long wool coat that was cinched at her narrow waist. A smug smile was on her pale face. Another vampire stepped up to stand beside her. This had to be the infamous Christopher Heller. Aiden had never actually seen the vampire prior to this moment. Despite being a former member of the American Ministry, he’d been content to hide in Damon James’s shadow.
“I’ve spoken with the European Ministry, Aiden,” Mara called out. “It seems they are feeling generous and are willing to give you a second chance. As you know, we have the traitor and we are taking him back to Europe, but they won’t kill him if you agree to their terms.”
“Where is he?” Aiden demanded.
“Are you going to submit to the demands—”
“Where is he?” Aiden bellowed. His voice broke across the valley like a crack of violent thunder, and every one of the vampires he faced jumped. His temper was at the breaking point. He wasn’t sure if he could offer mercy now even if they begged him. His heart was screaming and his head was throbbing. Ronan, the man he was never supposed to see again, the man he was never supposed to kiss, to hold, to love, was alive, and he couldn’t lose him now.
Mara frowned, her shoulders stiffening at his tone. She made a quick motion with her hand and two vampires hurried over to the rear of an SUV. They opened it and Aiden could see them roughly pulling a rumpled and battered Ronan from it. As they got him to his feet and marched him toward Mara, Aiden could see the trickle of dried blood running from his temple to his jaw. His shirt was torn and splashed with blood, but Aiden had a feeling it was the blood of the vampires he’d killed.
Some small bit of the panic subsided and for the first time since Ronan’s disappearance, Aiden could breathe again. While Ronan was a little battered, he didn’t look to be in bad shape. His hands were bound in front of him, but he still had all his digits and was walking with relative ease. No, Mara was making sure to deliver Ronan in good condition so the Ministry could enjoy itself breaking him.
But that was never going to happen. Even if Aiden didn’t ride to Ronan’s rescue, he knew his old friend was not going to be beaten by the Ministry.
“Hello, darling,” Ronan said with a grin.
Aiden wanted to laugh and shake him in between his broken sobs. “So, this was your plan to lead us to the Heller clan? To uncover all who threaten me?” Aiden asked. He sounded weary and maybe even incredulous to his own ears.
Ronan shrugged as if it were no big deal. “Well, it seemed the most expedient solution.”
“We caught him! He handed himself over to protect you!” Mara cried, but Aiden and Ronan ignored her.
There was a low growl to his left, and Aiden looked down to find River in his wolf form standing next to him, his head low and hackles raised while white teeth were bared in anger. He hadn’t realized that Wyatt and River had changed into their wolf forms.
“That’s quite an army you brought,” Ronan said.
Aiden glanced down the line to see his clan, his family standing with him. Bel stood with a raven on his shoulder, but he had no doubt more animals were at the ready. Marcus, Winter, Rafe, and Philippe were prepared with swords. A small flame flickered in Ethan’s palm while the air around Fox crackled with energy. Yes, they were very impressive and absolutely lethal when it came to protecting one of their own. And Ronan was theirs.
“You attack us now, and Ronan won’t survive the trip to Europe. Your family will be slaughtered! You will be dragged before the Ministry!” Mara threatened, her voice shaking and growing louder with each word.
“So…blood and carnage?” Ronan asked. His grin tilted, becoming a little more devilish, but Aiden shook his head. Vampires weren’t scared of blood and carnage. Aiden intended to create a nightmare from which Mara would never escape.
“How well do you remember 1347?” Aiden murmured, and Ronan’s smile disappeared into a mask of confusion.
Turning his attention over to Christopher, Aiden narrowed his gaze. He took a step forward, putting a little distance between himself and his family. “The Ministry intends to use you against me. You’re a pawn. The power they promised you is a lie. I’ll give you and your clan this one final