Malakai (Stone Society #13) - Faith Gibson Page 0,71

there, and Dominic and twenty others arrived at Rafael’s right before I left. He’s on standby with our males. Patch me through on a conference call to everyone who was on the video conference this morning.”

Lachlan cursed and stood quickly. “What’s wrong?” Julian asked.

“My mate’s here.” Lachlan turned toward the door just as Hunter strode in, his twin, Carter, right behind.

“We got here as quick as we could. What’s going on?” Hunter asked without looking at Lachlan.

“Lachlan, please explain everything to them while I patch everyone through,” Julian said. He felt marginally better now that Lachlan’s mate was there to keep an eye on him. Julian rang the other Clan members and listened while Frey instructed them to take teams to each of their homes. Lorenzo had gathered spare swords from the armory for those whose weapons were at home.

“I’ll head home now that Hunter and Carter are here to help Lachlan. Have Lor stop here so they have weapons in case Drago sends Goyles with the Unholy.” They all had their directives, and Julian prayed they would be able to stop the Unholy from blowing up any more of their homes.

When Julian disconnected, Lachlan asked, “Should we try to move your equipment before they get here?”

“We’re in an SUV, if that helps,” Carter said.

“Move it where?” Julian ran a hand through his hair. His genius brain was failing him. Again.

“How about the Pen?” Lachlan suggested. “I doubt Drago would think about attacking such a secure structure.”

“Yes. That’s perfect. Lachlan, you know the important pieces. Take only the necessary equipment and get the hell out of here. I’ll call Remy and tell him to expect you.”

“Go. We’ve got this,” Hunter said.

“Thank you.” Julian had no choice but to trust these three to safeguard his world.

Katherine is our world. As long as she’s safe, nothing else matters. You can always rebuild a computer.

His beast was right. Julian ran to his Corvette and sped home. He prayed to the gods he got there in time to save it.

Chapter Eighteen

Josie had flown several times in her younger days, but she’d never been on a luxury jet. It was crowded with so many of them, but she was thankful they weren’t stuck on a commercial plane. Especially since Tessa was pacing the middle of the cabin. Frey had called Abbi right before take-off and told her about Kaya. Each of their mates had called or texted with one last message before the plane lifted off. Now, all they could do was wait. Bryce, the pilot, was a Gargoyle. He and his brother, Karson, had loaded all their bags while the females and kids got situated. Molly had sniffed the cabin before hiding out in the jet’s bedroom. Connor and Amelia were also in the small room, with Abbi keeping them occupied. Karson wasn’t a pilot, but he sat in the cockpit with his brother to give the women and Trevor their privacy.

Josie didn’t know Kaya well. Not like everyone else did, but her heart still hurt thinking of the kind woman lying in the hospital. Probably fighting for her life. What could have been a quasi-vacation had turned into a somber affair. With the exception of Tessa, everyone was sitting quietly.

Trevor, who had been tracking Tessa’s steps, said, “You’re making me nauseous, and I’m not pregnant.”

Tessa disappeared into the galley and came back with a bottle of clear liquor. Karson had food brought in before they took off, but no one besides the kids had felt like eating. Abbi, Sophia, and Katherine had managed to eat a little, but Josie figured it was because two of them were pregnant.

“Shots, anyone?” Tessa asked, holding up a bottle of what Josie could now see was tequila.

Isabelle, Marley, Trevor, and Willow raised their hands. There was no salt or lime slices to chase the liquor. The women took turns sipping from the bottle. When it was Tessa’s turn, she took more than a sip. The half-blood didn’t wince at what Josie knew was a fiery path down her throat. Tessa held the bottle out to Josie. She shrugged and took a sip, hissing through the burn.

“Kat, your turn,” Tessa said, offering the expensive tequila to the other redhead.

Katherine shook her head. “I better not.” She rubbed her stomach. “I don’t feel very good.”

Tessa didn’t pressure the former newscaster. Katherine Fox had made her own headlines when she’d been arrested for treason. That reminded Josie, each of the other mates had a story to tell. It might help