Protector (19 page)

“Bring it on,” I snarled, so beyond caring in him and the choices he enforced on me.

Faith! It’s your father.

The shocking sound of my father speaking telepathically in my head momentarily dazed me.

Dad?

Tell them to stand down. If they attempt to take you against your will then I will intervene. Right now, they place your life in danger, and I will not stand for it.

Danger?
I firmed my stance.
No, they’ll never take me.
Of that, I would make absolutely certain.

“Who are you speaking to?” Davio accused from two steps in front of me.

“Your enemy and my father.” Yeah, I said that with deliberate purpose and gloating.

Davio glowered. “No. That can’t happen.”

Well now, ob-vi-ous-ly, it had.

Faith, if they don’t do as I say, I’ll make my presence known with several of my best warriors in tow. I do not make that threat lightly. They will not be allowed to take you with them, not in any way, shape or form.

Oh yeah, now look who had the upper hand. It seemed I had a force on my own side. Bitingly, I answered him. “Alexo’s riled by your threat, Davio. He’s bringing a contingency in if you don’t stand down. So you don’t have a choice. It appears you’re the one going, not me.”

He shook his head with arrogant stubbornness. “Not when you trust your father enough to create a link and we’ve been squabbling like small children. My leaving you now is more dangerous than you can ever imagine.”

Tell Silas and Zac to force Davio’s removal. You’ve got five seconds or I’m coming in. No one takes my daughter against her will.
Alexo Wincrest meant business.

I set my gaze on Silas. “Prince Alexo is coming with armed warriors. You’ve got five seconds to get Davio out of here.” I was more than happy to give them the warning.

Four,
my father shouted along our newly created link.

Proudly I held my head, my gaze directed right on his. “That would now be four, Silas.”

Davio turned livid eyes on his cousin as Silas motioned for Zac and Viv to step forward and take him. “Don’t even try it, Silas,” Davio spat. “Faith is my mate and I will not leave her behind. We take her with us.”

Three.

“Three, Silas,” I gladly repeated.

Silas, Zac and Viv pounced on Davio, taking arms and legs and dragging him down. “I’m sorry, cousin, but as our prince, your welfare comes before all else, and right now we are not well enough armed to take on several warriors.” A grating apology from Silas.

Davio bellowed and kicked out at his imprisonment as the four of them slowly shimmered and disappeared from my sight, him screaming for me not to leave him, not to ever turn away.

Out of there now, Faith. Neither Belle nor Silvie can teleport and I want to see you immediately. My apartment. Now.

I didn’t even spare a glance at Silvie or Belle as I simply left.

* * * *

Saturday morning had dawned with dreary gray clouds and heavy rain falling out at sea. Alexo had not been able to stay with me for more than a few seconds the afternoon before, not when he’d been on duty during his forewarning and his threat to bring in warriors with him had been steeped in heavy truth. Now, because he’d alerted those half dozen warriors, preparing them for an event he hadn’t been able to explain, he had to be more cautious. So I stayed hidden in his apartment within the bedroom he’d furnished for me.

I had a sanctuary now that not even Davio could locate. Not through Carlisio or any other means. My relief was tangible.

I studied the incoming rain, how the gusty wind blew it against the windows and made me feel like the whole building was swaying in beat to its blows. But it was just an illusion. It was the waves that rolled in heavy and hard, white foam patterned within the deep blue for as far as the eye could see, that gave me the feeling of lightheadedness. I felt as if I was one with the elements as I sat perched high on a bar stool at my father’s breakfast counter.

The wide expanse of windows before me seemed to open up the entire skyline. The mass of angry, bubbling gray clouds and tumultuous sheets of rain drenched the deserted beach below.

It was a storm of the likes I’d not seen in many years, a storm that ricocheted within and around me. A storm of dark emotions that had brewed and were now suffocating every good memory of Silvie I’d ever had.

I was alone.

With no one.

I’d always hated being alone.

I thumped my legs, frustrated with the fierce ache that pushed through stationary muscles and motionless limbs.

Another lie.

Silvie and Davio had inferred that my need to expend my excess energy would be once or twice a month, but the need clearly drove me again today.

Sighing with vicious frustration, I pushed my feet off the barstool to the ground. I had no change of clothes but didn’t dare return home for a fresh set without first checking it was all clear.

Heading to the balcony, I slipped outside and pulled the image of my bedroom into my mind, relief swamping me as I found no restrictions. That was until I saw the wavering shadow out of place in one darkened corner. Focusing on that shadow, I detected the man, tall and beefy with huge imposing muscles. His face was cast in outline, but not his glinting blade that ran from hip to knee on the side of his dark denim jeans. The fine steel hilt shone, reflecting with ease the protectors’ insignia.

The man was not Zac. He was not Silas. He was surely not Davio.

Switching my focus from the protector, I forced my forethought to my mother. I sagged with relief as I saw her small form tucked safe in her big bed.

Next, I focused on the man who would have sent that protector–Davio. He came to me crystal clear, his very strong and determined image emitting pure irritation. He stood in what appeared to be a massive open-aired arena. It reminded me of ancient Greek architecture with its circular dusty floor sprinkled with sand. With its blocked seats layered back and up, to at least three stories high. Clearly thousands of spectators could pack the arena’s closed-in seating.

With awe filling my mind, my forethought panned out, taking in the fierce dawn action surrounding him. Men practiced with their swords and spears and axes, with shields and headgear worn for protection. Many of the men wore ancient leathers, their red tunics and leather-flapped skirts from an era on Earth so far gone. The men in battle-practice were huge, emanating great strength and accuracy as they wielded their brutally sharp weapons.

I cringed as one’s blade struck flesh and bone, blood spurting out as the injured man groaned and fell to the sandy ground. His partner–the one who’d maimed him–bent to one knee at his side and checked on him, applying pressure to the terrible pumping arm wound before grabbing up the man over one shoulder, wavering and disappearing with him.

I rubbed my arm in sympathy, hoping beyond measure that the protector could fast-heal.

Taking in the area where Davio stood, I spotted Silas, Zac and Viv. There was a rather large grouping of protectors surrounding them. Those men and women wore more modern leathers versus those who I’d just seen fighting. Most men wore long dark pants with fringed or tattered vests over loose shirts–those protectors though weren’t fighting in violent combat, they were stretching, some even readying for a space on the sandy floor.

I moved my focus from those I didn’t know and returned to Davio. He was dressed in black jeans–not leathers–and a midnight blue shirt with heavy boots on his feet, his hands fisted tightly at his sides.

“Warrick is watching Faith’s room,” he ground out as Silas stood stiffly at his side. “He said her mother has awoken and by the sounds is readying to leave. I’ve told Warrick not to exit his post, not unless it’s to bring Faith immediately to me.”

Silas inhaled and slowly nodded. “At least we did one thing right this past night and have captured and contained the Dralion spy Wincrest told her of. The warrior is now in the cells with the other imprisoned warriors, another threat thankfully taken care of.”

My brow rose at the shocking news.

Davio gripped the hilt of the blade belted at his side. “Belle and Silvie have searched for Faith in all her regular jaunts but there’s been no sighting of her by either of them or by any of the protectors I have searching for her. No one’s seen my mate in fifteen hours, Silas.” His voice broke at the end, his pain quickly becoming my own, which had me rolling my eyes at in disgust. Stupid bond.

Silas pulled out his sword and rested it between two hands, blade flat. “Let’s battle, Davio. Everio and Carlisio will be down from the castle soon and it won’t go over well if they see you weeping over your girl.” He knocked Davio’s arm with his elbow, a smirk on his face.

My goodness, Silas was as much of a tormenter as Silvie was, and in that brief second, I strangely missed my best friend. I hated that I missed her.

Davio sent Silas a sharp glare. “I do not weep, although I am steaming mad. I did not care for the way Faith enforced my leaving, or in the way she took her anger at Silvie’s deceit out on me.”

“Ah, but think of Faith’s betrayal, Davio. That kind creates the worst damage. “It’s Silvie’s fault for not coming clean with the information sooner. Yours too for allowing it to go on for so long. The girls have always been so close and this broke Faith’s heart.”

Davio met his cousin’s stare and briefly nodded his head. “You are right. There’s been substantial damage, which can only mean finding Faith has become even more imperative.”

A haggard sigh from Silas. “That woman is so much trouble. My comment wasn’t meant to make finding her more imperative.”

Davio yanked out his sword in one very precise motion. “Take care how you speak.”

His cousin only grinned and raised a mocking brow. “I am attempting to aggravate you into battling with me. I need the old Davio back, the one who can focus on the here and now and therefore keep his concentration in a good healthy fight–a fight which I am currently spoiling for and shall decidedly win.”

“That’s it.” Davio glowered and re-sheathed his sword for just a second as he pulled off his shirt and threw it over the arena’s safety barrier.

Oh boy, that man was so impressive without the shirt. Something that should have been way at the back of my mind–my currently senseless mind.

With his sword back in his hand, Davio pointed to the far corner. “Get yourself over there. I’m going to send your overinflated butt straight into the dirt.”

Silas’s grin widened with complete satisfaction. “Now that’s better, cousin. I have had no one of your strength to battle with all week, and I desperately need the distraction.”

So did I, and it seemed Davio wasn’t going to disappoint either of us.

He lifted his booted foot and kicked said butt
.
“Get over there now and stop irritating me. You’ve got two hours before we search for my missing mate. That is all the time I can give you.”

“I’ll take those two hours, but do not forget the Dunbarn project which must be overseen. We are expected out there by nine in the morning.”

I checked my watch. It was six now. I’d go for my own run then come back here to hide out from eight to nine. Thank you, Silas, for that information.

I closed my forethought down and opened up the link created by my father, rubbing anxiously at my aching lower limbs.
Dad, it’s me.

Good morning, my daughter. I’ve cleared an hour and will be with you soon.

My relief at not being left alone any longer swept through me.
My forethought is strengthening and I’ve noticed a protector stationed in my bedroom so I can’t return to collect any clothing. Mum is leaving the house but how will I know she is truly safe from the guard Davio’s sent?

Firstly, your forewarning will activate if there is any harm to befall your mother, as will my own. I would go to her in an instant if I thought her in any danger as I’m sure you would. Secondly, there’s an ATM card in a metal box in the hallway cupboard. Go to the mall and spend whatever you need and then drop the card back in the same spot. Just remember to keep a low profile.

Wise advice if Davio was accurate in saying Silvie and Belle were keeping an eye on my favorite jaunts.

Okay, thanks. I’ll just grab some stuff. I’ve gotta run, literally.

He chuckled along our link.
I’ll join you in your run. I’ll meet you a
t the base of Mauaō.

Mauaō was the large mountain that peaked at the end of Mount Maunganui’s famous white sand beach and was the perfect spot for a run.

Thanks,
I answered quickly
.

I found the card and ’ported to the sports shop in nearby Tauranga harbor, cloaking to make sure I wasn’t seen. Silvie had never come with me on those specialty trips, not since she considered that if one owned sports clothing then one would probably need to use it. As if she would ever exercise and miss out on her precious morning sleep-ins.

In the shop, I grabbed a pair of three-quarter Nike running pants, a matching gray-hooded t-shirt and white socks and sneakers before rushing to the counter and paying for my necessary purchases.