Beside them on the floor was Taayin. The male’s eyes were closed, his jaw slack. He was out like a light.
“He’s not dead,” Valterri growled. “Merely incapacitated.”
“You fucker. I’ll rip your head from your goddamn—”
“Enough,” Obsidian snarled as he marched down the hallway.
He took in the scene, scanning the space before diving into Valterri’s mind to get a personal account of what had happened.
From theladeare’smemories, he gathered that Taayin had overheard the conversation between Valterri and Cimmerian. Not surprisingly, Taayin had gone apeshit when he heard Asmia had been taken. In an effort to keep him from doing harm to himself or others, Cimmerian had knocked him out with a touch to his head, then had Valterri bring him to the mansion.
Which explained why Cimmerian was late.
“Get Taayin to his quarters,” Obsidian commanded Valterri. “Stay with him. Let me know when he’s awake, but don’t let him out of that room.”
Valterri nodded, hefting Taayin’s lifeless body—which required some serious leg muscles and a grunt—over his shoulder and carrying him up the stairs.
Penelope appeared as the scene settled, her eyes wide with concern. “Was that Taayin?”
“Yes.” The pain on hisereswa’s face damn near broke his heart. Since he’d told her about Asmia, Penelope had been crying, her sorrow so strong he could feel it in his own body.
“He didn’t take it well,” she said softly, no surprise in her tone.
Malak, Shadow’sladeare, turned to Obsidian. “I know this is going to sound entirely shallow, but tell me she’s not hisamsouelot.”
Obsidian shook his head.
Taayin had wanted her to be. And while Malak was right, it was entirely inappropriate to think, it was the only saving grace at the moment. If they’d been destined by the Fates, Taayin was as good as dead. An angel would not survive without his mate.
“Get out of my fucking way!”
“Son of a bitch,” Eclipse grumbled, turning to race up the stairs to the second floor.
Obsidian was right behind him, hoping to intervene before Taayin caused too much damage.
Right before his eyes, Taayin’s arm shot out, his fingers wrapping around Eclipse’s throat as he lifted him off the floor and threw him over the railing. A round of shouts sounded even as Eclipse vanished, taking form with both feet planted firmly on the main floor, saving himself. Before Obsidian could reach Taayin, Valterri dropped to his knees, hands around his throat, gasping for air.
Though Obsidian understood his pain, he cut off Taayin’s power by using his own. Valterri fell over as he fought to fill his lungs.
“Where is she?” Taayin demanded, appearing only a foot from Obsidian, his blue eyes lighting up the entire room. “Where the fuck is she, Obsidian?”
“I don’t know. But we’ll find her.”
The deep growl that sounded from Taayin was nothing short of a wounded animal and had every male in the room standing tall.
“I’ll kill every single one of you,” Taayin declared, his eyes scanning the space.
“Relax, Taayin,” Stygian said softly, attempting to ease the beast.
“Every. Single. One.” Taayin’s gaze went to Obsidian then over to—
The instant the male’s eyes locked on Penelope, Obsidian lost his shit. His arm extended, a bolt of energy exploding outward, rendering Taayin motionless. The male was trapped in his own body, but his rage was so intense Obsidian wasn’t sure that would hold him for long.
Stepping closer to thelieterra, Obsidian lowered his voice. “I feel your pain, but you eventhinkabout harming myereswa, we’ll have serious problems. Understood?”
Some of the heat seemed to dissipate from Taayin’s eyes, replaced by unshed tears and what Obsidian prayed was regret.
“Obsidian.” Penelope gripped his arm. “Let him go. It’s okay. He won’t hurt me.”
