My Champion(84)

"So now we have two ferals running around the city," Bethy whispered, her eyes fearful.

Gavriel held her close. "We will find him."

"I found the fucker!" Meryn crowed suddenly startling everyone.

Immediately, all eyes were on her. Standing behind Meryn, Nigel and Neil high-fived each other as Meryn continued to tap away on her laptop.

"That's impossible," Law protested. He stalked over to see what she was doing.

"No it's not; it's technology. You know, the thing you suck at?" A tiny finger pointed to a small white face on the screen. "Level Six, he's trying to blend in, but I'm using facial recognition software. I pulled his picture from the profile that Kari has on her company employee page. In fact, if you take a walkie-talkie, I can tell you if he moves."

Aiden threw Law a walkie-talkie, and he and Declan ran out the door. Kari and Avery stood and walked up behind Meryn. It wasn't a minute later that, using the camera surveillance, they saw Law and Declan running through Level Six. The people, seeing them coming, quickly got out of the way.

Marcus reached into a pocket to grab something, and Declan tackled him. Law was there not a second later and cast a spell. Marcus was now immobile.

"Geeks save the day!" Meryn celebrated.

"Every time I think that you have finished surprising me, you turn around and impress me further," Magnus said.

She looked up, blushing at the praise. Her attention turned back to the monitor. Kari's knees gave out with the relief. Instantly, Rex was at her side. She smiled her thanks up at him, and he winked. Avery wrapped his arm around her waist from her other side as Warrick placed both hands on her shoulders to steady her.

"That is gonna hurt tomorrow," Meryn said, giggling.

Kari's attention turned back to the monitor. Declan had Marcus by the ankles and was dragging him around the furniture, the stalls, and every sharp corner of Level Six, heading toward a transport tunnel. At one point, he stopped and pointed down at Marcus. Law shook his head, and Declan mouth opened and he hissed.

"Poor Simba is mad he can't kill him," Meryn said, laughing.

Before they continued their walk, Law waved a hand and Marcus' mouth opened in a silent scream. He then began thrashing around in agony causing Declan to lose his grip. Looking a bit mollified, Declan reached down to grab his ankle again. He bounced Marcus' body between two wooden stalls a few times, knocking his head about before they resumed their march back to the transport tunnel. Kari turned to Magnus and Adriel.

"I would get that detention cell ready if I were you."

Adriel was on the walkie-talkie in moments, calling down orders for the warriors to create a guard shift at the detention cells.

"One down, one to go," Meryn said.

"Seriously, from your lips to the gods' ears," Kari murmured.





*****





Later that evening, two lion shifters arrived from Éire Danu through the portal. They immediately checked in with Rex, and Declan introduced them to Kari. They were his first cousins Broden and Ramsey Lionhart. Ramsey smiled at her warmly as Broden winked at her cheekily, eliciting a snarl from her mate. She now had three shadows. Rex was not taking any chances with her. Though she felt like she was being a bit smothered, she never wanted to live through what she had again. Not just for herself, but also for Declan, she never wanted to see her mate that afraid again.

The guards handed something to Rex. Rex, in turn, presented it to Declan, who clapped his brother on the shoulder.

"What is that?" she asked him.

"I'm going to show you. Are you up to taking us to Unit Level? I can get a transport escort."

"Declan, I am fine." She took his hand. They floated up to the Unit Level.

"So what is it you are going to show me?"

"Not yet, we have to be in the house."

They walked in, and Kari kicked off her shoes.

"Okay, so..."

"Not yet"

They made their way up stairs to the long stretch of hallway. He stood in front of a blank wall.

"Okay?" she asked.

He winked at her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small stone. He set it on the wall and whispered a melodic phrase. The stone began to expand until it formed a beautiful archway, and within the archway stood a wooden door.

"What is that? she asked.

"You'll find out."

She nodded, more curious than scared. Declan opened the door, and it swung wide. Kari couldn't help the reaction she had next.

Tears began streaming down her face. She covered her mouth with both hands. On the other side of the door was her condo. Sobbing, she ran forward. She was home. Just exactly how she'd left it.

Declan followed her through and shut the door behind them. On her side of the portal there wasn't a stone archway with a wooden door; it was a standard door with white trim and satin nickel hardware. It fit perfectly with the decor in her house and, like in Declan's house, the portal had popped up in an empty space in the hallway. It simply looked like another bedroom door. "This is impossible!" She twirled, taking in every sight. How could she possibly be home? "Declan, what is this?" she asked.