“I’m glad they voted no,” she said. “And I’m glad you’re not dead.” She chewed the inside of her lip and huddled into her coat. “I don’t know, Paxton. I’m still pretty mad at you, and I think you could be wrong about the ritual.”
She had learned that nothing came without a price. What price must be paid for destroying Ulric? Why did they have to kill him? Sure, he was evil and he deserved to die, but did he have to? Could they not...? Her mind started to hurt, so she shut it down. She knew they couldn’t lock him away in any prison here on earth. It would be impossible to contain him, and she also knew that there was no way they’d be able to create another prison world. “I’ve thought through all the possibilities, and Ulric has to die, even though we don’t understand the ritual yet.”
Paxton’s expression didn’t alter. “I felt you create a dreamworld last night,” he said. “I’ve always been able to sense when you were doing that.” She knew that was true. “I would’ve tried to get to you, but there were more snipers covering your home last night than ever before. Why didn’t you bring me in?”
“I didn’t need you.”
He jolted. “You always need me.”
“No, I don’t. Haven’t needed you for years,” she lied.
The door opened, and Dage Kayrs stepped onto the snowy deck. “Paxton,” Dage drawled, his gaze dropping to their joined hands. “I suggest you release her before I take off your arm.”
Shockingly, Pax didn’t so much as twitch. Instead, he cocked his head to the side and stared at the king. “We’re in the middle of something, King. Give us a minute.”
Hope’s breath quickened, and she hurriedly jerked her hand away. The last thing she wanted was for Dage to kill Paxton right outside the lodge with all the Christmas decorations proclaiming it a merry place.
There was no doubt Paxton could fight, and he’d probably even do some damage to Dage, but the king was hundreds of years old, plus...he was the king.
Irritation and something else glowed in Dage’s silver eyes. Admiration? Respect? Yeah, it was there. Oh, he was pissed. There was no doubt about it, but he was looking at Paxton as if he’d never seen him before. “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked.
“To the lab,” Hope said, grabbing Pax’s hand again and all but dragging him up the stairs and past Dage to the interior. “We both want to have more blood taken. We have to figure out what this drug is. I don’t feel so great.”
Instantly, Dage turned all business. “All right, let’s go.”
As he led the way down to the lab, Hope was unsurprised to see fierce-looking armed soldiers along the way. Paxton loped easily beside her, not seeming bothered by the fact that every one of them wanted to put a bullet between his eyes. Her heart hurt, but she couldn’t find a solution to their problems.
Emma was already waiting for them in the lab. No doubt somebody had signaled they were coming. She also looked tired, and her dark hair had escaped its clip to fall around her face. Her lab coat had what appeared to be coffee stains on the left sleeve. “You two want to give more blood?”
“Yes,” Hope said just as Paxton said, “No.”
“But we will,” he added. “We need to know what they shot into us—I’m concerned.” He flicked his gaze to Hope and then back.
Emma nodded. “As am I. I haven’t identified that ingredient yet. Let’s see if the drug is still in your systems.” She drew blood from both of them and directed them to the waiting room outside her main lab. “You two go rest on one of those comfy sofas and try not to get shot. I’ll need a few minutes.”
Pax brushed Emma’s arm once. “Thanks, Queen.” He slid an arm around Hope’s shoulders. “Come on, Hope.” He led her into a waiting room where plush leather seats awaited. A TV was already droning on about Christmas sales.
Unsurprisingly, Dage leaned against a far wall near several of his soldiers.
Pax pulled Hope down to sit next to him on a sofa. It felt right to be next to him, even though they were so disconnected right now. “What did Drake want last night?” he asked without preamble.
She jolted. “He wants to meet me in person.”
Across the room, one of Dage’s dark eyebrows slowly rose.
“I think it’s a good idea,” she said.
“Hell no,” Paxton and Dage said at the same time.
Amusement ticked through her. She couldn’t help it. Why was everyone’s reaction the same? “I’ve been training since birth—I can handle a Kurjan.”
Dage’s gaze firmed. “Honey, he’s the leader of the Kurjan nation. You know, the people who sent that squad after you the other day?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so, Uncle Dage. The Kurjan nation is experiencing an internal war. I think some of the Kurjans are following Ulric and the Cyst, but I don’t think Drake is. It wouldn’t hurt to meet with him.”
“Wrong,” Paxton said, his voice a low growl.
“You always knew it would come down to this,” she said forcefully. “We have to negotiate peace between us and figure out why they’re taking enhanced females. Drake didn’t know anything about it.”
Paxton sat back and closed his eyes. “That’s insane. There is no way he doesn’t know what’s going on within his own nation.”
Hope looked toward her uncle. “We could choose the place, and I could be well covered. I think we should do it.”
“I’ll consider it,” Dage said.
Paxton sat straight up and looked at the king. “You have lost your mind.”
“Maybe.” Dage slightly turned his head, his eyes flashing blue and silver. They unfocused for a quick heartbeat and then mellowed. “I’ll go see what’s taking Emma so long.” He stalked toward the door like a predator out for a stroll.
That was interesting. Hope had seen that look on his face before. Mates could communicate telepathically after a while, and there was no doubt her aunt and uncle did so. Had he just gotten a message from her? If so, why?
“I’m not letting you go see Drake,” Paxton said softly, a thread of steel in his tone.
She looked at him, marveling once again at the stark planes of his face. She’d always known he’d be handsome, but she hadn’t had any idea of the raw sexuality that would be inherent in each line of his features. It was fascinating. “You couldn’t stop me if you wanted to,” she said.
“Humph.” He looked back toward the closed door.
Dage returned, walking smoothly with a smile on his face.
“You have good news?” Hope asked, perking up. Maybe the drugs were out of her system.
“I do.” Faster than a blur, Dage’s right hand rose, and something sharp pricked her neck. She heard Paxton growl, and then darkness consumed her.
Chapter Thirteen
Hope didn’t know how long she floated before cool air brushed her skin. Her body felt relaxed and very warm. She blinked several times, then opened her eyes to find herself in a hospital bed, not in Emma’s lab but in the actual hospital wing of headquarters. The bed was soft and comfortable, and heated blankets covered her. She stretched as her mind came slowly awake.
“What in the world?” She started to sit up.