by Caris Roane
He flew down the long hall, but the moment he reached the first communal area, a chill passed through him. Several pack wolves lay inert and unconscious.
He flew up the stairs to the ground floor and found the same thing. All the wolves, including Julio’s forces, had passed out. He headed down the hall then to the entry. The doors were wide open, so he flew straight out into the parking lot where even more wolves lay scattered everywhere, including on top of some of the vehicles. Fergus’s men, and maybe Fergus, too, had fallen out of the sky.
He stopped at the edge of the sidewalk and with Kiara still tight against his side, he began to rise slowly, scanning the area.
They have to be nearby, Kiara said.
I don’t see Fergus.
Maybe they’ve taken him somewhere. Rise higher.
Warren ascended slowly. When he was thirty feet above the parking lot, he suddenly felt Glissane’s presence like a cold shock to his system.
He’s here. Kiara’s voice trembled within his mind.
I know. He gripped her tighter around the waist.
Then, at a distance of forty feet, Glissane and Julio suddenly emerged from Glissane’s invisibility shield.
The secretive wizard had revealed himself at last.
~ ~ ~
Kiara felt Warren ease his grip on her waist. She wasn’t sure why. Maybe from the shock of seeing the man who was causing so much trouble.
Glissane was rail thin, just as Warren had described him. His hair was honey-blond and he wore it in waves to his shoulders. His eyes may have been light at one time, but they were now the kind of black that had no end. He wore a strange shimmery gold coat, tight black pants and a medallion around his neck. A green aura clung to him.
He was a wizard fully engaged in the dark powers of the path he’d chosen.
Julio, on the other hand, was a bully and enjoyed it. He floated in the air, smiling, with his arms crossed over his chest. He’d chosen a wizard of power to fulfill his plans and he believed the world was his. He was dressed in black: shirt, leathers, boots. His long-sleeved t-shirt clung to bulging muscles. His arrogant smile revealed white, even teeth.
Kiara knew the truth. Julio was a pawn and a fool, nothing more.
She ignored him and instead, carefully extended her witch senses toward Glissane. He fixed his gaze on her, not Warren. She recalled the sensation of releasing her own wave power knowing the wizard had a similar ability. For the first time she wondered if she was what Glissane was after. But why? In the same way he lived a completely hidden life, she also knew how to live behind powerful security spells. She would always be able to avoid him.
Yet here she was, out in the open.
But so was he.
He’s staring at you. Warren’s deep voice flowed through her mind. What does he want?
I’m not sure.
I think he’s testing you. Or intends to. Whatever the case, Julio looks smug as hell.
Yes, he does. Warren? What should we do here?
We wait. Let them show their hand. In the meantime, I’m revving my storm power.
I can tell.
Without warning, electricity suddenly arced in the air from Glissane’s position to Warren’s.
Are you doing this? Kiara asked.
No. I don’t know what’s going on.
Slowly, Glissane switched his focus to Warren, a smooth glide of his gaze that robbed Kiara of breath. Glissane began to move toward Warren, a slow flight in which he sustained his arc of power.
Kiara, I can’t break it. He’s shut down my storm ability. Get out of here. Now.
Like hell I’m going anywhere.
Julio stuck close as he tracked with Glissane.
She heard Warren grunting. She glanced at him and saw that his back was arching, and his jaw ground his molars. You’re in pain.
She glanced at the parking lot below. They were still thirty feet up and she knew what would happen next. She pulled away from Warren, but took hold of his arm and descended swiftly. Whatever hold Glissane had on Warren, she was able to pull him all the way to the asphalt between car rows.
Glissane was closing in at twenty feet. The change in air position didn’t affect his hold on Warren. Kiara could tell Warren was battling hard, trying to break free. Knowing it was important, she stayed connected.
Warren, he’ll kill you if he can. We’ve got to work together. Stop fighting like a wolf. Use your new warlock gifts.
He’s holding my storm power in check. It’s still very much alive, but I can’t cross that arc on my own.
Let’s do what we just did to that steel door.
Sounds like a plan.
She never lost contact as she levitated to put herself behind him. She gripped his waist and planted her forehead in the middle of his back. In this position, Glissane’s electrical current pierced her head and sent a bolt of pain that stole her breath.
She ignored the sensation and forced herself to breathe through the agony. She focused on her wave power. She knew she had only seconds to do this. Though her head felt like it was coming apart, she gathered her new wave ability and let it pour through Warren.
She could feel the resistance because of Glissane, but she kept it up. She wanted Warren and Fergus to live. She didn’t want these evil men to have one more minute of control over the wolves of Savage. She let these desires fill her from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.
She could sense that Warren’s storm power was beginning to put pressure on Glissane’s arc of electricity. She kept drawing her wave ability forward over and over so that it became a series of preternatural breakers, striking at Glissane’s energy.
She could feel Warren’s storm beginning to rise. She heard thunder now and from her periphery, flashes of lightning.
“What the hell is that?” Julio called out.
Glissane didn’t respond.
She knew the wizard was trying to battle Warren’s storm, but he was failing.
“We’ve got to get out of here,” Julio shouted.
Kiara. Bring the biggest wave you’ve got in ten, nine, eight…
She mentally completed the countdown and at the same time pulled on every last resource to let a mega-wave rip. As she did, the sky filled with a surge of storm power that had thunder rolling around them again and again as well as brilliant flashes of lightning
Though still connected to him, she lifted up to peer over his shoulder.
Julio battled the storm with what ability he possessed, but his levitation wasn’t holding. Warren’s storm caught him and shoved him hard against a distant building. He fell to the ground in a broken heap.
Then Glissane lost his levitation footing as well. The tornado-like event had him flipping through the air. But Glissane had more power than Julio and he was able to adjust his position enough to keep from slamming into cars or buildings or even trees. He rose higher and higher then suddenly disappeared.
Warren’s storm eased down but he raced in Julio’s direction. Kiara shot across the parking lot with him. She watched as he drew his handgun.
His voice penetrated her mind. Keep a lookout for Glissane.
Though her body was tracking beside Warren, she focused her witch senses on the wizard. Nothing returned to her, however. Either he was extremely well-hidden once more, or he had left the battlefield. I’m getting nothing. He doesn’t seem to be here anymore.
She doubted he’d been killed.
As Warren pulled up, she matched his movements then gasped as she saw Julio clearly. He’d had been flung a hundred yards against the steel security bars of an abandoned store window. Blood was everywhere and other kinds of debris that turned Kiara’s stomach. He lay in a heap on the sidewalk, his skull caved in.
Warren turned around almost as fast. “Fergus. Shit.”
“What?”
“He’s communicating telepathically, but he’s almost gone.”
“No,” Kiara cried. “Where? I can help him.”
“I don’t
know. Jesus. I don’t know.” He was about to take off to begin a search, but Kiara stopped him with a hand on his arm.
“Let me try.”
Warren grew still and waited, though his hair was wild around his shoulders again.
She didn’t explain her intention. Instead, she focused on Fergus. Fergus, it’s Kiara. Picture where you are.
She didn’t receive anything at first, then the faint image of a pool arrived.
The moment she saw it, she knew where he was and that he was drowning. She took off like a shot back to the main entrance. Warren tracked with her. The wolves had started regaining consciousness, though slowly like they were drugged.
She sped down the hall then whipped to the right. She knew exactly where the pool was because she recalled seeing it on the plans.
She flew down another set of stairs to a separate second level on the north side of the complex. Straight on was a large underground lap pool. Fergus was face down in the water.
Warren was right with her and before she said anything he flew across the surface of the pool, plucked Fergus out as though he weighed nothing, then carried him to the cement.
He dumped him on his stomach and began pushing on his back. Water kept flowing from his mouth. Kiara dropped down in front of Fergus and planted both hands on top of his head. She gathered her healing energy and let it flow like never before.
His body arched and suddenly air flowed into his lungs. He started coughing and sputtering.
After a moment, he sat up and stared at her. “What was that?”
She promptly burst into tears and flung her arms around his neck.
Warren sat back on his heels and shaded his eyes.
Kiara released Fergus almost as quickly and watched him. He kept coughing and taking in deep breaths. He looked around as though not understanding. “I don’t remember how I got here.”
“Julio and Glissane created their wave power and knocked you and your force unconscious. They dumped you in here.”
Fergus scowled heavily as he stared at Warren. “Where were you? Why are you still alive?”
Warren explained all that had happened.
Fergus shook his head. “How the hell did you escape a security door like that one?”
Still kneeling beside Fergus, Warren took Kiara’s hand in his. “Kiara and I did it together.”
Fergus nodded as though he understood.
“Fergus!” Mary had arrived. She’d no doubt used her dreamglide and had seen where he was.
Fergus rose to his feet and pivoted toward her. A second later, she flew into his arms. He stumbled backward a couple of feet but caught himself with levitation as he enfolded his woman in his arms.
Warren rose as well. Kiara joined him then drew close to his side. He wrapped his arm around her waist. He was wet in places from hauling Fergus out of the pool, but she didn’t care.
Fergus was safe.
Julio was dead and hopefully Glissane, without a host, would leave Savage for good.
When Mary kept kissing Fergus over and over, Warren suggested they give them some privacy.
As soon as they left the pool area, Kiara remembered the wolves that had fallen out of the sky. “Hey, I’ve got more healing to do. We should go to the parking lot.”
~ ~ ~
For the next two hours, Warren watched Kiara go from wolf to wolf and offer her healing powers. She was the opposite of a wizard like Glissane. She was a witch of incredible abilities, but she used them only for good.
There had been two fatalities among the pack wolves in Julio’s compound and a host of deaths for those wolves that had been in Julio’s employ.
Fergus had recovered enough to begin the process of getting the dead sent to the Savage morgue. The pack wolves immediately took up their assigned duties and began cleaning up.
The female wolves in Julio’s bedroom were released from their chains and placed in the medical unit. Kiara visited them as well.
He stuck with her wherever she went. She’d grown pale with the extensive use of her healing abilities. More than once, he’d caught her when she’d listed on her feet while her hands were flowing with power.
Though there were still many wounded, he forced her to take a break and have a meal. The kitchen staff had already heard of her involvement in Julio’s demise as well as her extraordinary healing efforts. They quickly prepared chicken salad sandwiches for both of them.
She guzzled water as well.
He sat beside her, each on a stool, in the kitchen proper. The pack chef hovered nearby to make sure they had whatever they needed. Kiara leaned against him as she ate. She’d even closed her eyes.
Fergus and Mary found them there. Mary had also used her veterinarian expertise and had stitched up a number of the wolves. Chef served them as well.
Fergus, his clothes still damp, sat beside Warren and together they mapped out the future for the combined packs. It was decided not to break them up. They’d had months of bonding and would probably be fine so long as an alpha was found to take over within the next week or so.
The larger problem was getting all the wolves off emerald flame. Like any addictive substance, recovery wouldn’t be simple. But Five Bridges had a host of trained medical professionals that Warren would contact to bring in for assistance. Those dedicated to help addicted alter creatures, would be only too happy to help the pack. Julio’s heinous program of forcing the pack wolves to take the drugs was well known throughout all five territories.
When Warren finished his sandwich and with one arm still supporting Kiara, he called Alessandro. His second-in-command was in the training center with a number of Gordion warriors when Warren shared the news of the battle.
Warren smiled when he heard the cheer go up in the background that not only was Julio dead but Warren would be returning to the compound as soon as the wolves were cared for.
“What about the contingent outside Caldion?” Alessandro asked.
Warren’s smile broadened. “Take their asses down.”
When Alessandro repeated Warren’s command, another cheer rang out. Alessandro said he’d report back when they’d gotten the job done. “And we’ll have chef and his crew get the grills fired up. We’re celebrating as soon as you’re back on Caldion soil.”
Chapter Eleven
Kiara sat on Warren’s lap, her arm resting across his shoulders. She hadn’t stopped smiling since she and Warren had arrived at the Caldion compound.
The wolves were in a state of mad celebration because Julio was dead. Once word of his death had been sent to the entire pack, Alessandro had led a large contingent of warriors out of the compound to round up the last of the El Lobo Grande force. Their efforts put an end to Julio’s campaign against Savage.
Bonfires had been lit in several controlled pits on the patio, beer kegs had made an appearance and the night roared with howling.
More than once, Kiara’s wolfness had her neck arching. She held back because she was embarrassed until Warren howled, then she couldn’t help herself. She opened her voice in a howl to match the wolves around her.
I love that you can do that. His resonant voice in her mind sent a shiver through her body.
When he squeezed her waist, she turned into him and for about the hundredth time kissed him on the lips.
A trio of wolves drew close. Warren extended his hand to each. The wolves smiled and shook his hand, dipping their heads slowly as an acknowledgement of his status. At least a hundred of the pack wolves had already done this. By instinct, Kiara knew similar greetings would continue until every member of the pack essentially welcomed their alpha home.
At first, she hadn’t wanted to perch on his thigh, but he’d needed the closeness and didn’t seem to mind that his wolves eyed her curiously. Warren was her priority, though, and she wouldn’t have left him for the world right now. He needed her and as she examined her own heart, she needed the contact as much as he did.
She doubted she would ever understand the na
ture of their relationship. For the present, however, she chose to go with the flow.
When a long line of wolves arrived from the kitchens, each bearing tables and chairs, the pack of three hundred went to work. It was like watching a ballet as the massive outdoor entertaining area was transformed into a banquet hall.
Food and more beer followed next.
Warren kept her close throughout the meal, though she now sat beside him. He ate with his left hand and kept his right planted on her thigh. The connection kept her heart warmed up and her body on fire. What they’d achieved, especially removing a cruel, dangerous man from Savage, had left her with a fierce longing to be alone with him.
At last, Alessandro began quietly encouraging the pack to close out the night. Kiara watched in some amusement as several very drunk wolves had to be hauled out in protest. Even then, there was a sense of goodwill and nothing but general amusement.
Warren waited until most of the pack had gone to bed before ushering her in the direction of his apartment. Those that remained were on clean-up duty.
Once at his rooms, she moved just inside the doorway to take it all in. Her brows rose. “Your place is amazing.”
She hadn’t known what to expect, but his home was massive with tall, twenty-foot ceilings which made her wonder if he often shifted in this space. The colors were a warm brown, beige and rust with dark royal blue accents. A massive fireplace sat opposite the entrance, laid with rough, brownish stones all the way to the ceiling.
There were many large leather chairs scattered throughout the room, along with accent tables and two large couches facing each other in front of the fireplace. A large credenza sat in front of window on the south side of the space, with long panels of blue, woven fabric on either side.
On the north side of the room was another large cabinet that bore a dozen bottles of liquor. Above were shelves containing glasses.
It all made sense. As an alpha, he would entertain members of his pack. She could almost hear the past gatherings, the conversations, the laughter, the occasional howls.