Kane Kayrs pointed a laser at the map. “A dormant super volcano lies just beneath Yellowstone National Park, and if it blows, it’ll take out a good part of the Pacific Northwest before the ash is spread to the east. It’d be a disaster and would kill many.”
Zane nodded and peered closer as his vision wavered. Just how stressed was he, anyway? “The shock waves sent out by Suri might wake up that volcano.” He blinked several times to focus. “Looking at fault lines, that area is subject to a pretty bad earthquake.”
Dage tapped his tablet again. “The Borah Peak earthquake moved the mountain sixteen vertical feet, and we think the fault line connects to the San Andreas.”
So many fragile humans to protect. “So we’re talking about millions of deaths. Many cities destroyed. California might even drop into the ocean,” Zane said. He shook his head. “There’s also a nuclear facility in Washington State, right?”
“Hanford,” Kane said.
“I understand,” Zane said. “It’s almost as if that bastard chose his location carefully, now isn’t it?” Leave it to Suri to cover all contingencies. If things went bad, millions would die.
Sam came to his side. “I’m not part of the Realm, so I’m going with you.”
Zane turned and put his trembling hand on Sam’s shoulder. “You’re a good brother, but I need you to take the reins if I don’t make it back.” Frankly, he wasn’t completely sure he could transport Suri out, but it appeared he didn’t have a choice.
“This is a bad idea,” Talen growled, grabbing the back of a chair and leaning heavily on it. “I said to turn the damn heat down.”
“It’s off,” Dage muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “I think it’s chilly anyway.”
Talen shook his head, and his shoulders rolled back. “Zane, if you do manage to get to Suri—and don’t think we don’t know you’re having trouble teleporting—where do you plan to take him to fight?”
“Alaska wilderness, somewhere away from the Denali fault line.” Zane’s hands began to tremble. A rush of energy rolled up from his feet, swirled around, and landed hard in his gut. Bile burned his throat.
What the hell was going on?
The king pulled out a chair and fell into the seat, his breath hitching. His skin lost all color.
Talen frowned. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Dunno,” Dage whispered, his eyes flashing a sizzling blue through the silver. A shudder racked his massive shoulders.
Talen turned to Conn, who was leaning over, sucking in air. “Get Dage out of here.” The chair back beneath Talen’s hands crumbled in his grip, and he swayed. His golden eyes rolled back. Then the biggest badass Zane had ever met dropped to the floor.
Zane moved to help him when the world tilted. Blackness assaulted his vision, and gravity took over. His last thought as his head impacted the stone floor was to look for the attack.
Janie ran into the first room in the infirmary, her heart thundering. She nearly skidded into Garrett, who turned to grab her arms. His eyes glowed a primal aqua.
“What’s going on?” she gasped, leaning to see her father and Dage both on examination tables while Emma and Cara bustled around. “I don’t understand.”
Garrett shook his head, worry lining his face. “We don’t know yet.”
“Where’s Zane?” she asked, frantically trying to look into the adjacent room.
“He’s in room B with Conn,” Garrett said soberly. “Kane, Jase, and Max are in C.”
Her ears rang. “They’re all afflicted?”
“Yes.” Garrett released her to turn back toward his father. “We’ve been attacked.”
Janie rubbed her chin. “Only mated vampires?”
“Yes.” Garrett rushed forward as Talen stirred.
“Dad?” Janie followed, grabbing her father’s hand.
His golden eyes flipped open, he stilled, and then leaped from the bed. A quick glance around had him shoving both Garrett and Janie toward Dage and behind him before he settled his stance and faced the door.
Garrett angled to the side and reached for his father’s arm. “There’s no immediate threat, Dad.”
