.
From his place a hundred yards away, Jory relayed through my earpiece that the cameras were rolling. With Ushna to my right and Corey to my left, the rest of the warriors spread out in a line on either side of us. Even from this distance I sensed the sorrow that had seeped into the building's stone and mortar, calling out for relief. And I was just the person to provide it.
Behind me, the Magi sang a counter to my tune as I reached down, calling to the Earth. She reached for me, her greeting comforting to my battered heart, and lent me her strength. The ground rumbled and groaned. The negative energy of the cursed place held on with fingers as, piece-by-piece, it was scraped away, the Earth recalling the dirt and stone and metal to her bosom. Like an ice-cream cake sitting too long in the hot sun, the building appeared to melt and cave in upon itself. A ghostly groan drifted through the air before the Earth rose and a wave of black soil rolled across the site, covering what was left of the building. Nothing remained behind to indicate the horror of what had once crouched there.
When the soil stopped moving a great cheer lifted, but my heart was cold, frozen by horrors I couldn't unsee.
"The next building is ready." Corey said from behind me.
Ah, yes, there was more to destroy before the night was over. I couldn't bring myself to feel any remorse. What had we done to give the humans reason to commit such atrocities against us? How many times in history had we come to their aid against the evil deeds of others? Nacht approached, his expression grim, and he grasped my and Ushna's arms. The shadows wiggled and flexed before eagerly swallowing us.
Each stop we made, I recalled the Lupes to themselves and healed them. The humans were captured, all the data collected before I leveled the buildings, leaving dark, overturned soil behind us, the only marker a building had once sat there. Stripping away the negative energies chilled me to the bone. By the time the last facility had been taken care of, I felt as if I stood nude in a blizzard. The fury roiling under my skin caused me to tremble; my beast foamed at the mouth, roaring to be free.