The spouts were everywhere, a virtual army of water surrounding the five mercenaries coming at them from the back side of the property. The men knelt, watching the water dance around them. One held his hand out experimentally and touched it to his mouth. They looked relieved that it was only water.
I’m moving into position. Can you cut off the one flanking them? He’s dropped back about six feet from the others? Can you be that precise? Thomas asked.
Rikki gave the telepathic equivalent of eye rolling. Seriously? She could do anything with water. She had already planned to start twisting the tops of the waterspouts together to form a tunnel around the men.
You’re such a show-off, Blythe teased.
Rikki closed her eyes, feeling the water heavy in the air now. Judith fed her power slowly, but it wasn’t really necessary. Every drop of water for miles responded to her, she could feel it, the drops all interconnected. She had to be careful that she didn’t call in the seawater as well. She manipulated the twisting spouts, so that several left the ground, cushioned by the air Airiana sent under them.
I’m in position. Drop them, Thomas commanded.
Rikki did so easily, the spinning spouts landing solidly between the four men and the one who had dropped back. The four men were completely surrounded by walls of water so thick it was impossible to see through them. Thomas struck hard and fast, coming in from the mercenary’s left where the strongest pull on the water was.
He struck with his fist, a punch of enormous strength against the artery in the neck, paralyzing the man momentarily. He eased him to the ground as his knife bit deep, twice. He laid him almost gently on the ground and moved back into the shadows.
One down from the backup team, Thomas reported. Rikki, push the water inward on the left side.
Rikki did and the wall of water, all the spouts merging completely, revealed one, soaking-wet mercenary. The man spun around, trying to get the water off his goggles to see. It was already far too late. Thomas rose up like a monster from a horror film, his knife slashing deep, hitting arteries on the way, even as he yanked the weapon from the man’s nerveless fingers. The blade buried deep in the mercenary’s throat. He lowered him to the ground.
That’s two, he reported as he rolled through the wall of water to the other side of the three men left.
He caught a glimpse of the remaining three. They had become aware of their missing companions and had gone back to back. He continued his roll until he was in the heavier brush. The moment they examined the bodies, they would know they weren’t alone.
Can you push them toward the irrigation pond? Thomas asked. Subtly though, but keep them moving. I don’t want them to have the chance to spray the area with bullets.
Judith, pull back the power altogether, Rikki said. I’ll handle this, you help Levi.
Rikki maneuvered the wall of water closer to the three men huddling in the center. They inched away from it. The water had built into a powerful fall that was endless, soaking the ground and creating a muddy mess that sucked at their boots. One ducked his head and tried to go through it upright. The force of the water drove him to the ground. His buddies grabbed his boots and pulled him free before the water could bury him in the mud.
Lexi, Rikki said, can you help me saturate the ground with water? I’m calling it up from underneath, but if we can stop them from moving, as long as Thomas is careful, we can contain them there.
Sure. Lexi plunged her hands in the earth, feeling for the ebb and flow of the earth’s song. The melody connected with the blood in her veins, and sang through her body until her heart beat with the same rhythm.
Lexi felt for the disturbance in the earth toward the back of the farm. Water was pounding down, saturating the ground. She shook her hands gently, mixing the dirt with her fingers about an inch or so beneath the soil. At once the earth responded to her call.
The ground beneath the three mercenaries shifted subtly, turning to soup, trapping their legs in the mucky goo. The water shifted directions, hitting them in the face, effectively blinding them.
Be careful of the ground, Thomas. It’s highly unstable, you could sink with them, Lexi warned, or get stuck.
Thomas slid on his belly, dispersing his weight across what essentially had become quicksand. He moved slowly and deliberately, not drawing attention to himself. The mercenaries had other things to worry about. Each of them had realized they were sinking and had laid their bodies as flat as possible on the surface, dispersing weight as Thomas had.
They probably wouldn’t have sunk any farther than their waists, but the combination of spinning water towers and sinkholes had shaken them all. He didn’t want them back on their game. He killed the man nearest him with a quick thrust of his knife through the back of the neck. As he started to move away, the closest man suddenly turned his head.
He’s got me, he’s targeting me, Thomas said, rolling, trying to use the dead body for cover.
Roll toward the irrigation pond now. Roll now! Lexi slammed both fists hard into the ground, her heart pounding in her throat. She saw Judith turn toward her, her face going white.
A deadly jolt ran straight from Lexi’s fists, picking up speed and strength as it raced underground toward the sinkhole. A crack opened just a few yards from the pond and continued like a lethal snake, widening as it ran toward the two men.
One had lifted his rifle, finger on the trigger, spraying the ground through the veil of water Rikki tried to keep up to protect Thomas as he rolled away from the unstable ground. The crack opened the earth below them. Both men dropped down, water pouring in on them. The crack undulated and then receded, drawing back, the ground beneath closing as if it had never opened.
Thomas! Thomas answer me! Judith cried.
Thomas rolled over and stared up at the sky, his heart pounding. He’d seen the women in action before, but each time they came together, the power seemed unbelievable. I’m fine, mi angel caido.
Lexi sank back on her heels and pressed her hand to her mouth. I’m going to be sick. I’m sorry, Judith. I didn’t know what else to do.
You saved my life, little one, Thomas said. Thank you. You did the right thing. That’s all five. Give me a minute and I’m heading your way, Levi.
I forgot Levi, Lexi wailed. Levi, are you all right?
I’m trailing after my four. They’re trying to rendezvous with the two Maxim has left. Give me a minute. Maxim? Did you get that? Three more headed your way. They’re all trying to converge on your home, Levi reported.
I see them, Maxim confirmed. Lexi, quick thinking. Thanks for keeping Thomas alive, we all owe you one. I tried to muffle the sound of gunfire coming from the back side of the property, but everyone here is on alert now.
Same with this group. I’m taking the one on the right. He’s coming straight at me, Levi said. The others have passed. Lissa, can you do another flash for me. Bright and hot.
Maxim felt his heart stutter. Lissa was trapped, lying perfectly still with one of the mercenaries only a few feet from her. She was small and fit nicely beneath the shrub, but if he had looked down at his feet, he would have seen her. If she moved . . .
No problem, Levi. Count down to three. It’s coming.
Maxim wanted to tell her to stop. He could only hope the man practically standing on her hand would be just as blind as the one Levi had targeted. The whip of orange and red flames danced through the sky, lashing toward the ground close to the garden, gathering energy as it snapped down toward earth. Suddenly it went white-hot, so bright the entire ground was illuminated.
Maxim cursed under his breath as the mercenary close to Lissa tore off his goggles and threw them, his hands going to his eyes.
Levi came at his target from behind, taking him fast, using his strength to break the man’s neck, drop him and roll out of sight. That’s two. Don’t mistake me for one of them, Maxim. I’m trailing after
them.
Maxim pushed his knife back into the sheath and pulled out his pistol. He was too far away from Lissa to use a silent kill. The mercenary close to her was bound to look down for his goggles.
The moment the flash of light was gone, the mercenary spun around, to look behind him. Lissa rolled out of the brush toward the man, evidently just as aware as Maxim that there was no way she could remain undetected. Her legs shot smoothly and precisely between the soldier’s legs and she rolled, bringing him down. Fire raced up and over the ground, long ropes of it, wrapping around the rifle so that the mercenary had no other choice but to drop it.
Lissa’s blade flashed for a moment in the moonlight and then it was gone, buried in the enemy’s chest. She rolled away, coming to her hands and knees. She looked as if she might be getting sick.
Lis? Get the hell out of there, Maxim commanded, hoping his voice alone would snap her out of it.
The man’s partner, a few feet ahead, swung his head around and spotted Lissa. Maxim shot him through the head twice before he toppled to the ground. The sound of the two bullets fired one after the other galvanized Lissa into action. She sprinted across the garden to the shadows of the house.
Maxim covered her as the other three men Levi was tailing burst into the garden. He beckoned to Lissa to keep running. She used him as a ladder, leaping into the air, one foot finding his hand, then his shoulder before she gained the roof.
All five down, he reported.
Not only had they built three bunkers, two of which still needed work, but they had added blinds on the rooftop as well. They hadn’t had a lot of time to prepare, but they’d made the most of it.
Maxim swung onto the roof beside Lissa. Do you have a gun?
She nodded, scooting toward one of the blinds to cover the back of the house. She looked very pale, but determined.
Airiana, they’re close to you. No one make a sound. Not a movement. Stay low. We’re in a gun battle now. Weave the air around the bunker, make it dense and tight just in case a bullet travels that way.
If I do that, we can’t help you, Airiana protested.
Maxim spotted Thomas converging from the south. Levi came in from the west, still behind the three remaining mercenaries.
Max! Two more. Two more. They’re behind the house, right behind, at the window already, Lissa hissed.
Of course. The sound of gunfire had been the signal to bring in the last of Evan’s team. These two men were the elite, the ones who were not considered expendable. Evan believed they could get the job done.
Go, Levi said. Thomas and I have got this.
Maxim caught another glimpse of Levi coming up behind one of the mercenaries, locking an arm around his throat and using the man’s weapon to shoot the second one as he turned. Thomas knelt and took aim on the third man, firing as the mercenary turned back, firing his rifle in an effort to kill Levi.
Levi sank his blade into the man he held as a shield. All five gone.
The moment Levi gave the report, Airiana burst from the bunker and raced for the house. There would be no stopping her. Maxim couldn’t blame her either—he was feeling a bit desperate himself. Benito had a gun and he would fire it if somehow the two mercenaries managed to get through the door to the secure room in the basement, which would be nearly impossible. Still, their children were in danger.
Maxim leapt from the roof almost in front of Airiana. She skidded to a halt. He threw her a hard look, one that should have intimidated her, but he realized Airiana didn’t intimidate all that easily.
Thomas is entering through the back window, right behind them, Lissa reported.
Levi is taking the front, Judith added.
We’re going in through the new entrance, Maxim stated, still glaring at his errant woman.
She held out her hand for a gun. He gave her the pistol and drew his Glock, waving her to stay behind him. He went in silently, easing the door open to feel the air patterns.
They’re upstairs, in the main bedroom. They’re moving in standard, two-man formation, clearing every room, he told his brothers.
Please don’t get blood in my bedroom, Airiana said.
You’re such a girl, Thomas teased.
Maxim, can you close the door on them? In, say, that small recreation room just between the kids’ rooms? Levi asked.
What are you thinking? Maxim asked.
Let them make their way there. You and Airiana close off the room and suck the air out.
They can break out the windows, Maxim reminded.
Exactly, they’ll get the hell out of your house. Thomas and I will be waiting for them, Levi said.
Not a bad idea.
Don’t want that sister of mine to be upset over a little blood, Levi teased.
Hey! Have you ever tried to get blood out of something? Anything? It just doesn’t want to come out, Airiana justified. And the children don’t need to see anything like that in their home.
Both Thomas and Levi laughed at her, an affectionate, gentle laugh that helped to ease the tension. Maxim and Airiana waited while the two mercenaries made their way back down the stairs and cleared the first bedroom, Siena and Nicia’s room. It took only a few minutes and the two men were back in the hall before slipping silently into the recreation room that separated Lucia and the younger girls’ bedroom.
Together, Maxim and Airiana slammed the door closed, and sucked the air from the room. The two men reacted exactly as Levi predicted, throwing a chair through the window the moment they couldn’t breathe, and diving through to the yard below them.
Thomas and Levi were on them immediately, two shadows, dealing death. All clear, Thomas reported.
Maxim once more felt the air outside to make certain no other enemy was near. He put his arm around Airiana. Everyone is safe. I’ll call Damon and let him know we need a cleanup crew out here now. It’s been a long night. Thank you. All of you.
We’re just protecting our own, Blythe said.
Maxim glanced out the window to see Thomas with his arm around Judith, and Levi holding hands with Rikki. Lissa and Blythe were on either side of Lexi as they walked toward Lexi’s home. No one looked at the bodies scattered around the garden.
“It’s over,” Airiana said softly. “Thank God.”
Maxim didn’t reply. It would never really be over, not until Evan Shackler-Gratsos was dead and gone, but there was no real way to get to him—yet. They’d just have to keep building up their security and watching over one another.
“What was that password I gave to Benito? The boy’s so trigger-happy he might shoot us both,” Maxim said. “You know, baby, we can’t let them out until the cleaning crew has removed all the bodies.”
“Max”—she shook her head—“they’re probably scared to death. You’re so . . . bad.”
“They’re sleeping in our bed at night. I’m desperate.”
She laughed softly. “If I’m honest, I have to say, so am I, just a little bit, but we have to go reassure them.”
“This parent thing is killing me,” Maxim said.
21
MAXIM woke with the moon shining on his face. He could hear the children breathing softly, surrounding him, a familiar sound he was beginning to enjoy. His body was hard and uncomfortable, almost painful. He shifted his gaze to look down at the woman tucked beside him.
She was awake and she had her open hand pressed to her mouth, her blue gaze on him while she licked and bit and even sucked on the exact center of her palm. The breath slammed out of his lungs as he felt her tongue on his cock, curling around him, her mouth hot and moist and the edge of her teeth ever so gently nibbling down his shaft.
What the hell do you think you’re doing, woman?
Waking you up. I’m feeling neglected. You do have a job to do and you’ve been falling down on it recently. You promised I’d always be happy.
We’re surrounded by the enemy. He pointed out the obvious, feeling a little desperate. Children everywhere and they won’t leave us alone! Not for a minute.
Be inventive.
He glared at her. She just smiled and slipped from the bed, and padded on bare feet across the room to the window. She had to skirt around Lucia, but she made it without waking any of them. She was dressed in thin shorts and a tank, neither of which could possibly keep her warm, but allowed her to be modest in front of the children in their bedroom. Airiana flung the fire ladder out the window, gave him a seductive smile, and climbed out.
Maxim lay there for a moment, a smile on his face. His woman was wonderful. Crazy. Ingenious. He was madly in love with her, there was no doubt about it. He breathed deep, trying to get his cock to cooperate. If it would just ease up a little, he could follow her, because right at this moment, if he moved, he was certain precious parts of his anatomy would shatter.
There was no stopping his smile. Airiana was teaching him how to enjoy life. She was just plain fun. Her laughter was contagious, and when he was overbearing with the children, she managed to turn the situation into something altogether different. He still couldn’t figure out how she did it without undermining his authority, but it didn’t matter, he’d get it eventually, and in the meantime, she had his back.
He sat up carefully. He wore only a light pair of sweatpants, and his chest was exposed, with all the scars as well as recent wounds.
“Wow,” Benito said. “That’s so cool. You never told me you had all those scars.”
“Shh,” Maxim cautioned, putting a finger to his lips. “I’m going out for a while. You watch over the girls, but if I catch you sneaking out after us, I’m going to shoot you. Really shoot you. And scars aren’t that cool, so do what I say.”
Benito laughed. “Airiana wouldn’t like you telling me you’re going to shoot me.”
“Probably not, but that won’t stop me from doing it. Stay here.” Maxim rose and carefully skirted around Lucia. “And stop threatening to blackmail me. There’s an entire forest out there, kid. I’m not afraid to use it.”
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