“What happened?” Eric asked as his brow furrowed in concentration. “What did she say?”
“Nothing that made much sense.” Tatiana shrugged and gave them an apologetic look. “It was along the lines of… lies and betrayer… I think she wanted to tell me who was hurting them.”
“Betrayer?” Eric scoffed and adjusted the gun on his shoulder. “It’s obviously the Purists. They’re the biggest traitors of all.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Tatiana said slowly. She looked at each of them. “I can’t explain, but it was more desperate, like she was warning me about someone specific. As though the danger was more imminent or close or something.”
“Interesting.” Richard’s face was carved with concentration, and he nodded his understanding. “And you say that she came to you in the dream realm the night she was killed.”
“Yes.” She let out sigh. “I’d like to see if I am able to connect with Obsidian, one of the other mares. Perhaps she can tell us more about what happened, and maybe, even tell us who killed Spirit.”
“I still think that human of yours had something to do with it,” Eric muttered as Dominic shot him a look. “I didn’t like the look of him.”
“The kid split.” Dominic lifted one shoulder. “If he was some kind of Caedo spy, he would have stuck around, gained our trust, and then made his move. Leaving like he did wouldn’t benefit him.” He shook his head. “No way Matt’s involved.”
“I already told you guys that,” Kerry said firmly. “Matt was not part of this, and honestly, it’s probably better he left.”
“He was not involved, Eric. You know that,” Richard said evenly. He flicked a brief glance to Dominic, and a sense of unease flickered up his back. “Kerry, would you and Dante accompany Tatiana to the barn. I want to be sure we took care of things properly, and since her assistant is no longer with us, perhaps you could lend a hand?”
As Richard finished speaking, a subtle change in the atmosphere caught Dominic’s attention. A familiar prickle of awareness flickered over his skin as he detected two Amoveo energy signatures. He stepped back and raised his rifle as his eyes flickered to their clan form.
“Someone’s coming.” Dominic pulled Tatiana behind him as Eric and Malcolm raised their weapons. “Two. A male and female…” His voice trailed off as the energy waves grew stronger, and he recognized them.
“It’s alright, Dominic.” Richard raised his hand, asking for calm. “I called them here.”
They all stepped back and formed a circle, but Dominic and Eric kept their guns raised. The thick summer air filled with static, and seconds later, a man and a woman materialized at the center of the circle.
“Daniella?” Dominic’s entire body went cold as he saw his traitorous sister held at gunpoint by Zachary, a member of the Lion Clan and newly appointed Guardian. “What is she doing back here?”
Is this the sister I heard about? Tatiana moved closer and placed one hand on the back of his arm reassuringly. The one who sided with the Purists?
Yes. He gave a curt nod but didn’t take his eyes off Daniella. After her capture all those months ago and her refusal to relinquish her Purist views, Richard had her jailed and permanently bound in her human form.
Daniella wore a simple black jumpsuit, and her hair was tied back in a ponytail. His heart squeezed in his chest because for a moment he saw the young girl he used to know, the one who wanted to be just like her big brother. Not so much anymore.
Why doesn’t she blink herself out of here? Tatiana’s voice drifted into his mind on a tentative whisper.
The steel bracelets around her wrists aren’t ornamental. A growl rumbled in his throat, and not even the touch of Tatiana’s voice could soothe him. They’re made with a special powder that keeps her bound in her human form and void of her Amoveo abilities.
“Richard thought our little jailbird might be useful to us,” Zachary said evenly with his fierce gaze pinned to Daniella. “Good to see you again, Dominic. I’m glad to finally have a chance to practice all of the skills you taught me.”
“Wish it were under different circumstances.” Dominic lowered his weapon and linked his arm around Tatiana’s waist, holding her close. “Tatiana Winters, this is Zachary Allen. A member of the Lion Clan, and currently our Guardian at the jail, where my darling sister has the distinct honor of being held as the first prisoner.”
Zachary, in true Guardian fashion, said nothing, but tilted his head in deference to Tatiana, all the while keeping his attention on Daniella.
“You guys have your own jail?” Tatiana asked in disbelief.
“Yes,” Richard said darkly. “We didn’t have need of one until the problem with the Purists, but I must say it’s come in handy. It’s really quite nice as far as an incarceration facility is concerned.”
“Better than she deserves,” Dominic spat.
“Good to see you too, brother.” Daniella glared at him and shot Tatiana a look of disgust. “What’s the matter? Not going to introduce me to this hybrid? One is more pathetic than the next.”
“Shut up,” Dominic snarled. He moved toward her, but Tatiana linked her arm with his, pulling him back. Her soothing energy waves swirled around him, quieting his rage but not extinguishing it. “You will not talk about Tatiana that way.”
“It’s fine, Dominic.” Tatiana put Cass down on the ground, and he immediately snarled at Daniella. “Cass, you give it a rest too.”
“It sure as hell is not fine.” Dominic fought the urge to shift. “She’s lucky to be alive after the way she betrayed our people. But I can see she still hasn’t learned to hold her tongue.” His voice dropped low. “Watch the tone you take with my mate, Daniella.”
“She’s your mate?” Daniella sneered. “A Guardian for the royal family is mated to a hybrid? No wonder the Caedo and Purists slipped onto the ranch so easily.” She made a tsking sound. “You’re obviously weakened by mating with this thing.”
Before he could say anything, static flickered around them, and Tatiana erupted into the form of her wolf. Snarling, her hackles raised, she stalked toward Daniella with her teeth bared. Daniella paled and tried to back away but stopped when she ran into the butt of Zachary’s rifle.
“Going somewhere?” Zachary asked.
Tatiana growled loudly as the others stepped aside, allowing her clear access to Dominic’s sister. Daniella’s eyes were wide with fear as she watched the wolf approach, and just when Dominic thought Tatiana was going to attack her, she shifted into her human form and got in Daniella’s face. Shaking, but doing her best not to look terrified, Daniella stared at Tatiana, who now stood eye to eye with her.
“I may not be a pure-blood,” Tatiana said in a surprisingly calm, sweet voice. “But I can still turn into a wolf and tear your throat out. So, if I were you, I’d watch what you say about your brother. Got it?”
Daniella said nothing. Sweat broke out on her forehead, and she licked her lips as she nodded.
“Good,” Tatiana said firmly. “Come on, Kerry. I’ve got some animals to tend to.” She stepped back and looked Daniella up and down. “I can see that this one is a lost cause.”
“Ain’t that the truth?” Kerry linked her arm through Tatiana’s and led her toward the barn.