Page 60 of Fated In Forever (Nocturne Vampire Clan #4)

EVANGELINE

B ex closed the window and started picking up the glass. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her she was messing with the crime scene, then realized I was thinking like a human.

“Blake's coming,” I told her, drumming my fingers on Angel’s nightstand. “But this castle might not be secure. But if you come with us, that will be even more dangerous.”

The door blew open like someone hit it with a battering ram, then Aisling was there, along with Dravin, looking even less stable than usual. I knew the type. Adrenaline junkies, always looking for their next rush. Useful in a pinch, though.

“Finn informed me we had a trespasser. His guards are spreading out across the grounds as we speak.”

And that was the moment I realized I should have told the queen of said castle that we’d been breached. “They came in through the window and left this note.”

I searched my pockets. “Damn it, Eldric still has the note.”

“No matter, I don’t give a rat’s ass what our enemies have to say,” Aisling’s expression hardened as she turned to the retinue of guards waiting outside.

“Lock this place down tight. I want a full report in ten minutes, including how they penetrated our wards.” They raced off, but I didn’t miss the way her fingers tapped against her thigh, Dravin giving her a subtle nod before vanishing.

Some sort of secret battle language, was my guess.

“When Nikolai gets here, I’ll have him go back over the wards himself, figure out how they got in. They won’t get through a second time,” she muttered, and I believed her.

One second, Bex, Aisling and I were alone, the next, Blake, Riordan and Malachi materialized in, followed by everyone else, and the room was overflowing with testosterone and brimstone and a whole lot of muscle, all of it smelling ripe in the very worst way.

“What the fuck is that smell?” Aisling pulled her shirt up over her nose as both Finn and Nikolai crossed the room and ran their hands over her, as if they were checking for injuries.

“Three days’ worth of magic with nowhere to go.” Blake explained, inspecting me in the same worried, thorough way. “It has a tendency to stagnate, and the results are not…good.”

“I’m fine.” I batted him away. “We’re all fine, but Romulus took Angel, and Eldric went after her. Alone. She’s gone.” Suddenly, my fingers were twisted in his shirt, and my eyes burned from the effort of trying not to cry. “That bastard took my sister. What if he hurts her, Blake?”

“Fuck,” Riordan paced toward me like a caged wolf. “How long ago?”

“Angel, within the hour, Eldric about five minutes ago,” I explained. “I told him to wait for you, that going alone was too dangerous, but he was determined.”

“Lovesick.” Bex corrected.

“Moronic,” Blake muttered.

“Either way, he’s going to get himself killed.” Riordan pointed out as I ran through every possible scenario in my mind, most of them ending badly.

“Ravok’s in Sleepy Hollow, at the compound. I know he is.” I wrapped my arms around me, trying to still this infernal shaking. “All those thralls…the Headless Horsemen shirts…he’s there. They all are.”

“Nash and his men have repeatedly surveilled both the compound and White Chapel, as well as the chateau.” Blake pointed out carefully. “No sign of Ravok, Romulus, or your uncles.”

“I can track him,” Malachi said softly from where he was examining the window frame. “We’ll start at the compound, but I agree with Evangeline, everything points to that being their home base.” His eyes met mine, his lips thinning out.

“Two hostages aren’t good. Eldric will be expendable, the moment he lands. They’ll be expecting you…or me, but when it’s Eldric…”

“Every minute might make a difference,” I said with a quaver to my voice, my nerves fraying by the second.

“She’s right,” Malachi agreed. “But the call is yours, Marten,” he dipped his head to Blake almost submissively, and I looked between them, wondering if I was seeing things.

Malachi didn’t have to say anything more. Blake’s mouth tightened, body tensing up, but then he nodded. “You two go. We’ll get ourselves reinforcements, then we’re right behind you. Keep that idiot out of trouble, he’s growing on me, for some unknown reason.”

Which idiot? I asked. Malachi or Eldric?

Be careful, mate. Blake leveled me an even stare. Do not take any chances. Do not go charging into the fray. Be smart and conserve your magic .

I promise . I zipped my coat up and put my hand in Malachi’s.

“Let me carry you. We’ll move faster,” Malachi said grimly, tucking me into him and I didn’t argue. I’d dematerialized all of one time, and we couldn’t risk any mistakes.

“Wait. I need a weapon.” Instantly, ten daggers of varying degrees of deadliness were sticking in my face.

“Put those away, she’ll be taking mine,” Blake knelt and slid a small dagger into my boot before fastening his own holster around my right thigh, tightening the buckles tightly over my designer jeans, double checking every single blade.

Stay with Malachi, do not get separated. We’re right behind you, Evie.

“Thanks.” I brushed my fingers over his hair before he rose, staring down at me. “What kind of mate would I be, sending you off to battle unarmed?” He winked, then slid a glare in Malachi’s direction. “Can’t have this motherfucker showing me up, now, can I?”

I braced myself for one of Malachi’s snarky replies, but all he did was slide his hand under my coat, his palm resting on the small of my back, and held me tighter.

“I’ll take good care of her.” He dipped his head to Blake, then Riordan. “Don’t delay, I’ll give you a report when we land.”

I reared back so I could see his face. Who are you and what have you done with Malachi Draven?

He’s right here, and he’s trying learn from his past mistakes. He grinned, a flash of that old arrogance shining through. Now let’s get your sister, and that annoying librarian. When I raised my eyebrows, he sighed. Fine. He’s growing on me, too.

“What's the plan?” I asked as he tightened his grip, cold air washed across my face as he began to dematerialize.

“Improvise,” he drew me closer, until we were pressed hip to shoulder, then called to Blake, right before we disappeared, “I’ll always show you up, loser.”

Blake’s growl was the last thing I heard before we vanished.

Ravok made a mistake, taking my sister. He had no idea how far I’d go for Angel, how far she and I would go for each other. Just ask fucking Tyrell.

We landed on the far side of the compound, the buildings barely visible through the trees. Somewhere inside those stone walls, Angel and Eldric were depending on us.

We wouldn't let them down.