by Milly Taiden
“Steal his breath?” Goddard said. “What nonsense is—”
Kari put her hands up. “I’m telling you what I know. It’s your choice—”
“Yes. I recall that from earlier.” He leaned over Bryon’s face. “How do I steal breath?”
“Whenever he exhales, you inhale, sucking his air to you. This will draw the wolf spirit to the surface to protect its human form.” By God’s grace, the demon bought it. If something sounds logical . . .
“Keep going.” Kari knelt on the other side of Bryon. “His body should begin to shift into his wolf as it comes forward to save his other half. It’s the last stage of the wolf’s ability to hang on.” Please let Bryon or his wolf be conscious. Please. When nothing happened, she cleared her throat. “I said the wolf will shift as—”
When the sound of a bone cracking ripped through the air, she nearly passed out from relief. The poison had worn off. About fucking time. “Keep breathing, Goddard. Open the animal’s mouth and stay with it. The wolf is fighting you. You have to take it. Now!” She shoved the wolf’s back. Nothing happened. “That’s the cue. Now!”
As the prince looked up at her, the wolf lifted its head from the floor and sank teeth into the old man’s scrawny neck. Snapping it instantly.
A black mist escaped the prince’s mouth and dissipated in the air.
It happened so quickly that the guards were still chanting the Lady Gaga song lyrics she had taught them minutes ago. When realization hit, black robes went flying into the air, whipped off by the guards in record time. Guards who still had guns.
Kari lunged in front of the wolf, hoping to keep it from getting shot. “Wait! Stop!” Among the confusion of men running toward their deceased prince, men running away, and robes catching fire on the candles, the armed guards stood over her as she blocked most of the wolf with her body. One big guy shouted to others and pointed to the fires breaking out around the room.
“Woman . . .” The man in charge looked at her with steely anger. Then his eyes slid down her body. Her clothes were torn, revealing more of her than she would ever allow. Chills ran through her and the wolf growled against her back. “Step away from the beast and we will let you live.” The grin on his face told any idiot that he was lying through his teeth.
In the confined space, the room quickly filled with smoke. Throat already dry, Kari coughed with the first wisps of contaminated air. She seriously doubted this lower hold was equipped with a fire extinguisher. She pulled the front of her shirt over her nose. It helped some. Not enough. The riflemen steadied their guns aimed at her and her mate again. She shook her head and coughed.
The guard who spoke to her lowered his brows and snarled. “So be it.” He lifted his gun and she squeezed her eyes shut. Behind her, the wolf had dropped the king’s body and leapt toward the men lined in front of her.
Two shots fired. She waited for the burning sting she was sure a bullet wound made. The room instantly became silent except for the popping and snapping of the fires and two thuds that sounded like bodies hitting the floor. She peeked through a slatted-open eyelid and saw two dark forms in the smoky air lying face down on the ground. The others were turned, gazing at the stairs.
On the steps, men in camouflage with guns poured in. They yelled in the native tongue and guards put hands up and fell to their knees. This had to be the rescue party, right? When Sheldon appeared on the steps, tears sprang to her eyes. Partly from relief, partly from acrid smoke.
They were saved.
He caught sight of her and wolfy Bryon and headed their way. She wrapped her arms around him in gratitude then coughed against his chest. She mumbled a sorry. A growl began behind her. She laughed through tears and bent down to hug her mate. “We’re alive. You saved us, my love.” She placed a kiss on his ear. He started his shift and she sat back realizing that he was naked and turned her eyes to Sheldon. This was so embarrassing.
In human form, Bryon man-hugged Sheldon. Bryon hollered over the ruckus, “Let’s get out of here.” But it was too late for her. With each hack, she sucked in more smoke. Her throat swelled from the burning irritation, cutting off her air. Her heart sped wildly. Her hands scratched at her throat. Forcing her lungs to expand, she sucked in hot air, making it worse.
In the next instant, she was lifted and carried upstairs and out the back door where several military vehicles were parked and more men milled around the area. She fought for a breath of fresh air now that she was in the sunlight at last. She’d never take the sun for granted again.
Her coughs went so deeply, her gagging reflexes kicked in. She squirmed out of Bryon’s arms, fell to her knees, and puked the little food in her stomach. Her throat loosened and air slid into her lungs, but her chest still felt like it burned on the inside. A tin cup of water was handed to her and she swished it around her mouth and spit out, drinking the remainder until she suddenly coughed it up.
Bryon picked her up and carried her to a car. He sat with her in the backseat as Sheldon drove. After a few more gagging fits, her lungs and throat started to feel better. She collapsed against her mate, exhausted for the sudden exertion and drain of adrenaline.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Sheldon is taking us to the airport. By plane, we can be at the U.S. military base in Liechtenstein in thirty minutes. They have equipment and medicine to take care of our dehydration and make sure your lungs are clear. I don’t like the sound coming from your chest.”
“I’m feeling much better. We don’t need to go to the base. That’s way too much hassle.”
Bryon’s face scowled. He was angry. “Don’t think for one minute I don’t know how to take care of my mate, missy. You’re going to a military hospital I can trust not to try to kill you while you sleep.”
She laid her head back on the seat and sighed, which started another short bout of hacking. “Fine.” But she really was feeling better. All she wanted was toxin-free water to drink or a glass of refreshing lemonade would be awesome.
She noted he wasn’t naked. “Where did you get the clothes?”
“Sheldon has your suitcases in the trunk. These are his.”
She nodded and coughed. “Did you tell him about the warehouse?”
“Some,” Bryon said. “Enough to get his men on the move.”
Kari sprang forward on the seat. Saving the women being tortured by the traffic ring was more important than her dang cough. “Sheldon, how many men do you have here?” she asked.
“Half of the base I’m sending you both to,” he replied. Another cough crept forward. She motioned for Bryon to tell Sheldon whatever else that needed to be relayed. If Sheldon’s men would surround the facility, they could take care of the criminals and free the women. Sheldon pulled his phone from his pocket and made a call. She hoped it was to get more men there. There could never be enough men. She almost laughed at that. But it was no longer true for her. One man would be more than enough for her.
Her heart ached for those who’d already left the warehouse before she could help them. She remembered one of the girls shoved into the van as she was escorted to theirs in the warehouse. The woman with beautiful dark flowing hair and big eyes. There was something about her that drew Kari’s attention. She could see any man wanting a female like that.
Meanwhile Bryon debriefed Sheldon on what had happened the past twenty or so hours. Was that it? It felt like days. But she did have one question that couldn’t wait. “Sheldon, how did you find us in the castle?”
“Your tracker beacon suddenly popped up on the radar. We just followed it,” he said.
She looked at her wrist. Some of the costume jewelry she donned with her earlier disguise remained. “Then why didn’t you find us earlier?”
“We were underground,” Bryon said. “Unfortunately, the bracelet’s GPS doesn’t work in places like that. As soon as we came out, they received the sign
al.”
Not that it mattered, but she would’ve liked to have known that from the get-go. She slapped a hand on her forehead. God, she wanted to go home. Wanted to be in a deep Jacuzzi with bubbling water floating around her. And Bryon on the other side of the tub in all his naked glory. Hmm. The things she wanted to do to that man.
“Hey,” Sheldon said from the driver’s seat, “keep that smell to yourself. We’ll have none of those thoughts in a car with a guy who is still mate-less.” He smiled at her with sad eyes in the rearview mirror. Her heart broke for him. She remembered how much he wanted a mate and family. He would make a great dad and husband to the right woman. She prayed he would find her soon.
She glanced at her mate. The past day had been incredible. She’d gone from being lonely to the happiest person in the world with a wonderful man. And his eyes shined with exactly what she was feeling: wanton desire.
The car slowed. “Saved by the airport,” Sheldon mumbled. “Thank god we’re here. I was going to step out if things got any smellier back there.”
Bryon laughed. “Just you wait till you find yours. You’ll see.”
CHAPTER 33
Bryon was glad when they pulled into the private airfield’s driveway and parked around back in the passenger drop-off area. His mate needed medical attention and he’d make sure she got it.
As they got out of the car, a plane sat on the tarmac not too far away with its engines running. An attendant was in the process of closing the plane’s door. With his mate he’d be on their own plane hopefully very soon. He was as tired as she was.
They went inside the small office building and heard a very angry person yelling at the man standing behind the counter. When the door closed behind their group of three, the screaming man turned to look at them. He snatched papers on the counter and marched out.
Sheldon shook hands with the man on the other side of the front desk. They seemed to know each other. That would make sense seeing that half of the closest military base had just flown in under Sheldon’s authority. Bryon looked around for his mate not by his side.
She stared out the window, watching the attendant roll away the mobile stair unit that was attached to the leaving plane’s door. In the driveway outside, a white van with a business logo drove past. Seeing she was safe, he turned back to the conversation between Sheldon and the company’s employee.
Suddenly, Kari spun around and pointed to the van waiting to pull onto the street. “Where are the people who were in that van?” she hollered. He and the other two men looked where she pointed.
The employee said, “The man who was yelling when you come in. We have problem with plane and delay a couple hours. He’s pissed we not give money back.”
“What about the people who were in the van?” she stammered. “Where are they?”
He nodded at the plane rolling away from the loading tarmac. “They all in plane. Mostly ladies. Two males.”
His mate ran toward him but she looked at Sheldon with panic and fear in her eyes. “Give me the car key.”
He fumbled around, shocked by her sudden demand. “What? Why?” Sheldon pulled the key from his pocket and she snatched it from his hand.
“I’ll explain later.”
He called after her as she ran for the door. “Be careful. It’s a rental.”
Bryon watched the door close then turned to Sheldon. “Is she getting the suitcases out?” He ran for the door. “She doesn’t need to do that. I will.”
Rushing through the entrance, the men were outside to see the rental car speeding away . . . after the plane. Bryon slid his hands into his pockets. “Did I mention she might be crazy?”
A couple of employees came running out of the plane’s storage building and the office, staring at the car now cutting across the first landing strip. They were as speechless as he was. Bryon slapped his partner on the chest and headed for the employees. He yelled out if anyone had keys to the company truck sitting in the parking lot. One of the men hurried over, pulling a fob from his pocket, and pointed at a vehicle. They jumped in the truck and took off after his mate.
The man asked what was going on. He and Sheldon shrugged, though he had his suspicions. They watched as she rolled through the median between landing strips. A small ditch ran down the middle of the grassy area. Did she see it? The front end of the rental car dipped and slammed up the other side. The front bumper came off and spun to the side. That would be a No, she didn’t see it. Sheldon groaned.
The plane slowed on the back taxiway, making the turn onto the runway for takeoff.
The employee driving the truck wore a headset with voices screaming through the ear speakers. Bryon plucked them from the man’s head and slid them on his. The microphone extended around from the side to lock in place at his mouth.
“Listen up, boys. This is Agent Bryon Day with the United States government.” That shut up everyone on the line. “We have a situation we need your assistance with. There is an escaped crazy woman driving the car that just stopped in the middle of the back airstrip. She is armed and very dangerous. I suggest you do whatever she says.”
Sheldon slapped his arm and whispered, “What are you doing?” Bryon waved him off.
“We have the situation under control. Do not approach her. Stay far away from her. I repeat, stay far away from her. Do you copy, tower?” Bryon finished.
“Copy, Agent Day. We will inform the pilots as soon as they contact us that they are ready.” That was strange, they should’ve done that when leaving the tarmac.
“You mean the pilots haven’t confirmed already?” Bryon asked.
“That is correct, Agent. I’m sure they will respond any second now.” The controller’s voice didn’t sound too positive. More worried. He realized why when he glanced at the runway and plane. Kari had stopped the car sideways in the middle of the strip the jet stopped at. Why did she not want the plane taking off?
The plane rolled forward. Oh, fuck. The pilots couldn’t be serious. They’d damage more than just the landing gear if they tried to run her over. His mate had her heart set on something. He knew Kari was strong of heart and will. She wasn’t moving an inch until the wrong she perceived was righted.
His bet was that plane was loaded with females who had been purchased at the sale in the back of the warehouse. How she knew that, he’d ask later.
The plane continued forward. He was relieved she was safely inside the car at least. The jet would have to go through the car to get to her. The car door opened. What the hell was she doing now? Hopefully getting away.
To his unbelieving eyes, she got out of the car then stepped on the back bumper and hoisted herself onto the trunk. Said bumper now sagged on one side. Sheldon moaned again. From the back part of the car, she climbed onto the roof and put her hands on her hips. She stuck out her one arm, turning the palm toward the plane. Dear god, if she thought that would stop them taking off . . . Sheldon groaned again.
The plane wasn’t slowing; she wasn’t budging. This would not turn out good for one of the parties. He urged the truck’s driver faster. As soon as they were in reach her, he’d yank her gorgeous ass off the roof and spank her. Naughty visions flashed in his head. Oh, the fun they would have when they got home. Wanting to focus on his mate surviving, Bryon closed down the images.
Still not moving fast enough, Bryon moved his leg to the side and stepped on the driver’s foot on the gas pedal. The vehicle jerked forward. Their driver’s eyes grew huge and his hands wrapped tightly around the steering wheel while he yelled at Bryon. Some of those words Bryon had never heard before.
They had to reach Kari before the plane did. Just in case the pilots were stupid enough to plow into her. The thought of losing her sent his wolf into a panic. It jumped forward wanting to break free and run to her. Bryon reminded it the truck would be there by the time they shifted and got out. It didn’t like that answer, but
would abide by it for now.
The jet kept coming. What the fuck were they thinking? Their vehicle nosed into the ditch and popped up on the other side. Almost there. No one was backing down. Goddammit, Kari. She was getting it from him for scaring the shit out of him. What “it” was he’d decide later.
They raced the jet toward the car parked on the strip. He prayed one of them would bail. Now would be better than later. The jet’s speed had reached the point where it couldn’t slow in time. Shit! How would he save her?
The company truck hit the concrete the same time the jet slammed on its breaks. Loud peals of screeching filled the air as smoke from the jet’s and truck’s tires floated close to the ground from their skids. Long black marks marred the pale strip.
The plane stopped within a foot of Kari’s outstretched hand. He’d be damned; she pulled it off. She had freaking superpowers. She was in so much trouble.
He jumped out of the truck with Sheldon. Through the headset, he heard the tower trying to reach the pilots, but they were not responding still. Running toward his mate, he glanced at the cockpit. A man stood between the pilots, pistol in his hand. That would be the reason the pilots weren’t responding to the tower’s requests. The gunman looked familiar. Bryon thought he might’ve seen him in the cave earlier.
The three in the cockpit seemed to be arguing, the guy with the gun waving it around. One of the pilots gesturing out the windshield at Kari on the car’s hood. He must have been the reason the plane hadn’t stopped, not his mate’s superpowers. Thank god for small miracles.
They reached the car together and Bryon reached for Kari. Sheldon held his arms out to his side, eyes scanning the damaged vehicle his mate stood on. “The car is a wreck. The boss won’t be happy.”
“What?” Kari said. “It’s a rental. You got the insurance, right? Never mind. I need your gun.”