Tatiana’s hands curled against his chest and pressed the cool metal of his dog tags against his skin. Dominic linked his fingers around the chain at the back of his neck, removed the precious amulet, and pressed it into Tatiana’s hands. He closed her fingers around it and pulled her hands to his chest as he held her gaze.
“Keep these for me,” he said quietly. “If anything happens to me, then I want to be sure you have them.”
“No.” Tatiana shook her head and tried to give them back. “You always wear these.”
“Now, you do.” Dominic took the chain from her hands and placed it around her neck. He adjusted the shiny tags, nestling them in between her breasts. “They have my energy signature imprinted on them. Just wear them. It will make me feel better, okay? Like a part of me is here with you.”
“Time to go,” Richard said.
Dominic nodded and placed a tender kiss on Tatiana’s lips before turning on his heels and crossing to Daniella and the others.
“I’ll take care of her,” Dante said firmly as he shook Dominic’s hand. “Just make sure you get your ass back here in one piece.”
“Thank you.”
Dominic locked gazes with Tatiana as she stood between Dante and Kerry. Dante uttered the ancient language. In a blast of static, they vanished, but as Tatiana disappeared, her voice touched his mind. I love you, Dominic.
The meeting hall felt far emptier without his mate, but Dominic shoved aside the self-defeating thoughts that threatened his composure and turned his attention to the others.
“We should leave now,” Richard said.
Dominic stilled. “We?”
“Yes.” Richard took one of the guns from Malcolm and checked the chamber for ammunition. “We. You, me, and Daniella.”
“Your Highness,” Dominic began, “I don’t think it’s wise for you to come with me. We all know this could be an ambush, and risking your safety is unacceptable.”
“Dominic,” Richard said with measured patience. “I am almost three times your age, and I possess certain powers you do not. Now, while I know you are an exceptional soldier, I am the leader of the Amoveo. I cannot and will not send one of my men into a situation like this alone. We go together or not at all.”
Dominic flicked a sidelong glance toward Malcolm, who stood between Eric and Zachary.
“Your Highness,” Eric interjected. “I agree with Dominic. If you insist on going, then you should have two Guardians with you.”
“No.” Richard turned his glowing eyes to Eric. “You and Zachary will patrol the property around the main house with Malcolm. The energy signature that’s been detected along the outskirts of the ranch troubles me. My one consolation is that it has not been picked up on the main property. I have placed another shield around the house, which should prevent anyone other than Dominic or myself from visualizing themselves inside. I used a different spell, so if they are capable of breaking through, it should take them awhile to figure it out. So I want you three posted outside just in case.” His eyes glowed brightly. “Are we clear?”
“You got it, chief,” Zachary said as he popped a stick of gum in his mouth. Malcolm gave him a look of disapproval, but Zachary’s eyebrows flew up in surprise. “What?”
“Let’s do this.” Dominic grabbed Daniella by the arm and pulled her next to him. He removed his gun from the holster and flipped the safety off as he pointed at her. “Don’t try anything funny. I don’t have any desire to see you harmed, but make no mistake, I will kill to protect the prince.”
Daniella stiffened but said nothing, and though guilt tugged at him for threatening his sister, he meant what he said.
“Take care of the others.” Richard stood on the other side of Daniella with his gun drawn.
“Be careful,” Malcolm said.
“Yes.” Richard glanced at Eric and Zachary briefly before looking back at Malcolm. “You too.”
Dominic closed his eyes and pictured the cool, crisp air of Trapper’s Summit. In his mind’s eye, he imagined the wide-open sky and the bird’s-eye view of the world from the eastern ridge. The smell of dirt, pine, and fresh air filled his head, and as he uttered the ancient language, the three of them slipped through space on a wave of static. Seconds later they materialized on the ridge overlooking the mountains.
With guns drawn and Daniella pinned between them, Dominic and Richard took immediate stock of their surroundings. The mountaintop was bathed in the gentle light of the moon and stars. Dominic gripped the gun tighter and held his sister with his other hand as the sounds of an owl hooting captured his attention.
They’re here. Richard’s voice rumbled into Dominic’s mind. He glanced over his shoulder to see the prince slowly pivot with his gun pointed at the wooded area. His blue eyes glowed brightly in the summer evening as he moved almost imperceptibly. At least three—possibly four.
The sound of twigs cracking and gravel skittering down the edge of the mountain made both men freeze. Even Daniella, usually full of piss and vinegar, didn’t make a sound, and she clung tighter to her brother. As her fingers curled around his arm, a thick, dark energy signature snaked through the air like smoke.
“Moravian’s here.” Dominic stood stone-still and waited, his body rigid with anticipation. He reached out with his mind in search of the source, and there was no mistaking it when his energy signature brushed Moravian’s. “There.”
Dominic swung his gun to the right, where he sensed movement, and a moment later, two pairs of glowing yellow eyes peered down at them from the cover of the trees.
He’s in his clan form, Richard. It’s Moravian and another member of the Falcon Clan. They’re in the tree to my right. I don’t sense any sign of Matt.
There’s another to my left. Richard’s voice was tight and controlled. Bear Clan. Male. Be ready for anything, Dominic. No matter what happens, Moravian doesn’t leave here alive.
“Dr. Moravian,” Richard called out calmly. “I can’t imagine you’re afraid to show yourself in your human form. Hiding in the treetops seems so… sophomoric.”
A blast of static-filled air blew from the tree line, and Dominic sharpened his focus with his gun trained on the ones who approached. Daniella whimpered and shrunk behind Dominic, her body shivering with fear as seconds of silence ticked by.
I can’t believe you’re afraid of him. Dominic touched his sister’s mind sharply. I thought you wanted to get away from us and back with your people.
I don’t have my powers, Dominic. Her voice wavered with fear. I saw what he did to some of the other girls.
Moments later, two men walked out of the trees, revealing themselves in the pale moonlight, and the look of hatred carved into Moravian’s face was nothing short of evil. His bright yellow falcon eyes narrowed as he and the other man, a younger member of the Falcon Clan, took cautious steps forward.
The two stood face-to-face with Richard and Dominic, but Daniella cowered behind her brother. What she said gave him pause, and he wondered if she was as devout a Purist as she claimed to be. Was she really hateful, or was it an act? Did she simply think there was no way to redeem herself?
Dominic’s gut clenched, and he reached back with one hand, keeping her protectively behind him. As he got a clear view of Moravian, it was painfully obvious he was of little threat. Dominic took a closer look and was surprised to see both men looked ill. The doctor most definitely had lost weight, and the boy was clearly undernourished.