“Good.” Garrett pulled him past a crowd looking at them like they’d dropped out of nowhere, which they had. “Let’s suit up and get your girl.”
* * * *
Mercy landed in the president’s office, her body hurting so badly she didn’t have the energy to groan. She’d reached out to Logan with all her senses.
Had he caught her message? Was he coming after her?
She dropped into a guest chair, the smell of burned everything all over her. Then her eyes focused. “What the hell?” The president was tied to her chair, fury in her dual-colored eyes, a gag in her mouth.
Niall stood and looked around, his eyes wide.
Xeno punched him in the face and he went down, out cold. One punch. Just one. Mercy shook her head. The general smiled with yellowed teeth. “You’ve failed to stop the ritual.”
The president struggled against her bindings, making grunting noises.
“She wouldn’t shut up,” came a voice from the door.
Mercy partially turned, her head aching, to see another Cyst soldier standing there. His gaze ran over her ripped and torn clothing, and his eyes burned hot.
She shivered.
“Status?” Xeno asked, sliding his sword into a scabbard at his waist.
“We’ve tased them all, starting with their president,” the soldier said, standing straighter. “None of the fairies can teleport from here. We’re rounding them up worldwide as we speak.”
Mercy looked for a way out, but her body felt like a wet noodle. Where was Logan? Had he escaped the horrible fire? She wanted to cry, but there wasn’t time. She had to get herself under control and rescue her president.
“Good.” Xeno dismissed the soldier with a wave of his broad hand. “Stand guard outside the door.” He brushed soot off his dark uniform, frowning at the blood still coating his arms. Then he went to the president and removed the gag. “I apologize for the rough treatment.”
She pulled against the restraints tying her arms to the chair. “Release me. Right now.”
“No,” Xeno said, leaning in to smell her. “I give the orders.”
The president’s eyes widened, but her jaw firmed. “Back away, mutt.” She eyed Mercy, barely raising an eyebrow.
Mercy shook her head. No, she couldn’t teleport. But she tilted her head toward Niall, who still hadn’t moved. She nudged him with her foot, as subtly as she could. He didn’t even twitch.
The president’s face cleared.
The door opened, and a tall male with red-tipped black hair strode inside. His skin was pasty-white, his eyes greenish-purple, and his lips blood-red. “Xeno. Did you take care of Kyllwood?”
“Unfortunately, no.” Xeno pointed at Mercy. “I did bring his mate, however.”
She shivered but kept her face stoic, facing the Kurjan. Should she know him? He obviously wasn’t afraid of Xeno. “We’re supposed to be allies,” she said.
“You’re no longer useful to us.” The Kurjan looked over at the president. “Though you’re not mated. Yet.”
The president lowered her chin and glared.
Mercy straightened. “Who are you?”
The male looked at her. “My name is Dayne, and I rule the Kurjan nation. We allied with you to stop the Seven, and since you failed to do that, you have nothing we need.” He glanced back at the president. “Except potential mates. Your abilities would be useful to us.”
Irritation clawed through the fear. “What is up with all the breeding plans?” She let anger fill her face and then kicked Niall in an effort to wake him the hell up. “I assure you that we’re not interested.”
“Your opinion means little to me.” Dayne looked down at Niall. “That the king?”
Xeno nodded.
