Chapter 51

It was an even battle, none had the upper hand. Deaths were inevitable, but slow. Weapons flew through the air and immobilized their targets. The hunters were outnumbered and although I acknowledged their skill, weapons had no place in battle. True warriors fought with cunning and brute strength.

Marcan seemed to be enjoying himself as he ripped the heart from our enemy's chest and grinned; his own chest puffed with pride. I could not catch sight of Peitre, but I could hear the steady flow of his blood and the rhythmic beating of his heart somewhere beyond the edge of the forestry; no doubt engaged with his own opponent. Jorlon was perched in a tree not far from the battle grounds, watching the catastrophe in the courtyard. He was the only blood-drinker I knew of who did not appreciate bloodshed.

He caught my eye as I passed. "Do you feel it?" he mouthed and I nodded. Of course I felt it. It was all around us, like the cloying scent of perfume on unwashed skin. It was in the air. It was in my veins. I could taste it. His presence was like a soothing balm over burning flesh. It calmed me when I should be enraged.

Kandane had arrived.

I tipped my nose to the air and drew breath. He masked his heartbeat well, but there was no doubt that he was here. I felt drawn to him. I glanced at Jorlon, whose gaze roamed the courtyard. We were always drawn to him—even as fledglings. It was something I had never understood. "Where is he?" Jorlon jumped from his perch and came to stand by my side.

"Somewhere biding his time I assume."

Jorlon frowned; eyes still scanning the area. "I do not like this war. It is senseless. I do not wish to fight my brother."

"Nor I, but he has left us no choice. The wolves have given us safe harbor and as such, we have a duty to defend them."

"But—"

"This war is our doing Jorlon. Fight if you wish or remain hidden. It is your decision."

He said no more as he walked with me deeper into the yard. All around us the fighting continued. Blood was spilled, bodies quickly healed and growls rent the air. I spotted Zahir and Christophe fighting side by side in the square. It seemed at least one good thing was to come of this war. None approached us as we navigated our way through the carnage. In fact, the enemy melted away whenever we drew near and the sight disgusted me. Warriors should never be spineless. If you had the audacity to invade another's territory and massacre its people, you should do so with valor and perhaps even a pinch of pride.

"Riener." came Jorlon's reverent whisper. I glanced at him. He stood transfixed; his face tilted and his eyes planted on something behind me. I turned and followed his gaze, and for a time, I too stood transfixed, for Kandane had indeed arrived and he stood atop the world like a God watching over his people.

"It has been some time since I have seen him dressed for battle." Jorlon commented in a hushed tone. I had long ago grown accustomed to his robes. It was indeed odd to see him now; dressed as he was in full gear. It was testament to the seriousness of his state of mind. This was a masterclass blood drinker who had come prepared to play his part in the war he had orchestrated.

He stood with the confidence of a man who was already victorious in his efforts. There was a calmness about him too. Gone was the obvious rage he had displayed in our father's court. There was a calculating air to him now. Only a fool would underestimate him.

"I do not wish to see any of my brothers harmed." Jorlon continued.

"Nor I, but it is as inevitable as the day." I took note of Kandane's eyes. There was a strange longing in them as he gazed upon the courtyard. I saw in them his need and something else; regret. I followed his gaze and understanding dawned. He only had eyes for the hunter—Noah.

I almost smiled at the thought of my brother enamored with a human. How hard he had tried to hide his clandestine meetings with his lover. How hard he had tried to deny his heart. How he would rant and rave if he knew he had been discovered. I watched him. To fall in love with the very creature he claimed to despise.

The poor foolish hypocrite.

I glanced at Noah. It was true that he could not be likened to the average human. He had the heart of any noble blood-drinker. He fought now with the vigor of ten men and rose to his feet more times than he was knocked down. It was clear what Kandane saw in him. I watched as he threw a spear clear through the air and staked his intended target. A strength like his was hard to ignore.

When I glanced back at the roof, Kandane was gone. I surveyed the rooftops and the ground below, but he was nowhere to be seen. A strange sensation crept along my spine as I felt the unease rise up in me. I looked for Tony, whom I had spotted perched on another rooftop with his weapon drawn only an hour earlier, but neither was he to be seen. My breath, when I released it, was shaky.

I did not need to glance behind me to know that Jorlon followed me across the paved courtyard, through the busy armory and up the stairs that would take me to my mate. I felt the clenching and unclenching of the muscle in my chest as I climbed.

If Kandane has laid a finger on him...

I burst through the door leading to the rooftop and startled Malik, who was crouched next to Tony. The relief I felt at the sight of him was almost crippling. When Jorlon burst in behind me, Malik gave another start.

"He took him." Malik whispered brokenly as I went to crouch by Tony' side. My mate watched me with wide panic-filled eyes, but he uttered not a word.

I glanced at Malik. "Took who?" Tony still had not moved and the reason for his stillness became clear to me when I saw the faint scratches along his cheek. I ran the pads of my fingers along them.

I did not have to hazard a guess as to who had made them, for I could smell the paralytic on Tony's flesh. It was Kandane's signature play; he would dip his fingers into the drug before a hunt. Once it came into contact with human flesh they were at his mercy, but although he claimed to abhor them, he hated to see them in pain. They would feel nothing as he drank his fill, and later, if he chose to spare them, they would recover and carry on as they were.

"He took him." Malik murmured again as I inspected Tony for injury.

I glanced at Jorlon. "He is paralyzed but he will be well in a matter of minutes. Kandane spared him the brunt of the drug."

Jorlon nodded, then turned his eyes on Malik. "Who did he take? Was it the Alpha's mate?"

Malik shook his head. "Kaio." He took a deep breath. "He took Kaio." I did not think my brother could surprise me tonight. I had prepared myself for all eventualities, but this I had not been expected.

"We must take them inside. It will be safer there." Jorlon suggested and I nodded my agreement.

"Do not fret my love. Soon this will pass." I assured Tony, before I lifted him into my arms. Malik followed, subdued. I could smell his fear and his worry as we stepped over the unconscious Lycan guards and descended the stairs.

...................................

I set Tony down against a wall in a far corner of the Amory. It was the safest place for him now and until he regained control of his limbs, he would remain there amidst the ancient weaponry and dusty shelves.

He was irritated; I could see it in his eyes. To have lost control when he was already such a strong-willed individual was clearly upsetting, but irritation was better than fear, because it meant he was not panicking and that alone was testament of his strength.

Jorlon crouched before Tony and snapped his fingers; once, twice, three times before he grinned. The expression in Tony's eyes turned to anger.

I glanced toward to front of the Armory when an explosion sounded. Bringing man-made weapons to a war between naturals was disgraceful. "I cannot understand why he would take Kaio. He is but a drudge, what could he possibly need from him?"

Jorlon stood. "I do not understand it myself. Perhaps he wishes to harm the drudge. He has always found your relationship with him to be inappropriate. Perhaps he wishes to teach you a lesson or to hurt you knowing you care for him."

"No, had he wished to achieve that end he would have taken Tony. There must be another reason he has taken him." I turned to Malik who looked frail and worried as he stood against the wall biting his lip. "What did he say when he captured him?"

He shook his head. "Nothing...just that he'd been waiting for him.

Jorlon's eyes narrowed. "Did he go willingly?"

"What kind of fucked up question is that? Of course he didn't go willingly!"

"Perhaps Kandane and the drudge have formed an alliance. Who is to say that is not the case."

Malik's eyes flashed in anger. "Kaio's not a traitor asshole. Your brother took him and we need to get him back before...."

I watched the exchange between them with mild interest. Of course Kaio would not betray me. He was one of my most trusted allies and that was perhaps the reason he was taken. Kandane sought to break him. Perhaps he believed there were secrets to discover from my drudge. I took a deep breath. I still could not taste him in the air. Even Kaio's scent had disappeared. My brother was once again up to his usual trickery.

The earth shook with another explosion. They could not have gotten very far. I could only assume they were still on the compound. The only question was where?

"Did you see the direction he took him?"

Malik looked at me in surprise. "No I... I wasn't sure what he'd done to Tony and I didn't want to risk leaving him." He glared at me, daring me to judge his actions. He had been forced to decide between his brother and his mate. I could only imagine his guilt and how it ate at him.

I noted the worry in his eyes, the tightening of his lips and the clenching and unclenching of his fists as he stood there; telltale signs of stress, but it was the pounding of his heart that absorbed me. He had heard tales of my brother's unforgiving nature and he knew that Kaio's life was in the balance. It would not surprise me if my drudge had already met his end.

The realization sickened me. I thought about the state of my coven now that Kanade had swept through. I thought about the pointless bloodshed that had followed him to the wolves and how many of their own they had lost simply because they had chosen to grant us safe harbor. All this because my brother had been denied the throne.

I felt the anger rise up inside me. This pointless war was exactly that. My brother could not be allowed to take this further.

"Retrieve Peitre and Marcan." I told Jorlon. "It is time to end this nonsense."

My hands clenched into fists. Tonight my brother's life was forfeit.

..........................

~Kaio~

He placed a chair in front of me and sat. I lowered my head in a show of respect, waiting for something—anything to happen. Lord Kandane simply crossed his legs, and when I hazarded a glanced up past his waist, I noted that his arms were also crossed before his wide chest. He was dressed for battle. It had been many a year since I had seen him in such a state and it troubled me.

I could not understand why he had taken me here. The room was large and empty but for a few blue mats on the floors. It looked to be a training arena of some kind. No doubt the wolves used it as such.

"Look at me Kaio."

I raised my head and looked at him; not in the eyes, for that would be unthinkable, but I watched his face and I waited. I was surprised that he knew my name. I did not think anyone from the master class except my master knew of it. I did not think they cared enough to learn it, but of course Lord Kandane did not care. There was some other dreadful reason why he knew it.

I clasped my hands firmly in my lap. I could already feel the panic rising inside me, but it would be foolish give him that satisfaction. The warrior coven was in itself a symbol of strength. To show weakness in this circumstance would be an act of suicide.

"Lives have been lost here and at home." He began. His voice was as deep and as clear as it always was. "It is my doing. I am aware." I did not know if he wished to hear a response and I did not like the uncertainty.

"I have been hasty in my actions. I have allowed my rage to lead me here and now many will suffer...Many have suffered." My eyes met his for but a moment when I heard the regretful note in his voice, and I was able to judge his sincerity by what I saw there. "You are free to speak. I understand Riener has sought your counsel many a time over the years."

I swallowed. "I do not know what you wish to hear my Lord." My voice sounded weak to my own ears.

He did something then that was wholly uncharacteristic of him; he smiled. It was a sad, yet kind smile that I had not known he could accomplish. It was strange to see him as he was. He was usually emotionless and cut off from the world. Now he seemed almost...normal. I did not understand it.

I watched him as he stood and walked toward the windows. He clasped his hands behind his back and watched the chaos for a while, before he turned to look at me once more. "A good leader is not controlled by his temper or the changes in his mood. What I have done has only cemented one thought in my father's mind; that I am not fit to rule." He shook his head. "I have had much time to contemplate my actions. I know now that I am not ready to lead, but I disagree that I am undeserving of the position."

I looked away when his eyes sought mine. "What are your thoughts on the matter?" he said. "I would like your honesty."

I slowly unclasped my hands and clasped them again before I took a deep breath. "I do not wish to offend my Lord."

"If you are honest I will take no offence."

It took me a moment, but eventually I nodded. "I believe you have worked diligently for the position of heir. I believe you have all the makings of a great leader, but...but a leader must not only exude strength, he must also show compassion." I told him. "He must act with the best interest of his people in mind and... you have failed in this regard. The people of the coven will find it impossible to trust you now. You have waged war against your own people and that is hardly something one can be expected to forgive.

When I glanced at his face, he was watching me. "I— I believe you would have been a great leader, for I have seen behind your carefully crafted façade many a time throughout the decades and there is good. Though I cannot understand why you have hidden that part of yourself from the world." I shook my head "It matters not, for you have forfeited whatever right you once had. Now I do not think you deserve to rule. Some things cannot be absolved."

I waited for the chastisement that would no doubt find me, but he said nothing for a long time as he watched me, then finally, he nodded, as though I had said as much as he had expected.

He turned back toward the window. "All my life my father has dangled that dream in front of me. I had long ago come to respect his natural talent for leadership. He is stronger than us all and I have wished to become even a fraction of the man he is. I have observed him. I have learned from him and I have emulated him in hopes that I might one day see pride reflected in his eyes.

"But there were times I did not agree with his decisions and I sought to remedy them without his knowledge. I have protected many covens from his siege and it is how I came to harbor such strong allies. It is some of these very covens that fight here tonight. Now I see that father appreciates dissent and what I had done in the shadows should have been done in the light. For only then would he have come to accept me.

Lord Kandane shook his head. "It is why he has chosen Riener. He wishes to be challenged, but I am not my brother. Nor do I wish to be. I do not regret the way I have handled myself over the years, for it has gained me lifelong allies and I have been able to prove to myself that I am a better man than my father. Though my actions tonight have proved that in some ways we are no different. The thought sickens me."

Lord Kandane glanced at me and the smile returned. "I wonder if Riener understands the burden he will have to bear when he takes the throne. I do not believe either of us are ready for the task. Riener is young. He still wishes to enjoy the life of humans and run about with his mate. He has never been interested in making the tough decisions. He is a keen warrior and he would make a great leader it is true, but he cannot be great if it is not in his heart to be."

I agreed wholeheartedly with this point but I did not tell him so.

Lord Kandane chuckled. "I am too impulsive and Riener is too nonchalant. What a fine pair we are."

"Master has no wish to lead." I told him. "He has always told you. He is free-spirited. To tie him down would be to break that spirit. That is what our leader does not understand."

Lord Kandane nodded. "There are many things he does not understand. He may be a strong ruler but as a father he has failed. What kind of a man taunts his son with a dream he knows he will never let him enjoy." His hands curled into fists as he said this, but he took a breath and relaxed. "It does not matter now. Only one of our number would truly be ideal for the role and that is Peitre."

His words surprised me. "I did not think you had noticed that he had the ability."

"He is my brother. I understand him better than he does himself. I understand them all, though I disagree with many of their beliefs." He said. "Peitre has always been a strategic thinker. He does not allow emotion to cloud his judgement and he is compassionate. Our people would revere him." He paused for a moment and seemed to consider something. "But he is young. They all are. Perhaps when they are older they will come to understand my way of thinking. When they have lived as long as I, they will come to many realizations and they will know why I have done many of the things that I have."

"You speak as though you will not be there to see it come to pass my Lord."

He offered no reply to that, but his silence was all the answer I needed.

"My Lord...may I ask why you have brought me here?"

He took his time with the answer, but when he finally explained it to me, I was once again surprised by his words. "I would like to think that I brought you here because Riener cares for you and taking you from him would hurt him, but I suppose that would be a lie and you have been honest with me."

"I assure you my Lord, my absence would not harm him."

"You are wrong, but in answer to your question, you are here because I had always thought it strange that a masterclass blood-drinker would invest so much time in a simple drudge and I wished to understand this final aspect of my brother's life before..." he trailed off, leaving me to wonder what he might have said. "In any event, I still do not understand, but I have come to learn that some relationships simply cannot be explained. The world can be strange.

"In my rage I had planned to do harm to his human. He has always been so arrogant, and for once I wished him to understand what it meant to hurt." He frowned. "Alas, he is my kin and to take his mate from him would be to crush him. I have done many things, but I would never hurt my brothers."

"But—but you have hurt them my Lord. What of your mother? What you did was—"

His lips curled in a snarl and his hands fisted at his sides. "What I did was necessary. She was poison and she would have been their ruin. She was a charmer and she had blinded them. Had they known what she had planned... had they known that she had..." he shook his head. "No matter, she is gone and I will never regret my actions."

"Perhaps if you explained to them why you thought it was necessary to—"

"No." he interrupted. "Learning of her true nature would hurt them far more than her death has. They will go on thinking as they do. Though I have never understood why Riener allowed them to believe that he had been the one to end her life."

"Perhaps he wished to spare you their hatred."

"Or perhaps it was for another reason."

He seemed to consider it for a while as he stood in silence, then a look of ancient sadness overtook his face and he turned away from me.

"It is time I ended this war." He said "I have already caused enough pain." I watched his back straighten and his stride become purposeful as he opened the glass doors and strode out onto the balcony.

..........................................................

~Rien~

"I cannot." Jorlon shook his head and took one step back.

"We will do what we must." Marcan seized his arm and pulled him forward. "Kandane is beyond our control. He is far too unpredictable and he will stop at nothing to see us suffer."

"He is our blood. He is—"

"You had no such qualms when we discussed our father's murder."

Jorlon sneered. "Kandane is not our father. He is hurt that he has been denied the throne and furious that father would betray him. We all know of his temper. He will soon come to his senses."

"Hurt?" Marcan laughed. "We are speaking of the same brother are we not? Kandane has no emotion. He does not feel."

His words sparked an idea and brought a smile to my lips. "Oh but he does feel." I said and they looked at me, Jorlon with relief and Marcan with a raised brow. "Noah." I said simply.

Marcan frowned. "The human? Blood-drinkers have been known to wile away their time on humans. You brother, are a prime example."

"Ah but Kandane despises humans, that is no secret." I said "The hunter is the only one who has ever caught his interest and he has yielded to temptation. He cares for him."

"You wish to use his lover against him?" Peitre interrupted. "That will only serve to anger him and we have already seen the repercussions of our brother's fury."

"He need not know of our involvement. Noah can appeal to him. He can end this."

Marcan shook his head. "You wish for us to play matchmakers in a time of strife? Are you mad?"

"Would you rather our brother dies? "Jorlon questioned, eyes flashing. "Do you not see that this is our final option. If there is even the slightest chance that we might succeed in this then we must take it. Everything depends on our success."

"And if this fails?" Marcan questioned.

"Then our brother's life is forfeit as we have already explained. If we fail in this, the only way this war ends is with Kandane's head on a spit." Pietre supplied grim-faced.

Jorlon was already shaking his head in descent. "I refuse to watch you all betray our brother."

"Betray him?" Marcan laughed.

"This is not the time." I warned.

"Is there ever a proper time to discuss slaughtering our brother?"

"No need for dramatics Jorlon. Do you think we wish for his death? We are doing all we can to save as many lives as possible. Including his." Peitre supplied.

"When have the lot of you ever cared about saving lives?"Jorlon erupted. "We kill for sport. We watch our people sacrifice themselves during mating ceremonies. Why should this be any different?"

"Because, dear brother" Marcan said. "No good will come from this suffering. All who die this night die for no greater purpose than simply because our brother is upset. That must not be allowed to stand."

"If he leaves us no choice then we will dust off our grieving robes and wear them in his honor." Peitre continued. "We will break bread in his name and drench his coffin in blood as is custom."

Jorlon watched Peitre in clear disgust. "His temper prevailed on this occasion but once his anger clears he will—"

Marcan's lips tightened. "We are being massacred. We cannot wait for him to come to his senses. We act now!"

"Riener, what say you?" Jorlon turned to me. His eyes were wide with hope and fear.

"We must speak with the hunter. If that fails we will do all we can to contain Kandane." I paused. "But if that too shall fail..." There was no need to say the words. We all knew the price of our failure.

...............................

We watched as Noah was pulled from the battlefield. As expected, he fought all the while. The blood-drinker who held him locked a firm arm around his chest and dragged him forward, away from the confusion. He was taken into a small room located at the rear of the armory. By the time he was placed in the rusted metal chair that had been mounted against the dirty wall, he had acquired far more bruises than he had acquired on the battlefield.

"Be still Noah."

He looked at each of us in turn; eyes narrowed, much like my Tony's in anger. "What the fuck Rien?"

"Humans" Marcan spat in disgust.

"We require your aid."

Naoh chuckled bitterly. "And this is how you ask for it? Having your pet manhandle me and drag me away from—"

"This is not the time for anger." I told him. "I would not ask this of you if I believed I had another option."

He folded his arms before him. "Ask what of me?"

"Your lover, we need you to speak with him. Convince him that this war must end."

Noah grew still at my words. The corners of his eyes tightened and his lips turned down in an uncompromising frown. "What lover?"

"Let us not play this game. I know of your clandestine meetings with my brother. I know of all your exploits and I wish you to use what influence you have over him to help us end this nonsense."

He laughed. It was loud and obnoxious as only Noah could make it. There was genuine mirth to be heard in it and I could see that it was already upsetting Marcan. My brother shifted and I put out a hand to stop his movements.

Noah's eyes shifted from me to Marcan and back, and when he finally quieted down he shook his head, though a grin remained on his face. "I don't know what you think you know about what's going on between me and Kandane Rien, but if you actually think I have any influence over that jackass, you're not as omniscient as you like to think you are."

"He cares for you—"

"Kandane won't listen to me. Find another way."

"He has taken my drudge prisoner. I believe he means to harm him, if he has not done so already. Had there been another way I would have found it. I cannot find his scent anywhere in his camp or beyond. His heartbeat is masked and as you know, if Kandane does not wish to be found then no one will find him."

"And you think I know where he is?" he growled. "I'm fighting against him just like everyone else. You think I have the bastard stashed away somewhere?"

"We are wasting time with this buffoon." Marcan grumbled.

"I am sure you have no inkling of where he could be, but if you wished to find him, I have no doubt that you could."

He was silent for a time and he took a breath. "And when you find him then what? What's the plan?"

"If you fail to convince him to put an end to this then we will do what we must."

Noah's expression shuttered as I said the words and a strange glint entered his eyes. I knew then that he was lost to us.

"Look, I want to help you... I really do. That's why I'm here, but Dane doesn't listen to anyone...least of all to me so you're wasting your—"

This time when Marcan moved, I did nothing to stop him. I turned from the room and Jorlon followed, closing the door in our wake.

"Love can sometimes be a selfish thing I suppose." Jorlon commented as we walked between the rows of weaponry.

I glanced back at him only once. "Love is always selfish brother."

...................................

The paralytic had run its course. As I approached, Tony, who had been flexing his fingers and rotating his wrists, looked up. He took a hasty step forward and lost his balance, but Malik caught him and held him steady. "He did something to me Rien." He announced when I was closer.

I nodded. "As I have explained, Kandane—"

"No, I mean look." He pulled his shirt aside. "He healed me." Tony said in awe. "I don't feel a thing."

I looked at the smooth bare skin where the wound once lay and frowned. "I thought our blood had no effect."

"He didn't give me his blood. I don't know how, but something happened when he scratched me."

I ran my fingers over his bare flesh. There was no scar. "That is not possible. Kandane has no healing abilities. Perhaps somehow the paralytic reacted with your—"

"I think...I think he meant to heal me." Tony interrupted. "There was something about him Rien. I don't think he's as bad as you think he is."

"I have lived with him for centuries and the only time he has ever shown a change in character was when he met the hunter, but one does not change overnight Tony. There is evil in him."

"Or maybe he hasn't changed at all. It's like Kaio said; he's always been good, you guys have just never taken the time to see it."

"Speaking of Kaio." Malik interrupted. "Have you heard anything." He watched me anxiously.

"I had hoped to convince the hunter to aid us in this but he has refused and that is understandable. He would not wish to see his lover come to harm, but we have other means of finding him...far less pleasant means, but we are out of options."

Noah nodded. "Do whatever you have to. Is there anyway I can help?"

I looked at his weak human frame and wondered what he thought he could possibly do. "No. There is nothing."

Tony shook his head. "Where's Noah now? Maybe I can convince him." He said, then frowned. "I still can't believe he and your brother..."

"They met in the year you left for the army."

His expression became pinched. "Where is he?

I gestured to far end of the room. "With Marcan."

He looked at me and then at Jorlon, who looked away without meeting his eyes.

"Is there a reason you he's with your crazy brother?"

I clasped my hands behind my back. "Of course."

Tony's eyes narrowed, then he gestured down the darkened aisle. "Lead the way."

When Malik pushed open the door, our first glimpse into the room showed Noah standing before Marcan with a bloodied nose and an expression that spoke of rage. Tony glanced my way with a glare of his own and I raised a hand to halt my brother's further actions. "That will do."

When Marcan lunged despite my words, I grabbed him around the torso and slammed him into the nearby wall which cracked under pressure. "What is the meaning of this? I will soon break him."

I shook my head. "The hunter cannot be broken Marcan."

He shoved at my hold and I released him. "Then why did you have me attack him?"

"His blood of course." I gestured to Noah's face. "It will draw Kandane to us."

"You cannot be serious! We are at war, Kandane expects him to shed blood. He will not come for so simple an injury."

"Had you not noticed how the enemy danced around him?" I asked. "It is obvious that our brother instructed his warriors to bring him no harm. It is why the hunter bears no more than a few bruises while his cohorts lay wounded in the courtyard."

"Bullshit!" Noah exclaimed as he dabbed at his face with the sleeve of his filthy shirt.

"Think what you may Noah, but Kandane will come and soon this disaster will be at an end" I glanced at Marcan. "Take him to the Courtyard."

"You do not give the orders Riener." Marcan growled even as he took hold of Noah's arm, twisted it and pulled him toward the door.

"This is why you should never trust a bloodsucker Tony." Noah gritted as he was forced past us. "Because in the end they'll stab you in the back."

Noah looked at me then. "After everything I've done for you and your kind."

The door slammed shut behind them as they left and I turned to my mate who was, as expected, watching me with contempt. "Why didn't you give me a chance to convince him? Noah will listen to me—"

"No." I interrupted. "He will not see Kandane come to harm even if the world falls apart around him."

Tony shook his head. "You don't know that."

"Oh but I do my love. It was written in his eyes."

.....................................

~Kaio~

I watched Lord Kandane with a renewed sense of hope. This war would finally end and if good fortune was on my side, the masterclass brothers would one day heal the wound that had caused them to drift apart.

I pictured the life I would have with Mal. We would live within the coven walls and he would be with his brother at last. I pictured our happiness and Lord Riener's happiness at finally being reunited with his mate.

I thought of my newfound friendship with Tony and its genuineness. I smiled. I could almost taste the peace that would soon befall us. It made me glad. The kitchen drudges would finally have their time with their beloved Tony and my master would rule and all would be well.

I watched from my chair as Lord Kandane stood on the balcony. His intelligent gaze roamed over the courtyard below and he finally opened his mouth to end it all, but then he froze and an odd sense of trepidation flowed through me. I stood.

Something had happened, I could feel it in the air just as well as I could see it in the stiff set of Lord Kandane's back. Then I smelled it. The blood. The hunter's blood.

No.

I moved on stiff legs and came to a halt beside Lord Kandane. I followed his gaze into the yard below and I saw it. Lord Marcan dragging the hunter with him into the yard. The hunter fought but of course a human could not stand against a blood-drinker and expect to prosper.

"Where are you brother!" Lord Marcan bellowed into the yard. "I hold your human at my mercy. Show yourself!"

I was almost afraid to glance at Lord Kandane. This would not bode well for anyone. I heard the gritting of his teeth and the cracking of his knuckles, but he did not move.

In the courtyard Lord Marcan's eyes darted around and I searched and hoped for Lord Riener's arrival, but he was nowhere to be seen. When Lord Kandane was not forthcoming, I saw the change in Lord Marcan. I watched him grow angrier and I saw the creatures around him melt away. The hunter continued to fight him and other hunters who chose to intervene were held at bay by those of our kind.

Then something spectacular happened. Spectacular only in its wrongness. Lord Marcan gripped the hunter's hair and wrenched his head back. His face was smattered with blood from his obviously broken nose. His teeth clenched in pain. It happened very quickly.

Lord Marcan plunged his fingers into the hunter's chest and I watched in shock as he went limp. The blood flowed freely from him; soaking his filthy shirt and dripping grotesquely into the dirt below.

Beside me, Lord Kandane drew in an involuntary breath and his heartbeat, which he had been so careful to mask finally came into focus. It was loud and quick. Evidence of how much the scene below had affected him. I knew the exact moment when Lord Marcan heard it, for his eyes flew to our perch and he bellowed once more:

"Surrender yourself or I will rip his heart from his chest!"

The concrete banister cracked under Lord Kandane's fists and a moment , his hand shot out and curled around my arm. He pulled me with him from the balcony and we fell several flights before landing in the courtyard below. Lord Kandane straightened before I did. The warm sincerity that I had witnessed in his eyes only moments before had been replaced by cold, calculating fury.

He released me, but I knew better than to move an inch. The air was rich with the scent of the hunter's blood. He was dying. We could all sense it. Beside me, Lord Kandane twitched, but made no other move toward his lover. I glanced toward the armory when I caught Lord Riener's scent. He had arrived with Tony and Malik, who let out a breath of great relief when he spotted me.

Lord Riener's eyes were cold and hard as he gazed upon Lord Marcan. The fighting in the courtyard had long since halted and silence descended as all watched the brothers.

"Do you think that bringing harm to a human will cause me to surrender to you?" Lord Kandane's laugh was cold and harsh in the silence. "Do not insult me Marcan."

Lord Marcan twisted the fingers that were lodged into the hunter's chest and the human whimpered. When Lord Kandane took an involuntary step forward at the sound, Lord Marcan smiled.

                                                                           AUTHOR'S NOTES

THIS CHAPTER IS WAAAY OVERDUE. I KNOW. LONG STORY SHORT: I GRADUATED FROM LAW SCHOOL AND GOT A JOB THAT NOW SUCKS UP A LOT OF MY TIME, BUT I LOVE WRITING AND I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU GUYS SO I'M GOING TO MAKE THIS WORK.

THANKS FOR READING AND I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER.

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KEEP SWEET!

-DoUbLe.A

-unedited.