acting like a shield, not allowing her to speak either verbally or mentally. It’s got to be blocking her ability to shift, too. Otherwise, I’m sure Annie would have been going for throats, not merely wrists.
My girl’s a hell of a fighter. Tinker was less than ten feet away, concealed in heavy brush, and Alex sensed some sort of massive mental restraint holding the man in place. Anton? He didn’t think his own dad was strong enough.
Those bastards will die tonight.
Oh, yeah. I’m with you, Tink. Help’s on the way. I think Lily and Sebastian are close.
I’m here, Alex, Lily said. Coming in behind you. Sebastian’s trying to get closer to Aldo. Dad’s got the pack together, and they’re building up more energy for our magic.
Then Anton was speaking. Sebastian? Are you two there yet? Good. Look, we’ve got trouble. I just heard from the sheriff. There’s been another murder—body of a young woman discovered on our land, down where it runs along the highway. Probably happened early this morning.
Sebastian spoke. Calm, measured tones. He’ll be much stronger, even harder to stop.
His control helped center Alex.
I know. Anton again, sounding calm and focused. Alex concentrated on his own focus as Anton continued.
Sebastian, be careful. We have to stop him tonight, before anyone else dies. Alex, I’ve confirmed my suspicions. Definitely a ward of some kind shielding Annie. I can’t sense her at all, which means he’s using some powerful magic. Blood magic from the death of that girl, I imagine. Sebastian? Lily? I’m holding pack energy. A lot of it. Link to me when you need it.
Thanks, Dad. And, Dad? Sebastian and I have mated.
There was a long silence. Then Anton again, sounding like a man fighting powerful emotions. Good, sweetheart. Damn good. In fact, it’s wonderful. Sebastian? You have an even greater responsibility to keep her safe.
I’ve known that since the beginning. I won’t let anything happen to those you love.
Alex glanced at his father and then felt Lily’s chin on his back. If Sebastian does anything stupid, she said, I will haunt him.
I’ll help.
Good.
The twelve rogues moved into position in a circle around the tree, six of them in human form, six as wolves. They stood just outside of the circle Aldo was scraping into the dirt.
He stood back and surveyed the circle and then stripped out of his clothing. One of the men, acting as an acolyte, slipped a black robe over Aldo’s head and helped him tie the sash. Then he stepped back and joined the others around the tree.
Annie hung there, looking angry and frustrated and scared to death. Alex glanced over his shoulder at Lily. She shook her head. Sebastian says he has an idea that should get Aldo to turn Annie free. Let’s see what he’d got planned. Then we attack, but we wait until Annie is free. She’s too vulnerable.
I know. And I don’t know if we’re strong enough to take them in a fight. He hadn’t wanted to voice that concern. Not at all, but it was wrong to deny the truth. There were twelve huge rogue Chanku, and only eight of them, counting the three packmates who’d come up through the tunnels.
Everyone else was in the meadow channeling energy. He didn’t trust magic. Not nearly as much as he trusted teeth and good old-fashioned fighting, but he forced himself to hold his position.
He wanted Annie to know they were here for her. That they’d be getting her away from the bastard who held her. Then, Goddess be blessed, Annie raised her head and looked right at Alex.
He gazed straight into her eyes and sent his love across the short distance, but he couldn’t tell if she saw him or not. He could only wait to see what Lily and Sebastian had planned.
Sebastian linked privately with Lily. We have to get Annie free of him. That has to come first. I’m going out there, but don’t give yourself away. I want him to think I’m here alone.
No, Sebastian. You can’t. It’s too dangerous.
I can, and I will be okay. I love you, Lily, and we have the power of the pack behind us. I can feel their strength.
Before Lily could say anything else, he shifted and strode out onto the moonlit ridge, but he pulled the power of the pack around him, and used their strength to mask his presence.
He felt it like a powerful drug, the energy from all those Chanku along with the added strength of the Mother thrumming