Bound to Blackwood (49 page)

When it came, the shock-wave knocked Kaden's feet from under him. He crashed to the floor and just had enough time to protect his head as the crystal on the bar exploded, sending the shattered shards of glass flying through the air.

A blinding flash of gold shot across the room just before everything started to go black. Kaden could feel himself falling into unconsciousness as he stared at the crystal stopper to a ship's decanter that had landed in front of him. He tried to focus on the dying embers of light refracted in the facets of the decoration, but still the blackness advanced, tunnelling his vision from the outside in. He clung on with everything he had, but it wasn't enough. The darkness claimed him anyway.

Lena laid snuggled in the crook of Thorn's arm, her head resting on his chest as she ran her fingers through the fine dusting of hair that covered his pectorals. Thorn stroked her hair, stopping now and then to lay a delicate kiss atop her head.

Her body languid, her hunger sated, she could lie like this forever. Which was why she let out such a deep-felt groan when Thorn suggested they go and find the others.

"But why?" she asked, aware that she sounded like a petulant child.

Thorn kissed her head again. "Because it is the right thing to do, my love."

She knew he was right, but still… "They can wait a bit longer," she said as she snuggled closer.

Thorn sighed as he held her close. "If we wait any longer, I have no doubt in my mind that Kaden will be knocking that door down." He rolled her onto her back and hooked his leg up over her thighs. A shimmer of heat glowed in her eyes as he ran his gaze down her body. He swallowed hard and kissed her on the mouth, but before she could respond, he tore himself away, a serious look in his eyes as he looked down at her. "In here, it's just us. Just me and you. I am not having the Keeper of the Watch spoiling that, not for anything. No matter how deep his concern for you."

Lena frowned. "His concern for me?"

"He's your big brother in all but name, Lena. Let's just say, he's worried about my intentions towards you."

Lena stifled a laugh in a very unladylike snort, but her amusement died the instant she looked up at Thorn's deathly serious face. "You're joking. Right?"

"Think about the last time he saw you."

Lena cast her mind back. When she and Thorn had returned to House Blackwood, she'd been so exhausted, she could hardly recall her own name, but she did remember telling Kaden she was fine. She felt so safe in Thorn's arms, she couldn't understand Kaden's concern… "Oh!"

"See my point?"

Yes she did. Kaden had never seen her admit weakness. Ever. He'd certainly never seen her allow someone to carry her.
Shit, Kaden's mind must be in overdrive.
 

Chapter 35

Kaden came awake with a start, rolling out from under what had once been the bar and jumping to his feet. He shook away the last remnants of power that had sent him into that dark abyss and his hands automatically went to his hips for Megan and Kate. He was in the House; the girls were safely locked up in the armoury.
Shit.
Instead, he dropped to a crouch and retrieved his knife from his boot.
 

Still hunkered down, he surveyed the scene. For a moment he could hear nothing but silence. It didn't last long.

Mercury and Skylar clambered out from under the remnants of a pool table. Phoenix and Ryver pulled themselves out of what had been the sofa. Though none of them had their weapons, they were all ready to fight. Each of them searched the room, waiting for whatever it was to strike again.

Nothing happened.

Kaden let his muscles relax, just a little, as he stood up. "Everyone okay?"

Sky, Mercury and Phoenix nodded. Ryver on the other hand just stood there.

"Ryver, you okay?" Kaden called out. When the guy didn't answer. Kaden strode over to him. "Ryver?" The young Guardian's hazel eyes were impossibly wide as he stared into space. Kaden clicked his fingers in front of his face. "Ryver, you hear me?"

Mercury came up behind Kaden. "Boss, what's goin' on?"

"I have no idea," Kaden replied, still eyeing their youngest brother. He reached out a hand and gave Ryver's shoulder a squeeze.

As soon as he made contact, a tingling sensation swept up his arm. Kaden snatched his hand back and the feeling stopped. All at once, everyone with whom he shared a blood bond appeared in his mind. All at the same time. Kaden hissed. That had never happened before. The only way he could track people at the same time was if they happened to be in the same place.

Which Thorn and Lena were.

"Ah, Christ." There were a lot of things Kaden wished he could unsee. Not many of them made him want to take some sort of industrial cleaner to his eyeballs. He shook the visions away and swallowed hard.

"Will someone please tell me what the hell is 'appening?" Mercury shouted as the scene of devastation slid firmly into place.

"I don't fucking know," Kaden shouted back.
But I've got a pretty good idea.
 

Kaden watched Ryver blink a few times and take a sharp intake of breath as he looked up at his Keeper. Kaden redoubled his mental multiplication efforts. He had a sneaky suspicion that the already powerful telepath just experienced a similar surge in power to the one Kaden had just felt.

"You okay, Ryver?" Kaden asked again.

The young Guardian frowned before giving a slow nod of his head. "Yeah, I'm okay," he replied, his voice hoarse.

"Something really fucking weird is going on here," Skylar said as he made his way over.

"You got that right," Mercury replied.

Kaden held up his hands. "Let's all just calm down a second."

Mercury stood there, arms folded, eyes narrowed at Kaden. Mercury opened his crooked mouth to say something, but Kaden stopped him. He knew Soraya was on her way down and he would not have the Princess subjected to whatever thunderous diatribe Mercury was about to let loose.

Kaden felt his muscles relax the moment Soraya entered the room. Her golden eyes sparkled with joy as she skipped over the debris without a care in the world. "Did you feel it?" she asked.

"For the love of Fae, please tell me you have the slightest fuckin' clue what the hell is happening 'ere," Mercury said, prompting a growl from Kaden.

"Watch your tone, Guardian."

Mercury winced. "I apologise, My Lady. It's just that, well, look at this place!" he continued, gesturing to the surrounding devastation.

Soraya beamed. "It's alright, Mercury. There is no need to apologise."

Kaden disagreed, but the Princess was so happy, he didn't say anything. She grabbed both of Kaden's hands in hers. "Did you feel it?" she asked again.

Kaden could sense the eyes of his brethren boring into the back of his head, as he held Soraya's delicate hands in his. He wasn't the touchy-feely type, so he could easily picture Sky's bug eyed face behind him. "We felt it, Princess," he replied as she smiled up at him.

"Isn't it wonderful? And you doubted me," she gave him a playful nudge. "I told you everything was as it should be, and so it is!"

Kaden couldn't help but smile back at her; her happiness was infectious. His smile dropped as his sense kicked in again.

"What is it, Kaden?" Soraya asked.

Still holding her hands, he turned to Mercury and said, "Everything is about to become clear."

"Huh?" Mercury replied.

Kaden turned towards the door.
Here we go.
 

If she were walking into battle, Lena would burst through that door, all guns blazing. If the Fallen lay on the other side of that door, she would relish the challenge, already be inventing new and exciting ways to kill them. Slowly. Painfully.

Except the Fallen weren't lurking in that room. Far worse, her brethren were waiting there. She'd heard Mercury's booming voice demanding answers… Though to what, she wasn't really sure. She did know that all eyes would be on her and Thorn as they walked in.
Jesus.
 

Thorn squeezed her hand. "We need to do this, Lena. They deserve to know."

Lena sighed. "Couldn't we just tell them tomorrow?"
Or next week?
 

Thorn flashed her a broad smile as he shook his head at her. "You are such an enigma."

Lena's brow knitted. "What do you mean?"

He kissed her forehead, ironing out the creases. "I have no doubt you'd already be in there if there was some sort of fight to the death going on."

Damn it.

"Come on. No time like the present, Steward of the Watch."

Lena bobbed a curtsey and smiled. "As you wish, My Lord."

Thorn growled. "Damn it woman, I'm gonna have to talk to you about that," he said as he laid a quick kiss on her lips.

"Talk to me about what?"

He kissed her again, and she leaned into him, running her palms over his chest. He took her hands in his and forced them down again as he broke the kiss. His eyes flashed platinum as he looked at her sending a shudder through her.

"Do we have to?" she whispered.

Thorn gulped and just nodded.

"You sure?" she asked as she trailed her fingers up his chest again.

He grabbed her hand. "Kaden was right about you," he said with a laugh.

"Huh?"
What the hell did Kaden have to do with anything?
 

Thorn kissed her hand. "He said you were nothing but trouble."

A coy smile spread across her lips. "I have no idea what you mean."

"Yeah, right. Come on, it's now or never."

Never
, Lena thought.
Choose never.
 

With her hand in Thorn's she watched him open the door and pull her into the room.

Six pairs of eyes stared at them.

They all belonged to various expressions, from Soraya's obvious joy, and Kaden's fury, to Ryver's relief and Mercury, Sky and Phoenix's
what the actual fuck
.
 

Thorn could sense Lena retreating within herself and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Before he could figure out what he should say, Soraya flew across the room and jumped up to hug him. She gave him a peck on the cheek, before sliding back to the floor. "I am so happy for you, brother-mine."