The Lion's Den (41 page)

Adan approached Kysen. “When you go to save him, I want to come.”

“
Think you, that I need your help? Honestly, you will only hinder me. Look at what your assistance did for Darian.”

“
That’s not fair.”

Kysen studied the shifter for a few seconds then he spoke. “Why do you want to come? What help could you possibly be against them?”

“
I owe Darian my life.”

“
As he once owed you his?” Kysen asked, making reference to Adan’s past.

“
It’s true. I did help Darian a hundred and forty-eight years ago.”

“
Hunters.”

“
They attacked him and his coven right before dawn. Like me with my Pride, he was trying to protect his coven. One of his members had made the mistake of being caught feeding, led them right to his home which the hunters had set fire to, leaving them without shelter from the sun.

“
Darian did manage to kill the hunters?” Kysen asked.

“
He’s your child isn’t he? He did. But that wasn’t his problem as you know.”

“
You gave him shelter.”

Adan nodded. “Even though we hadn’t met before, I felt he could be trusted.”

“
A man of integrity, indeed,” Kysen remarked.

“
I’ll have you know, I never reminded Darian of the debt he owed to me when I came to him for help.”

“
You never had to. Darian remembered. He’s honorable that way.”

“
I still feel as though you’ll need help if you’re going for them. Marcus is ancient, like yourself and those within his coven are powerful as well. They may make it difficult for you to attack him,” Adan said, trying for reason.

Kysen pursed his lips, contemplating. He raised one eyebrow. “Perhaps, you’re right.”

Kysen’s servant entered the room again. “Master, our guests are inside now, where should I send them?”

Exhaling a long sigh, Kysen relaxed in his chair. “You may send them in here.”

The servant bowed and left the room, returning with the others trailing along behind him.

Elise entered the room, looking at Adan, she then returned her gaze toward Kysen. “Is everything all right?”

Adan nodded. “Yes.”

Kysen watched all of the supernaturals and humans pour into his den. He looked at their torn, dirty, and bloodied clothing and frowned. “Although, you are guests in my home, I do not want you siting or touching anything here. Not until you’ve bathed properly. You are all offensive to my senses and this just won’t do.”

A few of the others looked down at their attire, no one said anything, many agreed, and wanted to clean up and change clothes, but just hadn’t had the opportunity. Others however, didn’t take too kindly to Kysen’s insult, but still remained silent.

Elise decided to question Kysen, to see where he stood. “We need to know if you’re going to help us. If not, we need time to come up with another plan.”

Kysen arched an eyebrow. “Fiery, aren’t we? I admire that trait in a woman.” He crossed one leg over the other. “I will help Darian, and the others.”

“
Now?” Elise asked, stepping forward.

“
As soon as I am able to contact him,” Kysen answered.

“
I thought your connection to him was strong, why can you not reach him?” Xander asked. He was worried for his son as well as the others. He had no idea what Marcus had planned, and he certainly didn’t want the others to suffer any longer than they had.

“
This vampire is powerful … he has Darian’s mind blocked along with the others. However, I can sense his general location,” Kysen informed. “I could break his hold on Darian, but I don’t want to alert this,
Marcus
to my presence. I want this insolent vampire to believe he’s still in control.”

“
What is their general location?” Xander asked.

“
Europe … quite possibly near the Mediterranean.”

“
Italy? Greece?” Xander suggested.

Kysen nodded. “Most likely, Italy. I won’t know for sure until I get closer to that area. Unfortunately, I’m sure some of you will want to join me, which will slow me down significantly.”

“
Then we should leave now,” Elise suggested. “I will be traveling with you.”

“
As will I,” Richard said.

“
It goes without saying, this vampire has my son, I’m going,” Xander said.

Kysen eyes rolled upwards. “Shall we wait for nightfall for Xavier and the rest of Darian’s coven to declare their heroics?”

“
Kysen, please, there’s no need for insults. We just want to help in any way that we can. Remember, our loved ones are also there, they need us as well,” Elise said.

“
Who’s insulting? I’m simply putting things into perspective so that you all won’t have any delusions. The very fact of the matter is, you couldn’t help yourselves. Yet, you’re so very confident that your presence will help me. Forgive me, but from what I’ve gathered from your minds, you may be going to your deaths,” Kysen pointed out.

“
I’m not afraid to die,” Richard said. “And since we are allowing each other the courtesy of bluntness, may I point out that you my very well be going to your death by facing them without assistance. Marcus is extremely powerful and you’ll only be ambushed by him and his coven. You’re powerful, but not invincible against one who’s almost equal to your own strength.”

Kysen pursed his lips. “So you’ll be my cannon fodder, as they say?” he asked the four leaders, whom he knew had much to live for.

“
Part of being a leader means putting yourself in a situation like this. Whatever happens, will happen. I’ve never shied away from dangerous situations and I don’t plan on doing so now,” Xander said.

“
Can we go now?” Elise added.

Kysen eyed the four shifters, secretly admiring them for their bravery.

“
Very well. The remaining members of your groups are free to stay here. I would highly suggest that someone stronger than them …” He pointed to the other shifters in the room, “… Should stay here to protect the others in case Marcus or one of his should decide to track you down.”

Richard looked at the others then nodded. “You make a valid point. I’ll stay. I’m the second strongest here. In my stead, you should take Xavier with you.”

Kysen turned, looking at Xander. “Do you agree?”

Xander nodded. “Xavier is strong, besides, he’ll want to be there for Darian. I’m sure you understand the bond they share.”

Kysen chuckled softly, catching the hint. “Very well. Go and fetch him.”

“
We don’t have a coffin to place him in, do you?” Elise asked, wanting to protect Xavier from the harmful rays of the sun.

“
I do,” Kysen said. Telepathically beckoning his servant. The man entered, awaiting his Master’s command. “Follow him, he’ll take you to my storage room where you’ll find several coffins. Bring three. There’s one I want you to bring in particular, it’s solid gold with encrusted jewels. I’m sure you’ll spot it right away.”

“
For Darian?” Elise asked, one eyebrow rose.

“
Yes,” Kysen responded.

“
I should carry that one, seems like it’ll be heavier than the others,” Richard offered.

“
Okay.” Elise motioned for two of her members to follow the servant and Richard toward the storage room.

Kysen looked at them, he shook his head slightly. “Feel free to bathe properly before you lounge on my furniture. There’s plenty of clothing for you to choose from. My servants will give you anything that you need while you are here.” He turned to Elise, Xander and Adan. “The three of you should also bathe and change clothes before we go.”

“
Do we really have time for that? I want to leave as soon as possible,” Elise said, stepping forward, not at all caring about her presence.

“
Make time,” Kysen said, not relenting on his request for them to be presentable and mos of all, appealing to his senses. The scent of blood, in general, didn’t repulse him. However, the scent of decaying blood, did. And there was plenty of that on their attire.

“
Where should we go?” Adan asked.

Kysen turned toward him, smiling sardonically. “If you weren’t friends of Darian’s, I’d spray you down in my backyard. However, you may use my guests’ bathrooms. My servants will take you there.” Again, he mentally called for more servants and they came.

The three shifters were led in separate directions toward three bedrooms. Richard, Daniel, and Devin returned with the three coffins, placing them on the floor. Kysen walked over to the gold and jewel-encrusted coffin, leaning down, he ran his fingers lovingly over the polished top. The others stood in the room, silently watching him. He rose, looking around, pleased that most of the shifters were gone, cleansing themselves. Five minutes later, Elise, Xander and Adan returned each wearing a fresh change of clothes.

Natasha came down as well; just in time to see them placing Xavier’s resting form inside a black lacquered coffin. She had been quiet earlier, her body felt sluggish, and she was exhausted. She watched the intense interaction between the supernatural leaders, hoping Kysen wasn’t as big of an
asshole
as he was leading them to believe. She’d met him only once and had mixed feelings about him. She was happy that he finally decided to help them. She wanted Darian and the others to return safely, and didn’t want to think about what could be happening to them at that point. She didn’t want to imagine them being killed or tortured.

“
Kysen,” she began, catching the vampire’s attention, he turned toward her.

“
Yes, Natasha?” he answered.

“
Thank you for helping us.”

“
Your gratitude is not required. I’m only helping Darian, in doing so, the rest of you are benefiting from my intervention,” Kysen said.

Natasha huffed. “Can’t you just say, ‘you’re welcome’? Why do you have to be this way?”

“
What way? I’m simply telling you the truth. You seem to believe that I should care about your fates simply because Darian does … I don’t.”

“
Well, thank you anyway, for whatever it’s worth,” Natasha said before turning to take a seat on the sofa with her son.

Kysen looked at the child in her arms, he walked over to them. “Has Darian enjoyed being the father of this child?”

Natasha’s eyes focused on him. “Yes, very much so. He loves being a Dad and he’s excited about his second child, too.”

“
He’s more domesticated than I would have ever guessed.”

“
Is that a problem?”

“
It’s weakened him.” Kysen turned toward the others. “It’s his love, his concern for you that has put him in this predicament.”

“
You can complain to him once we save him, can we go now?” Elise asked once again.

“
Very well.” Kysen led the way, leaving the shifters to carry the three coffins.

Elise carried a redwood coffin, following Kysen.

“
I’ll take this one, you take the other,” Xander said, hoisting the gold coffin onto his shoulder with a slight level of difficulty.

“
Nice how he left us to carry the load,” Adan groaned to himself as he lifted the black lacquer coffin containing Xavier onto his shoulder. He left the mansion followed by Xander carrying the coffin meant for Darian. They loaded the coffins on two trucks, Darian’s coffin being the only one inside a huge Sidewinder SUV. The sun was shining brightly as they made their way toward Kysen’s private jet. Once on board, they settled comfortably as Kysen mentally piloted the aircraft toward Darian’s location.

“
What if he senses us coming?” Xander questioned.

“
He’ll be expecting you, I’m sure. He won’t be expecting me. I’m going to mask my aura until I need it to locate Darian’s exact location,” Kysen said.

“
I see,” Xander said, nodding.

“
What if he kills Darian when he feels you prying for their location?” Adan asked.

Kysen turned sharply, glaring at him. “And
what if
none of this ever happened? So many unnecessary questions! They’re becoming more than a little annoying.”

“
It seems as though you are now the one who doesn’t want to face a possible reality,” Adan said.

Kysen chuckled. “‘A possible reality’ could be so simple as this aircraft suffering engine failure and falling out of the sky sending you to your fiery deaths.”

“
I disagree. That won’t happen with you piloting.”

Kysen rolled his eyes again. “Whatever. Can we not discuss Darian’s hypothetical demise?”

“
Very well, what would you like to discuss? Do you have any questions for us?” Adan asked, giving Kysen his attention.

“
As a matter of fact, I do. You and Darian … he was your first, am I correct?” Kysen asked, smiling lustfully.

Adan jerked, the question catching him off guard. “What a thing to ask at a time like this. Besides, don’t you already know the answer?”

“
You
are tense in this situation, not me. And no, I didn’t know. I hadn’t bothered to pry that deeply into your memories,” Kysen answered.

“
Why ask that of me, though?” Adan asked, feeling slightly embarrassed. The question was rather intrusive and intimate and they were not alone.