"A friend of Valentine's back in my court. I'll tell you about them later," Taranis replied, glaring at Bayn.
Killian covered his mouth to hide a grin. Bayn just looked confused.
What the hell was that about? Lachlan shook his head. It didn't matter. They had bigger things to worry about.
Kian cleared his throat. "Are you sure you only want four of us?"
"I really don't want to risk more. If you are worried, we could always have backups on standby, but between the seven of us, we should be able to deal with them. Kill is his own army," Lachlan said.
Killian grinned. "Aw, thanks, little brother. He is right, though. They might be blood mages, but they are still human, and they do die so easily."
"Don't give him a bigger head than he already has, Lachie," Bron said with a roll of her eyes.
"When can you four get here?" Lachlan asked, trying to keep the conversation moving.
Apollo was fading beside him, and they all needed to sleep after the day they had.
"I can send Ciara and Tor with the plane to get Killian and Bron," Arne said, looking at Apollo. "They can get what you need from your lab and safely get it across the borders. How explosive is it?"
"Very explosive," Apollo said, perking up. "As long as they don't mix by accident, it'll be fine on a plane. I'm pretty sure."
Arne rubbed at his forehead. "We will get someone to ward them just in case."
"Better make them good ones," Apollo said, his usual mischievous grin finally coming back. "Because I'm going to show them just how good of an alchemist I really am."
28
It was amazing how much your anxiety could lower when a big Viking man hugged you. Lachlan was experiencing the Tor Bear Hug, and he had never been so grateful that his sister had mated the wolf shifter.
"It's okay, little brother. I'm here, and we will sort this mess out," Tor said, swinging Lachlan a little from side to side.
Ciara tsked. "Put him down. You'll crush his little brain if you keep that up." Tor dropped him, and Ciara instantly punched Lachlan in the arm.
"Ouch! What the fuck, sis?" he complained.
"Thatis for making Cosimo upset. Andthat," she said, punching his other arm. "Is for making me worry about you."
Killian smiled at him over the top of her head. "Now I don't know if I should hug you or punch you."
"Hugs. All the hugs," Lachlan said, and Killian wrapped an arm around him.
Bron snuggled in on the other side. "You had us all worried, little cousin. How's everything with Apollo?"
"Good?" Lachlan said, a hot blush creeping over his ears. Killian laughed, and Bron grinned. He whispered, "Don't say anything. I'm trying not to overwhelm him."
"Where the fuck are my hugs? I was the one who was kidnapped after all," Apollo declared and pushed his way in between Lachlan and Killian. He put his hand on Lachlan's chest and pushed him out of the hug, so Killian could get both arms around him. "Much better. Squeeze me, big, sexy fae. I've been in distress."
"And what a fine damsel you make," Killian said, cupping his golden head to his chest with a big hand. Lachlan's eye twitched. Killian only grinned wider and made soothing sounds. "There now, little dragon. Everything is going to be all right. We will sort out these alchemists, and no one will dream of hurting our golden boy again."
Lachlan wondered just how long Killian would take to heal if he stabbed him with something.
"Easy, bro. They are family," Ciara said softly, and Lachlan quickly looked away.
Gods. Only Apollo could make him so stupid.
"Where do you want all this stuff, Apollo?" Ciara asked to break up the hugging.
"In my room. I can mix stuff in the bathroom. Lachie, carry that thing for me. It looks heavy," Apollo said, pointing to a large suitcase and batting his eyelashes.
