The mission team sat around the dining room table, having just finished a hearty breakfast. Now, with some nursing cups of tea and coffee, they focused on discussing the new plan.

  “The question is, how are we supposed to find this mystery woman?” Orlan, the troll, asked in his gruff, no-nonsense voice. As part of the mission’s muscle, and with his military experience, he was a valuable asset to the team. Rina nodded at the concern. “I’ve actually put some thought into that.”

  She turned to Kai, her expression thoughtful. “Kai, when you experienced the connection with this woman, what did you feel? I mean, was the connection solely on her part, or could you reach for her on your own?” Kai looked down at the table, gathering her thoughts before speaking. “At first, she pulled me in. I don’t think it was on purpose, though—more like a desperate reach for anything or anyone to hold on to. Like a drowning person grasping for a lifeline.”

  She glanced up briefly to make sure they were following before continuing. “That continued until the night before last. I started sensing her before we would even merge. I’d begin connecting with her just by thinking about her. Then last night, it changed. I was able to take over for a brief moment—I pushed past some kind of barrier and managed to protect her from an assailant. Ever since then, I’ve felt the connection constantly, like a tether keeping us attached.”

  She looked up, uncertain how else to explain it. Rina’s eyes gleamed with excitement as she clapped her hands. “Perfect!” Everyone turned to her in confusion. “Huh?” Orlan and Kai said at the same time, making Marta chuckle.

  “I mean, that’s perfect! It means we can find her through you, Kai!” Rina grinned, then turned to Elarin. “We scry!” Elarin’s eyebrows shot up as realization dawned. “It could work… in theory.” Rina shook her head. “No, it will work. Magic is mostly about intent!” Elarin sighed but nodded. “Alright, I’m willing to try.” “Great! We’ll need the map,” Rina said as she cleared the table. They pulled out a detailed map of New York State, the one they’d been using to plan their movements.

  “Umm… how exactly does this work?” Kai asked. Elarin answered, pulling a black-corded necklace from beneath his shirt. A clear quartz gem hung at its center. “It’s actually quite simple. I’ll use the map as our location anchor.” He removed the necklace and held it up for them to see. “This quartz will act as a focal point for the magic.” He turned to Shae. “Might I trouble you for some unused candles?” Shae quickly left and returned with an armload of white candles. Elarin placed one at each of the four cardinal directions—North, South, East, and West—before lighting them. Then, he began gathering the ambient magic in the air, pulling it toward the map until a faint glow surrounded it. Kai watched in fascination. She had felt magic before, but this was the first time she’d ever seen it in action. “Now, Kai, this is where you come in,” Elarin said, motioning for her attention. “I need you to place your hand on my shoulder and concentrate on the connection. Clear your mind of all else. Then, push that thought into me, and I will direct it to the crystal.”

  Kai did as she was told, pressing her hand to his shoulder and closing her eyes. She focused on the connection, visualising the tether she had felt linking her to the captive woman. She pushed the thought forward, willing it into Elarin. Minutes passed. Nothing. Kai opened her eyes, disappointment clear on her face. “Hmmm… what exactly were you focusing on?” Elarin asked. “The connection. The tether,” she replied. Elarin nodded. “Alright, how about you focus on her instead?” Kai nodded and tried again. She closed her eyes, concentrating on the woman herself—her presence, her emotions. Twenty minutes passed before Elarin gently stopped her. Kai sagged in frustration. Elarin put the necklace down, crossing his arms in thought. The others sat back, disappointment heavy in the air. Rina joined Elarin, the two of them murmuring about alternative spells. The rest of the team conversed quietly, waiting.

  Kai scowled at the map, irritation bubbling inside her. On a whim, she reached out and picked up the quartz necklace… and froze. An electric shock ran up her arm. Startled, she dropped the cord, glancing around. No one had noticed. Frowning, she picked it up again. The electric current surged through her hand once more. She could feel the magic inside the quartz. It felt alive. An idea struck her. What if she had been focusing on the wrong thing? Instead of trying to find the woman through their connection, she needed to focus on her essence—her emotions, her will to survive. Closing her eyes, she held the crystal over the map. She thought about the woman’s fear, the terror of being helpless. She focused on the sheer strength of her will to live, the relief she had felt when Kai had protected her. She thought of the small, hesitant voice when she had thanked her. Then, suddenly— Her arm jerked forward. Her eyes snapped open just as the quartz flew from her grasp and landed point-first on a specific location on the map. Silence filled the room.

  Kai, stunned, looked around. She hadn’t noticed, but while her eyes had been closed, the crystal had begun to glow. The others had fallen silent, watching in awe as Kai performed magic—actual magic. The Cobalt blinked, mouth slightly agape. “Did we know she could do that?” Marta smirked and laughed. “I don’t know why you’re all so surprised! You should be used to this by now.” Then she squealed as Shae reached over, pinched her bottom, and promptly pulled her onto her lap. “Now, now, little mate. Settle down,” Shae teased with a smirk. Marta pouted but quickly melted as Shae kissed her deeply, leaving her dazed and smiling. The others chuckled, breaking the tension. “Well, it looks like we have a location!” Elarin announced, his voice triumphant.

  Rina leaned over the map, measuring distances and marking key points. “Alright, focus, everyone.” She pointed at the spot. “They’re holding her across from Tompkins Square Park, somewhere along East 10th Street, New York, New York.” The room went still. “That’s… a problem,” Orlan muttered. Rina nodded, frowning. “It’s right in the middle of a busy restaurant district.” “Which means it’ll be packed with humans during the day,” Orlan added. “We’re sticking to our original timetable, then,” Rina confirmed. “Decoys, you’ll leave and arrive at the pre-approved transport points. Kai, you and your team will have to arrive a few blocks down from her location.”

  Kai frowned. “Can we transport vehicles with us?” Elarin nodded. “Absolutely. As long as they aren’t larger than an SUV, you should be fine.” Kai considered this. “Then we transport in our vehicles. I’ll take my bike. We’ll need SUVs or Jeeps—since the Conclave coordinates have us heading toward Harriman State Park, we need off-road vehicles just in case.” She hesitated, then added, “I also have a strong feeling they’ll try to move her the moment we arrive. Sunset seems like their best bet to avoid drawing attention, but that also means our enemies—and theirs—will probably be thinking the same thing. So we go in fast and hard. Expect resistance.”Everyone nodded in agreement.

  “Alright, team!” Rina clapped her hands. “We have four hours before we move out! Make that time count!” The group dispersed, their mission now clearer than ever.

  Rina, Shae, Marta, Kai, and Elarin remained at the table as the others dispersed, content to sit in the warmth of each other’s company. Marta shifted onto Kai’s lap, wrapping her arms around her best friend and tucking her head into the crook of Kai’s neck. Her snakes followed suit, curling beneath her chin, their tiny movements soothing. Shae, not one to be left out, tugged her older sister onto her own lap. Rina let out a surprised gasp as Shae pulled her close and pressed her face beneath her chin. "I haven’t been a good sister," Shae murmured, her voice laced with quiet guilt. "Sorry, Rin." Rina softened, hugging Shae tightly. “You found your mate, Sissy. I understand the need to be close to her.” She combed her fingers through Shae’s hair, a slow, comforting motion.

  Elarin sipped his tea, watching the four women with a quiet smile. They sat like that for a while, talking in hushed tones, content just to be near one another. As the hours passed, they moved to the back porch with sandwiches, where Hama and little Toby joined them. The easy normality of it all warmed Kai’s heart. This is family. She had missed this feeling more than she had realised. After their final meal together, they all retreated to their rooms to make their last preparations and when the time came, they gathered in the town square at the pillars.

  The air was thick with tension and quiet determination. Rina stepped forward, pressing the rune-covered box containing the potion into Kai’s hands. Kai carefully placed it in the small bag on her back, securing it in place. The other decoys followed suit, placing their own rune-marked boxes into their bags. Teams stood beside their designated vehicles, waiting as the minutes ticked down. Kai’s group would be driving a black Jeep, her team consisting of Orlan the troll, Timothy—the Cobalt from earlier—Shae, Marta, and Rina.

  Kai stood apart, leaning against her Chief Indian motorcycle, her expression unreadable. But as the final ten minutes approached, she straightened, stepping forward. “Before we leave, I have two things to say.” Her voice carried through the square, sharp and steady. All eyes turned to her. “First—Decoys. Be careful. If a fight seems inevitable, toss the package and run. No exceptions. No heroics!” Her gaze swept over them, the weight of her words heavy. “You are decoys for a reason. There are enough of you to ensure success. Don’t risk your lives more than you already are.” She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. “And secondly…” She met each person’s eyes, her voice quieter but no less firm.

  “Thank you.”

  A simple phrase, yet it carried so much weight. Kai was a woman of few words—when she spoke, it was always deliberate, never without purpose. The group felt the depth of her gratitude, nodding in acknowledgment, offering quiet smiles in return.

  As the clock wound down to the final five minutes, Kai stiffened. She felt her. A sudden rush of sensation—not her own—flooded through her. Her vision blurred, her consciousness pulled elsewhere. The prisoner, Lady Selene, Kai corrected herself, had pulled her in now, seeing through her eyes, feeling what she felt.

  The vampires were moving. Selene’s anxiety crackled like static in her mind. "I’m coming. Hold on." Kai snapped back to reality just as the pillars activated. “They’re moving!” she called out. The square erupted into motion. The teams jumped into their vehicles. Kai swung onto her bike.

  “Decoys first!” Rina yelled. Engines roared to life. One by one, the decoy vehicles surged forward, vanishing through the portals, scattering to their assigned destinations. Then it was the main team’s turn. Kai, forsaking her helmet, revved the engine, the Chief Indian roaring as she shot forward, tearing through the portal with the others close behind.

  Elarin stood back, watching as they disappeared into the unknown, offering a silent wish for their success.

  114 Years Ago – Old Westbury, New York

  The war had raged for over two centuries, now threatening to stretch into a third. Without a powerful mediator, the two most formidable vampire covens in the state of New York, let alone North America—the Crimson Thorn and the Noctis Sang—had waged relentless battles against each other. No one truly remembered what had sparked the conflict, only that both sides had long since lost sight of victory. It had become a bitter, endless stalemate—one neither side would admit to losing, yet neither could claim to have won.

  The hostility had eventually escalated to unforgivable acts. The Noctis Sang coven poisoned the Crimson Thorn’s heir with the black blood of a Shadow Lycan—an affliction for which no cure had existed at that time. Only a magically induced coma had kept him from death.

  In retaliation, Crimson Thorn had stormed the stronghold of the Noctis Sang, capturing their heir apparent, Lady Selene, and binding her powers. She had been kept prisoner ever since. Locked away in the underground dungeon of an abandoned manor, she had been left to rot. Fed only the bare minimum for survival, and forgotten by time. Hidden beneath stone in darkness for so long that she could barely remember the feeling of sunlight, let alone the sight of it.

  Present Day – 2024

  Lady Selene sat quietly, staring up at the moon through the rusted grate in the ceiling of her cell, as she had done every night for years. It was the only connection she had left to the world beyond. She had long since abandoned hope of ever escaping. Of ever seeing her coven again. Hope was an illusion, and all that remained was her sheer will to live. Even that, however, wavered with each passing day.

  Tonight though, would be different.

  The approach of footsteps disturbed the usual stillness. She frowned. Too soon for feeding. Then she heard more than one set of boots—a rare occurrence. She sat up straighter on the cot, listening. Waiting. The runes on her cell door flared, casting eerie light across the walls. Selene braced herself as the heavy iron door swung open. A contingent of armed guards stepped inside. She pressed her back against the cold stone, poised to fight if necessary.

  A uniformed vampire entered, his expression unreadable. He bowed his head slightly before speaking. “Lady Selene, I am Lawrence. I bring news.” His voice was steady, formal. “A Conclave has been called between our covens. An exchange has been decided upon as a show of goodwill. You are to be returned, unharmed, to your people. I have been given this task.”

  Behind him, a Crone stepped forward, carrying a metal contraption. Selene eyed it warily, her body tense. “You will wear this until the exchange,” Lawrence continued. “For our protection. Your powers are well known. Will you comply?”

  Her gaze flicked to the monstrosity of metal designed to contain her. She loathed it. But for freedom? What wouldn’t she endure? With regal grace, she nodded her consent. Cold metal enclosed her arms, locking them in place. Another piece fastened around her face, clamping her mouth shut. It was suffocating—an unnatural restraint. But she endured it. Because this was the closest she had been to freedom in over a century.

  Days passed since she had been taken from her cell. They moved her frequently, never staying in one place too long and she began to suspect that not all amongst the covens desired peace. Lawrence did his duty well though, keeping their location hidden with the aid of a hedge witch and the Crone. But Selene felt something was off an undertone of unease and she did not trust the blond hulk of a vampire who eyed her constantly.

  She had observed his irregular presence, his subtle movements and his penchant for skulking around. Yet no one else seemed to see it.

  One night, as she sat waiting for the next relocation, she attempted to reach for her magic. She could feel it—just beyond her grasp—but the binding held. Anxiety pressed in, making the room feel smaller. So she reached out in the only way she could. A secret ability she had kept to herself, only ever having revealed it to her mother.

  In the depths of her mind, she cast her awareness outward, searching. Hoping that someone might sense her. She had tried this before, night after night, finding nothing. But tonight, something was there. It felt old.

  She stretched towards it, only to be struck with sharp, blinding pain. A magical attack. She recoiled. But before she could withdraw completely, she felt a gentle nudge from the other side. A question, almost. Then a a soft caress and sense of apology? How strange… As she processed what she felt, something—someone—fill her mind. A presence, foreign yet not hostile. she could feel them looking through her eyes. It was the most contact she had felt with another in years. And after that night, they returned. Again and again, until she found herself linger in her mind space, waiting for their presence in anticipation. Their silent company eased the loneliness, and made the monotony of being unable to move, bearable. Until the moment everything changed.

  She had been moved again—this time to an opulent room, unlike any before. She sat on a canopied bed, surrounded by red silk and velvet.

  Something was different. Her guards were uneasy. She sensed it in the air. And when Lawrence stepped outside with them, she knew something was up.

  It was unfortunately then, that the blond vampire struck. She barely had time to react before he was on her. She tried struggling, but the metal contraption bound her so completely, making any resistance futile. His disgusting hands roamed over her as he leered down at her, trying to rip at her clothing. She could not cry out, nor fight back. Helplessness crashed into her. Despair clawed at her throat and in that moment, she did the only thing she could—she screamed into the depths of her mind, retreating to a mental void where she would hopefully not feel what was to come.

  Then—They were there.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  The Presence arrived again, surging forward, stronger than ever before. It saw what she saw. Felt what she felt. And in a rushing tide of rage that was not her own, it took over. Power enveloped her, cocooning her in a protective bubble of ancient strength. Then lashed out. The blond vampire was launched backward with devastating force, as he was hurled clear across the room, crashing through the wall, his body breaking stone and plaster.

  Lawrence and the others rushed in, and dragged the stunned blond away. His bloodied face was twisted in shock. Selene barely heard Lawrence’s apologies. Her guest was still there, still watching and seething.

  Tentatively, she whispered into the aether,

  “Thank you.” A pause.

  Then— “You’re welcome.”

  Relief flooded her heart. As she was a bit startled at the tone. For all that power, their voice was surprisingly soft. She asked for a name and their response was unexpected.

  Not a name, but a promise. Her saviour knew of her. Knew of the Conclave. And they vowed—before the night was over—she would be free.

  The connection severed. And she was left reeling. Who were they? And what were they going to do? Selene had no answers, only a strange sense of anticipation curling in her gut. She pushed the questions aside and focused on what she could control—calming her mind and regaining her composure.

  Hours passed in silence before Lawrence returned, this time without the blond vampire. A relief, but a temporary one.

  With a nod, he gestured her forward. Apparently there was no need to blindfold her now. Either they believed she wouldn’t escape, or they no longer cared if she saw where they were taking her. She stepped out of the room, her metal restraints still in place, and moved through the dimly lit hallway of the building. The air smelled of mildew, old wood and dust, a stark contrast to the sharp scent of the outside world that hit her the moment they stepped through the back door.

  She inhaled deeply, the city air thick with fuel and the scent of wet pavement. New York. It had to be. She scanned her surroundings as discreetly as possible. Parked vehicles lined the curb, their license plates confirming her suspicion. But these automobiles were nothing like she remembered. Sleek, unfamiliar models with tinted windows and strange designs—it was jarring, a reminder of just how long she’d been locked away.

  Her guards moved carefully, eyeing the street with suspicion, while stepping out first and scanning the area, their bodies tense and on edge with paranoia. Then they motioned for her to follow. They had stopped at a corner. To the left, a narrow side street. To the right, the main road running parallel to a park. A partially visible sign read Tompkins—Tompkins Square Park, she realised. A black vehicle was waiting at the curb. One of the guards opened the door and waved for her to enter. She stepped forward and something shifted in the air behind her. A body hit the ground. Selene spun around just in time to see one of the guards retracting his blade from the lifeless form of another.

  Chaos erupted.

  Lawrence shouted, but it was lost in the clash of steel and the sickening sound of bodies colliding. The guards turned on each other with lethal intent, steel flashing under the dim glow of the streetlights. Before she could react, hands grabbed her from behind, shoving her toward the waiting car. She struggled, but then—another body dropped. Blood splattered onto the pavement, and from the shadows stepped the blond vampire.

  His blade was already slick with fresh blood and he moved too quickly, his presence overwhelming as he was suddenly in front of her. Selene’s pulse pounded in her throat as she saw Lawrence and a few remaining loyalists fighting off the ambush, but they were outnumbered. The blond seized her by the arm and jerked her forward, his sneer curling as he looked down at her. "The Master promised you to me," he growled, licking his lips as his grip tightened around her arm. "You’re mine now, bitch! I’m gonna enjoy playing with you!" Selene gasped as his hand wrapped around her throat, iron-strong fingers cutting off her air. Panic flooded her, a raw and consuming terror that sank into her bones. She tried breaking free of the metal restraints but they were sealed with runes and bound her hands too securely for her to claw at his grip. The remained uselessly at her sides.

  She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. And just when her vision began to go dark, a deep, rumbling growl split the night.

  The sound of an engine roaring, tires screeching against pavement. The blond hesitated, head snapping toward the side street. A blinding light illuminated them, and was heading straight towards them. Selene only had enough time to turn her head before a motorcycle with a very bright headlight launched into view, hurtling straight for the blond at full speed. The impact was brutal. The bike crashed into him with enough force to send him flying across the street, slamming into the park’s iron fence with a sickening crunch. The violent jolt ripped his grip from Selene’s throat, and she stumbled, knees giving out as she hit the pavement. Dazed, she looked up in time to see a dark figure land feet first into a controlled slide having jumped off the motorcycle at the last second. They moved fluidly, coming to a slow jog before stopping just a few feet in front of her. Then, another vehicle—a massive black jeep truck—roared onto the street, screeching to a halt. Its doors burst open, and a group of heavily armed Fae spilled out. They attacked the enemy like a battering ram.

  Selene had no time to process before the battle erupted. Moon Fae wielding magic tore through the ambush with their magic, their power crackling in the air. A Gorgon, of all things, moved with lethal grace, her gaze turning vampires to stone in mere seconds. And a mountain troll—a bloody mountain troll—waded through the fight, swatting vampires aside like insects.

  It was carnage. Beautiful, terrifying carnage.

  But Selene’s gaze snapped back to the figure who had crashed into the blond. A tall woman, clad in combat gear, stood with unnerving stillness. Selene's breath hitched. She knew this woman. The aura surrounding her was unlike any other. It was vast. Ancient. Selene would know it anywhere.

  So this was my protector! She thought in awe.

  Energy coiled around her like a living force, almost suffocating in its sheer presence.

  She was old. No. Not Just Old. Terrifyingly old. The kind of Old that came with All Consuming Power.

  Selene watched, frozen, as the woman took slow, measured steps toward the blond vampire, who was already rising to his feet, shaking off debris. That moment he looked up and Selene witnessed his face express unadulterated fear.

  Kai raced through the portal on her Indian Chief Cruiser, gripping the handlebars a little too tightly. Behind her, the black Jeep truck followed, Rina at the wheel, with Shae, Marta, and Timothy packed inside with Orlan riding in the bed.

  They emerged onto East 10th Street, only three blocks from their target. Kai didn’t hesitate. She twisted the throttle, the engine roaring as she shot down the street. At their speed, they’d reach the coordinates in less than two minutes. Rina’s foot was heavy on the gas, keeping close to her reckless, motorcycle-riding friend. Nearing their destination, a battle scene came into view. A full-scale bloodbath. At the end of the block, chaos reigned—bodies littered the ground, dark figures moved in violent clashes, and amidst it all, Kai’s eyes locked onto Him. A tall, blond vampire. The bastard whose hands were again on Lady Selene, assaulting the bound woman.

  Kai saw red. She gunned the throttle, accelerating to full speed, her bike aimed straight for his pasty ass. At the last second, as his ugly mug was illuminated by her headlight—his face frozen in shock—she kicked off the vehicle. The motorcycle launched forward, slamming into him with a brutal crack! He and the bike flew backward, crashing through the street and slamming into the metal fence surrounding the park.

  Kai barely registered the loss of her bike. Her momentum carried her forward, landing in a controlled slide before coming to a stop. She turned her head slightly, locking eyes with the bound woman kneeling on the ground. Selene looked dazed. But what really set Kai off was the bruising on her neck—finger-shaped, fresh.

  A cold calm settled over Kai. She was done. Done holding back. Done playing nice. No more Miss Nice Guy. Her steps became measured, steady, as she advanced toward the rising, blond pervert.

  Back with the others… The fight was already over. Kai’s crew had barely worked up a sweat. Marta was practically vibrating with excitement, relishing the small taste of revenge for what had happened to her back in Blue Ridge. Shae eyed her little mate with amusement as Marta cackled gleefully. Scary little thing, she thought affectionately. Rina, however, had turned to watch Kai.

  “Oh… shit,” she deadpanned.

  Orlan, who had just knocked out the last resisting vamp, followed her gaze. His eyes widened, and he took an instinctive step back. So did Timothy. His Cobalt senses screamed at him to run. “Umm… Maybe we should stop her?” he suggested hesitantly. Shae and Rina shot him a look that clearly said, You first.

  Nearby, Lawrence—the vampire who had surrendered along with his men—watched with growing unease.

  Kai wasn’t approaching the blond vampire. She was stalking him. He had just managed to disentangle himself from the wreckage of Kai’s bike when he looked up— And froze. She was walking toward him like death itself. Power wafted off her in waves and Dread curled in his stomach.

  Then, she spoke. Her voice was quiet, yet it carried. A low, menacing sound that echoed up and down the bloodstained street.

  "Hello, you molesting fuck. You don’t know me, but I know you.”

  Her stride was slow, purposeful. “You hurt my friend. No one hurts my friends.”

  Rina shivered at the icy promise in Kai’s voice. Kai stopped five feet away. Then— Her presence disappeared. Selene blinked, confused. “What…?” she murmured. The blond vampire straightened, his fear momentarily easing as her oppressive aura vanished.

  He sneered. “You think that parlor trick will stop me?! I’m going to fuck you up, bitch!”

  Kai ignored him. Silently, she shrugged off her bomber jacket, then unbuckled her gun holsters, setting them aside with deliberate calm. Rina, Shae, Marta, Orlan, and even Timothy all shuddered. As one, they muttered: “Oh… shiiitt.” The others looked at them in confusion. They didn’t have to wait long to understand. The blond vamp lunged and Kai moved.

  The resulting beatdown became a lesson in what would happen if you harmed anyone Kai considered hers.

  Kai’s right hand shot up, a straight jab that snapped the vampire’s head back with a sickening crunch! His nose shattered instantly. She followed with a left straight. Then another right. A left hook to his right ear. A right hook to his left. Each blow landed effortlessly, precise and devastating. The blond stumbled like a drunk. Kai caught his arm— And launched him into the park fence again with a flawless, over the hip, judo throw.

  She stepped back, waiting, expression unreadable. Groaning, the vampire clawed his way to his feet. His fangs bared, his eyes glowing in rage. “I’ll rip you apart!” he roared— And flickered, vanishing from sight. The others gasped. Kai didn’t even blink. To her, he was moving in slow motion. She tracked him easily, watching as he lunged, reaching for her. Then— She moved. To the others, it was like she flickered as well. One moment, the vampire was attacking. The next, Kai had his wrists in an iron grip, twisting her body— CRACK! His face slammed into the pavement. Blood sprayed from his already broken nose. Enraged, he scrambled back up, swiping wildly, lunging, grabbing, kicking. Kai dodged every strike with almost lazy ease. Ducking, weaving, sidestepping—she was toying with him.

  Her crew stared, slack-jawed. Kai had mentioned MMA training before. But now, they realized—she had been downplaying her abilities.

  She was a beast.

  Rina smirked. It’s always the quiet ones. Selene sat frozen, stunned, watching her captor get beat into a bloody pulp.

  With an almost bored expression, Kai suddenly snapped a roundhouse kick to the vampire’s face. He hit the ground hard and before he could move to rise again, she had him locked in a Rear Naked Choke—an impossible feat against a vampire and yet, somehow, Kai pulled it off.

  Kai stared down at the blond in contempt. Nothing but a brute, she thought brushing dust from her jacket before folding it under her arm.

  She turned.

  Selene stared up at her from where she still knelt, bound.

  Kai approached her and gently, lifted Selene to her feet. The heiress gasped—Kai had done it so effortlessly. Up close, she could see the muscle definition beneath her black long-sleeved shirt, power coiled beneath controlled strength.

  Yet somehow, it didn’t detract from the woman’s striking beauty and femininity. Kai turned, spotting Lawrence.Her expression remained unreadable. But her voice—Cold. Deliberate.

  “You……Mister, ‘It’s my duty to deliver you unharmed.”

  Then—

  “What the ever-loving fuck is this?!” She pointed at Selene’s bindings.

  Lawrence flinched at the raw menace in her voice. “It’s… protection,” he said weakly.

  Kai’s eyes flashed.“GET. RID. OF. IT.”

  Lawrence shivered. “You don’t understand! It’s to protect us from her!”

  Kai deadpanned, “You’re an idiot.” Her crew snorted.Lawrence blinked.

  “Take it off. Now,” Kai ordered.

  “I—I can’t,” he admitted. “The Crone who created the seals fled when the fighting started. I don’t know binding magic. But they should have someone at the Conclave who can—”

  She sucked her teeth at him. “Useless.”

  Kai turned to Rina. But as Rina stepped closer, her heart suddenly slammed in her chest. Her eyes locked onto Selene’s

  —The world tilted. Then—“MATE!!” Rina sobbed.

  Kai’s head snapped towards her. Shit! She thought.

  Without a thought, Kai grabbed the unbreakable metal bindings—And ripped them apart.

  The screech of tearing metal echoed down the street.Then, with careful precise pressure, she shattered the muzzle restraining her best friend’s mate. Selene stood, stunned.

  Lawrence, utterly Gobsmacked

  Rina was in front of the beautiful Vampiress in a blink of an eye. Her instincts demanding she inspect her mate, to see with her own eyes that she was truly unharmed. She hesitated, unsure if she could touch her, but the need to be close was almost unbearable.

  Kai, watching her friend with quiet understanding, turned her attention to Selene. She took a step forward, her presence steadying.

  “Lady Selene, are you hurt in any way?”

  Selene blinked up at her, taking in the woman’s intense gaze. Then she noticed how Kai’s eyes subtly flicked toward the Moon Fae standing beside her, and understanding dawned. This woman—this stunning, radiant Fae—was her mate.Selene swallowed past the rawness in her throat, unused to speaking after so long. “I… am well,” she rasped, her voice rough but sure. And she spoke not just to Kai, but to the woman beside her—the one whose very being called to her in a way she had never imagined possible. Mate! The realization sent a tremor through her. She knew nothing of having a mate, but gods, she wanted to.

  Rina, searching Selene’s eyes for any sign of deception, found only truth. She exhaled shakily, the weight of this moment settling over her. This was real. This was happening. She had never been so unsure of herself before. Her first mate had been human, but this was already worlds apart from what that was like! Then it dawned on her! Her head snapped towards Shae in wide eyed realisations. Neither of them would have ever met their mates if it hadn’t been for their big lug of a friend.

  Rina turned toward Kai with tears of gratitude in her eyes.

  Kai, ever the awkward one when it came to emotions, simply shrugged with a sheepish expression before turning on her heel and wandering off toward the captive vampires. Rina chuckled softly at her before shifting her gaze back to Selene, her expression melting into a warm smile.Selene, watching the interaction, and felt a small twinge of jealousy. She wanted that ease, that comfort, that connection.

  “Hello,” Rina’s voice was soft as she sidled closer.Selene’s breath hitched at the nearness of her.“Please,” she murmured, voice laced with decades of suppressed longing. “Please tell me this is real. You are real, aren’t you? This isn’t some cruel dream?”Her voice cracked under the weight of her emotions.

  Rina stepped in even closer, hesitant but compelled. Slowly, she lifted a trembling hand and brushed her fingertips against Selene’s collarbone, a whisper of warmth passing between them as she sent what little healing magic she could into the bruises marring her mate’s throat.“Oh, I hope so,” she whispered. “I have hoped for your existence for over two hundred years, My Lady.” Selene gasped, overwhelmed by the depth of emotions swelling inside her. She had no idea what to do with it, but Rina did.The taller woman closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around her mate and holding her tight.

  Selene clung to her, silent tears slipping down her face, though she tried to hide them from the others. Rina rubbed slow, soothing circles on her back. “Listen, my dear mate,” she murmured. “Try to hold on just a little longer, yeah? We have to get to the Conclave, stop this blasted war. And then… after that, we’ll have all the time in the world to figure this out. Together. Alright?”

  Selene took a shaky breath, composing herself, and nodded. They turned as one to where Kai was interrogating Lawrence.

  “So, you were only supposed to bring her to the Conclave? Nothing else?” Kai’s tone was sharp, cutting.Lawrence nodded quickly. “Yes! I swear it! I must bring her! It is my duty!” Kai looked at him like he was the dumbest creature to ever walk the earth.“Idiot,” she deadpanned.Her friends snickered behind her.“We’ll take it from here, then,” she said firmly. Lawrence’s expression twisted in alarm. “I must take her! It is my duty!” he insisted. Kai’s glare was scathing. “Look at this face,” she snapped, pointing at herself. “Does it look like I give a damn about your duty?”The others were inclined to agree. “We’re taking her. End of discussion. Now, you can either accept that and move the hell on, or—” her voice dropped to something dark and dangerous, “—I will end you.” Lawrence opened his mouth, then snapped it shut. Rina placed a calming hand on Kai’s arm. With a heavy sigh, Kai let it go. Turning around she nodded to Orlan who nodded back and clapped his hands together. “Alright, people! We need to get moving. Conclave by midnight, remember?” Everyone answered in the affirmative. Kai looked to her wrecked motorcycle and sighed at the loss. Then, without a word, she grabbed the unconscious blond vampire by the foot and started dragging him toward the Jeep pickup truck. His head smacked against the curb as she hauled him along.

  Shae and Marta exchanged a glance before turning to Rina. Kai tossed the blond into the truck bed with a loud thud. “Uhh, Kai?” Rina called out, wary. “What are you doing?” Kai turned, blinking at them. “Evidence,” she said simply. “Oooh!” Understanding dawned on them all.“Good idea,” Marta quipped. Everyone agreed.“Alright, let’s move!” Rina called as she led her vampire mate to the Jeep. Kai stepped up to Selene before she climbed in. Without a word she placed her hand lightly on the Heiress’ throat with a look of sorrow. “I’m soo sorry.” She whispered. Selene looked up at her protector and felt such gratitude in that moment. She lifted her own hand and placed it over the taller woman’s. “You came. That is all that matters to me! Thank you.” Kai merely smiled and lifted Selene by the waist into the Jeep, doing so as well for her mate. Selene couldn’t help but look to her mate in confused awe over Kai’s strange non-answer. Rina huffed with a smile and patted Selene’s hand. “She’s….. complicated.” She said with a shrug.

  Lawrence scrambled to his feet as Kai’s crew climbed into their vehicle. He bolted for his team’s SUV, and his men quickly piled in behind him.“She never said I couldn’t follow,” he reasoned to himself.

  At the same time, Kai was contemplating whether she could get away with wrapping his SUV around a tree. Or a lamp post. Or just straight-up flipping it over. She detested him.

  With that thought, she jammed her foot on the gas and tore down the street, heading straight for Harriman State Park—where the Conclave was set to take place.She really, really hoped she’d get to bash some spoiled, rich vampire politicians' faces in. But knowing her luck? She probably wouldn’t get the chance.