“We go the rest of the way on foot. It’s right over the hill.” Luka indicated to the large grassy mound in the distance.
Liv and I stood, waiting for everyone to exit before we disembarked, filtering out into the wild woodlands as the werewolves did the same. There was a third bus, completely empty, that we hoped would carry the women and children we were about to save. I did a quick headcount, grinning when I tallied over a hundred men and women in all. Our army was equally split between wolves and vampires. Demi and Sage looked badass and battle ready. Sage was in her wolf form, and Demi was already barking orders at her Paladin warriors. She had streaks of blue paint on her face, and had a dagger in a thigh holster on her leg.
Sawyer commanded his city wolves, who started to strip down naked and shift into their animal form. My eyebrows raised in surprise at their lack of regard for their nakedness.
“Werewolves are hot,” Liv murmured.
I elbowed her lightly, grinning.
“What?” she said. “If we are okay with dating supernaturals now, I want one of those.” She eyed a tall Paladin male with caramel skin and no shirt. His washboard abs were streaked with blue paint; he clutched a spear in his tight grip.
“The Paladins are kind of yummy,” I agreed, and Liv smiled.
Luka stepped over to Demi and Sawyer and motioned them to walk over to the spot Liv and I waited, just at the front of the bus.
Luka held a satellite phone in his hand. It was giant and looked like it was from the ‘80s, but I was guessing cell towers were in short supply in these lands. From what I’d heard, technology was favored by the light fey, not the dark. They despised technology, as did the troll folk.
“When we get over this ridge, I’m going to call the fey leader and give him one chance to give up the breeders without a fight. Otherwise, we go in guns blazing and all but declare war on the fey.”
Sawyer and Demi nodded.
“Good plan. Very diplomatic,” Demi stated.
Luka gave her a look. “Someone has to be.”
She reached out and swatted his head but he grinned. Some might see it as flirting, but I enjoyed their banter. It seemed to be more brotherly to me.
“Stop flirting with my wife,” Sawyer growled, causing Luka and Demi to smile.
Called it.
“You do the possessive alpha thing well, my friend,” Luka razzed his best friend. “And have no fear. My heart is taken.” Luka looked right at me then, and I froze.
Sawyer cracked a smile. “Alright, let’s do this.”
They started to walk, but I was rooted to the spot. Did Luka just admit in front of his friends that his heart was taken … by me? Surely he was talking about Cassara and onlylookedat me coincidently.
“He totally meant you,” Liv said, obviously picking up on my thoughts.
A smile graced my lips and I had to run to keep up with them.
Oh man, I had it bad. So bad.
As we hiked over the hill, wolf and vampire alike, we were one unified army. I could sense the pride in the leaders, at what they had accomplished. Getting the two races together like this, after just being at war, was no small feat. When we reached the peak of the hill, I cast my gaze downward and a stone sank in my gut.
It was … a fortress. Like the ones you saw in old-time movies. High walls with men patrolling the top, and just one double gate, which was sealed shut. Large columns rose up every twenty feet around the wall, and at the top looked to be a bowmen.
“Holy crap, we’re dead,” I breathed.
Luka frowned. “Looks like they are ready for us. Someone tipped them off.”
Demi nodded, rolling out her neck. “Still want to make that call?”
Luka picked up the phone. “I’m guessing it’s going to be quick.” He dialed a number that was on a piece of paper while the wolves and vampires fanned out on the hillside.
“Yes, hello, Prime Minister, this is Luka Drake, King of the Vampires. I’m here in your territory at the illegal breeder farm—”
He pulled the phone away from his ear then and hung it up, grinning. “He hung up. Let’s attack. We have due cause.”
