Race to Destiny 4 (9 page)

Mia must have fallen asleep at some point on the couch as she felt a rumble under her cheek.  Then she heard Eric and Striker talking about the plane due soon.  She slowly sat up and realized she was a bit dizzy.  She put her hand to her head to try to stop the swimming. 
Had the blood exchange done this to her
? she wondered.

'No, love, you are probably dizzy from hunger.  It's been since lunch yesterday that you ate
,’
Striker said.

'Yes, it's now four in the morning
,’
Eric said.

Mia's mouth dropped open in shock as she was looking at both men sitting at the table in front of her and neither had moved their mouths. 
How was that possible
? she thought in shock. 
What was happening to her
?

"Stay calm, Mia
,” Striker said aloud as he stood and moved to sit beside her.  "It is part of the exchange.  We can now talk telepathically."

Mia thought about what he said.  "
Wow, it’s like having another personality in my head.  Then that means that you two have exchanged blood too.  Right?"

"Yes, we have.  We did it back at the hotel.  Mostly so we could communicate from a distance with each other if it was needed to keep you safe
,” Eric explained.

'Now we can speak to each other no matter where we are.
’ 
Striker's voice came into her head.

'That is so cool.
’ 
She thought then smiled when she saw they had both heard her. 
'Can others hear us?'

'No, only my mates are on this path.  I have access to another path that leads to my people
,
’ Striker explained.

"I see
,” she said aloud.

"Now come, let's get you something to eat.  I bought a bit of everything I thought you would like
,” Striker said as he stood and led her to the table.

Eric got up and began to pull things from the fridge.  Mia sat down at the table and began to look over the food.  Her stomach growled loudly and she giggled.  She grabbed a ham and cheese sandwich and began to eat.  Eric opened a bottle water for her and set it in front of her.  She ate slowly, chewing thoroughly even though she wanted to scarf it down.  She was aware of her audience and didn
’t want to act like an animal.  She almost choked on her food at her thoughts.

Once she had her fill, she said, "Eric, you are Fae.  Do we have to do something like the blood exchange?  How will we mate?"

"Mia, make no mistake, we are not mated yet,” Striker inserted.  "We must all join for us to be mated."

Mia blushed.  "Oh.  I thought the blood exchange was a
vampire's way of mating."

Striker smiled at her and ran a hand over her cheek.  "No, but I thank you for your trust and wish to be mated to me."

Eric grinned at her.  "And I take it that you also want to mate with me if you are asking."

"Well, yes, I care for you both deeply
,” Mia said to them.

"We will do a light exchange.  Similar to the blood
,” Eric told her.

"Okay, do we all do that?
” she asked.

"Yes, when we all join as one
,” Eric answered.

"Okay.
”  Mia sat there thinking about what they had told her and sipping her water.

"How are you feeling?
” Striker asked her.

Mia nodded.  "Good.  The headache is gone
, I guess it was the lack of food."

"That's good.  You scared us both
,” Eric added.

"I'm sorry.  I didn't mean too
,” Mia said.  "I do have a question."

"Ask anything, anytime
,” Striker said.

"Now that we have exchanged blood, can you read my thoughts?
” Mia asked.

Striker shook his head.  "No, but we both can tell what you are feeling now.  You should be able to feel our emotion too."

"How do I do that?” Mia asked, interested in trying.

Eric smiled.  "It will take some time but if our emotions are strong enough then you will know who is feeling what.  For now, try to concentrate on one of us and see what you find."

Mia nodded and scrunched up her face as she tried to concentrate.  Striker laughed and said, "It shouldn't be so hard, Mia.  Just close your eyes and let it come to you."

"Okay.
”  Mia closed her eyes and concentrated on Eric to see what he was feeling.  Just when she didn’t think anything would come through, she saw a thread of light and then felt happiness.  She opened her eyes and said to Eric, "You feel happy."

Both men grinned at her and Eric said, "Yes,
älskling
, I do."

"You have called me that sev
eral times, what does it mean?” Mia asked.

"It means sweetheart
,” Eric said with a smile.

Mia smiled.  "That is so sweet."

Striker checked his watch and said, "We need to get ready to go."

"I am going to pack up the food.  I saw some empty boxes out in the hanger
,” Eric said as he left the room.

"What should I do?
” Mia asked Striker.

Striker shook his head.  "No, no.  You are going to sit in here.  There is a television over there, see if there is something on.  I want to know where you are.  Stay put."

"Okay.  I will stay here,” Mia promised.

Striker stood as she did and pulled her into his arms.  "Good.  I do not want to worry about you.  We will get everything together and join you soon.
”  He leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips.

Mia sighed.  "Alright.  Hurry back."

Striker smiled at her as he headed out to the hanger to talk to Eric.  He wanted to scan the area and do a perimeter check.  He went out and found Eric, who had found a box and was heading back into the break room to pack the food.

"How are
you
feeling?” Striker asked.

"I'm good, still a little tired but back to normal
,” Eric told him.  Eric looked toward the break room and said, "She took that better than I thought."

Striker nodded in agreement.  "I think she will freak out soon but with her being injured, I think that helped her decide to accept what we are."

"Yeah, we could be on the verge of a meltdown.  I will keep an eye on her while I pack the food,” Eric said.

"I want to go outside and do a perimeter
check.  It's been too quiet,” Striker said grimly.

"You think they are out there waiting?
” Eric asked.

Striker shrugged.  "I don't know but I won't sit in here and wait for them to come in.  Besides, the plane will be here soon so we could hold them off if we had to."

Eric nodded.  "Okay.  Be careful.  Call to me if you need me."

Striker clapped Eric on the shoulder.  "I will
, thanks.”  He headed out to the main door.  Eric's words rang in his head.  He had always been a loner, never relying on anyone but himself and now he had two people to protect.  He knew they were there for him too and that threw him.  He didn't know how to deal with that and told himself he didn’t need to right now.  He would get through this crisis and then they could all three learn how to live together as mates.  Maybe one day they would have a family.  That thought surprised him as he stepped outside quietly and made his way around the building.

He closed his eyes and concentrated on the surrounding area, scanning for any signs of another out there.  He didn't feel anything, but he thought they had a blocker on their team, as he hadn't detected the threat of the other car before it was too late.  He had been scanning then the whole time.  The hair on the back of his neck stood up and he knew without a doubt that someone was watching.  He always relied on what his gut said to him and it was screaming.

Just then he heard a plane's engine and released a breath, as he turned to go around the building and head back inside, he was jumped from behind.  He let out a roar and flipped the man over his back on to the ground.  Striker was ready for a fight.

'Eric, we are under attack.  Lock the main door.  The plane is here.  Help will be with you soon.
’ 
Striker sent as the man rolled to his feet, flashing a knife.  Striker crouched and heard more noise behind him.  He was trapped.

Sawyer and Conal were sitting on the plane as the runway came into view.  Sawyer closed his eyes and did a scan of the area.  He and his fellow Enforcers had been warned of the dangers surrounding this retrieval.  He didn’t feel anything and looked at his brother, Conal.

"You sensing anything?
” Sawyer asked him.

Conal shook his head.  "No, not a thing and that is odd in and of itself.  We should sense those waiting for us."

"Agreed.  Something is off,” Sawyer said and looked at the other Enforcers.  "Be prepared."

There were six of them total on this flight.  They were sent by the Senate to retrieve Striker and two others.  Sawyer and Conal had known Striker for a long time.  They had battled many times together.  All six Enforcers had been told they were going into a small private airstrip to help Striker, a Fae, and a human woman get out.  The three were being threatened by Rogues in the area and were in serious danger.  They had also been told the human woman was to be protected at all costs
.  She was to be taken to the Senate.

They all knew this was a dangerous mission
, but Sawyer and Conal would have done anything for Striker.  He had saved both their lives on many occasions and had never turned down a fight.  Both brothers were vampires and had not hesitated when Drago, Striker's father, had called them to help.  Now, as the plane touched down, they all prepared for the battle ahead.  Sawyer was certain of that and as the plane slowed, he caught a glimpse of a hand-to-hand combat going on beside the hanger.  He smiled one of his feral smiles,
he loved a good fight
.

As they got ready to lower the stairs of the plane, Sawyer sent out his senses again and turned to Conal, noting that he sensed it as well.  Others there meant harm.  Something was trying to block them from sensing the danger, but was losing the battle.  Sawyer jumped the last few stairs and headed toward where he had seen the scuffle.  Conal and the Enforcers spread out, Conal sent the Enforcers into the hanger as he headed in the opposite direction from Sawyer.

Sawyer rounded the corner in time to see Striker being surrounded by three men with an array of weapons.  Two of the men had menacing looking knives and one had a handgun.  They had not seen him yet and that was to their advantage.  Knowing the Rogues had the knowledge of his people, he knew the gun should be taken out first.  He put on his preternatural speed and attacked the man with the gun.

'Looks like you need help
, old man,
’ Sawyer sent to Striker with humor in his voice.

'Fuck off, I was doing fine
,’
Striker huffed.

'Shall we dispatch of these men and get out of here then?
’
Sawyer said drolly.

Striker grinned at him. 
'Let's have some fun.'

Sawyer had already dispatched the man with the gun easily.  He called to Conal. 
'How is everything on your end?'

'There are two over here.  I should be done in a couple of minutes.  Then I will head inside
,’
Conal said, sounding bored. 
'You having any fun?'

'Loads.  Striker is, of course, thrilled we are here
,
’ Sawyer sent back.

Conal sent his amusement. 
'I bet.  See you inside.’ 
He broke contact.

Sawyer focused on the task at hand.  The two were trying to divide their attention on the two
vampires and then suddenly attacked.  Sawyer jumped back as the knife swiped at his stomach.  He then swung out with his hand, knocking the knife out of his adversary's hand as he threw his other in a punch to the man's jaw.  He felt and heard the crunch as they man cried out in pain.  Sawyer knew that wasn’t the end because he knew these were werewolves and they could heal fast.

He backed up, taunting the wolf closer to him
, and then put on his speed to flip over the wolf's head, landing behind him.  He grabbed the wolf around the neck from behind and began to choke him.  The wolf struggled, using all of his strength, which was powerful but not enough.  After several minutes of a struggle, the wolf passed out, no longer breathing and Sawyer let go, watching him slump to the ground. He turned and saw Striker had dispatched with his quarry as well, ripping out his throat.  It was then they heard a female's scream rent the air.  They both looked at one another and took off running for the hanger.

Striker heard Mia call out to him
,
'Striker, help
!'

'I am coming.  Hide yourself
,
’ Striker ordered.

'I can't, one of them has me, and I can't get free.  Eric is battling with the others
,
’ Mia answered. 
'Please don't let him take me.
’  Her angry whisper almost undid him.  She was gonna do something, he felt it.

'
Where are you in the hanger
?’  Striker tried to determine her location.

'He is trying to drag me out the side exit by the bathrooms
,
’ Mia told him.

Striker thought for a minute and then said,
'Try to keep him focused on the hanger inside with his back to the door.  I am coming.’ 
He changed directions and Sawyer followed his lead without question.

'I can't get to her
,’
Eric told him. 
'Mia, scream again and call to me so he looks in my direction for distraction.'

Striker heard Mia scream and call out to Eric.  Then he yanked open the side door and dove in, tackling the wolf away from his woman.  He didn't hesitate
, he ripped out his throat before the wolf knew what had hit him.  When he stood, he saw Sawyer speed past him to join the fray.  In his quick assessment, he saw over fifteen Rogues fighting with Eric, Sawyer, Conal, and four other Enforcers. 

In the flash of an eye, Mia was off and running.  Striker swore and ran after her.

He knew he needed to help those fighting but he also knew Mia was going to get into trouble if he left her.  He pulled the nine millimeter out of his shoulder holster.  He had gotten it out of the SUV earlier before he did his rounds and now he was glad he did.  He yelled to Mia who surprisingly paused.  However, he saw it was only to kick a Rogue in the nuts who was down.  She turned, smiled, and held out her hand for him to hand her the gun and wrapped her hands around it.

"Use this.  Point and shoot.  Hold tight to the handle and it will do the rest.  I have to go help.
”  Striker looked at her and she snorted.

Mia knew this was her moment; she had to stand for herself
with these men or they would completely wrap her in a plastic bubble, just like Cami told her.  Eric and the other men needed Striker to help.  She took a deep breath and nodded.  "Don't worry, I can shoot them in the nuts now."  She laughed and pushed him away.

Striker moved her over into one of the offices and then shoved a large stack of crates in front of the side door so they would hear anyone coming through.  He walked back to Mia and kissed her quickly.  "St
ay safe and don't shoot any of ours."

Mia nodded and backed up a few steps into the office, aiming the gun toward the doorway.  She watched Striker str
ide into the mêlée of bodies.  She could see Eric in combat with a wolf who stood taller than he did, but Eric seemed to hold his own.  Then she saw Eric hold up his hand and a large ball of light came up.  He threw it at the wolf and the wolf literally blew into pieces.  She watched in shock as Eric kept throwing the balls of light and wolves kept disappearing.  Two other men, who looked like they could be brothers, were fighting Rogues at the main door.

One Rogue
swiped at one of the men who had come to help and he went down.  Mia thought that he was hurt, so did the Rogue and as the Rogue turned to attack the other man, the first one jumped up, tearing out his heart.  Mia had to swallow the bile that rose as she watched blood spray in all directions.  There was blood everywhere in the hanger.  She truly felt bad for whoever would have to clean it up.  Maybe they should leave one alive so they had to do it, she smirked and pointed her gun and fired at a guy who was sneaking away.  Mia laughed when he grabbed his ass and fell to the ground.

Then as quick
ly as the attack had begun, it was over.  All the Rogues were dead on the ground and the men who had come to help them, along with her men, were all standing there panting.  She slowly lowered her gun and walked to the doorway. 

She wouldn't walk through until one of her men said it was okay
, but she was dying to wrap them in her arms, another lesson from Cami.  This attack had pissed her off, but she had learned something.  She wasn't as weak as she thought and she could defend herself without having a panic attack.  Roarke hadn't taken everything from her and in some weird, sick way, he had given her the opportunity to meet her men.  And she had learned to channel that inner bitch who was screaming to get out.

She kept her eyes glued to her men.  She could feel their exhaustion through their blood bond.  Eric turned to her and smiled a small smile at her.  She returned it and ran to him as he opened his arms to her.  He swept her up and held her close, kissing her thoroughly as he did.  Then he released her and turned her to face Striker.  Striker placed his palm against her face
, he seemed concerned about her reaction to him.  She did the only thing she knew to do to assure him, she closed her eyes and rubbed her cheek deeper into his palm.

Stri
ker had been worried Mia would be afraid of him when she had time to think about what she had seen him do to the Rogue at the side door.  He had torn his throat out right in front of her.  When she cuddled her cheek into his palm, he reached out his other arm and swept her into his embrace.  Unlike Eric, he plundered her mouth, taken possession of her lips from the start.  He needed to show her how he felt without words, impressing upon her that she was his.  His and Eric's.

Mia felt Striker's need to possess her.  She remained pliant under his assault and then began to kiss him back with fervor.  She pressed her chest against his and got lost in the sensations he was creating.  From behind them, they heard discreet coughing and Striker released her lips slowly.  He turned with her still held tightly in his arms and faced the other men who were waiting quietly.  She saw they had cleaned up, at least washing most of the blood off them.  Mia also saw their eyes upon her and blushed as she turned her face into Striker's chest.

"Shall we take this to the plane?  I wish to get out of here before any more Rogues show up.”  One of the men laughed.

Striker nodded and then released Mia into Eric's arms to show the men where all of their belongings were.  As they carried everything to the plane, the two brothers came forward with Striker.

"Mia, Eric, I would like to introduce you to two of my comrades.  Sawyer and Conal, this is Mia and Eric, my mates,” Striker said as he gestured to them.

The two brothers exchanged a look and then turned to them.  "We are honored to meet you.
  Please don’t get pissed at us, like ever.  Your woman is hell on wheels,” Sawyer said. 

“
Yeah, and I kinda like my parts right where they are,” Conal said.

He and Conal both inclined their heads to Eric first and then Mia.  "Come, let's get you all safely onboard the plane and into the Senate compound.
  I can’t wait until you meet Cat."

Mia sighed and sagged against Eric.  "That sounds wonderful."

Sawyer and Conal led them out while Striker and Eric stayed slightly behind her as they walked.  She knew they were boxing her in just in case there were more Rogues hiding outside.  She was shaking as they stepped out onto the tarmac to board the plane.  As they went up the steps, she saw two of the Enforcers come out and scan the area, guns raised.  When they got to the top, Sawyer and Conal made a hole and Striker pushed her through it onto the plane.

The men entered behind her and as they shut the door to the plane, she breathed a sigh of relief.  Striker and Eric came to her, guiding her to sit on one of the couches.  Now that she was safe on board, she was able to glance around and was shocked at how nice the plane was.  It had two couches that faced each other, then four captain chairs that were able to all turn and face a table or swivel to be separate.  She could see a small hallway in the back and figured it led to a bathroom or kitchen area.

Striker reached around her and buckled her in, making sure she was secure.  She watched as all the other men strapped in while two of the Enforcers went toward the cockpit.  She scooted back on the couch and settled in between her men.  Eric reached over and held her hand.

'Are you alright?
’
Eric's voice came through their link.

Mia nodded her head. 
'Yes.  Once we are in the air, I will be happy
.'

'Lean on us, love.  We will take care of you
,’
Striker's voice said.

'Thank you
, both,
’ Mia told them, trying to do exactly what Cami described to make the men feel like they had protected her.