“Shit! If he didn’t take Rain, where is he?”
“I’ll check all the monitors. You go check the office again Lachlan didn’t take him,” Caleb said.
Remy retraced his steps back toward the office. When he got there, he still didn’t see his son. “Oh, Rain.”
The blanket piled in the corner moved, and Remy rushed across the room. When he pulled the cover back, Rain was curled up in a ball. “Rain!”
His son blinked his eyes open. “Daddy?”
“Yes. Oh, thank the gods.”
“I was taking a nap.” Rain yawned, rubbing his eyes with his knuckles. His son always slept hard, so that explained why he hadn’t answered the first time.
“Yes, you were.” Remy thanked the gods his boy was there and unharmed. Remy pulled Rain into his arms, and in that moment, he knew he had a decision to make about their future. First, he had to let Frey know Lachlan had escaped.
Malakai was reeling from killing Drago. It wasn’t because he’d taken the male’s life; Drago had threatened Josie. No, it was the way the fire had coursed through his body so easily. How he had instinctually known the flames would surround his mate without harming her. How the voices of the Sevens had guided Josie too. When they spoke to her, Kai heard their voices in his own head. He had always considered the connection to those who had come before him to be a curse, but now he got it. It truly was the blessing his beast claimed it was. That was another thing he’d always pondered; how could something so much a part of him have different thoughts and ideas? Malakai was Gargoyle. They were one and the same, yet the beast inside clearly understood things on a deeper level.
“Kai? Are you okay?” Nikolas asked.
“Yes, why?”
“I said your name a few times. I’m thinking if Drago was here, it’s possible Hagen is too.”
Kai’s family was gathered around, probably worried about his state of mind. They were a peaceful Clan for the most part, and taking a life, no matter the reason, left its mark. “Unless they came in on one of the boats last night and waited around until this morning to attack, I’d guess Drago came alone. It’s possible Hagen is on one of the other islands. Should we be worried about him?”
Nikolas shrugged. “Not worried, but he was complicit in Drago’s plans. He’s the one who sabotaged the security gates so the Unholy could attack.”
“I’ll make some calls,” Ranger offered. “If he’s at a hotel, we will make sure he doesn’t leave.”
“I’ll reach out to Frey and see how he wants to handle the human if we find him,” Nik said. He walked over to where Sophia was waiting with the other mates. Kai leaned forward, inhaling Josie’s hair while reaching out to gauge her emotions.
I’m fine, my love.
Kai smiled against the back of her head while offering up a prayer of thanks to the gods and Sevens for making sure she was fine.
“Cool trick with the fire, Uso.” Fetu was examining his sword. “Not a mark on it.”
“Or Josie. That scared the shit out of me,” Sefina said.
Josie leaned her head back against Kai’s chest. “I was in no danger from Kai’s flame. It was like being surrounded by a warm embrace. Now Drago’s claw?” Josie shivered.
Lani trailed a finger over Josie’s throat. “Amazing. Not even a scratch.”
Ariki wrapped his arm around his mate’s shoulder. “That’s the power of the Sevens. Josie is more resilient because of the bond.”
“While I appreciate the sentiment, I never want to test that theory again.” Kai had never been as scared as he was when he saw Drago’s grip on Josie’s neck. He looked over to where someone had covered Drago’s body. It had been his kill, therefore, he felt responsible for dealing with the corpse. “Mama, please take Josie to the house. There’s something I need to take care of.”
Kai kissed his mate’s temple. I won’t be long, Sunshine. She smiled up at him before linking her arm through Lani’s.
Ariki motioned for everyone to disperse, telling the brothers, “I think we could use some coffee and food.”
The six males waited until everyone was through the trees. Each of his brothers gripped arms with Kai as a sign of respect. It had been a good kill, if there was such a thing. Once he was alone, Malakai gathered Drago’s head and body and walked into the water. Using his shifter strength, he swam into the depths of the Pacific and released his Clan’s enemy. He returned to the surface and tread water as he looked toward the sun. “Thank you,” he whispered to the bright ball of fire. A pod of dolphins appeared from behind, each of them whistling. “Well, come on then.” Kai took off through the water toward the island, the dolphins racing alongside. When the water was shallow enough for him to stand, the pod clicked at him before heading back out. Standing in the waves, Malakai watched them jump high, arcing, and splashing back down. His soul was lighter when he made his way onto the beach. He had needed that connection with the mammals. As he was
