Sighing, Alistaire knew the second he moved from behind the tree he would get hit with more arrows, but he had to end the fight no matter what. Once it was over, he’d heal. He had to make it back to Fox’s side before he woke up.
Alistaire stood and, without holding back, dodged from around the tree and rushed straight towards Euan. He could tell Euan thought he was going to ram into him with his shoulders, but Alistaire turned to the side, swinging his right leg and kicking the other man in his face. He grunted when he felt a pain in his left leg but did stop. Grabbing Euan’s arm, he turned and flipped the larger man over his back, causing him to drop the swords he was holding.
Seconds later, Alistaire howled in pain when more arrows pierced his arms, both legs, and both shoulders. Alistaire dropped to his knees, taking in all the pain. Euan raised a leg to kick Alistaire, but he grabbed the nearest sword to him and sliced the man’s leg off.
Euan howled in pain and grabbed what was left of his leg, backing away quickly from Alistaire—dragging himself along the ground. He was stopped when his back hit a tree trunk. Alistaire picked up the other sword and stood. He stalked over to Euan but stopped when he saw the bow’s remote on the ground and stomped on it.
Euan laughed, and Alistaire looked at him. “You really surpassed me, McBain heir.”
“You see, that’s where you’re wrong. I was never in a competition with you. I was always out for revenge. You took everything I loved, and now it’s time I take the one thing you treasure. Your immortality.”
“Before you kill me, let me give you one piece of advice. A treasure that is beautiful and more precious than even you are aware of.”
“I don’t need your fucking advice,” Alistaire growled, showing his fangs.
Alistaire raised both swords and swung. And just as the first of the New Year’s Eve fireworks boomed in the sky and the lights flashed, Euan’s head rolled to the ground.
Alistaire dropped the swords in his hands and backed away, sagging against a tree. Raising his head up to look at the sky, he watched the fireworks blaze against it’s darkness..
It’s done,he said to himself.Finally, it’s all over. Màthair and Athair, I pray you two will find each other after your rebirth.
Alistaire covered his nose when he scented flesh burning and looked over at Euan’s body covered in flames—burning to ash. Alistaire started removing the arrows from his body, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly with each one he pulled from his flesh—dropping them to the ground. Just as he removed the last arrow from his shoulder, his cellphone rang. Fishing it out of his pocket, he answered it quickly.
“Where the hell are you?” Dilen yelled.
“What’s wrong? Is it Fox? Did something happen?” Alistaire struggled off the tree trunk, feeling his wounds closing. They might heal quickly, but he’d be in pain for a couple of hours.
“Yeah, something happened,” Dilen said. “He’s awake, and he’s asking for you.”
Elation filled Alistaire knowing his mate was finally awake. “I’m on my way.”
He hung up and ran to the hospital using his vampire speed. He opened the door to Fox’s room and stopped when he saw his lover sitting up in bed, looking at him expectantly. Alistaire rushed over to Fox, ignoring the people in the room, and pulled him into his arms.
“Gods, I thought I lost you,” he whispered in his ear.
“You’ll never lose me.” Fox wrapped his arms around Alistaire, holding him tight.
“Why are you covered in blood?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later.” Alistaire leaned back and cupped his cheeks, looking into his beautiful eyes. “Right now, I’m more worried about you.”
“I’m fine,” Fox smiled. “In fact, I’m feeling better than ever.”
“That’s good to know.” Alistaire pressed their foreheads together. “I was so worried about you.”
“I’m sorry I scared you.”
“I shouldn’t have let you walk away when you were so angry.” Alistaire raised his head and stared into Fox’s beautiful face. “I…”
“Wait,” Fox said, covering his mouth, then looking at the people in the room. “Hey, guys. Can you give Alistaire and me a few minutes alone?”
“Yeah. I’ll go and wait for your parents to show up,” Dilen said. “Come on, guys.”
Alistaire wasn’t sure who Dilen was talking to as he hadn’t looked away from his mate since he’d walked into the room.
“Why did you make me wait?” Alistaire asked once he heard the door closing.
“Because I need to tell you something that might change the way you feel about me.”
