Page 160 of His Retribution

He's not in the mansion.

Not outside.

Havok's not in our cabin, definitely not even on the property.

I listen harder and begin to feel his movements, feel his pulse, his emotions.

Holy shit, he teleported.

And now Havok is running.

Running through woods, down dirt paths.

He's angry but hopeful, ready, resolved.

And he's also… grieving?

Yeah, Havok is a little sad, mournful, filled with a touch of regret.

I can feel his adrenaline pumping through him, feel his heart race, his blood rush.

Then I feel him slow, stop, go on alert.

He's in Eagle Point.

What the fuck?

My eyes snap open and connect with glowing purple ones, red and gold swirling against the bright amethyst. "Why is Havok almost thirty miles away?"

"Fuck!" Zan barks as he starts pacing again. "Fuck, this is all my fault. I did not realize at the time what he intended to do with the information I gave him, did not think he would have such a knee-jerk reaction." He fists his hair. "Had I known he would immediately leave, that tonight is a Blood Moon, that you are—"

"What information? What did you do, Zan?" Panic starts to creep into my bones as I wrap my arms around my waist. "What did you tell him?"

He sighs and continues wearing a path in the floor. "Havok came to me just after you left, came to me seeking information on his grandfather."

"You two talked?" Then I glare. "You've had information on Nero this whole time and what, forgot to mention it in our countless conversations?"

Zan shakes his head. "No, my gem, you simply did not ask and I didn't feel the need to share it with you. The information I harbor is much more suited for your mate and his dragon brothers, but I fear I have made a dire mistake."

"How so?"

"Havok and I made a deal, a small one for material items in exchange for information, no souls or bodies involved. He promised me something I've always longed for in return for information on that pathetic excuse for avampyrking and I gave it freely. I did not realize it was a Blood Moon, did not realize the danger involved, the risk he would take if he used that information tonight." Zan looks at me with an unreadable expression. "I did not realize your mate did not have all the facts because if he did he would be here now instead of Eagle Point trying to breach Nero's nest."

"What?!" I shoot forward and grab the bars. "He's doing what? How do you know? Why would he do that? Zan, what did you tell him?"

He walks toward me and wraps his fingers around mine, resting his forehead against my knuckles. "I am so sorry, my gem. I told him where to find his bastard grandfather, told him the specifics of their nest’s layout, his numbers, his protection. I told your mate everything and I fear his need for retribution has hindered his ability to think this through."

"Get dressed," I snap as I pull my hands away and march toward the door. "We're going on a field trip."

"Cora, no. You mustn't go, you cannot go there. It is too dangerous, too risky for you to go in—"

"Get. Dressed." My eyes narrow. "If Havok thinks he's going to parade his happy ass into that fucker’s nest without the light to his darkness by his side, he has another thing coming." I grip the knob. "And since you threw fuel on the fire without even realizing it, you're coming with me and you are going to explain what the fuck the Blood Moon has to do with anything on the way."

* * *

Thirty minutes later, Zan and I are flying down the highway in Havok's truck, breaking every traffic law possible while my brother I sort of want to smack clutches the “oh shit” handle like it's the only thing anchoring him to Earth.

"I could have taken you," he says as I cut three lanes of traffic toward the Eagle Point exit. "I cannot teleport the way your mate can, but I could have carried you while I ran." His knees crash into the dashboard as I slam on the brakes. "It would have been much safer, especially considering your condition."