Page 82 of Ruin

Jedediah Hawk.

Glaring with fire filled eyes at Walker, I snapped his ice magic and took off after her kidnapper.

I charged through the forest, the tracks through the snow and the scent of her blood leading me. It went for miles, right back to the prison. The scent was already faint and the tracks were icing over.

The prison was deserted but I could smell fresh aviation fuel. I bounded down the runway and found what I was looking for. My world crumbled. A helicopter had landed; a big one, the indent of its landing wheels almost covered now with snow. I bellowed, desperation and anger tearing at my soul. She was gone, that was why I’d felt so little from her. I’d stupidly thought her safe and asleep when that fucker Jed had taken her from under my nose! I’d failed her. The one person in this world I’d vowed to keep safe and I’d failed…

The sound of wolves howling reached my ears. I sank to my knees in the snow and stared up at the sparkling stars above. My claws dug into my flesh as I grasped my thickly muscled thighs. I had killed before, many many times, and my soul was as black as the night sky above me. But when I caught up with Jed, and the bastard who had paid for this extraction…and I would...their deaths would be as long and as painful as I could possibly make them—and if they had harmed her in any way, they would find themselves in a Hell purely of their own making; one that would never end. I’d make sure of it.

As the Mother was my witness, I vowed that I would bring the other half of my soul back to me.

The wolf pack that approached carefully, lowered their bodies in submission, but I sensed their sorrow for me. I stood and without a word struck out back towards the compound.

Walker waited for me in the ops center. I could scent him. Anger rode me high, and I didn’t try to temper it. Thankfully Stone had hidden Shannon out of sight. My rational brain knew she had fought hard for my mate, but my mated soul told me she had still failed, that she was at fault. So for now, until I could think clearly again, I would stay away from her.

Drake shifted and ran to my side. “They stole the Halo, too.”

My stomach lurched. They wanted a deal with the devil.

“As soon as Shannon is awake, bring her to me. If she isn’t awake before we leave, then she comes with us.”

“Where are we going, boss?” asked Drake.

“I’ll tell you soon. You have connections. Get me a helicopter or a plane out of here. As soon as I’ve spoken to Walker I’ll tell you the flight plan. And Drake?”

“Yeah?”

“Do not tell that fucker you’re working for, or anyone who works for you, a godsdamned thing.”

His eyes narrowed, but he heard the warning in my voice. And Drake was my brother, so no matter the cost to him, he merely nodded.

“Sure thing. I’ve got friends I can go through instead. I’m on it.”

I nodded. Owen shifted and followed me in to see Walker.

Walker watched us with a level and cold stare. To the side of him were faces I hadn’t seen in years. I should have been elated to see them, even if they had every right to hate my guts, but right then I didn’t give a shit about Ava or Lance, or even the beautiful woman who stood behind Walker. Who by all accounts should be a ghost.

“I need your help.”

Walker gave an accepting nod. His eyes narrowed on my dark face. “You know who took her.” It was a statement not a question.

An evil smile curled my mouth. “I do. And our reunion has been long overdue. The only thing I don’t know is where he is.”

Walker folded his arms over his chest. “Do you know where to start looking?”

“I do. Europe. He will avoid America, too many powerful enemies here.”

Again Walker nodded. “Do you want to tell me who you are looking for?”

I sneered. “No. You want me to work in the shadows, then that’s exactly what I am going to do to bring Ember back. I don’t trust you Walker. You have threatened Ember too many times, but I do need your resources. So, if you want me to secure the key to the Hell gates, you are going to give me everything I need to get her back.”

“Fine, but my son works with you. He has trained this team, and they have access to Fae weaponry that far surpasses anything you have in this world. They will train you and your brothers to use it.” He uncrossed his arms. “Bring her back, Connor.”

“You…” My gaze slid sideways. “Or your son, harm a hair on her head, and Faerie will be looking to elect a new king and heir.”

Walker lifted a brow but said nothing, the epitome of cold self-control. Instead, he turned to his son. “You will do everything in your power to find the key. In return, I will care for your human. Once this mission is complete, we will discuss your futures.”

B’nar nodded, another male of few words.

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