“Yes,” I breathed, remembering how Ethon yelled for me to release the barrier. But I quickly squashed the thought of it being malicious because I knew he only wanted to get inside so he could help me.
“We’ll discuss it all later,” she said, then turned to Kade. “Kade, thank you for bringing Emma to safety. Time and time again, you have proven yourself. Please stay here with them,” she said, smiling at him with admiration.
“I will,” he promised.
“Be back soon,” Thomas winked before ducking out, and Alaine followed.
KADE AND I SAT ON a small couch in the corner and waited, while Caleb and Courtney snored away. I was glad they were both safe, but I had a feeling Courtney would totally freak out when she woke and saw her stitches.
Alaine said they would have to leave. I didn’t blame her for wanting to send them away to safety, but the thought of not having them around made me sad. My last connections to the human world would be leaving me, and I’d have to deal with the constant madness without them.
It wasn’t too long before Alaine returned with the rest of the Guardians.
“Well, it’s good to know all the humans are safe,” Dom said, entering the room.
Kade huffed.
“Glad to see you’re all safe too,” I said.
Everyone entered the room and looked battle weary. James glanced at us and nodded, then stood against the wall. Thomas and Alexander plopped themselves down on the ground, and Malachi stood next to James. Dom walked over to Caleb’s bed, pushed his legs over and sat on the edge.
“Rude,” Alex chuckled.
Dom glanced over to him.
“You have some Darkling crap on your mouth.”
Alex touched his mouth and when he felt the tarry blood, he began gagging.
“Dude, what the hell did you do? Slice an artery and stand there for a shower?” Dom teased.
Alex ran over to a small sink, loaded his hands with soap and began scrubbing his face. We all laughed because Alex was covered in Darkling blood.
“Shit this stuff is sticky, and it freaking stinks. I need a shower, like ASAP.”
Alaine stood in the center of the room, and everyone fell silent.
“You all fought brave today, and I am eternally thankful for each of you.”
“It’s why we’re here,” Thomas said.
“Yeah. You, Emma, and even the two snoring humanoids have become family to us,” Dom added.
“Thank you,” Alaine smiled, but her smile looked a bit sad. “As you have become part of ours. But I’ve quickly realized it’s not safe here for us anymore. This house is too large and I cannot make sure of everyone’s safety with so many ways to enter. I will be sending Courtney and Caleb to stay with a friend of mine in Washington. She offered help if I ever needed it. The rest of us will have to find another safe house. Someplace we can put a barrier over. Someplace where we can fight easily, if needed.”
“I think I might know of a place,” Dom said, his face became serious. Everyone turned their attention to him. “It was used as a safe house a long time ago. It’s far from civilization and located in the Oregon woods.” He turned to Alaine. “It was set up by your birth father, to protect and keep your birth mother safe during her pregnancy. It’s the place your life started, Alaine. It’s been unoccupied ever since, but there has been someone assigned to the place, who has been caretaking it.”
“How do you know this, Dominic?” Alaine asked.
“It was also the place where my bonded was murdered. She fought, defending your mother, and gave her life to save hers.” Dom’s lips trembled and his eyes bore so much sadness. He dropped his head down. “It’s a safe house. An option, in case you need it.”
Alaine walked up to him, leaned over and took hold of his hands. “I’m sorry for the pain you’ve endured, Dominic. I know what it feels like to lose a soul mate. I never expected mine to come back to me. She must have been an outstanding woman, and I will be forever grateful, to both of you. I will consider this option, but it might be too painful to revisit, for both of us.”
“Thank you,” he said, softly. “I battle with her loss every day, especially seeing new hearts being bonded.” He turned to look at me and Kade. “Don’t let true love and happiness slip away. There are some things you have to fight for, no matter what.”
Kade reached over and took my hand, interlocking our fingers. We both turned and looked into each other’s eyes, and then he smiled.
“Okay, you two can just stop with the freaking cuteness already. I was just stating general facts, not necessarily aiming it at you,” Dom sighed and rolled his eyes.