Chapter 27

We waited in the trees while the others got into place.

Detrick came over and leaned down beside me. He showed me the earpiece in his hand. I frowned and took out mine.

“How bad is it?”

I gave him a questioning look.

“Your arm.” He said. “I saw how you were favoring it after the church.”

I rolled my shoulder and tried not to wince. I failed. “It will be fine.”

He looked like he wanted to say more, then glanced behind us to where several of the royal family were standing.

I grabbed his arm. “It will be fine.”

He blew out a breath. “You’re a guard, but you’re not—” he glanced behind us again, “I should report your injury.”

I shook my head. “They’ll bench me.” I whispered. “Look, this Arwan jerk tried to drown me —and the queens and all the princesses…”

“What are we whispering about?”

I almost jumped out of my skin when Leone spoke from beside me.

Detrick cleared his throat and straightened. He gave me a panicked look, then turned his eyes to stare at the ground.

“Okay,” Leone tilted his head, “what’s going on?” He did something with the earpiece, I hoped it was to mute it.

I gave Detrick a hard look before turning to look at Leone. “I strained my arm dangling from the railing.” I said quickly.

Leone stepped back and looked at me. “Same arm you just got off medical for?”

I nodded.

He winced, then put his hands on his hips and looked over at Rafael.

I closed the distance between us. “I’m good. I can do this.” I nodded.

He didn’t look convinced.

“They tried to drown me and your mate. All the mates.” I waved my other hand around.

Autumn came over. “What’s up?” She looked from Leone back to me.

Leone motioned to me, “she strained her arm in the fall.”

Autumn nodded, “no doubt that was one hell of a hit you took.” She nodded slowly, “is it the shoulder or whole arm?”

I shrugged my shoulder. “Bicep, forearm area.”

She turned and glanced toward Michael, then touched the earpiece. “We have a few minutes?”

Michael turned and looked at her then nodded.

She grinned and touched the earbud once again. “Let’s take a look.” She turned back to me.

I was suddenly the center of attention. Daxx and Paisley both looked at me with curious expressions. I put the earbud in my pocket. Sighing, I pulled the strap over my head and held my weapon out to Detrick. He was smart enough to avoid making eye contact at that point. Shrugging out of my jacket, I tossed it in his general direction.

“Everything all right?” Reagan came over.

I blew out a breath, knowing that Quinton wasn’t going to be far behind her.

Autumn lifted my arm and looked at it. “Is this what you’re recovering from?”

I looked down at the scar that ran from my lower bicep to just past my elbow. “Yeah. The doc cleared me.”

Rafael was now standing beside Autumn.

“You could sit this one out,” he motioned to the left of us, “or do clean up outside…”

I shook my head, “I’m good.”

Reagan turned to Quinton.

He shook his head, “you need your strength.” He turned and glanced over at Emil, who stood back with Arius.

“You a righty?” Autumn asked.

I nodded.

“Okay, so this isn’t your sword arm,” she nodded. “Lift your arm over your head.”

I sucked in a breath and lifted my arm above my head. It took all I had to not wince with all the eyes on me.

Autumn held her hand out to Detrick. “Hand me her weapon.”

Detrick complied.

She held it out to me. “Again, holding this.”

I took the sword in my good hand and looked at it. I glanced around to see everyone was in the loop now. Arius put his hand on Emil’s shoulder and said something to him. Whatever it was caused Chase to turn and smirk at his brothers. Emil gave Arius a hard look and then started stomping toward where we stood. I don’t know what he said, but Emil was not happy with it.

“Ah, a mate to the rescue.” Chase said with a note of amusement. He stepped back so Emil could stand in front of me.

He took the sword from my hand and I thought, this is it, I’m being benched. Handing it to Detrick, he grabbed my hand and started walking with long strides into the trees, dragging me along.

I was almost running to keep up. He suddenly stopped and I almost ran right into him.

“Shut up.” He said, then pulled the earpiece out and stuffed it in his pocket. He looked at my arm. “If you were injured you should have said something.”

I tried to shrug it off, “it always aches to a certain extent.”

He frowned and then took my hand and grasped my hand. “Then why aren’t you still off on medical?”

“I was reinstated to guard your daughter in a warded palace.” I said quietly.

He took a deep breath and released my hand. “You still should have said something.”

I wasn’t sure why he sounded so upset. Yes, not being at the top of my game may hurt the team, but I had Detrick and Gudrun as my shadows, literally.

With jerky movements, he unbuttoned his jacket. His sword case was next, without thought he tossed it on the ground and took off his jacket.

I continued to just stand there. I was stuck between feeling cornered into special behavior and wanting him to continue taking off layers. I felt my cheeks heat at his t-shirt hit the ground.

He leaned down and pulled a butterfly knife out of the cuff of his jacket. With a blurred movement the blade was exposed. He stood there for a moment and looked at me. “I’ve never done this.” He shook his head, “my brothers and I tested, and I do have the healing blood, but,” he shrugged, then stopped speaking.

“Look, you don’t have…” He dragged the blade over his pec and grasped the back of my head in one fast movement. I didn’t even know when I’d put my mouth on his chest, but here I was pressed up against his flesh, my lips sucking his royal blood from the wound. Licking over it, I lifted my face away from his warm skin. Red eyes were looking down at me. I’d seen the change of Alterealm eyes my entire life, never, not ever had the sight of them sent heat through me.

“Do you need to feed?” He tilted his head to the side as he grabbed the back of my head. “Feed.” He commanded softly.

I bit him without a second’s thought. I couldn’t think clearly enough to know if I needed it, but I had bitten him. I don’t know who was in control of my body right now, but it wasn’t me. I sealed my bite and lifted my head.

His chest was rising and falling as rapidly as I was breathing. With slow movements, he released me and stepped back.

I just stood there as if I were made of stone.

“Is it better?” His voice was hoarse.

A few seconds passed before his words registered. I lifted my arm up and down a few times. “It’s like new.” I whispered.

He made a deep rumbling noise, that I took as an acknowledgement.

I wasn't sure if I should thank him. “Thanks.” I said so softly I wasn't sure he heard. I should probably go get my gear, I thought as I watched him put on his shirt, but I continued to stand there.

Picking up his jacket and swords he grasped them all in one large hand. Finally, he looked at me. I was almost disappointed his eyes weren't red. He stepped closer and I gave him a wide-eyed look. His hard expression softened. He touched the side of my face with his palm. “Next time say something.” He whispered, then stepped back and put his earbud in.

I jolted and took mine out. I'd forgotten why we were here. Spinning on my heel, I headed back to the others as I jammed the earbud in.

“Guards are in place.” Crissy reported.

 Derrick held out my jacket as soon as I was close. He still wouldn't make eye contact with me. I slipped it on, noting that my arm hadn't felt this good since before my injury. Magic royal blood. That's what my brother and I used to call it. Turns out we were right. As I was putting my weapon back on, Gudrun came over and stood on the opposite side. I huffed out a breath, after we were done here, I needed to explain what personal space was. This was getting annoying.

Emil turned and looked right at me with a concerned look.

Damn blood bond. That's just what I needed a prince picking up on my emotions. I shrugged it off, giving him a quick nod. That’s when I noticed everyone was watching me.

“We're good?” Autumn asked me.

I nodded, unable to find words that would convey how annoyed I was for the special treatment. 

She pushed her hood off and shoved her sleeves up. 

“Let’s do this.” Daxx said.

Gudrun held out a bandana. “For the smell inside.”

I tried it loosely around my neck as we walked. We followed the team heading to the rear of the building. 

 “They're closing up the cube truck—van.” Crissy said. “At the loading dock. The driver is talking with three other guys.” She whispered.

I had no idea where she was, and there was no time to look around to figure it out. I paused and watched Michael point to Emil, then glanced at me with a jerk of his chin. Nodding, my two shadows and I followed Emil as he ran along the inside of the fence toward the loading dock.

 He stopped and squatted down beside a transport trailer at the side. 

There was no clear path to the truck without being seen.

I gnawed on my lip for a second. “Shit.” I whispered. Shrugging out of the strap holding my sword, I held it out beside me. I didn’t even need to look and see if Detrick was there. The weapon was taken out of my hand.

“Hold moving on the men out back.” Emil whispered. “It’s visible from loading dock.”

“We're watching. As soon as you engage, we will.” Arius replied.

“One distraction coming up.” I said and stood up. I caught the expression on Emil’s face as I went. He was not happy. I blew out a breath, I wasn’t even sure what my own plan was. I almost groaned. Helpless woman always worked. I hated using it, had never used it, but there wasn’t any time to come up with something else.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I held it in the air. “Excuse me.” I called out. The men turned and looked at me. “Hi.” I offered a brief smile. “Can you help me?” I glanced behind me, “my car died.” I looked at my phone again, “and I have no signal.” I waved it around in the air. I lifted my chin so they would think I was looking at it, while I was checking for anything I could toss to distract them.

“Get them to turn their backs to the fence.” Emil said softly.

I lowered the phone and pointed to the front of the building, “I don’t even know what this road is called.”

The driver closed the door and headed towards me. He pulled out his phone and looked at it. Probably checking for a signal 

“Oh.” I looked at my phone and stepped sideways, “one bar—come on,” I moved toward the front of the vehicle. “Two. Great…” I pretended to type on it. “What’s the road? I’m telling my friends,” the other men their back to the fence, “to get here now.” I said loudly.

 I saw the guys clear the fence and knew I had about a second until he noticed. Jamming the phone in my pocket, I snapped my head back to see he had a gun in his hand. A gun. Coward. Without thought I used my skill to pull it from his hand and toss it in the other direction.

Now I had his full attention. He walked toward me, shoving his sleeves up as he did. The only weapon I had was a knife tucked into the back of my jeans. Why hadn’t I come in full garb with all my weapons? I heard the motion around me but wasn’t taking my eyes off him.

A large ball of energy smacked up against him, sending him into the hood of the van. He crumpled to the ground.

I turned to see Bethany there. She pulled the strap over her head that held my sword and shrugged. “Last second change of plans.” She motioned with her head. “Let’s go.”

I put the sword case on and pulled the blade free. I followed her and Paisley, noting that my shadows were ass-deep in a battle with several of the men.

As we rounded the corner, I saw Autumn and Daxx crouched down below a window.

“We’re going in the front.” Daxx said as she glanced in my direction.

“Hold. We’re not in the back yet.” Troy said.

Autumn and Daxx exchanged a look.

Daxx turned to look at Paisley, who shrugged. “Too late.” She said as she shoved the window up.

Autumn hopped up and went inside.

I went over and knelt so the queen and princesses could use my knee to get up in the window.

“We’re in the office.” Autumn said.

Daxx and Autumn leaned out the window and pulled me high enough up that I could get my leg over the ledge.

Climbing in, I looked around. I motioned to the door on the other side of the room. Autumn moved and opened the door slowly.

Bethany moved to stand in the open door, energy arcing between her hands. She looked one way and then the other. “Office area clear.” She said softly.

“Loading dock cleared.” Arius said abruptly.

We moved down the short hall quietly.

“Van is filled with boxes.” Emil said. “Checking them now.”

“Knowing what we’re looking for would be good.” Alona said.

“There has to be a portal here.” Reagan said. “Watch team reported only a few arriving.”

“There are more than a few here.” Michael said in an exasperated tone.

Bethany reached the end of the hall and stopped; I didn’t pause to see if they had their own protocols as I moved to stand beside her. She glanced at me and nodded her head once before stepping out into the open.

I checked the other way, then followed as we moved along a row of stacked bags. My next move was to pull the bandana up over my nose and mouth. If they hid anything in these bags, I was not helping to check them.

The other women quickly put their bandanas on as well. Daxx advanced to stand beside Bethany as we walked out of the rows of fertilizer.

“Boxes have items in them that didn’t come from here.” Emil said quickly. “Leaving a guard here.”

“So they’re using a portal to bring supplies?” Alona asked.

“What kind of things?” Rafael grunted. The sound of metal on metal echoed through the earbud.

“Parts.” A voice I didn’t recognize answered. “Components.” He told us.

“I don’t like the sound of that.” Kara said.

“Which means we haven’t stopped their production of illegal devices.” Chase said in a low tone, “Two more guards with Reagan now, we need to find the portal.” His tone was not jovial for once.

“I have three, keep the guards.” Reagan told him.

Someone made a noise of disapproval; I could only guess it was Quinton.

“Some of these parts are too big for porters or small bands.” Rafael said.

“Find the portal.” Kara said.

We found the packing area next and no bandana ever made could have hidden the smell in here.

Daxx froze and pointed to the far end.

There were four men standing beside a door. I glanced at Autumn, she nodded and started for them before I could take a step. Later when I wasn’t in the mix, I was going to have to stop and think about how the family ruling our realm were not short on courage. However misplaced that may be in the middle of this war.

I caught up to her before they noticed either of us. I motioned to the left, she nodded and went left. I didn’t pause to see if Daxx followed, just hoped she did. I went to the right and saw Paisley walking right for them. Bethany was right beside me now. “Four in the packaging area.” I said barely above a whisper.

“They’re guarding a door.” Bethany added.

“Packaging area…” Reagan said softly, “we’ll find it.” She added quickly.

“Do not…”

I was pretty sure the captain was going to say engage, but the men noticed us and that spurred Autumn and Daxx into a charge, instead of silence.

“Too late.” Paisley lifted her hands and the man swinging at Daxx stopped with sword in the air.

“Got him.” Daxx said quickly and used her port box.

Autumn was taking on two by herself.

Bethany hit the man coming toward us with her energy, sending him skidding backward. I was there when he finally caught his balance and met his angry swing with my sword. Blocking it and then using my time-honed move, I unarmed him. Bethany hit him again, knocking him back from his weapon where it lay on the cement floor.

I advanced and swept his legs out from under him. He hit the floor. I moved over and placed the tip of my blade against his throat. “Stay down.” I warned him.

“On my way.” Daxx sang out.

She slid up beside me and used the port box to dispatch him to the cells.

Turning I saw Autumn had the last well in hand, with a nod Daxx took off back over toward her.

I looked at the door they’d been guarding. Bethany turned and gave me a curious look. I nodded. “Checking what’s behind the door.”

“Have care.” Emil said, sounding out of breath.

“This is clearly,” Chase grunted, “a favorite gathering spot for Arwan scum.” He finished.

We could hear sounds of battle coming through the earbuds. I just wanted to check what they were guarding and get to the back to help the rest of the teams.

Bethany stopped and nodded when we reached the door. She raised her hands as I opened it slowly.

Both of us turned to the other when it was an empty storage room. Raising the sword, I motioned for us to go in and check the areas we couldn’t see. She bobbed her head quickly as we moved with cautious steps into the room.