Chapter 26

I moved down the hall as fast and quietly as I could. My nerves were zinging with energy, a feeling of warning moved over my skin. I knew this wasn’t going to be free and clear the whole way, I just hoped I got some of the guys in here before my guts turned out to be right. Because my guts were always right.

I reached the door and grasped the handle with my left hand. It opened without issue. The room was large and empty of furniture and people. “I’m in the room.” I darted across it to the glass doors. “How do I bring this ward down?”

“Use the key if it doesn’t open,” Clairee said, “if the marked end and left hand doesn’t work, use your right and the other end of the key.”

I looked at the key, checking which end was up. I touched the door with my other hand, trying the handle. It didn’t budge, so I touched it with the key. Grasping the doorknob, it turned this time.

I stepped out onto the balcony, which was a good fifteen feet to the railing. I had no idea what I was doing, so I tapped the key against the railing, then waved my hand past it. It met no resistance. I leaned over and looked down to see Quinton, Rafael and four big guys standing there. “Can you get up here now?”

“Hang on.” Quinton said, then they were gone.

“We’re up.”

I jumped and turned to see them behind me. I grinned as he gave me a nod.

“I think Autumn should do the entire upper balcony first. So more can come up.” Quinton said for the others to hear.

“She’ll have to lead.” Clairee told him.

“You watch her back.” Michael said firmly.

“We will.” Quinton looked at two of the guards. “You two stay here with Rafael. Shout if anyone shows up, brother.”

Rafael saluted him, then he winked at me.

Quinton motioned for me to go. I nodded and turned back. “Just touch the railing and all the doors?”

“To be certain, yes.” Victor answered. “We don’t want to hit a barrier once we’re all in there.”

“I think a few more of us should go up, Troy.” Daxx said, “drive any they encounter down to those waiting at the entrances.”

“I agree, brother.” Chase said.

I touched the railing again; it was weird running along touching things.

“Beth, you and Paisley go around to the front with Daxx and your guards.” Troy said with a voice of authority.

“On our way.” Bethany said quickly.

“Leone, you and Victor go up with some men, the more porters up there the better.” Chase added.

“We’ll be at the south side before she reaches it.” Leone answered.

I tapped the railing again.

“Beloved, you and cutie stay ready if we find any women in there.” Chase added quickly, “Romulus, I’m coming to get you and some of your mages, you can start taking down the light show on the roof.”

“Of course, my king.”

I touched the railing for the third time as they shifted people around. I slowed down when we came to another glass door. Stopping, I looked around to see inside the room. Shaking my head to Quinton, I touched it with the key, then turned the handle and pushed it open.

With a nod to him, I kept going along the balcony.

“We’re at the front.” Paisley reported. “Ready to tag-team anyone that comes out.”

As I turned the corner of the balcony, Quinton tapped my shoulder so I’d stop. I touched the railing once again then looked over it to see Leone, Victor and four guards below. “You’re clear to come up, Victor.”

“Our pleasure.” He replied.

Then they were standing beside me.

“Two porters escorting Autumn now.” Leone stated.

“Cameras picked up three men with two women in jumpsuits coming to the lower cavern entrance.”

I didn’t recognize the voice.

“Okay, Ellis. Let them pass, Emil. We want them inside.” Michael told them calmly.

“We’re out of sight.” Emil replied.

“We need to find out where they’re landing that is near the entrance.” Rafael stated, sounding bored.

“We’re working on it, brother.” Troy told him. “Clairee’s temple has been setting traps with the help of Elder Arian.”

I kept going around the balcony, it seemed to go on forever.

“Now I feel bad for them.” Chase said sounding more like himself.

“You can visit them often in the cells.” Arius’ tone was flat.

“I shall.” Chase quipped.

“We’re almost to the courtyard, Arius, I’ll port Autumn down to open the gate, then back up.” Quinton said as I opened another door.

“Can’t wait.” Arius said, again with no emotion in his voice at all.

I darted around a corner and touched the rail. Glancing down, there was a huge yard with a fountain and elaborate stone patio.

“Ready?” Quinton was beside me.

I nodded. “Let’s do it.” I stepped closer and closed my eyes. Quinton put his hand on my shoulder.

My stomach lurched. I didn’t pause long to let it settle. Opening my eyes, I turned to see a huge gate. Running over, I held my hand out and touched the key against it.

Quinton was beside me, pushing the large latch aside and shoving the gate open.

Arius stood with the five guards and whom I could only guess was a mage. His eyes were purple.

He briefly assessed me, then nodded to the other end of the yard. I turned to see another gate and took off running toward it.

“I’m in the courtyard.” Arius said quietly. “Do we want Autumn to open the patio entrance inside?”

“Leave it sealed for now.” Victor said. “The more we contain, the less chasing for us.”

I touched the other gate, then slid the latch and pushed. It was much heavier then Quinton had made it look. A man with long white hair and pale eyes stood there. I would have freaked out if I hadn’t recognized him from the armory. He smiled at me. Behind him stood five guards.

“Autumn let’s get you back up there. Time to head down the stairs and see who we find.” Quinton said coming toward me.

“I’ll be coming from the roof shortly,” Michael said, “Romulus almost has the ward down.”

Quinton gave no warning, just touched my shoulder and I was back on the balcony. I made a face that made him smirk. Inhaling, I breathed through the nausea, then nodded and we were moving once again.

We quickly connected back to the call. Zipping the pocket I took off jogging around the balcony again.

As I went around the next corner, I saw Rafael standing there looking around.

“We’re back to Raf,” Quinton said jogging beside me, “we’ll head down to the next level.”

Next level? “How many levels are there?” I stopped in front of Rafael.

“Three.” Quinton answered.

“Okay, let’s get moving then. I want to reach the first floor.” At least I was assuming that’s where the throne room would be, that they wanted to get inside. Apparently, it had been warded to block them before the rest of the palace was.

I let Quinton lead us down the stairs, staying close behind in case he hit any invisible barriers. The stairs weren’t fancy like I’d expected to see in a palace, then again, what did I know about things like that. I knew what was real and what was movie real—or at least I used to.

Quinton stopped at the bottom and looked around.

There were no signs of life.

“Going to open doors, but it looks like they’re not on this level either.” He said into the mic softly.

I went to the first door and opened it with my right hand. I looked in. Empty. I turned to see Rafael open another door. “No wards on this floor.” I whispered. As Quinton and the guards moved to check the other rooms.

“Second floor clear.” Rafael told them through the mic.

“We know that first floor isn’t, so wait for Woods, Troy and I to get there.” Michael told them, sounding like he was out of breath.

“On my way down.” Chase said quickly.

I felt better with those odds. We would be hitting the bottom level with a sizeable team. I went back to the stairs and waited, not even sure where the next flight of stairs was. Looking up I saw Chase coming down them and right behind him was a few more guards and Michael.

When they reached the bottom, they gave me a brief nod. Michael’s icy gaze moved over me for a moment, then he turned and headed down the hall to the left.

I followed. The stairs were here. He paused at the top and let me catch up.

“Going to the first floor. Watch those exits now.” He said, hushed.

“Those men are going all the way up.” Emil reported.

“We’ll grab them when they reach the back entrance.” Troy glanced to me and gave me a nod to continue down the stairs.

“Welsley has that entrance covered.” Arius said.

I moved down the stairs carefully, knowing that feeling in the pit of my stomach was about to be proven right again. I stopped when I could see the lobby below and squatted down. I could see people down there. I held up my hand and five fingers, then looked over my shoulder back to the men.

“Five visible in the lobby.” Rafael whispered.

“Send them our way,” Paisley said, “we’re ready.”

Michael touched my shoulder, so I’d continue. I went down several more steps quickly, then slowed just before they’d see me. Before I could reach the bottom, Troy and Rafael jumped over the handrail and landed at the bottom. So much for stealth.

I hit the floor fast. The men I’d seen charged at Troy and Rafael. The guards moved quickly past me to engage them. One turned and ran the other way, Rafael right on his heels. Michael was beside me, he pointed to a door on the other side of the lobby. I nodded and headed that way. He and Woods were right behind me. I needed to take down the wards before I’d be able to engage in any fighting. I reached the door and touched it with the key, not taking the time to see if that was needed. Woods opened the door and stepped in. There were men in there. Michael gave me a gentle push out of the way. “Take down the rest.” He said quickly and went in the room.

I could hear grunts through the earpiece now and realized most had unmuted their mics for fast communication.

“More coming into the courtyard.” Arius said, sounding a little too happy.

“Get the rest of the wards down, Autumn,” Troy said, “so the others can get in if needed.”

“On it.” I reached the next door and used the key. I didn’t know if I should open it and look or just keep going. I decided to keep going. “Going clockwise around the maze of doors.” I said, hoping the men would know what I was saying.

“We’re right behind you.” Victor said.

I nodded and kept going. I’d done three more when I came to what looked like an elaborate entrance. “At the front door.”

“Knock, knock.” Daxx said with an impatient tone.

I touched it, then opened it quickly to see her standing there grinning. “Come on in.” I didn’t pause to see if they did.

“Cristy. We need you and Alona in here. There are women being held in the first room to the left of the entrance.” Victor reported.

“I’ll go port them in.” Quinton said breathlessly.

“We’re ready.” Alona said. “Perhaps our tag team can clear the way to the nearest exit.”

“We’ve got it.” Paisley said.

“Felix and Mac won’t let anyone get too close.” Beth grunted.

I didn’t pause to see why; I still had more doors and halls to cover. “Going right, down this hallway.” I said, hoping if that was a bad direction someone would tell me.

“Right behind you.” Leone said.

I hit the next door, barely pausing.

“Sitting room open.” Leone said.

He must have been looking in rooms.

“Heading to the throne room.” He huffed out a breath.

“Hold on that until more of us are with you.” Quinton said quickly.

I paused and looked behind to Leone, he nodded. There was only one door left and it looked pretty fancy, with scrolls carved into it and what I was pretty sure was gold trim. “Chop, chop guys, I have more halls to clear.”

Leone smirked at me.

“On our way.” Michael said.

“Warding the outer perimeters.” Romulus said. “No one will get in if they’re not on the short list we’ve allowed.”

“Thinking of that a century ago, would have saved us the stress of today.” Clairee said.

“Bicker later.” Alona said abruptly. “I need a porter box in here.”

“Sorry, had to take out a dirtbag.” Daxx said. “Can’t let my blocker have all the fun.”

Michael, Troy and Chase came running down the hall. They stopped beside Leone and I. Troy gave me a quick nod and pulled the second sword off his back. His brothers did the same.

“Opening the throne room.” Leone whispered.

My stomach knotted, and I knew this was the part I’d been dreading. I touch the door quickly with the key, then stuffed it in my pocket and prepared for what might be on the other side.

Chase touched the door and turned the handle. He shoved it open.

All I could see were the backs of two men going through another door.

“Willis and Nelson just went through to the staff kitchens.” Victor said and bolted into the room, turning to see if there were more. He pointed to a desk in the corner then looked at Leone. “Stand there until guards arrive. I need two guards to the throne room. Now.” He followed Troy and Chase out the door the men had used.

I glanced to Michael, “Follow or go to the next hall?”

“Go and open the back hallway, so Arius can get in here.” He looked at Leone, then headed after his kings. “Woods, you stay with Autumn.”

“I’m waiting by the hall.” He reported. I hadn’t even realized he was connected to the call.

I turned and ran back down the hall. As I entered the lobby I was met with mayhem. Bodies fighting all over, it was hard to make out our men from Hubert’s. I quickly checked that the key was safely in my pocket.

Woods was trying to block two men from going down the hall.

“Hubert got past us.” Troy said.

I skirted around Woods’ large frame to take on one of his problems.

“He can only go,” Michael grunted, “two places from there.”

I ducked the man’s swing and turned, quickly landing a scissor kick on his jaw.

“He’s not in the back hall.” Quinton said, sounding out of breath.

“Two more women to get out.” Daxx slid behind me, aiming her port box in the air.

I tried unsuccessfully to trip up the goon I was fighting. He had really good balance. “Lending a hand,” he swung, I evaded, “here, then I’ll,” I tried for a back kick, he jumped out of reach. I slid down and popped up behind him. “Open more wards.” My second attempt connected with his kidneys.

“I’ll help the girls get clear.” Leone charged past us, heading to Crissy and Alona.

I chanced a quick glance to see how Woods was making out and was almost caught in the face with what looked like a club. Turning I kicked my attacker and blocked his second swing with my arms crossed, clenching my teeth as it connected. “Would love my kama.” I sang into the mic.

“We’re following Hubert.” Michael answered.

“Think he’s doubled back to the lobby.” Troy grunted.

Daxx vanished the guy Woods was fighting. He turned and got the attention of the one I was trying to take down.

“Get their seer.” Someone behind me said.

I turned to see an older rounded man standing on the bottom step, beside him was a tall man with black hair slicked back. His whole aura was ice cold, like Victor.

“Think they’re here.” I reported as I watched the tall man draw a large blade with serrated edges. He was looking behind me. I turned to see Crissy ushering a woman out the entrance.

“Crissy.” I yelled as I dove toward her. I connected, and she went flying just as pain pierced my right side. I hit the floor, grunting as I landed on my not quite healed ribs. Blowing out a breath, I lifted my head to see a blade sticking out of my front. My jacket was turning red.

“Autumn.” Michael roared through my earpiece.

I looked up and saw Victor and Leone standing over me blocking anyone from coming too near.

Michael slid into view, horror etched on his face.

I tried for a smile around the pain coursing through me. “I didn’t block with my face.” I tried to reassure him. Reaching for the key, I hit the edge of the blade and bit back a groan. “Key.” I said under my breath.

“Get her out of here, brother.” Troy ordered.

Michael was holding my side. Crissy was holding my head. Michael leaned over me and we were no longer at the palace. We were in my room.

“I’ll get the doctor.” Crissy said and vanished.

Victor knelt on the other side of me. He shook his head and reached across me. “We can’t pull it out yet.”

I glanced up to see Michael had tears running down his face, his blue eyes were drowning.

“That bad?” I whispered, too numb to lift my head and look. I didn’t see the handle in the front of me, so I knew the blade was sticking out both sides.

“Hurry.” I heard Crissy say.

The doctor came into view. Victor moved out of the way. I was having a hard time focusing.

“Arius, we’re going to need Paisley here.” Victor’s voice echoed in my ear.

Michael reached and pulled the earpiece out.

The doctor was checking my pulse.

I heard other voices in the room, but was having trouble figuring out who was talking.

“Blood healing won’t work this soon after the elixir.” The doctor said, at least I think it was him.

“Brother, release him.”

Troy was here? I opened my eyes to see Troy prying Michael’s hand off the doctor’s throat.

“The mating mark.”

Bethany?

“It worked for me.”

“Michael can’t…”

I closed my eyes again.

“Autumn.” Someone was touching my face.

I forced my eyes open to see Michael all up in my face.

“I need your consent.” He said, is blue eyes were so sad. “No. Look at me.”

I focused hard.

“I need your consent for the mating mark.”

I tried to keep my eyes open and figure out what he was saying. “I don’t think,” I drifted for a second, “I’m up for sex.” I tried for a smile. “Iceman.” I mumbled, or maybe I just said that in my head.

“Autumn. Little warrior. Look at me…”

“Michael hurry.”

The panic in Daxx’s voice brought me back.

I looked to see Michael hovering over my face.

“Tell me to mark you, little warrior. Say yes.” He pleaded.

I knew something was bad for Michael to be begging. “Yes, iceman.” I whispered.

He was kissing my face now, whispering something to me.

Someone was holding my hand, which I thought was nice.

I felt fangs bite me and tried to tell Michael I wasn’t in pain, but coughed, choking on something they were giving me to drink.

There were soul-piercing screams. They were coming from me. Pain tore through my side, my chest, ribs and arms. I was paralyzed with it.

Everything faded slowly.