He didn’t turn back, didn’t take his eyes off the threat.
“I know.”
And then he was gone again.
Raphael pivoted with her in his arms and raced back toward the house, turning toward the left at the last moment.
He’s going to get in a car. He’s going to take me away.
“Raphael, don’t.”
He didn’t answer and just kept running. But he couldn’t hide his fear as his eyes searched the land in front of him. He was praying too, hoping his brother would be okay.
The Zealot roared and the ground thundered with its steps, and then it screamed. Fabiana forced herself to turn and see what had happened. Using his speed, Adonis reached one of the pincers and ripped it away. Darting to the other side, he did the same.
It didn’t take long for the beast to shake it off and lumber back to its feet, but the distance between them was greater. Fabiana couldn’t see Pasquale and Giuliana anymore.
“We’re ‘ere, chile.”
Zahara stood on the edge of the drive, hands to the heavens, her eyes turning white to match the lines on her face. Silva landed with Kalinda in her arms, and Romano, Heath, Kallan, and Teague stepped out of a portal with Nanshe and Carlo. She’d never been so happy to see them before, to know Adonis wouldn’t fight alone.
“Please, help him. Please! Pasquale is hurt and Adonis is there alone.”
“Not anymore!” Nanshe yelled.
She came to Raphael’s side. “Go to your Alpha. Nothing will touch her, I swear it.”
Raphael nodded and released Fabiana before racing away. Nanshe smiled big, her skin covered in fine dust as she lifted from the ground. Her arms stretched wide, a force field spread, closing around her and Fabiana.
“We’ve got ten feet of nothing can kick our ass right now. We can move closer so you can see, but I won’t let you get into danger.”
Fabiana could only nod. It would be enough. She couldn’t wait here on pins and needles while her mate was fighting. “I promise I won’t go anywhere.”
They moved together, until Fabiana was just on the edge. The Zealot still tried to get to her, but Raphael had made enough space that he was out in the open, and Pasquale was not in danger of being attacked or trampled.
“They are moving him into the Temple? Is that the building over there? Nice.” Nanshe turned back to Fabiana. “Carlo says he’s been stabilized but isn’t out of the woods yet,” Nanshe relayed. “My male seems to be particularly angry they touched that one.”
“He would. Our father was abusive to Carlo, but Carlo was always kind to us. We loved him. He’s technically our cousin but we called him uncle when we were kids.”
“So you are family?”
Fabiana nodded.
“It makes sense then.”
“What?”
“The paintings. He’s the King of History, and someone in his bloodline can see the future.”
Fabiana had never thought about that.
Zahara lowered her hands to the ground, whispering words Fabiana couldn’t make out before the land rumbled and split. Cracks spread until dark, whispy shards of black pushed out.
“What is that?”
“The In Between. She’s going to force him there. If she can, my sisters and I can send him back home.”
Zahara continued to mutter, her body swaying as the wind kicked up dust and debris.
