“There are no secure cells in the building. There are only three levels. Offices on the lower floor, living quarters in the middle, and the top floor is Harvey’s office.” Alana continued to draw the layout of the top floor, indicating the corridors that led to Harvey’s office.
“I’ve been through the top floor when I’ve visited his office. I know how to get there easily enough and there’s something in there that I want to get.” James had seen the list and knew that it was vital that they retrieve it. It contained the names of several females that Harvey wanted to get and that meant The Order needed to find them first.
“We’ll go through the gate at the rear of the property and move around the perimeter of the building. The door to the rear is secluded, so that would be our best bet at getting inside without being seen. We have to keep a constant watch for the guards. We know they are Mist and well-armed.” Elijah had been told about their weapons when they’d rescued Alana. He wasn’t going to take the chance of any of his males being killed.
“Emilia will probably be on either the middle or top floor where Harvey can ensure she can’t escape. He will suspect we will try and enter the building and take her. It’s a trap to get Alana back inside the building,” Lucian surmised.
Jonah could feel his fury beginning to build. He despised the arrogance of Harvey’s belief that Alana belonged to him. “Elijah, Alana has agreed to be my mate and we would like you to perform the mating ceremony before we leave.”
Elijah looked at Jonah with both shock and happiness. It would be his honor to perform the ceremony for his most trusted friend. He’d never assumed Jonah would ever find the love he had found with Jasmine and was elated that Alana had brought his closest brother such happiness. “Of course, I would be honored to.”
Alana smiled at Jonah as he winked at her. She turned and gazed at the other males in the room. They all stood from the table, smiling and made their way toward the door. Lucian placed his hand on Jonah’s shoulder in approval. It made her heart jolt at the joy the males felt for Jonah. They were his brothers and wanted nothing less than for Jonah to be truly happy.
Alana watched as Jonah held out his hand to her and she willingly placed hers in his. She stood and followed him out of the room into the living area. A few days before, her life had been a living hell of fear and anger in Harvey’s possession and now her life had meaning and love. While she still feared for the safety of her sister, her heart burst with the love she felt for Jonah. He had become her whole existence. She loved him unconditionally, and would forever.
Luca carried the scripture into the room and laid it gently on the table in front of the couch.
Alana stared at Jonah confused. “Why do we need the scripture?”
Jonah smiled at her. She looked so cute as a small crease formed on her forehead. “It’s not the scripture we need. It’s the satin ribbon that binds it. The yellow ribbon surrounding the scripture links me to your bloodline. You’ll see.”
Jonah led Alana to the front of the living area and stood between the two plush couches, just in front of Elijah. Jasmine stood beside Elijah, her auburn curls resting elegantly on her shoulders, making her look stunningly beautiful. Jenson, Tobias, and James moved to stand to their left, while Lucian, Carrick, and Luca moved to their right.
Jonah watched as Elijah smiled lovingly at Jasmine. He now fully comprehended the intensity of their love and commitment to each other. He felt the same for Alana and treasured her unreservedly.
"I'm not really dressed for this. Jeans and a T-shirt aren’t exactly elegant,” Alana whispered as she stared up into Jonah’s vibrant eyes. They always dazzled her heart and she could stare at them all day.
“You look beautiful in whatever you wear. We’ll get you something beautiful to wear when we have the party.” Jonah loved the sight of her whatever she had on, or not, which was even more desirable.
“Jonah, take Alana’s right hand in yours while Carrick binds the ribbon around your wrists.” Elijah remembered when he had held Jasmine’s hand and their ribbon had bound them tightly together. Knowing she would become his forever had been more than he’d ever dreamed of and he’d felt his love for her burn through his heart. He smiled at Jonah.
“You will feel a warmth but don’t be alarmed. It’s part of the mating, Alana,” Elijah warned.
Alana watched Carrick wind the ribbon over both their wrists and felt a warm sensation travel up her arm toward her heart. It tightened, binding them together. Her heart blazed with love as she stared at the sharp, handsome features of Jonah’s face. She could see the happiness deep in his eyes and it brought her to the edge of tears at the thought of being mated to him forever.
“Alana. You are my salvation. You have opened my heart and showed me how to love again. Your gentleness and kindness know no bounds and I promise to always be by your side. You have given me the most precious gift of your love and I give you all of my heart. I will treasure and protect you all our lives and protect our young with all that I am. You are my world, my mate, now and forever.”
Alana could feel tears well in the corners of her eyes as she fought to hold them back. Children. She had always been too afraid to desire children. The thought of them being taken away had torn at her heart but now a spark of hope to have them with Jonah filled her with joy.
“Jonah. You are brave and strong and I love you more than I can say. You have faced adversity and grown in strength and I am honored to have you as my mate. I will cherish you forever and will protect our young with my own life. You are my true desire and I will be by your side forever. You are my whole life, my mate, now and forever.”
Jonah leant forward and kissed Alana passionately. A burning sensation gripped at their wrists as Jonah pulled away from her mouth. He stared at the glowing yellow ribbon that bound them together. Jonah could see the alarm on Alana’s face but he smiled reassuringly at her. As Jonah watched, the ribbon begin to unwind and fall effortlessly to the floor. He stared at the elaborate teardrop shape that marked their skin. Each teardrop was transposed, matching their mating marks in a mirror image.
Alana watched as the mating mark revealed. It was exactly the same as her necklace and Jonah’s had been mirrored to hers. It was beautiful to see the elaborate curves and to know that she was bound to Jonah forever.
“The mating mark has been borne onto your skin. Live happily together forever,” Elijah said as he smiled at Jonah and Alana.
The males of The Order clapped and approached Jonah and Alana to shake Jonah’s hand. They each bowed to Alana and she felt overwhelmed that they had accepted her into their lives. She had found her true love and a now had a family to call her own again. Tears fell onto her cheeks. Her heart was elated that they had forgiven her for being in the cells that day and all she needed now was for her sister to be back into her life. Alana felt Jonah’s arm wrap around her waist as he lifted her into his arms and pressed his lips against her neck before staring into her deep brown eyes.
“You are mine. Now and forever!” Jonah’s tone was adamant and he brushed his finger gently over her cheeks to wipe away her tears.
“Now and forever!” She agreed, pressing her face into his hand.
“Quick question, though. What is your name, your whole name, I mean? It’s just I want to know what my name is now.” Alana was curious. She hadn’t realized until that moment that she had only every known him as Jonah.
“My name is Jonah Armstrong.”
Alana giggled.
Jonah frowned, confused at her reaction.
Alana stared down at his arms as she squeezed at his enormous biceps. He was still supporting her weight as she stood on the tips of her toes to reach the floor. “It’s very apt.”
Jonah gently placed her back onto the floor as he smiled. He loved to hear the soft sound of her laughter. He wanted to make her laugh more just so he could listen to the velvet tone of her voice.
Lucian tapped Jonah on the shoulder as Tobias and Jenson chatted qui
etly to the side. “As much as we would all love to stay here and celebrate, we really need to start making a move to the Headquarters. It’s going to get dark real soon and we need to use that to our advantage. I’m really sorry, Alana, but if we’re going to get your sister out, we need to leave now.”
Alana nodded at Lucian as he turned and walked out of the living area. The roaring fire that Carrick had lit danced excitedly in the hearth as the warmth in the room floated toward her. It was going to be a long, cold night but at least she would be warm in the car. She needed to head back to her and Jonah’s room to retrieve her sweater.
Jonah seemed to know instinctively what she needed as he led her through the archway and back up the stairs to their room. Once inside he pulled her into his arms and lowered his head to take her mouth in his. He wanted to feel more of her, touch her and bring her the pleasure they had shared earlier, but he knew he didn’t have time to show her how much he loved her. When they returned he would take her back to the comfort of their bed and make love to her. He would hold her all night, tight in his embrace.
“Make sure you wrap up warmly. It’s still bitterly cold out there and I don’t want you to become unwell. Luca has agreed to stay in the car with you and you are not to leave the safety of the vehicle.” Jonah’s tone crept up Alana’s skin.
An icy sensation traveled through Alana’s body, but she knew he’d not meant it as a threat. He was not happy at all about her going along with them but he had compromised. She understood his anxiety. She would do as he said and stay in the car. At least she would have someone to talk to instead of worrying herself sick about her sister and mate being in danger. She nodded to Jonah in agreement.
Jonah walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out his leather jacket and a sweater. He handed the leather jacket to Alana. It had been the jacket he had worn the day he had walked into the bar and he wanted Alana to be sheathed in him. If his arms couldn’t be around her then his most favorite jacket could be. It was a shame she was so small, or he would have given it to her permanently. As she wrapped the large jacket around her shoulders, Jonah watched as she threaded each arm down the long length of the sleeves. He laughed as she stood looking like a small child whose parents had bought the wrong size clothes.
“It’s not funny. These sleeves will drag on the floor they’re so long.” Alana giggled. She must look such a sight and she knew that Jenson and the other males were going to have a laugh at the way she looked. She grabbed hold of the collar and pulled it against her face. It smelled of his gorgeous scent and she closed her eyes as she pulled his smell deep inside her.
“Ready to go? Remember, you stay in the car!”
Alana pulled at the sleeve of the jacket as Jonah took her hand in his. He led her out of their room and she felt her heart pound, realizing she was about to be reunited with her sister. She hoped with every ounce of her being that The Order would be able to get to Emilia quickly and that the guards would not attack them. Fear spiked at her at the thought of losing Jonah.
“Make sure you come back to me. I’ve only just found you and I couldn’t bare it if anything happened to you.” Alana could hear the panic in her own voice.
Jonah stopped at the top of the stairs and turned to face her. “I have something to live for, something to fight for, and I promised I would never leave your side. I will come back to you.”
They walked down the stairs and out of the elaborate front door into the freezing cold air. Alana had to believe everything would turn out all right. Nothing else mattered except rescuing her sister and having her mate safely back in her arms. Her mating mark warmed as she pulled the jacket up to her chin.
“Let’s go get your sister.”
Chapter 18
Harvey sat in the wicker chair of Alana’s room staring at the small female sitting deathly still in the corner of the room. She’d not spoken a word since she’d been dragged up the stairs by his guards and her attempt at making him uneasy with her fierce glare amused him.
Emilia was the spitting image of her sister. While she was thinner than Alana and her skin paler, her eyes held the same dark brown hue that he adored in Alana. He watched her closely as she stared around the room. The plush carpet and furniture was nothing like what she’d been used to in the cells and it was almost comical to see her take in the surroundings. Emilia’s hard mattress had been the complete opposite of Alana’s and she’d not had any other furniture or belongings to call her own. He wondered if she felt resentful of her sister. It would make his day. Emilia was spiteful, and had often lashed out at him when he’d gone to the cells. Her timid demeanor, when he’d first taken her some fifty years ago, had become one of aggression and vicious threats of what she’d do to him if she ever broke free. To see her anguish would be gratifying.
Harvey had made sure Alana’s comforts were taken care of. He had wanted her to feel happy living at the Headquarters with him and had made sure all her needs had been provided for. He would have taken care of all her needs if she’d let him, but he would still work on that when he got her back. Emilia, on the other hand, he didn’t care for. She could go back to the cold, dark, uncomfortable conditions of her cell for all that mattered to him.
As he continued to stare at her, he thought about the first time he’d found them both. His guards had run into what he’d quickly learned to be a cousin of the females. In return for Harvey’s compassion for not killing him, he’d told Harvey about the unusual members of his family. Harvey had sent his guards to locate them. It had been hard to decipher which one was which in the beginning. They’d had the same build, the same stunningly soft, dark hair and their facial features had mirrored each other. Now, their differences were striking. Emilia’s hair was matted and her cheekbones were more defined. The vibe of her personality was aggressive and she was as cold as ice.
Harvey had researched their bloodline and it had intrigued him that they were the only known twins in the Mist race. He’d known from the scriptures the power they possessed if they were ever together but it had been difficult to find out exactly what had made them so special. Alana had refused to speak of her relationship with her sister and Emilia had been less than cooperative when he’d tried to get any answers from her. She had flatly refused to even acknowledge his presence whenever he’d gone to the cells. It was only a short while after that he found the true magnitude of the link they shared.
Now that Alana had been taken, Emilia was his only ammunition to get Alana back. He knew she would return to save her sister at some point and he was counting on it being sooner rather than later. He missed Alana, and would do anything to have her safely back at the Headquarters with him. Even though he knew in his heart that she would never return to him willingly, he had what she desperately wanted and that was his best bargaining chip.
Emilia sat and stared at Harvey. His short spiked hair and the sharp cut of his cheekbones turned her stomach as his lips curled into a cruel smile. She detested him. He had told her that he wanted her for a little job and had explained to her that she was there to lure Alana back.
She sat and thought about the last time she had seen her sister. It had been the day before she’d been taken. They had met up for a coffee in town and Alana had talked endlessly about her job at the clinic. Emilia recalled the brightness in her sister’s smile as she’d told her about the patients she’d looked after and Emilia knew that Alana loved her job. They had talked about the new flat that Emilia had moved into and about her job at the small accountant’s in town. They had spent hours chatting and laughing and had agreed to meet up the following week.
Those had been happy times. Even though they hadn’t lived together, they’d been close and had shared everything. They had the same taste in clothes, food, and men and had even made plans to go on a beach vacation together. She wondered if anyone had ever tried to look for them. So many times she’d sat and waited for anyone to come and rescue her, but no one had ever come. They had just become two females who had disappe
ared and eventually anyone who was looking for them would have given up.
Harvey had come into their lives and destroyed it all. He had locked her away from everything and everyone she loved and her hatred for him fed though every cell of her body. Now, he was using her to get Alana back.
Emilia stared around the room. It had been painted in a soft cream color and the beautiful raspberry-colored carpet felt so soft under her feet. For years, she’d only known the cold stone floor of her cell and the comfort of this floor washed through her. The furniture was elegant and she loved the look of the large, downy bed that dominated the room. She imagined what it would feel like to drift into an aura of peaceful sleep, surrounded by a big cozy duvet. The thin, coarse covers that she’d been given had always scratched her skin and the constant fear of the guard coming into her cell had never allowed for any peace.
She rested her head on her knees as she pulled them close to her chest. Breathing slowly, she closed her eyes. Her stomach clenched, rumbling loudly but she would never demean herself to ask Harvey for food. He’d take great pleasure in refusing. Allowing her to suffer seemed to have become a pastime for him, and she would never give him the satisfaction of seeing her suffer more. She’d learned to keep her needs silent.
Over the years she’d learned to shut her feelings away. She’d locked down her mind and heart and had detached from the reality of her torment. The excruciating pain of the guard’s hands on her body and the constant agony of being hungry had balanced her on the brink of giving up. It had only been the other males in the cells that had saved her.
Emilia knew that Tarrant and Gideon were Mist like herself. They had both been well-built and had dominated the small cells they’d been kept in. Their vibrant-colored eyes and strong facial features had told Emilia they belonged to the Mist race and she knew that was why they had been captured. What she’d never understood was what Harvey had wanted them for.
They had often given her scraps of their food when the guard had starved her and they’d both talked to her endlessly about their lives before they’d been taken. Their kindness and concern for her had kept her breathing when she’d just wanted to lie down and never wake up again.
Jonah's Salvation [The Order of the Mist 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 15