Page 50 of This Blood that Bonds Us

“Let me speak to them.”

Kilian nodded, and Dom walked into the middle of the parking lot. His disheveled dark hair was longer, and the edges of his usually stoic lips tugged into a small smile.

“Kimberly.”

I hugged him. He was rigid underneath my arms, but I didn’t care. His smell reminded me of Skylar.

“Your hair is different.” His voice held the same boredom as before.

I smoothed down a lock of my hair, suddenly feeling self-conscience, and Aaron grabbed my waist to pull me closer.

“How are you?” I looked up to his light-emerald eyes, anticipating a non-answer.

“Fine.” Dom looked between us. “But I need you to listen to Kilian.”

Aaron squeezed me tighter.

“I’m working directly with Kilian now, and we have plans, but all of those plans involve you.”

Kilian stood tall in his beige trousers, with his hands in his pockets, waiting.

“Why us?”

“You’re still our closest link to The Family by blood. We’ve never had that before. And you have cause to fight.”

“What about Skylar?”

To my surprise, the edges of his lips tugged upward. “My sister never lived a day of her life with regret. We’ve known the risks since we first met Kilian.”

Aaron and I shared a look of uncertainty.

“We know where the coven is located.”

“You do?” Hope stirred in Aaron’s voice.

“Yes. We tracked an unidentified plane in the general area, and we’ve been able to pinpoint a possible location. There are things that must be done. A battle is coming, and we won’t have a chance without you.”

Kilian sauntered up next to us. “We have a cabin not far from here. Meet us there, and we can finish our talks and discuss our next steps.”

“Wait, first tell me where they are. Tell me, and I promise we’ll help you.”

Something in Aaron’s voice, exuding strength and confidence, stirred a memory. He reminded me of Luke, and as I’d been told and seen . . . Luke always kept his promises.

“Northern Ireland on an island. We have to confirm the exact coordinates, but there is a lot of buzz in the area of their return to the queen’s home country.”

Aaron and I exchanged a look. Butterflies circled in my gut. Good news. The first bit of good news we’d had in weeks.

“We’re in,” Aaron said, and I nodded.

“Whatever it takes.”

The address we were given wasn’t too far of a drive, about forty minutes from Vera’s. Aaron dialed Presley’s number to fill him in. When we closed the car door, we sat in the silence of the car for a moment.

Aaron smiled from ear to ear. The cadence of his heartbeat filled the cold compartment of the car.

“We know where they are,” he said, staring at his phone. His ears and cheeks had pinkened, and I’d thought it was from the cold until I saw the glisten in his eyes.

I squeezed his hand. “We’re going to get them back.”