Part 8 (1/2)

Pulling to a stop in front of Rose's Cafe, I parked and walked right behind her to the door. A blue transparent screen flashed around the building when she pulled open the French door. The barrier only showed itself each time a door was opened or closed. A nifty spell all the buildings in town possessed. According to the Pixies, it kept Djinn from being able to teleport in and out. Made them have to use the door like everyone else.

”Killian!” Raven waved from behind the counter. ”Eira?! I thought you were going to be gone a couple months? Is everything okay?”

I followed Eira to the counter, and we took two of the empty stools. ”Have you seen the Lycans Travis and Garrett? I need to speak with them,” Eira asked.

”Eira, what a surprise,” a female voice sounded from behind us.

I turned and gulped air. Diana Blackmoor and her husbands were closing in fast. Eira didn't seem fazed at all by the Drakonae royal trio and leapt from her stool to embrace the pregnant woman. Diana was barely showing, but her clingy dress revealed a definite baby b.u.mp.

”Diana. I need to talk with Travis and Garrett. Charlie, her parents, and several other pack members were taken prisoner by the SECR. By Xerxes. Have you seen the Lycans?”

I stood and stared as Diana hugged and then placed a friendly kiss on Eira's cheek. Like they were the best of friends. Then Miles and Eli both took turns embracing my beloved.

”Wait, Eira,” Diana spoke, looking toward me. ”This is the Killian you spoke of? Your Killian? The man who gave you the G.o.ddess Sea diamond?”

Eira nodded, stepping away from the giant Drakonae males and returning to my side. ”I stumbled upon him through an accident of fate. I can't explain it. I was nearly dead, and I found my way to his barn.”

”The diamond pulled you to him. It's probably another reason you felt pulled to Sanctuary after bringing me here. The diamond knew he was close by. It started acting like a homing beacon.”

Eira turned her gaze to me, questioningly.

I nodded. ”The diamond's pull would've increased the closer in proximity you were to me.”

”I'll get Travis and Garrett. They're over in the corner. I saw them come in a while ago,” Miles said, before leaving the circle.

”I didn't make the connection last time we met. But, any friend of Eira's is a friend of ours. Our home is yours whenever you are in town,” Diana said, offering her hand. ”You seem so familiar now that I think about it. Did we know each other in the Veil?”

She expected me to shake her hand. I couldn't refuse, though it seemed so unorthodox. But we weren't in the Veil anymore.

I extended my hand, taking hers. She gave it a firm shake and clasped her other hand over mine.

”Thank you. And, yes, but the honor is mine, your highness.”

Diana squeezed my hand tighter. Her eyes opened wide with recognition. ”Killian, son of Konall Njord. You have your father's eyes. I remember you now. Your line was the royal family's sword makers and librarians. Did your family escape as well?”

”I go by Killian North. It's easier for humans to p.r.o.nounce. And, no, my family died by Incanti fire. Only my brother and I escaped through the gate before they gained total control. But even he is no longer with me.”

”I am sorry for your loss. I understand your pain. But, you have family here now, though.”

”Yes,” Eli interjected. ”Your Eira saved our mate, so she is very near and dear to our hearts. We take care of our family.” Eli pulled me into a quick embrace before moving to Diana's side. ”So be sure and take good care of her or we will come hunting.” He flashed a quick smile and a wink, but even the joking tone of his voice held a tempered warning.

I bowed my head respectfully, though I knew it was not required. ”I will protect Eira with my life.”

”Killian,” Eira whispered into my ear. ”I expect to hear the whole story soon.”

”I know,” I answered. The time for hiding from my past was over. She already knew some, but she deserved to know who had held her heart hostage all these years.

Miles returned, followed by two very large, very emotionally charged Lycans. Their irises were bright yellow, and the tips of their fangs showed from beneath their top lips.

”Where's Charlotte?” The slightly larger of the two growled and stepped closer to Eira.

I moved between her and him, and he snarled.

Eira touched my shoulder and stepped to my side. ”Listen, Garrett, you threaten Killian again and I'll make sure you never have babies.” She snapped her teeth, and the Lycan male swallowed audibly, stepping backward and calming himself enough that his eyes turned brown again.

The other Lycan, the smarter of the two, stood quietly watching the whole thing. ”What happened, Eira?” he asked.

”Double-cross. We were taken by surprise. Half the group was killed, and the other half was drugged and taken.”

”Where are they now?” the same man asked.

”Savannah,” Eira said.

”How do you know for sure? What if they already killed her and the rest?” Garrett interjected.

”I'm the reason they can sneak in and out of places. Jump the walls without tripping alarms. I'm the thorn in Xerxes's side. The pack relocates the refugees from the SECR, but I'm the one that gets them out. Xerxes wants me and he doesn't have me yet.”

”Raven told me you returned unexpectedly, Eira. What's happened?” The voice of Rose Hilah cut through the conversations around us. The two Lycans stepped aside to allow her into the circle we'd created. The pet.i.te, olive-skinned woman stepped forward.

”Xerxes has Charlotte.”

”Eira...” Rose's brown eyes darkened almost to black. ”You know it's a trap.”

”Doesn't matter. She'd do the same for me.”

”What about your destiny here? You're supposed to be one of the town's Protectors. Why do you continue to run from it? We can offer your friends homes within the safety of Sanctuary.”

”Only if I take your offer, right?” Eira spat out. ”I've lived on my own just fine. What makes you think I'll hand over my freedom to you now?”

”To save your friends, you would sacrifice anything. All Protectors share that commonality. We need you, Eira. It is not a one-sided deal. We protect ours.” Rose turned from Eira to Miles. ”Please go find Alek and Jared.”

The Drakonae male nodded and slipped away.

”Alek and Jared are two of the most powerful Others living in Sanctuary, besides myself and the dragons. They will accompany you. A Gryphon and Phoenix should tip the scales in your favor... I do hope you return to us, Eira, and join the family you are destined to have.”

I wasn't exactly sure what Rose was, but if she compared herself to a Drakonae, she had to be something really old and very powerful.

”Killian, take care of Eira and watch yourself. Xerxes' spies are everywhere. Trust no one and never drop your guard,” the small woman said, her gaze penetrating to my soul. Magick shuddered in the air around us both like free-flowing static electricity-as if she could control the essence of it.

I nodded. I had no intention of losing Eira ever again. And though I didn't understand exactly why Rose wanted Eira to be a Protector or what that really meant for her, I could tell it was upsetting, and that irritated me. This woman was offering us help for the rescue mission, but was attaching chains.

”Thank you,” Eira whispered quietly. ”I will accept your offer when I return.”

Rose lifted her arm and touched Eira's face with her fingertips. ”You won't regret joining us. I promise.”

Chapter Fifteen.