Page 15 of Bound
But Markus’ office door is open wide, letting the light from the lamps slant across the hall floor and up the wall in an amber burst. Tanner and I clear the doorway.
Ruin is near the desk, his expression pinched. Caine, with his dark hair and red eyes, seems to be holding up one tall bookcase as he yawns. Horan sits on the low coffee table, his hands clasped before him and his head bowed, as though in prayer.
“Damn,” T mutters. “Who died?”
“No deaths,” Markus says, his tone grave. “Yet.”
That sends a chill of unease coursing through my blood. “What happened?”
He peers at me. “I just received a call from Lock Lake PD.”
I arch a brow. “Another case? Where?”
His head shakes and he walks out from behind his desk. “The Fae Lords were taken two hours ago.”
The chill turns to ice and I stop breathing. Stop moving. “Taken? How?” A brief flash of terror rips through me. “The women? Amoret, Knyt’s sister, was she—”
Markus eyes me, and I don’t miss the keen fucking light in his gaze. “None of the women were taken. Only the Fae Lords and the guards with them.” The roar of relief at his words makes my body boneless. “The police have already stationed men at the hotel. But I would like you to be the one to speak to the remaining members of their party. It may be easier coming from you. Also, re-extend my offer of sanctuary. Until we find the others, we need to do all we can to protect the rest of the envoy.”
My gut clenches at the mere thought of having to tell Amoret. Of having to destroy her innocence because people are evil and her brother is now missing. “Of course.” I raise my head. “But who took them? How?”
“According to the Chief of Police, the emissaries were on a night out with Councilman Ralf. A welcome to town party,” Ruin rumbles. “The councilman is also missing. When Ralf did not make his evening meeting, his assistant grew worried.”
Fuck.
“Any leads?” Tanner asks.
“Not yet. No ransom requests either. We’re not sure if they were after the Fae and they took the councilman as an extra, or if the councilman was the target and the kidnapper couldn’t risk the Fae.”
I swear low and long under my breath as another problem dawns. “The trial? What about the trial?”
Judging from the exchanged glance between Ruin and Markus, I was the first one to ask.
“I will contact the High Consul,” Markus replies. “With such extenuating circumstances, they will allow for a postponement.”
“Or they will demand all our heads because the Fae were on our turf,” Tanner grumbles.
The weight of that statement descends like a deadly black cloud over the room. Even Caine seems more awake, his heavy-lidded eyes pulsing with demon fire.
“Another reason we need to protect the others at all costs,” Markus says. His amber gaze shifts. “Gage, I would also like Ruin to oversee this operation on the inside. You will still be Captain to all outside forces, but he has more years of experience, and right now …”
“Time is not on our side,” I say without flinching. I want to argue it. For the first time in weeks, I want to dispute Ruin being Captain again. I roll my head on my shoulders and try to ease the new tension filling me.
Markus’ broad hand claps me on the shoulder. “Exactly.”
Ruin meets my eyes. “It’s me and you, G. Just like always.”
But it’s not. Not even fucking close.
Despite years of being away from the Sith, I know Fae. I know how they react, how they move. Ruin doesn’t. Markus may think Ruin can figure this out faster, but …
I scrub a hand over my face.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
Ruin is more than capable of doing this. Lilah, his own damn Consort, was taken months ago. He was able to find her. He even brought her back from the dead as a vamp. He saved her.
The man has been my fucking captain for years. I have followed his lead and watched his back more times than I can fucking count.
If anyone can get back the missing Fae, it’s him.
And it’s my fucking job to help any way I can.
Sighing heavily, I give him a nod and turn to the team. “Gents—”
Ruin grins at me, “Suit up.”
