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“Garret has him in the basement under lock and key guarded by Iridescents. He’s mortal, weak as a lamb and he and wouldn’t be alive today were it not that Garret fears Zaroc might be become so distraught over losing him that he would kill himself.”
“Zaroc loves this man that much?”
“He loves him just as much as you love Donja.”
“I see, well…I can respect that, and I will do what I can, but this is war and there will be causalities.”
“Thank you, you’re a good man, Torin Mancini. Donja is not only one of the last living females of the Durent Clan, but one of the luckiest to have you.”
“You didn’t always think so highly of me, Larkspur. I remember when you accused me of Anstosa’s death.”
“I was wrong,” Larkspur mused. “She was my sister and I was distraught over her death. Part of her hated you, Torin, you know that don’t you?”
“Yes, I have come to accept it, but tell me this. If she hated me so much, why did she willingly marry me?”
“Our mother forced her by guilt. She said that if she refused you, you would take Embly, mother’s youngest child as your bride. They fought for days and after mother spoke of killing herself, Anstosa agreed.”
“She ruined both our lives, and she killed our child.” Torin whined pitifully.
“But you have Donja now Torin, a female who sees what an incredible man you are. If you had not suffered the pain, would you have so welcomed true love?”
“I don’t know, but I do know that requited love is priceless. Donja was always my destiny. I just had to wait.”
“Can you forgive me?”
“I already have.”
“I hate to break this up, but we need to get moving,” Antonio said. “We have a war to fight.”
“No,” Torin said combing his hair with his fingers. “Change of plans.”
“What do you mean?” Antonio asked with furrowed brows.
“We need Miguel, Zaroc’s mate,” Torin replied, untying Larkspur’s hands.
“That’s crazy.”
“No, think about it,” Torin snapped. “Scarface has Anna, so he won’t venture into war, he’ll just let the lesser do his dirty work, but if we have Miguel, Zaroc might break rank, take over momentarily and come for him. Miguel may be the only way to lure them into the circle of Fire.”
“He’s right,” Larkspur chimed in. “They have been together for eight years and Zaroc has marked him.”
“But how the hell do we get our hands on him?”
“Easy,” Larkspur whispered. “He’s here locked away in the basement. There’s a secret passage from the docks down on the river. It’s poorly guarded. I know the combination to the inner steel doors which are impenetrable, even by Iridescents. Once inside, we disable the security and shut off power to the elevator which is the only entry from the main house.”
“How many guards?” Antonio queried.
“Only four, the last time I was there.”
“Four, are you sure?”
“Yes, Garret relies on the infra-red scanners which are monitored on the main floor and keeps the whole of his army out front protecting the house…oh and the landing strip for his chopper.”
Antonio’s eyes narrowed. “Damn, and I thought we were prepared. Where’s the landing strip?”
“In the river gorge, south of the house. Just take the rocky precipice which is easily passable and you’re there, you can’t miss it.”
Antonio met Torin’s eyes. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”