They stopped their approach. As much as she wanted to believe that it was her imagination, both species had their eyes trained on her. The wolf crouched and the elf pulled his bow free. Finally, she managed to drag a much needed breath into her lungs. Neither the beast nor the elf moved, with just their presence they seemed to be issuing a warning.
At long last, one of the vampires noticed the intruders and sounded the alarm. The beast did a one eighty. The elf absorbed the move with ease staying astride the powerful creature as it leapt back into the foliage, disappearing from sight in less than a second or two.
She realized that she was panting. One of her hands clutched at her neck. Tanya had never been this afraid before. She was alerted of movement by the sound of vehicle doors slamming as vampires piled into the waiting SUVs. A vampire shoved in next to Ross. The remaining males ducked into the other vehicles.
“Buckle up.” It was the only warning she got as Ross pushed his foot flat on the gas as he followed the first vehicle as it took off in a spray of sand and gravel.
Tanya scrambled for her belt and clicked it in. “What about Zane?”
“He’s a grown ass vamp,” was the only answer she got from Ross.
“We can’t just leave him.”
He glanced back, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. “Just following orders my lady. Keep your head down.”
Tanya had only just ducked her head below the line of the window when the SUV screeched to a halt. The belt dug into her. Adrenaline surged.
“Tanya!” Zane bellowed her name. The door opened. She barely had a chance to turn her head, Zane ripped the belt, tearing it like paper between his fingers. “Tanya,” he breathed out her name on a sigh of relief. His chest heaved against her ear as he yanked her into his arms after ducking in next to her. He buried his head into the crook of her neck and squeezed her hard. The vehicle took off but Zane held her in place.
She couldn’t help but moan after a few beats. “You’re cracking my ribs.”
He eased his hold and she slid down, her head on his chest. “I thought I’d lost you. Ten lashes for all of you when we return.”
Tanya gasped, “No it wasn’t—”
“Yes, sire.”
“Please don’t do this, they—”
Zane cut her off, “You could’ve died. They fucked up. They will be punished.”
“We will take twenty sire.”
Zane’s muscles relaxed somewhat even though his mouth was a thin white line. “I would make it fifty but I need you all on duty. Ten cuts.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Ross kept his eyes on the dirt track ahead. Dusk quickly turning inky black in the wilderness.
Tanya realized with a start that their lights weren’t on even though they travelled at a neck breaking speed.
“What is it? Did you spot something?”
Zane glanced out each window in turn like he could actually see into the encroaching dark. “You’re a vampire,” she stated in awe.
Zane’s brow creased.
“The whole no headlight thing was concerning but I forgot you can see in the dark.”
Ross coughed, clearly trying to mask a laugh. Zane locked his jaw and turned hard eyes on the rear-view mirror. Ross got the message and zipped it.
His arms tightened and he pulled her closer to him. “Next time you will remain at the castle,” he sighed. “No, that won’t do.” A long pause. “I can’t trust your safety with anyone else, you will stay at my side at all times.”
She could feel Zane’s heart beat beneath her ear. Fast and strong. Tanya felt she needed to remind herself that the big warrior was worried because his potential future heirs were at stake. This had nothing to do with any feelings he may have developed for her. This was a good thing though. Tanya might not choose Zane in the end and the thought of hurting him on top of the impact to his coven didn’t sit right with her.
Damn, she took a few mental steps back. Since when had mating one of the vampire kings become a choice? When had her feelings changed? The thought of turning Zane down and taking Brant didn’t seem as clear cut anymore. She buried her head deeper into his chest. Her head hurt thinking about it. Right now was not the time to make a decision so important though. Not after her near miss, and for a second time today. Using the ostrich head in sand approach was convenient right now and she’d use it damn it. It didn’t help that Zane smelled so darned good.
They drove back much quicker than the journey earlier. Must have been traveling even faster than she realized. The castle was pretty jacked, with all the modern necessities. Three large garage doors opened in unison, they lead into an underground parking area housing at least twenty vehicles. The doors clanged shut behind them. Tanya tried to pull away but his arms tightened around her, holding her in place.