“Fionn? Is that you, boy?”
“Yes. I understand you’ve been looking for my hoard…don’t bother denying it. I have a proposition you might be interested in.”
“What is it, boy?”
“I’ll give you my hoard if you promise to leave me and the Blackwood Pack alone…forever.”
“Now why would you do that, boy?”
“Because there are more important things in life than my hoard.”
“Shit, I knew you weren’t my son. Your fucking mother always claimed she was faithful but no son of mine would ever say that, much less think it. You put all dragons to shame.”
That his father had just called him a bastard wasn’t what caused Fionn’s knuckles to turn white as he gripped his phone. If there was any doubt he was doing the right thing, it disappeared after his father called his mother a slut.
“Do we have a deal, or not?”
“Sure, tell me where it is.”
“I have to take you there because you can only get to it through a portal. Give me your address and I’ll be there in five minutes.”
Chapter 45
Pacing around his bedroom, Fionn rehearsed what he was going to say, stopping when he realized he was running out of time. Calling for the portal, he stepped in and exited in the underground cavern where his hoard was stored. Nervous, Fionn sat in a chair he made from the gold bars he owned and let their energy calm him. Less than thirty seconds before he was to meet with his father, he stood and summoned the portal, programing it for his father’s address, then stepped in.
Fionn found himself in a study in his father’s chateau in France, a place he and his mother never could go. Surveying the room, he noticed its opulence—causing his anger to rise once again.
“Well? Where’s your hoard? You made me an offer and I accepted. Or are you going to renege on it?”
Fionn’s head snapped around to face the voice and spied his father leaning back in the chair behind his desk. “The deal still stands. I give you my hoard, you leave me and the Blackwood Pack alone…forever.”
“Done. Now tell me where it is.”
“I can’t tell you but I can show you. It can only be accessed through a portal.”
“Well, fuck, boy, I bet you think you’re so clever. Kept my men running all over Scotland looking for something they would never find.” Artur stood up and strode over to his son. “Let’s see this portal of yours.”
Fionn said the words to himself and called forth the portal. As he was about to step into it, his father pushed past him and entered, turning his head, sneering at his son. Suddenly, the portal began to pulse, encasing his father in a purple glow that immobilized him. Watchingin fascination, Fionn saw the purple glow turn darker and darker until it was black. Then with one final pulse and a blinding flash, Fionn saw his father disintegrate, leaving only a pile of ash behind.
Staring with disbelief at the remains of his father, Fionn thought:It’s over. It’s over. It’s really over.Never again would he have to look over his shoulder wondering what his father’s next plan was. Never again could any of his friends suffer at the hands of his father.Never again. Never again.A pounding on his father’s study door brought Fionn back to reality; he quickly stepped into the portal, ending up back at his hoard.
His hoard. Something his father wanted more than his son. Wiping the tears from his eyes, Fionn entered the address where his family was—then, stepping in, found himself back in his bedroom at the hotel.
~/~/~/~/~
Dakota continued touching and murmuring sweet words of love to Slate after the green flash disappeared. His mate lay in his lap—unmoving. Dakota had no idea what to expect after Colton used his gift, but he continued to use his shadow voice to seek his mate’s thoughts—giving Slate the will to fight, the will to come back to him and their pup.
Colton wasn’t sure his gift would work on someone as badly injured as Slate. He’d only used his gift twice since receiving it and, even though Dylon had been severely beaten, that was nowhere near as serious as the damage that had been done to Slate. Without seeing any change, Colton concluded there were limits to his ability. Hearing footsteps, he turned to see who they belonged to and saw Logan at the doorway with Dylon behind him. Shaking his head at the question he saw on Logan’s face, Colton wasn’t sure what to do next.
Seeing Logan, Kieran ran over and hugged him tightly, sending him love, knowing how he’d suffered.
“Look, Dakota, look!” exclaimed Cody.
Colton whipped his head around.What the fuck is happening?Slate’s body was healing the cuts, erasing the welts, and reducing the swelling. In just a few minutes, they were all gone.
Dakota leaned down and kissed the lips meant just for him, whispering, “I’m here babe, please come back to me because I love you so much.”
“I love you more,” Slate said, hoarsely, opening his eyes. Then, lifting his arms and wrapping them around Dakota’s neck, he added, “Can I have my Bear Bug Ice Cream now?”
