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Torin, who had slept beside Donja the entire night, holding her close while she sobbed, rose to his feet, and squatted beside the bed. He softly kissed her cheek.
“I know you’re in pain. Talk to me, Donja, I can’t take this any longer.”
“He has my grandma, she screamed. She’s in hell and it’s all my fault!”
“Shush,” he pressed his finger to her lips.
Her tears fell.
“It’s not your fault,” Torin said, as her bloodshot eyes all but sucked the life from him, but there’s something else, something unspoken in your eyes.
Donja covered her face with her hands.
“I can see the damage,” he paused, his voice breaking, we need to share this…together.”
“Just go,” she whispered.
“Don’t shut me out,” he pleaded, “your hesitation to even look at me, your tears, and this god-awful pain…it’s more than I can bear.”
“I can’t,” she sobbed. “Please just go.”
“I can’t leave you with this between us. Look at me,” he wailed. “What did that bastard do!” he bellowed, his body shaking?”
“I told you…he has my grandma!”
“We’re working on that, but what else, I can sense your misery.”
“He fed on me!” she screamed digging her nails into his arms.
He rocked her in arms of steel.
She clung to him, his heart pounding in her ears. “I’m sorry,” she sobbed, “that I couldn’t bring myself to face you and Val…he’s dead. It’s my fault.”
“I already knew he fed on you,” Torin whispered stroking her hair. “I smelled the toxins from his fangs and as for Val, he died to save you, save our baby. I would have done the same for him. He wanted you free Donja. Let’s not let his sacrifice be in vain.”
“Are you sure that that you can live with it, do you still love me?” she sobbed.
He pulled her tight. “More than life itself.” He kissed her softly, then lay her head to the pillow. He pulled the covers tight, tucking her in. “I have to go my love, but hear me and know my heart,” he said, a bent finger to her cheek. “You are my life, nothing can ever change that. I will love you with my dying breath. Now rest and I’ll be back before you know it.” He kissed her one last time summoning courage. He fought the pain then took his leave. Just past the door where two Iridescents stood guard, he grimaced, Donja’s pain like a fiery brand to his soul.
“Bring her home!” Donja called out. “Promise me…oh please, bring her home!”
Torin kept walking, misty-eyed with a knot in his gut. “I promise!” he roared tilting his head to one side, his voice echoing the hallway. Atop the stairs, he paused and closed his eyes.
I will bring her home, or die trying, but not before killing the bastard that defiled you.
He balled his fist, his jaw held tightly as he descended the stairs.
You’re dead Garrett, you just haven’t fallen yet.
~~~
Around dusk with the evening sun taking refuge in the western sky, Hampton Manor succumbed to darkness. Along the riverbanks and from the depths of the primeval forest, Affiliates emerged from the shadows, marching for the front lawn. They gathered in silence, a thousand strong, eyes on the front door.
Without warning, Antonio and Milos materialized from spirit to human form, standing between the lion head statues which flanked the stoop. The masses dropped their heads respectfully.
“You have your orders,” Antonio barked, Milos repeating his words in Russian. “Now take to the forest, ride high on the mountains and draw no attention to our plight. Gather in the Yukon and wait our arrival. A great battle awaits us, my brothers. A battle that will forever determine who we are as Iridescents. Now go!”
In the drive, vehicles manned by Siruns from four different countries waited. Torin, Larkspur, and Antonio, left the warmth of the Manor, meandering the cobblestone drive. They took to the front seat of Carson’s silver Suburban, while Milos and three of the Midewiwins took the back. Headlights illumed the drive as the Suburban lunged forward, followed by Gage, a French Sirun and four Midewiwins in a black Ford Explorer.