Then another couple stepped forward. Based upon the appearance of their clothes, he knew at least one of them was an elf. “I’m Thalion, king of the elves, and this is my mate, Cyn.”
More people introduced themselves. Members of the djinn council and high faes, and even the warlock queen was present.
Maxim noted the healers, Sally and Kara, were sitting utterly still and silent. They looked to be in some sort of trance. Perizada had mentioned the healers were fighting to keep Alice alive. Gratitude swelled in him for these people he barely knew who still tirelessly aided his mate.
Lastly, Fane beckoned the redheaded female forward. “My Luna, Jacquelyn.”
Jacquelyn met his eyes solemnly, but not without warmth. “I’m Jacque. Welcome to the crazy,” she said with a kind smile. “Hope you’re up to a challenge.”
“I’ve waited my entire life, which has been considerably longer than yours, to find my true mate.” Maxim’s voice was gruff even to his own ears. “This is not what I envisioned, but then very few things in life turn out as we expect them to. I just want her to be safe and out of Cain’s clutches.”
Jacque’s eyes glistened, but she lifted her chin. “We will make sure that happens. She’s part of our family now, too.” Fierce devotion rang in every word.
“Even though you’ve never met her? Even though she’s entangled with a vampire?” He wondered just how accepting they would be.
“We haven’t killed the male who betrayed our pack by giving our healer over to The Order of the Burning claw.” Jen stepped out of her mate’s hold. “He is now mated and has a pup. He deserves to die for what he did. Hell, he deserves to be tortured, raped, killed, then brought back to life again to have it all repeated.”
“Jennifer,” Decebel’s voice growled, but she ignored him.
“If we can show that asshole mercy and grace, how much more will we show a gypsy healer who was put in an awful position with no way out?” Jen’s hands were fisted at her side as she stared Maxim down. She was dominant and ferocious.
“You have a worthy mate,” Maxim told Decebel.
“She likes to behead people,” Decebel said solemnly. “I’d suggest staying on her good side.”
Jen snorted. “I only remove their heads if they don’t use the damn brain inside of it.”
A knot of fear and anger had tightened in Maxim’s gut since learning of his mate’s plight. Finally, it began to loosen. It was obvious by the intense words and determined gazes of these people that, however impossible the odds, they would move heaven and earth to save Alice. It seemed they had done this type of thing before.
Fane approached, meeting his gaze as one alpha to another. “You have questions for me. Ask freely. I trust everyone in this room with my life and the life of my mate.”
Drawing a bracing breath, he dropped his eyes from Fane and Maxim began. “Tell me of your plan to defeat Cain … and how I may help end him,”
Maxim listened intently as Fane laid out the strategy. A small stealth team would infiltrate the compound first to disable security systems and take down vampiric guards.
Adam pointed to himself. “That would be me, Peri, Lucian, Sorin, Crina, Myanin, and Gerrick. Peri and I will break through whatever wards Cain’s fae allies might have in place.”
“Our goal will be to clear a path to Cain for the second wave,” Lucian added.
Fane picked up where Lucian left off. “Once the internal defenses are compromised, I’ll lead a larger strike force that comprises all the leaders.” He motioned to the four djinn elders, sprite queen, high fae, and king of the elves. “We will capture Cain quickly. Speed and strength are imperative. The vampire king is cunning and mustn’t be allowed to retaliate by giving orders to any of his people, or even the humans under his control.”
The alpha went on. “Meanwhile, Jacque, Jen, and Rachel, another healer we have here, will operate as medics, helping get prisoners to safety. Rachel will try to free the dormants out of any sort of chemical or magical unconscious state Cain might have them in. Sally and other healers will work simultaneously on breaking Alice and Lizzy’s blood bonds to Cain through magical means from afar. Sally and Kara are both with child and won’t be put in direct danger.”
Maxim agreed wholeheartedly. If his mate were pregnant, he’d be keeping her locked in a bank vault somewhere far, far away.
Fane’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “And you will follow the mating bond straight to Alice’s side, securing her safety.”
His wolf rumbled eagerly at the thought of finally uniting with their mate.
“Once Alice is free of Cain’s control, it will weaken him,” Fane explained. “We only need to contain him briefly while the healers break Lizzy’s bond as well. Then his hold over them dies with him.”
It was risky, especially since the healers really didn’t have a clue how to break the sire bond, but Maxim agreed it was the fastest way to get the captured out. Cain had no inkling of the storm about to descend on him.
“My role is clear,” Maxim said solemnly with a clenched jaw. “I will not fail to reach Alice’s side.”
Fane clapped Maxim’s shoulder. “Of that, I have no doubt. Your mate’s suffering will end soon, brother.”
Maxim’s chest swelled with gratitude for these allies, who’d asked nothing of him yet willingly took up his cause. Cain would rue the day he dared trifle with a fated mate bond. Come tomorrow, the vampire king would be defeated. Of that, Maxim would make certain, even if he had to tear the monster apart himself. Alice, as well as the others, would be free.
