The two Realm soldiers flanked the front door, one of them leaving every once in a while to conduct a perimeter search. They didn’t talk or engage with her in any way—obviously just there to do a job. She briefly considered challenging one of them, but since they were twice her size and she wanted to wait until Logan arrived before leaving, it seemed silly.
The door finally opened, and Garrett moved inside, helping Sam Kyllwood. Sam had bruises all over his face as well as some cuts, but they seemed to be healing. He limped, wincing each time his left foot touched the floor.
He grinned. “Hey, Mercy. Had a nice time with your people.”
She gasped and rushed forward to help him. “They tortured you?” Her people were more evolved than that, damn it.
“Well, they tried.” Sam freed himself and moved to sit gingerly on the sofa. Pain and interesting vibrations came from him. Healing cells in action?
Mercy looked toward the door, fear seizing her. “Where’s Logan?”
Garrett cleared his throat. “About that.” He nodded to the soldiers, and both took their leave.
It was that easy? Maybe she should’ve just nodded at the silent guards. Her heart thumped. Hard. “Is Logan okay?” Panic started to sizzle through her veins.
“Fine,” Logan answered as he moved through the door, a male over his shoulder. He dumped the guy on the floor.
Mercy jumped back, her eyes widening. Her blood froze. “Niall?” Her eyes widening, she slowly lifted her head to look at Logan. What in the world was the hybrid thinking? “You kidnapped our king?”
Logan kicked the door shut and drew a blaster from his back pocket. “Shot him, too. Let’s see how he likes it.”
Mercy blinked. Logan was still pissed they’d tased her? Crap. Now Niall couldn’t teleport. Man, he’d be furious.
Niall groaned.
She dropped to her knees, noting a myriad of cuts along his neck. And bruises. On his face, down his neck, and going lower. “You beat him?” she whispered, her voice shaking.
“Needed information,” Logan said, leaning down and grabbing Niall’s arm to haul him up and onto the sofa next to Sam. His careless strength seemed frightening for the first time since she’d met him.
She shook her head, trying to grasp a thought as she stood. Two tortured males on the sofa. “What the hell is wrong with all of you?” she yelled. For the love of Pete. They were the good guys. All of them. Sure, they disagreed on serious matters, but still. “Torture?”
Niall opened his eyes, revealing the blue and brown. He looked around and settled his gaze on her. “You are all right?”
Gulping, she nodded. “You?”
He winced, placing a hand on his ribs. “I will be fine.”
Logan watched her carefully. “Your people have aligned themselves with the Cyst, and there are plans in place to interrupt a Seven ritual if necessary. Plans that will lead to betrayal and death.”
A surprising disappointment filtered through her at how quickly Niall had given up information. Then raw anger followed, and she glared at Logan. “Youcannottorture our king.” Did the Realm not fear them at all? “While we’re new to this plane and your ways of fighting, we can destroy you with our use of dimensional travel. It is time you respected that, demon.”
His expression didn’t change. “Sit down,mate.”
Burning hot coals of anger came to life inside her. The possessive tone of his voice would’ve thrilled her hours ago. Now, with her king bruised and bleeding in front of her, the reality of their positions hit her harder than a hammer to the head. Her loyalties were being shredded by opposing forces. “I am not your mate.”
“You will be.”
The breath heated in her throat while more fire spread through her abdomen.
Niall watched their exchange, his eyes darkening. He turned his attention to Garrett. “Prince Kayrs. This is an act of war involving the entire Realm. I doubt you have clearance for such an affront.”
Garrett leaned back against the wall by the fireplace, his expression revealing nothing.
Logan moved closer to Mercy. “We’ll happily exchange Niall for Ivar.”
Niall blanched. “I already told you I left him in one of many hell dimensions. He’s dead. Long dead and buried.”
Garrett caught Logan’s eye and gave a barely perceptible shake of the head.
