“Bloodlust,” Finn offered. “They don’t have a mate, as you did when you were changed.”
Suddenly, a hand wrapped around Lizzy’s wrist, causing her to jump. She turned and saw Alice’s eyes open.
“Alice,” Lizzy said, her voice shaking.
“My head hurts.” She looked at Lizzy. “What’s happening?”
“You’ve been unconscious,” Lizzy answered. “Your body is rejecting any blood we give you.”
Alice sighed. “Because I’m a gypsy healer, my body is fighting itself because of the vampire virus?”
“Nailed it.” Lizzy gave her a small smile that she knew didn’t reach her eyes. “Cain allowed me and Finn to stay to take care of you.”
Alice’s heartbegan to beat painfully in her chest as she pushed herself up into a sitting position. “Where is Cain? What has he done?” She looked at Lizzy and then at Finn.
“Why would you assume he’s done something?” Finn challenged.
“Because he would only leave my side if there was something more pressing.” Alice closed her eyes as the room spun. She focused on taking slow breaths, hoping the sudden nausea would pass. As she focused, she felt two distinct pulls. In her mind’s eye, she saw on her left side a dark cord that led to Cain, and on the right, a bright gold cord that led to a man she didn’t recognize but knew in her soul was her true mate. “What the—” She gasped as if a well-aimed fist had hit her straight in the solar plexus. Alice realized she was literally tied to Cain by magic. She reached out to touch the dark cord, and it felt like tiny pinpricks against her fingertips. She jerked her hand back, then focused on the gold cord. When she touched it, warmth flowed into her hand, up her arm, and straight to her heart.
“I’m coming for you.”Maxim’s deep voice spoke into her mind. She could hear the anxious worry in his tone.“Be ready.”
“He’s coming,” she blurted out.
“Who?” Lizzy and Finn asked at the same time.
“My mate.”
“Peri was successful in finding him then,” Finn said. “That must mean Fane is on his way, too.”
Alice slowly nodded as her gut tightened. She should be excited, or relieved, or something. Instead, all she felt was trepidation.
“We’re going to get out of this compound of horrors.Whoop!The good guys are gonna kick the bad guys’ asses, and Cain will get what he deserves.”
“Cain can’t die, Lizzy. Not until the sire bond is broken.”
Alice swallowed hard at the wolf’s words. She didn’t want Cain to die, did she? He’d helped her and saved her life when Claude had nearly killed her. He’d also manipulated her to his own end. But was that worth a death sentence?
“Yes,” Lizzy said firmly, her eyes boring into Alice’s.
“Did I say that out loud?”
Lizzy nodded her head. “You asked if it was worth a death sentence. I’m going to assume you’re talking about Cain. I don’t feel any loyalty to him, probably because of my mate bond. But you…” She clucked her tongue. “You’ve got some supernatural Stockholm Syndrome going on. Cain definitely hasearnedhis death sentence.” She reached over and placed a gentle hand on Alice’s arm and gave it a little squeeze. “You need to come to terms with thatnow.”
ChapterFourteen
“For such a time as this. How many times have I thought of that phrase? For such a time as this, I have been created. I know it to my very core. What astounds me is that the Creator can continue to use me for good despite my flaws. For such a time as this, I have been created to be a weapon and rescuer. For such a time as this, I have been brought out of the wilderness forthispack, for this female, and to help bring justice into the world.” ~Maxim
Dain and the other fae flashed the strike team directly into the chaos erupting outside Cain’s compound. Alarms blared deafeningly as Cain’s forces scrambled to respond to the assault, which hadn’t come from outside forces. The tang of smoke and magic saturated the air as a double door was knocked from its hinges, and wolves erupted out of it.
“What the what?” Jen stood in a fighting stance, a dagger in each hand. “Why are those wolves running like they’re escaping a prison? And holy pixie babies, that one just tore that guard’s throat out.”
Maxim looked around with wide eyes.What the hell had they just stepped into?
“Those are hybrids,” Andora, the sprite queen motioned. “They’re going to be hard to kill. Their auras are strong, black mixed with various colors that represent who they were before the vampire king attempted to play god.”
Sorin cracked his knuckles. “Shouldwe kill them?”
“Only the ones I mark.” Andora held out a hand and out flew a pulse of power. It hit one of the wolves attacking a guard, leaving a glowing blue mark on the side of the monster. “Any beast wearing that mark needs to die.”
