“Yeah, enough.” He held up his hand, shaking his head. “Next topic.”
“Okay, I’m sorry. It was too hard to resist.” Taking in a calming breath, I continued, “I love hearing about your past, though. What was your sister’s name?”
“Elynor.” He sighed. “Even after all this time I miss her. She would have loved you immensely had she known you.”
I rested my hand on his arm and squeezed, trying to offer comfort. We settled into another bout of silence, lost in our thoughts, and I was grateful for the glimpse he had given me. I had no problem imagining him interacting with his sister, doting on her, because he’d shown similar affection for me.
I went to ask him more questions, but became distracted by the images filtering through my connection. Relaxing, trying to steady my emotions so I didn’t lose contact, I closed my eyes and concentrated.
Sensing something was happening, Devlin didn’t utter a word, the room going still.
It wasn’t difficult to understand what Mason and Daniel was experiencing. They had finally arrived at the meeting place, and judging from what details I could see, Avery had invited them to one of the larger homes on the other side of town. This surprised me because I didn’t think he was local. Trying to remember the street names, looking for familiar landmarks, I felt a rush of excitement. I knew where they were.
The house appeared to be dimly light, and as they cautiously entered the property, no one was there to greet them or confront them. Again, this was interesting since I was almost certain Avery would’ve had an entourage of minions.
Daniel apparently thought the same thing because I heard him ask Mason what he thought about the absence of resistance.
Scoping the area and not seeing any movement, the Alpha whispered to stay alert. They continued moving up the pathway toward the entrance, their hands resting lightly on their weapons
“Is everything alright?” Devlin’s voice broke my concentration and I quickly nodded, returning my focus to the mental images so I wouldn’t miss anything.
“They’ve arrived and they’re not sure what to make of it. They’re approaching the front door, but they don’t like the lack of guards. It’s too quiet.”
“Do you recognize where they are?”
I nodded, but didn’t answer. Mason was pounding on the door and both continued to look around warily. I could sense his confusion and the moment when he decided they needed to leave, but the door suddenly opened, revealing Avery.
He was immaculately dressed in a dark blue suit, tailor made from its appearance. He bowed slightly, welcoming them into his home.
I wanted to scream for Mason to follow his gut and come home, not liking the look of satisfaction on the vampire’s face, but I forced myself to be silent.
Showing no hesitation, they crossed the threshold, the door slamming shut behind them, and I felt like this was a scene straight from of a horror movie.
Gesturing for Mason and Daniel to follow him, Avery led them into what looked like a parlor, offering them refreshments as though he was a civilized host. Both refused and I wondered if they caught the flash of disappointment on his face. It was lightning fast, buried within seconds, but there nevertheless.
I watched the bantering back and forth, trivial comments and my head began to pound a little. I felt Devlin rest his hand on my knee, the offer of strength, and I took another breath.
Mason’s anger was rising, and Avery was laughing. It seemed the vampire had tried to use compulsion, and I watched as Daniel shook his head as if trying to dislodge something. Mason grabbed hold of Daniel, moving to leave, and I could sense his wolf ready to take charge.
“Avery tried to use compulsion and Mason is furious. I think the meeting’s over,” I whispered. “And the tension I feel, I’m not sure whether it’s mine or his. Something’s not right, but I don’t know what it means.” I could feel myself starting to panic.
Instead of fluid motion, the images I was receiving now were more like snap shots. Mason wasn’t showing it all, but what I was able to see and feel, terrified me. Everything seemed to come at me quickly-anger, an attack on Avery, a struggle, Daniel disappearing, Mason having the upper hand and moving in for the kill, a blast of confusion, and then suddenly-nothing. My mind went black, our connection broken.
I screamed, frantic to get it back, and I couldn’t help but blame myself for it not working. I wrestled with my mind, trying to reconnect again. All I found was emptiness.
I propelled myself off the bed toward my dresser, grabbing my cell phone. I had no idea what happened, but one thing I did know-Mason was in trouble. I quickly dialed his number, hoping he would pick up. The more it rang, the more impatient I got. I needed to reach him, and heaven help the person who tried to stop me.
Hands took firm grip of me, and I ended the call as I whirled around to confront Devlin.
“Let me go. Now.” I was not in the mood to be trifled with and I tried to break free of his grasp. He was immovable, and without thinking, I raised my knee to force him to let go.
He easily deflected it. I fought against him and he answered by shaking me so hard I thought my eyeballs would rattle out of my head.
“Quit fighting me, Darcy. I’m assuming something’s happened and that’s where you’re racing off to go, but please, stop for a moment. Explain what you saw so we can take of this together.” He kept his voice level, trying to exude as much calm as possible.
“You said “we”. Are you telling me you won’t stop me?” I looked at him suspiciously, poised to resume fighting for my release. I felt his hands relax and finally let go.
“As if you would listen. Remember, I know you well, there’s nothing I could say that would stop you. We need to have a plan, though.” He walked over to my closet, pulling out a pair of shoes. He handed them to me and I put them on. Leaving the room, we headed toward the front door.
“I was hoping we could come up with one on our way there. I’m not sure what’s happening, but I saw them fight and then the connection was broken. It can mean one of two things-either I broke it, or Mason is in trouble. I hope it’s me and I get a call saying they’re on their way home, but I can’t risk it. All I know, is I need to act. My Alpha and future mate is in danger.”
“Even if it means he gets angry at you, and furious with me? I know you’re able to leave the house, but I also know he’d never agree to me allowing you to rush to his rescue.” He stepped out into the open air and waited for me to join him.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Now let’s go.”
Looking around for his car, I was distracted by one of the most beautiful motorcycles I’d ever seen. It was all shiny chrome with black upholstery, and I found myself drawn to it.
“Please tell me this is yours.” This was a masterpiece of machinery, and exactly what we needed to get there quickly.
Handing me the helmet, Devlin swung his leg over. He kicked the stand back, balancing the heavy weight between his legs.
Fastening the head gear, I climbed up behind him, wrapping my arms around his body and resting my hands on his stomach. I could feel the difference in our body temperatures-mine resembled a slight fever and his, a cold chill. Ignoring how it caused my hand to tingle, I leaned forward to speak in his ear.
“Why am I the only one wearing a helmet?” I reached up to adjust the strap so it didn’t dig into my chin.
“Because I’m a vampire, and invincible,” he retorted.
“Well, I’m a werewolf, and being supernatural isn’t going to protect your head from being smashed open like an egg on the asphalt.” I knocked my knuckles against his head. “Although, you are pretty hard headed and may bounce a little at first.”
“There’s only one helmet. I wasn’t planning on taking you anywhere when I came here, and despite my many abilities, foresight isn’t one of them. I’m more concerned with keeping you in one piece than myself. Let me worry, just hold on tight and tell me where we’re heading?”
I gave him the address, and without warning, he flipped open his phone.
“We need back up at 325 Hillsdale Road. The Alpha’s in trouble.” He didn’t even wait for a reply before snapping the device shut, and jump starting the bike.
The wheels spun furiously on the gravel, churning it up and we burst forward, causing me to jolt before I had a chance to correct myself. I slapped him for not letting me know his intentions, and I felt the rumble of laughter
