Werewolves Be Damned - By Stacey Kennedy Page 0,55

use you as bait—that is non-negotiable.” To Drake, he added, “But she’s a part of this. It’s done.”

Drake gave Kyden a long stare, but he said nothing more, and Nexi was somewhat surprised how compliant Kyden acted. Actually, she was shocked speechless that he’d pulled Elite Guardian ranking on her father, since in the big old guardian world Kyden ranked higher than Drake. Of course, Talon could override Kyden’s order, but he didn’t.

She studied the guardian next to her. When had Kyden become so agreeable? He’d always wanted to protect her and keep her safe. Had she actually gotten through to him and his chest-beating way? She really doubted it, and the shift in him was discouraging.

Empathy showed in Kyden’s features. “I now believe you have more right than anyone to see him dead.” His voice softened. “I realize you don’t know how deep this runs.” He brushed a finger over her cheek, and she leaned into his touch. Pain seeped into his expression, and her blood ran cold. “I learned tonight the wolves at your home—the reason for your family’s death—was because of Lazarus.”

She blinked as the world spun around her, and she backed away from Kyden’s touch. She’d known this, of course. Her mind had been trying to tell her from the moment she learned Lazarus was after her, but hearing the words spoken aloud affirmed it as her reality—a reality she couldn’t change—and the pain of her loss, of her guilt, was unbearable.

Kyden’s body curled itself around her, and she drew comfort from him, however small. He turned to his father. “The wolf said Lazarus remembered Nexi from the attack on Tillie. He realized if the daughter held the same power he’d stolen from her mother, it would make him twice as strong as he is now.”

Nexi stared at nothing, willing her ears to block his words, as he continued, “The death of her family was to force her return to the Otherworld.”

“How did he find her?” Zia asked.

“There was a draw to her and he could sense her,” Kyden said. “A blood connection, of some type, and Lazarus has spent the last years searching for her, knowing she was somewhere in the Earthworld.”

“He does have Tillie’s blood in his veins, but I didn’t know that bond would transfer to him.” Zia whispered, her voice wrenched in guilt.

“How could you know that?” Talon asked. “You couldn’t have predicted the connection.” He hesitated, and finally added, “Continue, son.”

“The werewolf said Lazarus could feel her closeness,” Kyden said. “It took him all these years to zero in on her location. But he realized when he found her she was without her magic. That’s what started his plan. They never intended to kill her that night, merely for us to come and bring her home.”

Drake exhaled, a sound dripping in misery. “We did exactly what he hoped.”

“He had to have known we’d lift the hold on her magic,” Talon agreed. “And he’s been killing and watching her, waiting to ensure she has her magic, so he can drain her?”

“Appears so,” Kyden said. “He must assume that since she’s able to fight as a guardian, and that magic has flourished, so have her witch abilities.”

“They were murdered…” Nexi whispered against Kyden’s chest, her mind reeling, “because of me.” Her parents, the people she loved, died in the most vicious of ways because Lazarus was after her. Her stomach rolled in sickness, and her throat tightened. “How can this be true…”

Kyden stared at her with pained eyes. “I’m sorry, Nexi—”

She raised her hand, not wanting him to continue. Tears welled up in her eyes and horror sent an excruciating chill into her soul. Her knees wobbled and a terrible, keening sob, sounding nothing like her own voice, escaped her.

Kyden wrapped her in his arms, keeping her upright as her body slipped downward. She stayed there a moment, weeping hard and openly, but accepting the safe feeling he provided as the world she knew it shattered around her.

Drake’s hand rested on her shoulder, but the comfort of the two men most important in her life couldn’t fight off her despair. She sank deeper into Kyden’s embrace, hoping he could make this all better—hoping he’d tell her this was all some terrible nightmare.

He stayed silent.

…

Two hours later Nexi entered her bathroom, adjacent to her bedroom, and shut the door behind her. She turned on the tub’s faucet, added a dash of bubble bath and let the scent of warmed almonds and sweet vanilla comfort