by Kay, Sharon
The huge chunk of metal slammed to the floor, missing Alina by a foot. More screams erupted as the club shuddered. Alina jumped back, coughing, as a gray cloud of dust rose from the new debris.
Caine leaped over a pile of broken chairs, his feet surging with the need to get to her. Almost there…
High above, a support beam groaned as it came free of its upper support. But Alina stared down at the debris that had just missed her. Breathing hard, hand over her heart, she was unaware of the new danger.
“Alina!” Caine shouted. Fury fired his blood as the metal beam plummeted. Ten feet away…
She whirled toward him just as the beam slammed down behind her. The fat dwarf jumped to avoid it, knocking her down. Her head hit the roofing section in front of her with a sickening thud.
“No!” Caine vaulted over the dwarf to her motionless body. She lay crumpled on her side. Tiny, covered in grime, and completely vulnerable. He clenched his jaw. No fucking way was he going to let her out of his sight until he knew she was okay.
Gently, he turned her over and swore. A gash in her forehead bled profusely. Goddamit. He gathered her in his arms and assessed the room for the best way out. The scent of moonflower and blood mixed and taunted his nose, just as it had the night he’d met her.
The elves had gotten one door open, and most of the crowd shoved toward it in a panicked bottleneck. Caine strode to a different door and twisted the knob. It didn’t budge. Bad day to be a lock. He took a step back and kicked, jarring the handle. Next, he tried it again and was able to wrench the metal from its socket.
Pushing out into the night, he took a deep breath of fresh air. Torth’s twin moons shone brightly tonight, casting pale light on the woman in his arms. So delicate and beautiful, even bloody and coated with dust.
He didn’t want to put her down, so he shifted her slight weight to one arm and dug into his jeans pocket. Retrieving a pre-programmed transportation amulet, he uttered the words to open a portal that would take him to Watcher headquarters. They had healers on staff. One of them would be able to help. Holding Alina closely, he stepped into the giant shimmering ring.
Ashina finished her inventory of the Watchers’ pharmacy. Tucked deep in the safety of the compound, the medical segment didn’t see much activity. All Lash demons possessed enhanced healing abilities, and all but the worst injuries healed on their own.
Then again, that wasn’t always a good thing. If the Watchers were far afield, sometimes a bad break healed improperly, and she needed to re-break it to fix it.
That was not her favorite part of the job.
Tonight she was working a shift in a rotation of healers that Arawn had on speed dial. Usually she was at her own medical practice on the realm of Evena, but since the emergence of the Solsti and the increase of odd events around Torth, she and her Watcher mate had been staying here more often.
She exited the pharmacy stock room and entered the pristine white hallway that ran the length of the infirmary. Ten exam/recovery rooms, five on each side, sat empty, waiting for patients that were few and far between. About to double-check the surgical supplies in the operating room, the double doors leading to the main part of the compound swung wide.
“Caine?” Ashina stared at the towering demon. He looked like he’d walked through a war zone. Dust and soot covered his body, and his dark eyes flashed in frustration and worry. She scanned his body, looking in surprise at the injured female in his arms. “What happened?”
“She hurt her head. Roof came apart.” His expression stormed with anger and concern.
The roof did what? Never mind. The Watchers did dangerous work. Ashina didn’t need to know the specifics in order to treat the female, who was definitely not a Watcher, and not a predatory demon either. Interesting, but again, another detail for later. “Bring her in here.” Ashina’s heels click-clacked on the tile floor as she led Caine to the operating room. “Lay her on the table.”
Caine complied, setting the female down as if she were made of glass.
Ashina adjusted a light above the table and grabbed her stethoscope. “She’s fae?”
“Not sure. She said she didn’t know.”
“Didn’t know?” Ashina stared at her. She was so small, what else could she be? Every inch of her was coated in gray dust, from her provocative clothing to her pale blond hair.
The swinging doors opened and her assistant, Sonja, who was really in the tech group but doubled as her helper, rushed in. “I heard we have a patient. What can I do?”
“Check her vitals,” Ashina instructed. She peered at the cut on the woman’s head, which showed fresh blood. She pulled on a pair of latex gloves and grabbed some gauze, then dabbed at the wound. “How long since this happened?”
“Maybe ten minutes. I came as fast as I could,” Caine said.
“You brought her through a portal?”
“Yes. That was the fastest way.”
“Was she unconscious before you entered it?”
“Yes.”
Sonja rattled off blood pressure and body temperature numbers, all indicating the female was stable.
Ashina arched a brow at Caine. “How exactly did you say she got hurt?”
The tall demon rubbed a hand over his eyes. “We were at Hell’s Gate in Halice. There was a fight, some dark magic was used, and it resulted in the roof caving in. Shit was falling, people were panicking, and she got shoved and fell into a chunk of roofing material.”
Ashina nodded and cleaned the cut with more gauze and peroxide. Sounded like a typical Watcher night, except they usually didn’t bring unconscious civilians back here. She angled the light to get a better look. Damn, a splinter was embedded amidst dirt. “Sonja. Tweezers and a saline wash, please.”
“What’s wrong?” Caine leaned over the female’s body.
“There’s a splinter and some dirt I need to get out.” Ashina took the tweezers Sonja handed to her. “How do you know her?”
He cleared his throat. “I just met her.” He looked like he had more to say, but didn’t.
Ashina peered down and deftly removed the inch-long sliver of wood. Next, she cleaned the cut using the wash and gauze Sonja had prepared. She reached for a bandage. The wound should heal in a matter of minutes…then again, it should have healed in the time it took Caine to get her here. “So, unknown species…what’s her name?”
“Alina.”
“What?” Ashina’s eyes snapped to Caine. Her breath left her lungs on a whoosh.
“Alina,” he answered, but the words sounded as if they were coming across a chasm.
Alina.
A bomb may as well have exploded in Ashina’s heart. Her jaw dropped in blatant shock, and the paper wrapper of the bandage fluttered to the floor. Alina. Could it be? “A-Alina?”
“Yeah.” Caine narrowed his eyes at her. “Are you okay?”
Can it really be her?
Ashina tore off her gloves, sending the tweezers clattering to the tile. With shaking hands, she grasped the supine female’s fingers between her own.
And was rocked by a connection born in love, forged in family and destiny, and given wings by heart-wrenching sacrifice. All before she even knew the full impact of what those four things would come to mean.
Family.
Destiny.
Love.
Sacrifice.
It has to be her.
“Ashina!” Sonja stood next to her, hand on her arm. “Are you okay? You look pale.”
Caine wheeled a rolling chair over. “Sit. Is it lingering magic, making you feel…” He waved a hand up and down in front of her. “What exactly are you feeling? Should I call Raniero?”
Ashina sank into the chair, still clutching the woman’s hand. Through the mate bond she shared with Raniero, she willed him to get down there immediately. “He’s on his way,” she murmured.
Sonja laid a cool hand on Ashina’s forehead. “Your temperature feels normal.” She placed two fingers on Ashina’s wrist. “But you
r heart’s doing a samba. I think you should lie down.”
“I’m not letting go of her.” Ashina shook her head.
“Who is she?” Sonja asked.
“You know her?” Caine asked at the same time.
“My kin. My khali.” Ashina’s voice broke on the last word, and a tear trickled down her cheek.
Both Sonja and Cain stared at her like she had spoken Latin rather than the Demonish word for granddaughter. She ignored them, studying the girl’s hand. Short fingernails. Some scrapes that could’ve happened at the club. Ashina turned it over to look at her palm. Whatever she did for a living, it wasn’t manual labor—
The doors burst wide and her mate charged in, wide-eyed. Sheena?
Love and concern flowed from him. And in that moment, Ashina felt her life come full circle. Seeing her mate as she held the hand of this woman, her own blood. “Come here.”
Raniero stalked across the room, and both Caine and Sonja took three steps back. Raniero took her face between his hands and kissed both her cheeks. “What is it, love?”
Folded in her mate’s love, Ashina drew on his strength even as her tears increased. “Caine found her,” she whispered.
“Found…” Raniero turned to the female, confusion in his dark eyes.
“Her name is Alina,” Ashina whispered.
“Holy gods above.” Raniero’s voice was a reverent hush as he looked at their hands joined. He folded his big hand around both of theirs. “You feel the connection you felt with the others?”
Ashina nodded. When she’d met Alina’s three sisters, the same surge of love had swelled her heart. It’s her, I know it.
Raniero gently smoothed Alina’s hair, then knelt at his mate’s feet. I’m humbled and honored and Gods, I love you so much. He kissed her free hand. You were so brave, love, all those years ago.
Tears splashed onto their joined hands, as memories of their tiny baby filtered through her mind. Decades ago, they’d sent her to Earth for safety. And though their child no longer lived, she’d birthed four beautiful and vastly powerful daughters. Ashina and Raniero had ached to find the youngest one, and now…she’s here. Our khali.
Raniero didn’t look away from her as he spoke. “Caine, call Arawn and tell him to get down here now. Interrupt whatever he’s doing.” His focus slid back to Alina. “How bad is her cut?”
“Not deep.” Ashina followed his gaze. “I removed a splinter and some dirt. It’s healing a bit slowly, though.” She stood and examined the wound again, where a thin line of fresh blood welled in the center. “She may need stitches. Sonja, prepare a suture kit.”
Behind them, Caine dialed his phone and spoke in quick choppy sentences. He ended the call. “What’s going on here? She was picking pockets at Hell’s Gate, then got knocked out. I bring her here, and you two are saying she’s your granddaughter?”
Raniero looked at Caine and raised an eyebrow. “Picking pockets?”
Caine rubbed the back of his neck. “Among other things.”
Raniero walked to Caine, laying a hand on his shoulder. “You can explain in the briefing. Wait for Arawn. But know that my mate and I are in your debt.” He turned to look at Alina. “I can’t believe you found her. I can’t believe she’s here.”
The ER’s double doors swung open again, and Arawn strode in like a tornado of dark, contained power. “What the hell is going on? No one has ever needed me down here.” The fierce leader of all the Lash demons didn’t mince words and he was as direct as he was huge. At six foot seven, he’d trained with his Watchers and had the muscles to show he’d bested all of them. “Ashina?”
Ashina inclined her head. “My lord.” She looked up at Raniero, then swung her attention back to Arawn. “Caine has brought us…our granddaughter.”
“Your gran—” Arawn’s jaw dropped and he was at the bedside in a flash. Awareness flashed in his dark eyes. He knew full well who he was looking at. “No fucking way.”
“It’s her,” Ashina said.
“Holy hell.” Arawn turned to Caine. “You. And Raniero, and all the inner circle. In my conference room. Now.”
“Sir?” Caine walked to the foot of the bed. “I brought her in because she was injured on my watch. I still don’t know the significance of—”
“Congratulations, Caine.” Arawn rested his hands on his hips. “You just found the fourth Solsti.”
CHAPTER FIVE
SOLSTI. THE WORD GHOSTED AROUND the edges of Alina’s mind. But the voice speaking…who was it? Several voices jumbled together in her ears. Male and female. A warm hand brushed her arm, and she jolted to full consciousness with a gasp.
Her eyes flew open, and immediately she squeezed them shut against the glare of light that was way too bright. Her head pounded as if a brick wall was crashing down inside. Forcing her lids open, she turned her head and took in her surroundings. She was in a…hospital? Oh no.
She tried to sit up and encountered several faces she didn’t recognize. Who are these people? Panic rose in her throat. Why am I here? How did I get here?
“Hey.” A deep male voice cut through her wild thoughts and she turned in his direction.
Caine. Thank the gods, a familiar face. He walked to the side of the bed. He looked …awful. Dirty, dusty, and bloody, but concern shone in his eyes.
“How ya feeling? You hit your head pretty hard.” He picked up her hand, enveloping her skin in warmth.
Hit my head? She blinked, and images rushed in a fast-forward reel in her mind. The club, the crowds, the roof—
“Where am I?” Her breath came in short gasps. “I-I need to go.”
“You’re not going anywhere until I fix up that cut,” a woman spoke from the other side of the bed. With her toffee-colored skin, straight dark hair, and green eyes, there was something familiar about her that Alina couldn’t identify.
Alina turned to Caine. “Where’d you bring me?”
“You’re in the medical wing of the Lash Watchers compound. I’m Arawn.” A towering demon rumbled from the end of the table. “I say who comes and who goes. But Ashina, our healer, is in charge here, so I’ll let her talk to you.”
Alina stared, awestruck. This was the legendary Lash demons’ leader? Holy shit. He was rumored to be eight hundred years old, and one of the fiercest warriors in all the realms.
“You really don’t know why you’re here?” Arawn cocked his head to the side. “Is there anything you want to tell us?”
“No.” The word slipped effortlessly past her lips as if her subconscious wouldn’t allow the leader’s question to go unanswered. She was still staring, so she almost missed the slight shake of head that Caine gave to Arawn. Had Caine told them she stole money? Sharp disappointment welled in her gut and she swung a wary glance to him.
“You were hurt and unconscious. I wasn’t going to leave you passed out in a crumbling club. You’re safe here.” Caine ran a hand through his dark hair and his eyes pierced her with an intensity that was almost tangible. It was raw and sincere and she felt a stab of guilt for thinking he had ratted her out. “I have to go to a meeting, and explain what happened with those dark elves. But I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
On its own accord, her hand tightened on his. “Oh. Um, right now?”
“Uh, yeah. Boss’s orders.” He winked at her and jerked his head toward Arawn.
Her focus slid to the huge demon leader. He stood several inches taller than Caine, and his shoulders were wide as a door. She could understand not wanting to anger him. “Okay.”
“I’ll be back.” Caine gave her hand one last squeeze before releasing it and walking out with Arawn.
The healer, Ashina, cleared her throat. “I’d like to introduce you to my mate, Raniero, before he has to leave.”
The other male Lash demon in the room smiled at her, a strange mix of emotion flickering in his brown eyes. A thin silver scar glinted on one side of his face, which was framed by dark wavy hair. “I’m honored to meet you.”
Honored? Um, okay. “Thanks, same to you,” Alina said in a small voice. “You’re part of this big important meeting?”
“Yes. I’ll see you later.” He bent down to kiss Ashina with such tenderness it made Alina’s heart pinch. Many creatures found their true mate and bonded for life, but Alina had never stopped to consider the possibility for herself. It was kind of hard to plan for the future when your present was an ever-changing string of addresses and stolen possessions.
A pretty blond Lash demon took the place Caine had vacated. “Whew, three less males in the room equals one hundred percent less testosterone, doesn’t it? I’m Sonja, Ashina’s assistant.”
“Hi,” Alina said in a small voice. True, she felt like she could take a breath now that the three tall males were gone, but without Caine she felt totally alone. She shook her head. “I’m really at Watcher headquarters?”
“You really are.” Sonja smiled. “When you’re ready, I can give you a tour.”
“A tour?” Alina couldn’t hide her surprise. Lash Watchers weren’t in the hospitality business.
“Well, it’d be a pretty short one, since you wouldn’t be allowed in most rooms…but you could see the hallways, you know, and get an idea of the place. If you want.” Sonja shrugged. She handed Ashina latex gloves, a plastic bag of medical supplies, and a pair of scissors. “I figured you’d like to do the honors, doc?”
“Yes.” The healer nodded. “But I want you to watch and learn. We hardly ever get to suture around here.”
“I need stitches?” Alina asked, then she remembered the dwarf who’d pushed her. That little shit.
“Yes, looks like five or six.” Ashina threaded a sterile needle. “Would you like a local anesthetic?”
“Yes, please.” She eyed the needle. Pain wasn’t her thing.
“Sonja, you can use the numbing balm,” Ashina said.
“Sure thing.” Turning, the blonde walked to a cabinet on the wall and reached in, then returned to Alina’s side. She held up a small brown jar. “Our witches make this. It’s amazing and you won’t feel a thing.” She unscrewed the lid, dipped a sterile swab inside, then applied a minty smelling beige cream to Alina’s forehead.