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“Thank you, Bill. If that’s everything, we will head out at sunset. I have a few things to take care of before I can leave. You have your orders, everyone. Let’s show them what a successful collaboration between vampires and Therians looks like and why this should be the standard from now on. I’m counting on you since if we screw this up, we might not get another chance.”
“We’re with you, ma’am.” Bill dipped his head respectfully. “We are vampires, and there’s no unringing that bell. You’ve given us a chance to make that mean something other than endless horror, and none of us would jeopardize that or your position for anything. If the vampire race survives the next twelve months, it will be because of you.”
“I’m not sure what to say to that, Bill. Thank you doesn’t seem adequate.”
Bill smiled. “Just keep doing what you’re doing, ma’am. My wife asked me to pass along her thanks. That white-haired dragon gave everyone a brand-new phone, and I was on a video call with my wife and kids for hours last night.”
“Ah dinnae ken where the door is, but there’s a garage at the foot o’ the mountain with vehicles we can use, and plenty o’ dragons in our ranks who dinnae mind carrying passengers,” Euan added. “Some were discussin’ the possibilities o’ aerial attacks workin’ with vampires. That opens up a lot o’ new strategies for us.”
Ash’s mind filled with ideas, and she made a mental note to devote some brainpower to the concept when she had more time. “If we have enough dragons to fly our whole group, that seems like the best option. We need to make a show of force, and I can’t imagine what would be more intimidating than arriving astride an army of dragons to claim my throne.”
Euan laughed. “They willnae see it comin’ in a million years.”
Sunset
Zia knocked on the study door, where Ash was reviewing stronghold locations and fleshing out her plans. The vampire queen looked up when Zia walked through the door and glanced at the window in surprise.
“It’s sunset already?”
Zia nodded. “Nearly, Your Majesty. The king is waiting to say goodbye in the courtyard.”
Ash got up from the desk and donned the weapons and armor she’d selected for the mission. “What are you doing with Adrianna while we’re gone?”
Zia grinned. “Your sister volunteered to watch her until we get back. When my daughter heard that Miss Dani was back, she refused to consider any other possibility with the confidence only a seven-year-old can muster.”
Ash was thrilled that her sister fit in at the palace. She’d never had trouble making friends. Dani and Adrianna quickly became favorites at court, and Ash didn’t worry about their welfare. The little girl was probably the safest person on the planet.
They hurried through the corridors until they reached the open courtyard at the heart of the palace. It was one of the few places in the royal compound large enough to allow Therians to shift to animal forms, but it wasn’t big enough to hold thirty dragons. Each dragon allowed passengers to climb onto their backs before they launched into the air to make space for someone else.
Euan moved toward one of the other dragons, but the scathing glare the sleek black and silver dragon who was Viktorija gave him ended that game quickly. He climbed into place, gripped her neck spikes for stability, and hooted with joy when she took to the sky.
Ash planned to ride with Niletean, and they would be the last to take off. She stood off to the side with Luca as she watched the others leave.
“You cannot imagine the willpower it requires to let you do this without me,” Luca grumbled, his body tense and his expression deeply unhappy.
Ash went up on her tiptoes and kissed him. “About as much as it takes to let you walk into the UN and shift to prove Therians exist. You better fucking come home.”
Luca pulled her close, his heart racing because of the danger she faced. He would be on the other side of the world if something went wrong, and unlike his mate, he couldn’t open a portal to cross the planet in a matter of moments. He would arrive too late to make a difference. The man and his dragon hated leaving their mate vulnerable but acknowledged that there was no other choice.
“Right back at you. I’m meeting with humans who have seven billion reasons to cooperate, and you’re diving into a nest of vipers hungry for your blood. You better bring that perfect ass back without a scratch.” He illustrated his point by grabbing a handful of the ass in question. His expression sobered, and she felt the tension in his touch. “I need you to be okay.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “We’re going to get through this.” She gave him a mischievous smile. “You might as well call me Samuel L. Jackson because those motherfuckers can’t kill me.”
Luca laughed, grateful for the light and laughter this woman brought him. She’d saved his life and his kingdom more than once. Arguably, she was the stronger of the pair and could defend herself better than he could, but that didn’t stop him from worrying about her. Ash was born to be a queen and had taken to leadership flawlessly.
If Luca struggled with watching his mate put her life in danger for the sake of others, that was his problem. He wouldn’t burden her with it. “They don’t stand a chance against you. I love you. Hurry home.”
She grinned as she stepped back from their embrace. “I love you too, Lord Hotpants. I like the sound of that. Hurry home, darling. I will see you in a week.”
Luca held it together until Ash disappeared into the clouds on the white dragon’s back. Then he punched the stone wall, venting his frustration to the darkening sky. He roared with a dragon’s fury at letting the love of his life head into danger again to fight a war she’d joined because of him. The pain in his knuckles helped him refocus and shake off the bitter feelings the separation inspired.
Ash was his warrior goddess, and she could protect herself. The rest of the vampires were in for a rude awakening. That thought made him smile and eased his agitated soul. His mate was just the kind of badass, take-no-shit woman they needed to whip the hidden world into shape.
CHAPTER SIX
Vampire Compound, Thursday, January 10, 2013, Sunset
Blood. Pain. Death.
