Rourke took my hand and led me down the aisle. The sun was bright, the morning alive. We’d been in there longer than I’d thought. At least an hour, maybe more.
“It’s hard to believe Enid is just letting us walk out of there,” I said. “I thought in the end we would have to fight her.”
“I did too,” Rourke said, his voice reserved. “The only reason she let us go is because you vowed to return to her alone. She will get her chance to end your life if she wants to.”
I gazed at my mate as we walked along the path away from the church, toward the abbey. “I know you’re angry,” I told him. “But I’d already weighed all the options in my mind, and there was no getting around making a deal with Enid. I believe Pandora and Leo are correct and I will survive. If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t have brokered the deal. I don’t want to be on the run from Enid for the rest of our lives.” I stopped walking, pulling him close. Our lips met, and all of our fear and adrenaline flowed outward. The kiss was hungry. I broke away, leaning back, my arms still folded around him. “Our lives are going to change dramatically in the next few days. We can’t stop it from happening, we can only try to steer the ship. But knowing you will be by my side every step of the way makes everything bearable. We can do this. Together.”
Rourke rested his forehead against mine, his arms crushing me to his chest, his voice barely audible as he murmured, “I will never leave your side.”
23
“I’m so happy you’re here,” I said, embracing my father. It was good to see him. He and his people had managed to secure a house outside Siena, which wasn’t too far from where we’d been.
Tyler and Kayla had gone to pick up Danny, Naomi, and Jax. Apparently, Danny had managed to hail a cab in a small nearby town, but it had taken them in the complete opposite direction due to their cabbie not understanding a lick of English.
“So tell me about the meeting,” my father said as we sat at a large table. “Then I need to know about Julian.”
I told him everything that had happened, including our initial meet-up with Leo and what I’d just promised Enid. “Juanita, now Pandora, previously told me to make decisions with my heart. And I felt promising Enid that I’d show up tomorrow night was my only choice, given the circumstances. We can’t outrun Enid. She sees the future. But I have faith that with Pandora’s and Leo’s backing, things will work out as they are supposed to.”
“I don’t like that you’ve promised something blindly, but I understand your reasoning.” My father appeared tired, the sleeves of his standard work shirt bunched up at his elbows. “We are currently situated between a rock and a very hard place. We may not be able to go inside the church with you when you meet Enid, but we will stand our ground outside. I’ve brought fifteen wolves, and we will gather Julian and his wolves as well. She will not harm you without severe retaliation.”
“I’m not sure that is going to work,” Rourke said, leaning back in his seat. “Julian has disappeared for the time being. We think he’s in league with Ceres, the Goddess of Fertility.”
My father said, “That’s what Tyler told me, but I’m having a hard time believing it. The picture he painted was that Julian had shut out his wolves in favor of this goddess.” He rubbed his chin. “That doesn’t sound like the Alpha I’m familiar with, but I admit things have changed in our world. If Julian is on a quest for greater power, it has led him astray—far from the road he should be on.”
“I think it’s safe to say he’s veered completely off the path,” I said. “All of our information leads to Ceres having kidnapped Tally for her place on the Coalition. I’m assuming it’s been tougher than the goddess intended to kill the leader of the witches, which is why Tally is still alive. I’m certain Julian is furious that things haven’t gone quicker. Our arrival has likely put a crimp in their plans to dispose of Tally, hoping the power would choose Ceres. It’s unclear what the goddess would’ve promised Julian in return. What can she give the Alpha of the Mediterranean Pack? Julian already has supreme power over Florence, being the strongest supernatural in the area.” Other than Leo, who kept his presence quiet.
“Maybe she promised to make him a god.” Rourke shrugged. “Either that, or she promised him once she took her place on the Coalition she would put him in a prominent position of power. Either way, he’s turned against his wolves and us. We haven’t checked in with Ray, James, or Marcy yet, but if Julian has turned up and offered to help them, I would be stunned.”
“I’ve been in contact with my second,” my father said. “But not since early this morning. James said they were on the scent of this goddess, which had led them to some sort of bunker. Let me try to get a hold of him and see what their progress is.” My father stood up and walked away from the table.
There was commotion outside, and Rourke and I went to investigate.
“Naomi!” I exclaimed as I rushed down the steps to embrace my friend. “You look no worse for wear, and I’m relieved.”
“Indeed, Ma Reine, it wasn’t so bad,” she answered. “But then, I was in good company.” She gestured to the back of the SUV as a large figure emerged. I stepped forward to get a good look.
Jax was, by far, the biggest fifteen-year-old I’d ever laid eyes on.
He had to be at least six-five and still growing. He resembled his sister, with olive skin, bright amber eyes, and dark tousled hair. Even though he was tall, he still looked boyish. He was darling. I was happy to note his skin didn’t even hint at any shade of blue. It must change only when he shifted into an ice troll.
Kayla climbed out of the car after him, beaming with happiness and pride. She grabbed his arm and dragged him over to Rourke and me. “I’d like to introduce you to my kid brother, Ajax.” She nodded at us. “Jax, these are the people who were instrumental in freeing you, Jessica and Rourke. We owe them big-time.”
Jax stuck his hand out, giving us both a lopsided grin. Rourke clasped it first. Their hands were almost the same size. When he was done growing, he might clock in as one of the strongest supernaturals around. “Nice to meet you,” he said, his voice pleasant and boyish. He gave an exaggerated sniff before smiling. “Cat shifter, huh? I’ve never met one before. But that’s not saying much, since I haven’t met that many other supernaturals.”
“I’m the only cat shifter you’re likely to meet,” Rourke said. He turned to me. “This is Jessica McClain. You owe your rescue to her.”
“I don’t know about that,” I replied, grasping Jax’s outstretched hand, mine disappearing inside his. “It was a team effort. But I’m so thankful you’re back safe and sound. We were happy to help.”
Jax shifted his eyes downward. “My sister said you guys are going to keep us protected from now on. Is that true?”
“It is,” I told him. Jax and his sister had been on the run for a long time, and it had worn them down. “You’re welcome to stay with us as long as you like.” He nodded once, satisfied. “Are you hungry? If the answer is yes, there’s food in the kitchen. Go help yourself.”
He mumbled, “Thanks,” as he made his way inside. Other than being huge and extremely strong, he was a typical teenager.
Tyler came up next and gave me a hug. “Glad to see you’re in one piece, sis. I was worried Enid was going to tear you limb from limb.”
“It seems she’s had a change of heart, for at least the next day or so,” I said.