Panic clawed through her and she scrambled to sit up. He held her securely in place with just one hand. “Two of you taking on the entire headquarters of one of the most dangerous species on Earth? It’s suicide.”
“Aye.” Almost causally, he twisted his wrist, tilting her head. “We can only afford to lose two of us in case we fail. They’ll have to find two more members to make the Seven, and that’s difficult.”
Her chest ached. There were two unmated members of the Seven, Benny Reese and Garrett Kayrs. Well, three if Adare was counted, which he might as well be. The Seven were a secret group of vampire-demon hybrids tasked with destroying Ulric in some bizarre ritual that she was also to attend as a Key. Sometimes she wondered if the immortals had just lost their minds. “Why not Garrett?”
Adare shook his head. “Garrett’s uncle is the King of the vampires and the Realm, and we need them on our side if Benny and I can’t end things with our mission.”
The Realm was a coalition of immortal species, excluding the Kurjans, and it was run by King Dage Kayrs. She would probably see the king the following week when she met with his wife, Emma. “I don’t understand why it’s just the two of you and not a whole contingent of soldiers. Why not take Realm soldiers?”
Adare nodded, rubbing his thumb across her cheekbone. “I think sometimes you forget that the Seven isn’t part of the Realm, and they don’t agree with our mission. Most of them don’t even know about us or what we plan to do in the end. We’re a secret, and don’t ever forget that. If the king of the vampires started a new war with the Kurjans, without the approval of the witch, shifter, and demon nations, then the Realm would split apart. It was before your time, but not too long ago, that the Realm was at war with the demon nation. We can’t let that happen again.”
She would have thought immortal beings should have progressed to the point of not going to war, and yet it seemed they hadn’t. “So you and Benny are going in as just two crazy immortals and blowing things up. Everybody else has plausible deniability.” She’d heard the phrase on a Netflix television show.
“The King and the Realm dinnae know,” Adare murmured. “They have no clue.”
Well, that didn’t sound like a complete disaster, did it? “This just seems like a bad idea.” Her body was rioting with need, and her mind was fighting to stay in control.
His gaze dropped to her lips. “Sure, it’s a bad idea, but it’s all we’ve got. If we can take out Kurjan headquarters and many of their top soldiers, maybe we can avoid a final showdown, and you won’t have to worry about it. Nobody will. If I’m gone, Grace, in about a century, you could take the virus. Maybe mate again.”
Anger grabbed her tight. “I don’t need a sacrificial lamb, Highlander.” She pushed at his chest again to get off him.
He barked out a laugh. “I’m doing my job, little female. That’s all.” Still holding her in place with one hand tangled in her hair, he drew her inexorably toward him. “Though I wouldn’t mind a goodbye kiss.” With that, he pulled her down, and his mouth took hers.
Completely.
The kiss was hard and long, deep and seeking. Everything inside her quieted and then exploded, sparks flying throughout her body. She moaned and kissed him back, trying to keep up and feeling so much all at once that she just let go and let him lead.
Finally, he released her, his eyes completely dark silver, and desire stamped hard on his face. “That’s why, Grace. That’s why I’ve left you alone for five years.”
Chapter 5
Adare could still taste Grace on his tongue. Sweet like honey with the spice of passion mixed in. Turning away from her after their kiss the night before had nearly killed him, but finally she’d dropped into dreamland. He’d listened to her soft breathing for hours, wondering what they might’ve been like together.
The morning came, hard and snowy, as he stood with her on the front porch of Nick’s condo after having said goodbye to Simone and the girls, who had set out for the ski lodge. He kept Grace beneath the sprawling overhang, making sure she stayed dry as they waited. Clouds covered the sky, bringing a darkness to the day that matched his mood.
Nick walked outside and handed over a case. “You know how to use these?”
“Yes.” Adare set the explosives down carefully.
Nick looked at him. “We’ve been friends a long time, and I know there have been secrets. I’m fine with that fact. If you need my assistance with whatever is going on, then let me know. With that kind of firepower, you’ll need backup.”
Yes, but his old friend had a mate and two young, rather wild children. “I appreciate the offer and will call if I need help.” Adare leaned in for a hug. “Until then, have fun with your family.” To see Nick Veis, one of the most dangerous demons in history, settled down with Simone and the girls warmed Adare through and through. “Stay safe, my friend.”
“And you.” Nick winked at Grace. “Take care of him.” With that, he jogged around the cabin, no doubt running up the hill to meet up with his family. Hopefully they’d enjoy warm food at the lodge and not venture out into the oncoming storm.
Grace looked down at the innocuous metal box resting by her thick black boots. “I think this is a bad idea.”
“I’m sure it is.” He lifted her chin with one knuckle. “Before we leave, I want your promise that you’ll learn how to use healing cells and that you’ll stay out of danger. I have a car coming for you that will take you to the airport, where Realm transportation is waiting.”
She stepped back. “The queen won’t return until next week. I’ll head to Idaho at that time so we can figure out why I was unable to heal my wrist.”
Adare shook his head. “No. Sorry. With this campaign, I need you safe and protected in case the Kurjans take revenge.”
“They don’t know about me,” she protested, her cheeks a healthier hue today and her eyes a sparkling greenish brown. “Nobody does. You made sure I had perfect new ID four years ago. And the Realm doesn’t even know about the Seven—well, not much about you, remember?”
“Aye.” He’d allowed her plenty of freedom as she’d regained her strength, knowing that Ronan and Faith were always nearby at the Seven headquarters. “You’re staying at Realm headquarters until Ronan and Faith return from the symposium.” If Adare had realized they were out of the country and Grace was arranging meetings with morons from the internet, he would’ve interceded sooner. “This is non-negotiable.”
“Fine.” She looked adorable all bundled up in a thick blue jacket with a matching hat.
