“Let’s roll on out, Raphael. We’ll do as you suggest and shift once we get closer,” Rufus says to the other man.
I walk over to Esmerelda, pull her into my arms then kiss her as if I’m imprinting her on my memory banks. “Come back to me, Beast,” she whispers against my lips. “Save our family, then come back to me.”
“I promise, my sorceress. I love you,” I reply.
“Love you more.”
Esmerelda
As everyone leaves, I turn to the older woman who has joined me and Tabatha. “I’m Esmerelda and this is Tabatha,” I advise.
“Gara. You are going against some dark magic,” she warns.
“I felt that a few days ago while doing a finding spell,” I admit. “Scared the hell out of me and I don’t scare easily.”
“You were right to be scared. Many who underestimated what that man is capable of have paid the price with their lives. Now, I understand you placed a masking spell for your people, correct?”
“Yes, ma’am.” In many ways, she reminds me of my granny. I’m not very tall, but this woman is almost elven in stature, making me feel like a giant. She only comes up to Beast’s hips, though, a fact I noticed when she walked into the room.
“You don’t need to call me ma’am. Gara will do,” she advises, smiling up at me. “Now, I am linked in to my people and can see what they see. We’ll use that to our advantage so we can make sure all return safe and sound, okay?”
“That sounds like an excellent plan,” Tabatha states. “Let’s get comfortable, ladies. I suspect the next little bit is going to require great concentration.” She moves over to the refrigerator and withdraws more waters then returns to the table where Gara and I are now sitting.
I send up a silent prayer to the goddesses that everyone comes back whole, that we don’t suffer any losses. I’m concerned about those that we were told are also being held, but hopefully, we can assist them if Rufus and his people aren’t able to do so.
The heat here is unbearable. I notice that Mav, Paxton, Landry and Connelly are sweating profusely. I’m perspiring as well, but not as much thanks to the spell Esmerelda cast on me. I send a message through our mate link then watch as the four of them start to look as though they’re cooling down. “Tell her thanks,” Landry says, grinning at me.
“Fucking awesome,” Connelly adds, giggling. “Makes me wish we had the ability to do that too.”
“I like you just the way you are, woman,” Mav grumbles.
We must be close because I notice that several of the men who have been with us on the skiff that we’re using to maneuver down the Amazon River have shifted to what I now know are caimans then slid into the murky water.
“You should probably all shift now,” Rufus advises as the man he called Guido docks the skiff against a rickety set of planks. I worry it won’t hold my weight, then realize it’s close enough, we can leap if necessary. I turn my back on the women and quickly undress before shifting into my polar bear. He’s ready to tear shit up so I remind him that unless it’s necessary, we’re abstaining from any actual harm. I hear the unmistakable yowls from Paxton and Landry so turn to see I’m surrounded by my friends. Once again, I thank the gods that somehow, despite us not being bound by anything besides friendship, we are linked to each other. Even Colton was unable to figure out why or how it happened, but I suspect it has to do with the fact we’ve all mentally put Maverick into the alpha position. Unconventional? Absolutely, but it works for us so I’m not going to complain.
“Esme? We’re about to go in, sweetheart. The masking spell is in place, correct?” I ask through our link.
“Be careful, my mate. Gara says the magic is black, twisted, vile. Do not be misled by anything you may think you see; we’ve just put a clarity spell on all of you,” she replies.
“I’m coming back to you.” I reiterate my earlier promise. I would literally have to be dead before I break that vow, something I don’t feel will happen. At least not today, that is.
“Go with the gods and goddesses,” she says. “I love you.”
“Love you more,” I reply.
Esmerelda
My heart is in my throat as Tabatha, Gara and I continue to chant now that the rescue team is on the ground, our hands clasped with one another. I can feel the power emanating in the room, as well as within myself. Granny taught me that whenever we bond like this, we not only gain strength, but we also impart it, so knowing my powers are being enhanced by these two gives me the strength to keep persevering.
Gara flinches, causing my eyes to dart in her direction. She shakes her head but doesn’t break our connection or the chant, so I continue chanting as well. When all three of us sway, I realize that whatever magic Boatright is using is being directed at us. “Keep going,” I state. If we can keep whoever is attacking us busy, my mate and his friends will remain safe.
Over and over, we continue our spells, as the magic flows growing stronger. Attack after attack is rebuffed, causing me to realize that we’re succeeding. I feel Beast roar inside my head but don’t stop chanting as I know the men will keep him safe.
We’re able to surround the dilapidated building where I can feel my cousin and his mate are being held without any issue. I send up
