“I can’t look at those things anymore. I can’t stand it. I’ve gotten to the point that if they killed me, I wouldn’t care, not if I had to keep seeing the sick things they get off on.”
Andrew nodded. “So if you can’t get it out of us, you might as well kill us. We aren’t going back, and the moment Vadim wakes, he’ll come at us.”
Tariq knew that was true. Vadim would know the two men betrayed him and he would make them suffer before he killed them. He’d force them to do the very things they were trying to run away from.
Tariq made up his mind. Both men were telling the truth. He heard the honesty in their voices. He could take their blood later, but now he had a woman to feed. “I’m out of time. I have things to do, so to ensure your safety, I’m sending you both to sleep. Vadim won’t be able to reach you. And when he wakes, you’ll be the last things on his mind. I don’t know if it will be possible to remove the splinters, but we’ve done it once. We’ll try. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
He dissolved in front of them, shifting so that he was a stream of molecules. Charlotte. Come to me. The carousel in the yard.
He’d dreamt of taking her on that carousel. It was magical. He’d designed it, carved the horses and added a few unique touches. He wanted to see Charlotte on the horses, wearing nothing but her long hair.
She was waiting for him, sitting in the golden chariot with its streaks of fire running jagged through its side. He could see the hunger in her eyes. Felt it beating at him as he approached. She looked beautiful and a little fragile, her gaze soft and warm, but holding a sorrow that would be ever present until they brought their child home.
“Sielamet.” He whispered the endearment softly as he gathered her close and pulled her to his chest.
The moment her mouth was on his bare skin his body shuddered with pleasure. Her teeth sank deep in an erotic bite, connecting them in the intimate way of his species. He wrapped his arms around her and threw his head back, savoring the feel of his woman against him. Skin to skin. Shocked, he glanced down at her and found she’d already learned how to shed clothes. At once his hand went up to cup her breast as she fed, his thumb sliding over her nipple, a whisper of breath. All the while he shielded them from any eyes.
You wanted me naked on your carousel.
I did, beloved. But I need you naked on my carousel when I have time to do something about it.
I know. I just wanted you to have a small respite before the war begins. I love you, Tariq. Let’s get our daughter back.
Just like that she licked at his chest to seal the small evidence of her teeth and clothed them both. He couldn’t fault her on her attention to detail. “How did you learn how to do this so quickly?”
She smirked at him. “I spent time around Vi and she’s a total fashionista, so I learned to be one as well. I like clothes. I like your clothes. I asked Blaze to show me and she did. It isn’t that difficult once you get the hang of it. I even managed to make Emeline smile when I first made a few mistakes.”
A small, child’s voice flowed into his mind. Broken. Filled with sorrow—and resolve. Tariq, please tell Danny, Amelia and Bella that I love them. Tell Emme I’m sorry. And Val . . .
Liv’s voice cut into him and Tariq’s head snapped up. Don’t you dare! He poured every ounce of command into his voice. We’re coming for you.
I knew you would. I don’t want anyone else to die because of me. I can’t stand his voice in my head. I can’t stand knowing he might make me hurt my brother or sisters. Or Emeline. Or you.
There was a stirring in their minds. Val flowed in. Power flowed with him. You will not do this, Liv. There was power beyond imagining, an ancient who had been born in fire and pain, tortured beyond conception, one relentless, brutal predator. You are far too young to understand yet, but you hold my honor in your hands. You will choose life and you will endure until we get to you. Do