I wiped the blood from my eyes as Emme healed me. “Shayna means we still have to deal with Zhahara. She’s still out there.”
CHAPTER 16
Taran dropped me like a severed limb. Colorful curses, in a wide range of languages, tumbled out of her in one jumbled mess. Most of her vivid expressions didn’t make sense, but I wasn’t stupid enough to call her on it.
Misha knelt beside me, out of breath from battle. “How do you feel?”
“I’ll get my second wind in a moment,” I answered truthfully, stumbling to my feet.
Misha grasped my elbow. “Is your family fit to continue?”
Emme and Shayna nodded, shaken yet still determined. Taran made a rude gesture. I took that as a yes. “We’re fine.”
Misha led the way, his family close to his side. Shayna and Emme flanked me while Taran took the rear, bitching about needing a shower. Yeah. Well. No kidding. I thanked heaven Aric wasn’t around to see me. My eyes widened when I realized where my mind had wandered. I blamed the rush of adrenaline for my girlie thoughts, not wanting to admit how I couldn’t stop thinking about that wolf.
I sighed, longing to see him. Physical intimacy was something I hadn’t engaged in in years. It frightened me…but it frightened me less and tempted me more in Aric’s presence. Would he be gentle? I wondered. I remembered the softness of his touch against my body, despite all his preternatural strength. I smiled. Yeah. He would be.
“Taran’s very angry with you,” Emme whispered, interrupting my thoughts.
I glanced over my shoulder and met Taran’s scowl and another windstorm of swear words. “What gave you that idea?”
Emme stumbled over a rock when she looked back at Taran. She blushed, though no one seemed to notice. “Celia,” she whispered. “What you did—back there—was so very…”
“Ridiculously suicidal?” I offered.
“No. It was brave.” She rubbed her hands together, trying to stay warm. “I wish I had an inner tigress.”
I slipped a nasty, bloodlust-coated arm around her. “Every woman has an inner tigress—that part of her that gives her strength and helps her to survive.” I smiled softly. “I’m just able to bring mine to the surface.”
I helped Emme up a steep incline. She seemed so weak. I was going to ask for a rest period when the vamps fell into a crouch. I crawled up the hill, Taran right behind me.
“If the goddamn theme from Halloween starts playing, I will seriously wig the hell out.”
Taran wasn’t exaggerating. We crouched in the woods, gawking at a three-story Gothic castle. Thunder boomed in the darkening sky and lightning crashed, illuminating the mammoth structure. ’Cause God forbid we didn’t get the full house-of-horrors effect.
Misha tensed next to me as the two vampires standing guard at the back entrance adjusted their positions. I touched his arm. “What is it, Misha?”
The sharp scent of his anger twisted up into my nose. “The guards are not infected.”
Shayna’s soaking-wet ponytail whipped behind her. “Dude, are you sure?”
I groaned. “He’s right. Their eyes haven’t glimmered.”
Misha’s head angled toward mine. “And they are not Zhahara’s vampires.”
My heart stopped. “Are you sure?”
He nodded. “Neither bears her mark.”
I bit my bottom lip. So not a good idea. “You can tell from here?”
Misha’s eyes filled with enough menace to start a fire. “My deepest worries have been confirmed. More than one master seeks to destroy me.”
A wave of fierce and angry mutterings spread among Misha’s family. Taran swore. “So then who do these idiots belong to? And why haven’t the bloodlusters attacked them?”
Misha stood, his fury growing with every word he spoke. “I have no answers. They could belong to a foreign master.”
Emme coughed as if she were choking before her eyes rolled into the back of her head. I caught her and turned her on her side. “Easy, honey,” I cooed as she dry-heaved. “You’re okay.” My eyes narrowed at Misha. “What’s happening?”
Misha frowned. “She must have exhausted a great deal of the lake’s power during battle. She may not be able to go on.”
Emme struggled to sit, jumping as the thunder pounded the skies. “I’m okay. I just need a minute.”
“No, Emme. You’re done.” It hurt just to say the words. I couldn’t face her, and turned to Misha. “Remember your promise?”
Misha locked eyes with Tim. Tim stumbled back, fear and anger distorting his features. “No, Master. I die with you and only you.”