Page 51 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)
Sean and Kayden were standing in the hall by the door leading to the cells, wands at the ready.
“Our lives are weird,” Sean said, looking at Kayden.
“Well, they are now. Anyway, I blame you for all of this,” Kayden replied, pretending to glare at him.
Sean looked confused. “How did you figure that out?”
“We were snuggled on the sofa watching that adventure film and you said you wish there was more adventure in our lives as the coven was too quiet.”
Sean laughed. “I meant going on an adventure-type holiday, not dealing with kidnapped children, super witches, and everything else that we’re now involved with.”
Kayden smiled. “Next time, be more specific.”
“Noted. Do you think one of us should go out and join Gabe?”
Kayden looked undecided before shaking his head. “No, he’s surrounded by vampires, a few wolves, plus Troy. We need to protect the house.”
“We can. But I’m putting it out there right now that I’m hoping the house isn’t breached.”
“It”s mad, isn’t it? There is no one in these cells, and you’d think the super witches would know that,” Kayden said, looking thoughtful.
“What?” Sean asked.
“We’re assuming that they think the vampires are holding their people here, but what if they are not here for them.”
“Then who?” Sean asked before gasping. “Jack and Spencer.”
Kayden nodded. “We know one of these rooms leads to a priest hole. Let’s put a shield around all the doors protecting them as a precaution.”
Sean nodded. “You do that side, I”ll do this side.”
It took a few moments before all the doors had shields around them. Sean was just walking to the front door when it was blown inwards, hitting Sean and flinging him backwards, the door landing on him.
Quick as a flash, Kayden threw a shield around his husband, hoping he was just knocked out, and took a fighting stance as a man and woman hurried in. He threw magic at them trying to stop them.
They both dived out of the way before they were hit; the woman recovered first and threw her magic at Kayden, who jumped out of the way just in time. As it was, the woman’s magic hit the wall behind him, and the wall exploded, raining bricks and plaster down around him.
A few bits of debris hit Kayden, but he stumbled to his feet and flung more magic out. He was angry, in pain, and worried about Sean, so pulling on all of that and drawing the power rune in the air, he sent his magic out again and hit the woman full force. She went flying back out the front door landing several yards away, unconscious or dead; Kayden didn’t care.
He was just aiming for the man when he saw a blur, and the next moment, the man was dead, his head now bouncing on the parquet floor and his body hitting a moment later. Gio stood there, blood dripping from his sword.
Kayden stumbled over to Sean, removing the protective shield and trying to lift the door off him. Seth bent down and pulled it off.
“Thanks,” Kayden said, moving closer to Sean. “Sean, sweetheart,” he said, checking for a pulse.
“He’s still breathing,” David said, crouching beside him.
Suddenly Gabe was there, kneeling by Sean’s head. “I’ve got him,” Gabe said, putting his hands on Sean’s chest and sending healing into him. The healing light surrounded Sean before vanishing. Gabe removed his hands just as Sean sighed and opened his eyes.
“I felt your healing. Thanks, Gabe.”
“You’re welcome,” Gabe said, patting his leg.
“Sweetheart,” Kayden said, touching his arm.
Sean quickly sat up and pulled Kayden into his arms. “I’m okay,” he whispered into Kayden’s neck.
Kayden hugged him close for a moment before pulling back and kissing him. Kayden tapered this kiss. “I was so scared when I saw you get hurt. I didn’t have time to do more than throw a shield around you.”
Sean smiled and rested his forehead against Kayden’s. “Thank you.”
Finally, they drew apart and looked around, David and Seth helping them up.
“Sorry about your wall,” Kayden said. “We realised that they might be after Jack and Spencer, so we protected all the rooms. Sean was just going to protect the front door when it was breached.”
“We can fix the walls,” David said.
Just then, Seth exclaimed, “They were after the children?” Turning, he ran towards David’s office and the safe room. He bounced back when he got to the doorway and growled.
“I’ll get it,” Gabe said, sending his magic out to undo the shields from all the doors.
“Thanks,” Seth said, running through it, Gio hot on his heels.
Kayden moved and leant against a wall, groaning softly. “How did you get on outside?”
“We live to fight another day,” Bertram said. “But you, my friend, how injured are you?”
“You’re injured?” Sean exclaimed. “How bad are you hurt?”
“Just bumps and bruises from where the wall exploded. Nothing serious,” Kayden said, pulling Sean close to him.
“Want me to have a look?” Gabe offered.
Kayden shook his head. “No, I’m good.”
“Kayden,” Sean said, glaring at him.
“It’s fine, sweetheart, I promise.”