Authors: Rebecca Zanetti

Claimed (32 page)

BOOK: Claimed

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She began to struggle and stopped abruptly when the knife drew blood. Her wide-eyed gaze met Dage's across the room as red dripped down to stain her blouse.

The sight of her blood chilled him into a deadly focus.

Sound erupted around the table as warriors shoved back chairs and leaped to their feet. Jordan herded Maggie and Katie toward the door, reaching out a hand for Cara as well.

“No.” Cara slapped him away. “I'm staying.”

Jordan waited for Talen's nod before pushing the shifters out the door and shutting it, leaning his back against the thick oak. No one would get through the lion to escape that way.

Caleb edged to the left and rested against the only other exit. He smiled and crossed his arms.

Stay calm, love.
Dage waited for her slight nod before focusing on Milner. “Prophet? If you release my mate right now, I promise I won't kill you.” He used his most reasonable tone, while rage and fear battled in his gut. He began to ease around the table while Conn mirrored his moves on the other side.

Milner scowled. “I'm a prophet determined by the fates, Kayrs. You can't kill me.” The hand on the knife handle began to tremble.

Damn it. The blade was large enough to take her entire head off. Large enough to kill her. “You are threatening my mate. Last chance. Or you die.” Dage took a couple more steps. If the bastard shook any more, he'd slice Emma's jugular by accident. She'd heal from that, but not from decapitation.

Milner's face paled and his eyes widened. “You don't understand. I've seen the prophesy. They must die.”

“Who must die?” Talen drew the prophet's attention toward him, allowing Dage and Conn to draw nearer.

Milner flicked his gaze to Talen. “All of them. They can't live. The Paulsen women. They can't.”

Talen growled low and flashed his fangs. “Why not?”

Dage maneuvered even closer, pausing when Lily darted forward and placed one pale hand on Milner's arm.

“Samuel? You're confused. Please release the queen.” Lily reached her other hand to grasp Emma's arm.

Milner swung his swirling gaze to his fellow prophet. “You don't understand, you're nothing but a figurehead, Lily.” Spittle formed at the corners of his mouth, and he yanked Emma harder against his trembling body. “I've
seen
the future. The child cannot live.”

Dage gave Lily a subtle nod to step back. She released Milner and did so, the skin on her face so pale as to be nearly translucent.

Caleb spoke up from his vigil at the door. “What child?”

Milner shifted his stance so Emma stood directly between Dage and the prophet. “The child. The prophesy. They'll bring destruction upon us all. I've
seen
it.” His eyes began to glow as madness swirled through them. “I have no choice. The women must die.”

How had Dage missed this? The prophet was insane.

Emma drew in a shaky breath. “You infected them.”

“Of course.” Tears leaked from Milner's eyes as he focused on Lily. “I'm so sorry. You were not to be infected, Prophet Sotheby.”

“But I was?” Cara shoved away from Talen, fury spinning red through her skin. “Twice?” He grabbed her arm and yanked her behind his large body until only her pale face was visible as she peered around his back.

“I had no choice. This must be stopped.” Milner's mouth began to move in a barely audible chant.

Dage? Why don't I teleport?
Emma drew in a shaky breath, the blood still dripping down her neck.

He had to fight his rage just to mentally answer her.
It's too soon since last time.

She rolled her eyes.

In danger, a knife to her throat, the woman had the audacity to roll her eyes at him.

Freakin' trust me. I can draw on enough of your power to make it. Please trust me.
And then she winked at her sister. Winked!

Dage drew air in through his nose. He could send her enough power to make it work and he did trust her.
Okay. But try to land close
.

Milner's hand tightened on the knife handle. “The queen must die.”

“Now,” Dage roared, shooting power through the air to Emma. She fizzled and disappeared to thinly materialize next to him. He reached for her and felt ... nothing. He reached deeper, past oxygen, past space and grabbed her arm, ripping her through dimensions to land next to him.

Milner screamed a shrill cry and leaped for them, the blade extended, glinting in the soft light.

Dage shoved Emma behind his back, pivoting and letting Milner's momentum carry him near enough to grab the knife. Prophet or not, Milner had made Emma bleed. Life was no longer an option.

Dage yanked the weapon out of Milner's grip, spun the blade and plunged it into the prophet's neck, twisting to the side while the man's eyes bulged out in pain and surprise. Blood sprayed across the room and the earth trembled. Lights flickered. Oxygen molecules popped through the air like bubble wrap.

Rage filled the king and he followed his prey to the floor, ripping through cartilage and bone until Milner's head rolled under the table.

Breathing heavily, Dage threw the knife to the ground and rose to clutch his mate close.

“Holy shit,” Jase said from where he shielded Lily. “You killed a prophet.”

Dage swung Emma around and propelled her toward the door, determined to get her away from death. A hard slap of freezing air stopped him. The earth roared. A gust of wind swept through the room, throwing plates and utensils to the ceiling and down to land hard on the table and floors. Chairs rose into the air to smack against each other, and Dage shoved Emma between his body and the wall.

A spark of neon light zipped through the space, clapping against furniture and rock walls before sliding over each occupant in the room. Electric static emanated from it, giving a small shock. It slithered around, crackling with a slight burn until consolidating once again and hovering for a moment in the very center of the table. The colors mutated from neon to bright blue to navy and finally back to an electric blue before shooting toward Caleb.

Dage pushed Emma back farther, his stance set to defend. What the hell? The light surrounded Caleb, visibly digging into the man's skin and bones. His mouth opened wide on a silent scream and electric light poured out, then rays shot from his eyes and ears.

A piercing whistle rent the air and everyone clapped hands over their eardrums in pain. The air lifted Caleb up to smash against the ceiling before smacking him into the wall. Caleb dropped to one knee, his hair billowing up behind him. He roared in anger, and a thick dark Celtic knot emerged along the back of his neck.

The room quieted.

Caleb struggled to stand, the breath heaving out of his chest with hard bursts. “What the fuck?”

Jordan stepped closer, his gaze on the tattoo. “The Mark of the Prophesy.”

Caleb stilled, rushing over to shards of glass remaining from an antique mirror on the wall. He yanked his head to the side, eyeing the new marking. He lifted his head to the ceiling and bellowed out his displeasure. “Bloody hell.”

Chapter 30

E
mma smiled, hurrying along with her wrapped present. Dark stone walls made up the hallway and smooth rock lined her path in the underground haven. She'd piled her hair high on her head and the strapless dress she wore narrowed to a flared waist. Where in the world had Dage found an Xbox from deep within the earth's surface?

Kane and Conn flanked her on each side, and she fought the urge to roll her eyes. “You're aware the threat has passed, right boys? Milner is gone.”

Conn shrugged. “The king said to guard you, so we guard you.” He shortened his stride so she could keep up.

Kane nodded. “Not that we don't like spending time with you, of course.” His sly smile reminded her he owed her a couple of good kicks.

She laughed. “You'd rather be in the lab, Kane, and you know it.” Of course, so would she. “Speaking of which, when do I get to see the new lab?” Dage hadn't revealed the location to anyone. It was supposed to be ready in a week or so.

“When we move,” Kane said, shifting his present from one arm to the other. He eyed the gift in her hands. “What did you guys get Janie?”

Emma shrugged. “An Xbox. What did you get her?”

Kane puffed out his chest. “A fifty-piece lab set complete with specimens, a microscope, and test tubes.”

Conn snorted. “She's only five, nimrod.”

Emma smiled. “I'm sure she'll love the lab set, Kane. What's in that pretty pink bag, Conn?”

Conn cleared his throat and stretched his neck. “I don't know much about little girls.”

How sweet. Goodness, what had he purchased? “All you need to know is they love presents from people who love them.” Emma lifted up on her toes to peek into the bag.

Conn yanked it away and to the side. “Okay. Geez. I bought her the newest Bond spy equipment set. It has listening devises, fake handcuffs, walkie-talkies, and even magic paper and disappearing ink.” He slowed his pace even further. “Do you think she'll like it?”

Listening devices? “Yes. I think she'll love a spy set, Conn.” Now they all had to be careful what they said with big ears listening. Not that the little protÃ©gÃ©e didn't already envision all of their futures.

The vampire smiled and relief filled his dangerous eyes. “Good. I want her to remember me while I'm gone.”

Emma should find a secured line to call and warn Moira. The women needed to stick together in this new world, without a doubt.

Love? Where the hell are you
? Dage's voice echoed throughout her head.

She rolled her eyes and pushed open the door to the cozy living room strewn with balloons and streamers. “Wow.”

Lily took the gifts. “We had so much fun decorating. Katie and I have been taping streamers for hours.” She hustled away to place the gifts on the table.

Emma pursed her lips. Lily's gaiety hadn't quite masked the dark circles under her eyes. The loss of a fellow prophet was probably difficult for her, even if Milner had been a crazy jackass. Emma rubbed her healed neck.

Janie gave a happy squeal and dashed across the room to hug her aunt. “Hi Auntie Emma.” She grabbed Emma's hand, sighing over the sparkling ring. “So he finally gave you his mama's ring, huh?”

“Hi sweet Janie.” Emma leaned down to embrace the pretty girl. “I take it you knew I'd be wearing this?”

“Of course.” She smiled, the gap in her teeth belying her intellectual age. “I dreamed about the sparkles years ago.”

Emma rose up to take a good look. “That is a beautiful dress, Janie.”

The little girl flounced twice, letting the bright pink ruffles fluff around her legs. Matching butterfly clips held back the rioting curls. “Thanks. Mama and I picked it out on the computer last week.” She pointed a toe. “Do you like my big girl shoes?”

Emma nodded seriously, fighting a grin at the green sandals with bright white flowers. “Lovely. Why green?”

Janie hopped once. “They match Zane's eyes. He can't be here today, so I thought I'd wear his color on my feet.”

Emma took a deep breath, figuring she'd worry about Janie's dream friend another day. She gave the child another kiss and made a beeline for her mate across the room.

He stood next to the hearth, a long necked beer bottle dangling between two fingers. His mouth on hers sent tendrils of need through her flesh. Waves of masculine pleasure wafted over her when he turned her around. “That's a pretty marking on your shoulder.”

Man, she loved being inside his skin and feeling what he felt. She smiled and pivoted to focus on those silver eyes. “Thank you. The mark came with a vampire.”

“I like that you're showing it off.”

She bit her lip, fighting a laugh. “Well, so far I'm the only Kayrs mate who can show the marking without being arrested for indecent exposure.”

Dage grinned. “I do think ahead, unlike my impetuous brothers.”

“Well. You are the king.” A dark edge still licked at the king's emotions from the snapping of control when he'd thought she'd died, an edge she'd need to smooth. In time. She glanced over to where Talen stood with an arm wrapped securely around Cara. “What do you think Milner meant about the prophesy? About the child?”

Dage shrugged, running his fingers down Emma's arm to clasp her hand. “I think Milner had gone crazy. We're tracing his movements for the past hundred years to determine where he went off track, but it'll take a while.”

“Did he actually work with the Kurjans?”

“Yes. We've found e-mails embedded in his computer.” Dage sighed. “It's unthinkable really.”

Emma fought against the fear of another attack. “Do you think he told them about the headquarters underground? I mean, could they be coming for us here?”

Dage tightened his grip. “It doesn't look like he got the chance. But we're still moving tomorrow.” He lowered his head to press a gentle kiss on her ear. “To a place with a fantastic lab for my scientist.”

Warmth slid through her from his whispering breath, and she cleared her throat when he rose back up to his full impressive height. “Speaking of which, so far the tests on Cara's blood are encouraging.” She'd need to conduct more tests later. Emma surveyed the room. “Where's Caleb?”

“He left to escort Prophet Guiles home before heading to train his troops somewhere in the Midwest.” Dage placed his beer on the mantle. “Caleb's determined to ignore the prophesy marking as long as possible.”

“Do you think he'll succeed?”

“No. Fate wins every time. Our only choice is to claim it.” The king dropped his head again to run his heated mouth along her bare shoulder.

Emma shivered, her gaze wandering around the room. The shifters laughed over by the pool table while Kane and Jase jockeyed for position next to Janie on the sofa. Conn handed Lily a glass of what looked like punch by a table sporting a huge cake decorated with horses.

“What are you looking at, love?” Dage whispered into her ear.

Warmth slid through her heart. “Family.”

He chuckled. “We'll stay until Janie opens her presents. Then I have plans for my mouth and your body.”

Emma settled back into his hard chest. Now that was a plan she could certainly embrace.

BOOK: Claimed

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