Drawing on every ounce of pain she’d suffered at the loss of her child, she aimed her hands at the foulest men to ever walk the face of the Earth. Power surged out of her bones, through her veins, and over her skin to her fingertips. Faint whispers filtered into her thoughts, Tanner’s and John’s caressing words centering her and giving her the strength to do what needed to be done.
Ready for vengeance on behalf of Sarah, Tanner envisioned the shackles binding his ankles and wrists gone, and they vanished. His abilities had increased tenfold with her commitment to him and John. Hopefully, their combined powers would be strong enough to destroy the bastards who’d caused their mate greater suffering than anyone should have to endure.
The possibility that she carried their offspring brought a burst of pride, but he forced it away. Naga could be lying, and Sarah’s well-being came before all else.
John rose with him, and they moved to flank her. The door to her mind was open to them, her impulse-driven thoughts calming with a few gentle unspoken words.
We’re here beside you, Sarah. Forever.
Warmth flooded Tanner. She understood his depth of loyalty to her, and confidence surged through every part of him at the knowledge.
The cobra gave a dismissive-sounding hiss, continuing his strange snakelike pacing. “You would not be an elder if not for the te
ss
t, Brother. You have enjoyed the power I gave you, wreaking havoc on the world when you choo
ss
e. And we have guided our fal
ss
e
ss
i
ss
ter in our bidding.”
Ellington lunged toward Naga. His outstretched fingers missed the narrow space behind cobra’s head and above the fanned hood. “No one takes what belongs to me without suffering the punishment of my wrath!”
Whipping around, Naga bared his fangs—the ones that had brought a swift end to Sarah’s recruit. “You forget who made you.
Ssh
all I undo the magick that brought you back from death?”
Lightning crackled from Ellington’s gnarled hands, sizzling at Naga. “And weaken yourself more, so the whore can kill you? You’re nothing without me. You can’t even plant your seed in her. Snakes have no cocks or ballocks.”
Naga’s long, low growl echoed off the walls. Vibrations rattled the passageway, sending debris falling from the ceiling and dust billowing into the air. “No elder ha
ss
ever defied hi
ss
Ma
ss
ter.”
Stepping back from the impending confrontation, Tanner peered through the haze. Sarah’s abuser and her rapist grappled with each other. Neither seemed to gain an advantage.
A blast of energy reverberated through his connection with Sarah, warning him of her intentions a split second before the arguing fools began splintering into tiny shards. Naga’s tail flew at Tanner, uncoiling like a rope thrown through the air. It caught his thigh, circling and tightening, making his leg go numb.
The lasso dragged him toward the explosion, the pieces of the Triad leaders cutting into his arms as he raised them to protect his face. Regret that he wouldn’t share his life with Sarah passed in an instant. He’d promised to die to keep her safe, and he’d meant those words. Her safety took precedence over his existence, especially if their child grew under her heart.
John’s hand closed around Tanner’s forearm, slowing the forward momentum. “Use the knife to cut through it, Sarah!”
When her hand brushed his hip, panic stole Tanner’s breath for only a moment. He held his palm out. “Give me the knife! Get back!”
Rather than listening to his command, she sliced through the scale-covered length, returning the circulation to his leg. As she reached for his other arm, the disembodied tail whipped out again, seeming to have a mind of its own. This time, it caught her wrist and yanked her into the shrapnel before he could react. Her cape fluttered out behind her, shredding in the onslaught of sharp slivers.
“No! Sarah!” Gut-deep pain ripped through him as she vanished into the whirlwind of destruction.
Male screams filled the passageway. Then the storm simply vanished, along with Naga, Ellington, and Sarah. Silence fell louder than a death knell.
Crumpling on the floor, Tanner closed his eyes. Evil had been destroyed, but at what cost?
The prophecy? Forget the fucking prophecy.
He’d lost the one woman he was destined to love and protect.
Destined? I love her, damn it! I love her, and she’s gone.
His entire purpose was gone. What was he supposed to do with the rest of his life without her? Why hadn’t the Fates intervened, directing the path of destiny? Was she right? Had they abandoned her?
Pressing his fingers against his throbbing skull, he curled his knees close to his chest. Maybe if he went to sleep, he’d wake to find he’d only been dreaming. Sarah would be lying beside him in their bed, and none of this nightmare would be real.
“Tanner, you okay?” John’s voice broke the deadly quiet. “Shit. You’re bleeding all over the place. Hang on. We have to get you home.”
Too exhausted to move, Tanner didn’t even try to respond. Darkness was much more inviting.
* * * *
Clearing his mind of the chaos, John focused on transporting himself and Tanner to the compound. Luckily, they didn’t have to travel via time tunnels to get home. A simple transportation spell was faster and less likely to cause more damage to his partner’s numerous cuts.
He gripped Tanner’s forearm, hoping the charm didn’t fail him. Neither of them had ever attempted to carry the other with a location spell.
Take us to our Xanthus Mother,
So she may heal my shifter brother.
Bear us with the greatest speed
In this time of urgent need.
Blessed be and harm to none.
Goddess, let your will be done.
Colored lights swirled, and blowing sand formed a wall around them, blocking out the view of the catacombs. John certainly wouldn’t complain if he never saw the cursed place again. Sarah wasn’t there to call him back, her presence within his reach but not within this realm.
A long moment passed, testing his patience. They didn’t have time to waste. From Tanner’s disorientation, John could only guess the shards from the Triad elders had contained something that had infected the cuts.
Take us home, Goddess. Please.
The lights faded, and the wall of sand disappeared to reveal the matriarch’s private study. The subtle scent of chamomile told him she had to be near with an ever-present cup of tea.
He scanned the room.
She stood at the teacart, her white braid draped over her shoulder. Her blue eyes met his gaze as he eased Tanner down to the floor. She seemed to pull his memories from his mind, the invasion more soothing than uncomfortable. “We must hurry.”
Setting down her teacup, she grasped a bowl and came to kneel at Tanner’s side. The pungent odor of the mixture in the dish quickly overpowered the pleasant smell of the tea. How had she known to mix a poultice?
She scooped several fingers full of the paste, spreading it over the bloody gashes on Tanner’s arms. “Do you have any cuts, Johnathon? The blade was poisoned.”
A quick check of his exposed skin yielded no wounds. He had no idea how he’d escaped without so much as a scratch. “I’m fine. No blade. The remaining elders of the Black Triad shattered, and the pieces flew at Tanner.”
Without looking up, she tensed but continued her ministrations. “Naga and Sarah Pennymead are destroyed then?”
John swallowed against the painful lump in his throat, the tiniest doubt almost allowing him to grieve the loss of his mate. “Sarah isn’t an elder. Her…husband was the other member of Naga’s triangle. They tricked her into believing she was the third elder.”
“She killed her husband. How could a dead man become a part of Naga’s—”
“We
saw
him, matriarch.” No matter the impropriety of interrupting the clan leader, John was compelled to defend the woman he loved. “Naga called Sarah a witch. He said she didn’t have the power of the Black Triad. The snake shifter used Percy Ellington to make her think she was an elder, but Naga brought the abusive bastard back from death to join his ranks. She was a pawn for the last three centuries.”
Smoothing the last of the herbal concoction onto Tanner’s face, the matriarch frowned at John. “You speak as if you believe she’s an innocent. What of her crimes against our clan?”
John stood, pacing to the desk and back. Did he have anything to lose by telling the whole truth? “I don’t think she was responsible for those acts. The tattoo on her back lacks the necessary markings to make her an elder of the Triad. She does, however, have the sign of a Xanthus mate.”
“Yours and Tanner’s mate? Have you told her? Where is she?”
“She knows. Our mating is complete. Naga took her with him when she destroyed him and Ellington, but…I can feel her. I have to believe she’s still alive. I
know
she is. The connection hasn’t weakened or disappeared. It’s stronger than ever.”
Rising to her feet, the Xanthus leader pursed her lips. “And Tanner? Does he think she lives?”
He shook his head. “The shards of the Triad have affected his mindset. They’re poisoning his beliefs, making him doubt that she’s strong enough to have survived. Besides, Naga hinted that she carries our children. I know she would’ve gladly given her life for Tanner and me, but she wouldn’t sacrifice the lives under her care to destroy the Triad.”
“Babies? She’s conceived?” For the first time since his adoption into the Xanthus clan, the matriarch seemed surprised at the turn of events. “The prophecy is coming to pass—and with the last Pennymead witch, no less. As soon as Tanner is well, we must find a way to bring her back from the other side.”
“She’s trying to get out. She’ll be waiting for us when we get there. Somewhere. Don’t ask me where or how I know. How long until Tanner’s healed? I’m worried about Sarah—even though she’s more than capable of taking care of herself.” Studying the patches of drying poultice on his friend’s arms and face, John rubbed at the tense muscles in his neck. “You’re sure Tanner will be okay? Naga’s venom was potent enough to kill a grown man in under five minutes.”
“The mating will protect him if she’s still alive, and your children will protect her if she truly has conceived. Your faith in her strength makes her stronger. Perhaps we should discuss your recent adventures over tea. I get the impression you didn’t share all that you could’ve during our last conversation.” Crossing to the teacart, she poured another cup of tea.
Too keyed up to sit, he searched for an excuse to burn off some of the nervous energy. Not knowing exactly where his mate had disappeared to wasn’t helping. He needed to hold her. “What about Tanner? Shouldn’t I take him to our quarters?”
“He’s best off where he is. Too much movement will allow the poison to travel more quickly through his body.” She aimed for the pair of armchairs in the corner. “Come sit, my dear boy. You’ve been gone for months without a visit, and I’ve missed your company. You must learn to be patient as well.”
Surrendering to her request, he joined her and accepted the hot brew she offered. “We’d already made contact with Sarah when we spoke with you two days ago. She was planning to destroy Naga on her own, and the fact that she wasn’t a true elder didn’t deter her. The ink markings on her back were clear, telling us we’d found our mate, but you had no reason to believe us. So, we kept that knowledge to ourselves.”
“You protected her, as you should have. Loyalty is vital to lifemates.”
Unfortunately, they hadn’t been able to keep her out of the cobra’s clutches. They’d all known the dangers, but John hadn’t expected to watch her get sucked into oblivion and Tanner fall victim to Naga’s venomous soul.
But she’s okay. I know she is.
“Guilt won’t change the past, Johnathon. Trust in the Fates to know your path and bring you to the future you’re meant to have.” She tipped up the china cup and then cradled it in her palms. “You must eat and rest to stay strong for Tanner and Sarah. I’ll see about having a tray brought up while you finish your tea. Help yourself to the extra pillows and blankets in the linen closet in my bathroom. The couch is quite comfortable for a nap.”
Exhaustion hit him before she left the room, and he set aside his drink in favor of her suggestion that he lie down. As tired as he was, retrieving a pillow and blanket would delay a much-needed rest. He’d sleep fine on a pile of rocks in a blizzard.
He checked on Tanner on his way to the couch. The man who was like a brother to him hadn’t moved, but at least his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. No more blood seeped from the dozens of gashes. Hopefully, he’d wake strong and ready to go find their mate.
Stretching out on the sofa, John closed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. A yawn pushed its way out of his mouth. Another followed. He wiggled to get comfortable, but only succeeded in creating a lump between his hip and the back of the couch.
A lump?