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“Yes,” she whispered, beleaguered by memories once thought forgotten.
“Your family was starving, yet a barrel of flour, sugar and a fully dressed moose magically appeared…”
“And when my mother opened the door,” Anna whispered hauntingly, “the snow had been shoveled away, a stack of firewood by the jamb.” She raised a hand to her cheek. “You did that?” she whispered, searching his face. “Why?”
“I didn’t have a choice, Anna, don’t you see, I couldn’t chance losing you, so don’t say it was just lust for it was so much more. I have loved you forever.”
Flushed, she dropped her head. “I’m truly grateful for what you did but at this point in my life, all I can think of is my granddaughter and the horrors to come.”
“I understand,” but after this is done and she is safe, nothing will stop me. I will pursue you, Anna, unto my dying breath.”
“I expected as much when I came back here,” she breathed.
“I’m sorry, but I have no choice…”
“No choice?” she interrupted, “we are all living and dying with the choices we make, so to say you have no choice…”
“It is a truth we both must face,” he said stalling her words. “You have taken from me, not once, but twice, what was not mine to give, and believe me, facing that damage a second time, I’m no longer willing, nor do I have the strength to walk away.”
Anna raised her hand to warm his cheek. “I’m sorry, Antonio, but in this life, some things are a given. I see the fire in your eyes, and it warms my heart, but you must realize that it matters not what you or I want. My life was prophesized years ago by a Midewiwin and chances are good I won’t survive this encounter.”
“You will, my love,” he whispered, “but if by chance you don’t, fear not for we will walk hand in hand to meet the almighty.”
“You would do that?” she asked as a silver tear streaked her cheek.
Milos, a Russian Sirun riding up front with Torin, turned to face them, blonde mane framing his face. “Excuse me, Antonio,” he blurted with a thick Russian accent.
Antonio pulled his eyes from Anna and met his gaze.
Milos smiled with teeth so white they sparkled. “Not to interrupt, but I’m still not convinced that this Seventh Miigis truly exist.”
“He does,” Antonio retorted.
“And for the sake of conversation, let’s just say you’re right. What’s our strategy?”
“Well, first and foremost, you have to understand that he dwells within Zaroc, therefore we must anger him enough to pull him out and then, once they are separated we fight to kill, but don’t underestimate him. He will be a formidable foe.”
“Huh! Twenty of my best Affiliates on one Miigis. He won’t stand a chance,” Milos said with a glint in his eyes.
“I urge you to be cautious.”
“Phft!” he sputtered. “My Affiliates are some of the most powerful killing machines on earth.”
“I have no doubt of your Affiliates, Milos, but again, be wary.
“Fine, so he’s a bad ass, I get it. So how do we lure him from his symbiont?”
“Anna will be the bait,” Torin chimed in. “We offer her up, let him get a whiff of her essence, then take her away. He’ll come with hell’s fury in his eyes.”
“Do you think so?” Milos asked.
“It’s a fact and don’t pretend you don’t smell her,” Torin scoffed.
Milos’ lips curled, broadening into a smile that encompassed his face. “No lies, I do smell her, it’s impossible to miss and if I wasn’t already a Sirun, I’d kill every damn one of you and take her for my own.”
“And the seventh will feel the same,” Torin said.
“And it’s killing me that she’ll be in danger,” Antonio snapped. “I don’t like it one damn bit.”