Shit. Jack jumped back.
Ivar Sokol, Zoe's stalker-uncle stood in the doorway. The little bit of flesh showing under his bandages was bubbled and burned. His eyes burned wild with insanity in the instant before black poisonous energy shot out from his hand.
Jack went down hard, unable to move. Every cell in his body cried for death instead of gut-wrenching pain.
“You fucking bitch.” Ivar limped across the room, raised his hand, and summoned another vortex.
Zoe screamed, Jack moaned, and a gunshot exploded.
A red hole the size of a penny appeared in the forehead of Ivar's stunned face. He crashed back onto a glass coffee table.
Nan rushed to Jack's side and put two fingers to his neck, checking his pulse.
“Fialko? Are you alright?” Nan asked, keeping her back to him and her weapon trained on the door.
A sparkling vortex materialized and spun over their head. It sliced through Jack with excruciating pain, sucked out the darkness of Ivar’s shot, and relief followed.
Nan’s eyes went wide. “Holy fuck.”
For a while, all three just stood, staring, and processing.
Jack exhaled, moved his limbs, and when he could, sat up with his back to the couch. Zoe's hand reached down and he put it to his lips.
“I had no idea he'd try that again.” He glanced at Nan. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” Nan grinned and scratched her chin. “I'll probably get some damn award for shooting him. That guy's wanted by Interpol.”
“Still, I owe you.” Jack grinned back and scrambled off the floor before the pooling blood reached him.
“I'll collect when we get back to the states. What I wouldn't do to have just a little of what you can do.” Nan’s eyes went to the ceiling as if something still lingered. She opened her cell and walked to the back of the room.
Jack glanced at the time. Gregor Uragan and his men would be arriving shortly.
“I want you to stay in the house while I speak to Gregor.”
“No way.” Zoe stood, and smoothed her dress down. Her hands pulled out her hair tie and made a neat ponytail. “I’m coming with you. If he tries anything–“
“I’m not putting you or our baby at risk again.” Jack wobbled. That probably wasn't his most commanding performance.
She steadied him and put her arm around his waist. “I don’t want to put you at risk, either.”
“All right.” He placed his forehead against hers and breathed in her scent. “As long as you do as I say, and no trying to blast them into tiny pieces.” He pulled back and gave her what he hoped was a stern look. “Understand? We’re not going to start a clan war.”
“But isn’t that what they were doing?” She walked him to the back door. Gregor was already by the cottage door, barking out orders.
“Yes, but not formally. That’s the trick. If I use our clan laws, they’ll be bound.”
“They have no morals.” Zoe scrunched her eyebrows and frowned. “Better to blast them now before they can do any more harm.”
He stopped and gripped her shoulders. “Our ancestors made complex rules around treaties and the magic that binds it.”
“Worse than mating during solstice?”
He chuckled. “Much worse. It could take centuries to resolve this properly.”
“Centuries?” Zoe glowered when they approached the Russian leader, and whispered under her breath. “I still think it’s easier to just blast them.”
He took her hand and gave a little blast of energy to silence her. She looked up at him with a pout, then smiled. The air around them stirred and his senses opened. It was all he could do not to kiss her.
