The tension in the car is explosive enough that even the smallest spark could set one of the passengers off. Kendrick's firm grip on the wheel has turned his knuckles white and Cassum's mate has clenched his jaw so tightly that I fear it might crack. The only one who appears halfway relaxed is Gideon, even though his gaze is fleeting as if expecting an ambush.

I clear my throat to break the awkward tension. "They told me you were dead."

Gideon's gaze flicks to me. "That's what Marush had everyone believe. In reality, he kept me locked in an underground dungeon for all these years."

I shrink in my seat under his drilling stare. "You are a Moon Sentinel. How can someone confine you against your will when you have control over the earth?"

"He stuck me in a metal box."

"Even then . . . you have metal powers, don't you?" That's what makes a Sentinel stand out from the rest. Except for the special gifts of the moon and the sun—wood and fire—they control the remaining powers of the pentagram. It's what gives them the right to leadership.

"I do, but Marush used a special iron ore that could only be controlled by a Metal Sentinel. Plus, he had other safeguards."

"Then how did you get out?" My stomach clenches. I shouldn't question his words—after all, he's my father. Then again, I don't know him at all.

"Tessa freed me. She returned under great risks to the Iomaire Draíochta after Sazith didn't see any other option. He was trying to get in touch with you for additional protection, but no one knew where you were." He doesn't hide the blame from his voice. "The whole plan would've been ruined if Marush had caught her."

I slump back in my seat. The plan—that's all they ever care about.

Kendrick growls from the driver's seat. "I don't like your accusatory tone."

"This conversation doesn't concern you, wolf. Stay out of it."

Fur ripples along Kendrick's arm and a warning rumble resonates from his chest. I pinch his kneecap to get his attention. Shaking my head, I caution him to keep his nature under control. He has no chance against a Sentinel like Gideon.

Mumbling under his breath, Gideon allows calmness to settle in the small driver's cabin like a heavy layer of sweat. "Let's all take a deep breath, shall we?"

The next miles are spent in pressing silence until I decide to pick up the conversation where we left off. "Did Sazith know you were alive and locked up in Marush's dungeon?"

"He found out about a decade ago after he followed Marush when he came to visit me one afternoon. Talking to Sazith through that blasted door kept me sane. Not sure if I could've kept it together otherwise."

And all those nights we trained in secret, Sazith never so much as hinted at the truth. To the contrary. He fueled my hate with constant reminders that Marush was to blame for my father's death. As it turns out, it was a lie. If I hadn't experienced Marush in action when he manipulated me to set fire to Kendrick's packhouse, I might not believe anything the old Caomhnóir told me.

"Don't blame Sazith. He tried to protect you. If you had known the truth, Marush might've sensed it. Trust me, it was better that way."

What is he—a freaking mind reader? "What makes you think I blame Sazith?"

"You are my direct blood descendant. I sense strong emotions in you."

I snort. That's what I am to him, a direct blood descendant, which might still be nicer than calling me his pawn in Kaleidopae's ridiculous plan.

"And now you are mad at me." He exhales with an overdramatic sigh. "Come on, Raelyn, help me out here. What can I do for you to realize that Sazith and I aren't the enemies in this equation?"

More growling from the driver's seat suggests that Kendrick about had it with him. The car slows. I massage Kendrick's shoulder to loosen the muscles in his neck. Testosterone floods the car.

"Please, Kendrick, just keep driving," I mutter under my breath.

"I can't handle this disrespect," he grumbles through gritted teeth, even though he speeds up again. Adjusting the rearview mirror, he glances at Cassum's mate in the backseat. "And why is he all squirmy? What is he hiding?"

"He's probably nervous because he's in a car with two warlocks and an Alpha who almost killed him." Plus he might be wondering why we took him in the first place.

"I suppose that's a valid point."

I smile at Cassum's true mate. "How are you doing back there?"

His glare is deadly. "Why haven't you killed me already? I mean, that's what you are planning on doing anyhow for—"

"No one is going to die today, wolf." Gideon releases more calmness into the car's interior. "And look at the time. I could use a bite to eat and wouldn't mind stretching my legs. Supper anyone?"

"Fine by me." Kendrick turns on the blinker and pulls into the parking lot of a roadside diner. "And maybe afterward, one of you can tell me where we are going?" Stopping the car, he unbuckles his seatbelt and turns to Gideon in the backseat with an arched brow.

"I assumed you knew. We are going to see your sister Cassum." Gideon grins. "Well, at least Raelyn and I are, since we are Spirit Guardians. You and the other testosterone-filled creature will probably just sit among the trees like good watchdogs and wonder what the heck is going on. Don't let that disturb you, though. Most members of the warlock community consider Caomhnóirs an odd breed."

Kendrick's teeth descend; if he weren't confined to the small space of the car, he would've undoubtedly shifted and be in Gideon's face.

"Now be a good wolf and don't let me put a muzzle on you."

Before matters can escalate, Cassum's mate clutches his hand over his mouth. "I'm getting sick." With fleeting fingers, he unbuckles himself and pushes the car door open. One leap and he's outside.

I stare at Kendrick. "He's gonna run."

"And with all these humans in the parking lot, animal control and the police will be here in no time."

Gideon places his hand on my arm, soothing the panic that threatens to crush my breastbone. "Go and head inside. I'll take care of him."

"How?" Cassum's mate will outrun him in his wolf form.

"Don't worry. I have matters under control." With a crack, he disappears in thin air.

Kendrick blinks as if awakening from a daze. "What just happened?"

I shrug, not entirely sure if Gideon messed with his memories. "Let's just go inside the diner and wait."

"I guess that's all we can do."

~~~~

Thirty minutes turn into an hour while Kendrick and I sit by a window in the diner, stirring coffees. I wiggle in my seat, the inner unrest growing with every jump of the long hand on the clock. Kendrick's eye twitches almost non-stop and his clenched fist tightens the longer we wait. He reeks of anger and testosterone, which hints that the next confrontation with Gideon is just a matter of time.

"So that warlock, he's your dad?"

I nod, my stare fixed on a group of tourists climbing back onto a bus that's parked not too far from our car. At least they'll be gone by the time matters escalate.

"No offense, but he's an absolute jackass."

"You know what they say. You can't pick your family."

"Why did he say he and this Sazith character are not the enemies? What is he planning to do?"

"Kill Marush."

His forehead wrinkles. "I thought warlocks can't be killed. At least that's what Andrenior said."

"Not by ordinary means. You need this special dagger to kill them."

He flinches.

"What?"

"Marush was looking for a dagger when he was at my house. He offered to extinguish the fires and heal the hurt pack members if I turn it over to him."

My eyes go wide. "He thought you had it?"

"Apparently so, and honestly, I would've given it to him if I did. Then the other day, Andrenior inquired about it. Why does everyone think I'm hiding it?"

"It's because you are Akino's descendant. This other warlock, Kaleidopae, gave it to him for safekeeping just before her death. Over the years, Sazith lost sight of it. Now everyone is racing to find it because it's the only weapon that can kill Marush. If he gets his hands on it first, the battle is lost. No one will be able to stop him."

"And there's only one dagger?"

"There are five, one for each member of the Sentinel council. An ordinary warlock can be killed by any of them, but Sentinels find death only through the source of their primary power because meeting their own power is their single weakness. Marush is a Metal Sentinel, so only the dagger with the magical stone symbolizing metal can end his life."

"I hope they aren't expecting you to do it."

"No way. My metal powers are way too weak. A young warlock named Tessa was born for this task."

"The young female who has been staying with us? How old is she? Eight?"

My smile is thin. "Don't let her looks fool you. In earth years, she's older than you."

"Yeah, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Andrenior is over a hundred years old." He chuckles. "Imagine, we stayed pups for decades. That would be something."

Once I take my blood promise, my age might slow, which will be another problem. If Kendrick and I were together, he would turn old and gray within years while I would be enjoying my youth for centuries to come.

When Gideon reappears between the cars, I get to my feet. "They are back."

He keeps a firm grip on Cassum's mate as he drags the unwilling wolf along by the collar of a hideous shirt with large flowers. It's sizes too small and threatens to burst at the seams. The pants, on the other hand, barely stay put on his slender hips. I smirk. Where did they find these clothes? Shows that beggars can't be choosers with Gideon improvising when he caught Cassum's mate after a chase.

Gideon waves at me to come outside. As he shoves Cassum's mate against the car, his brows knit together and his outstretched finger pokes in warning at the young wolf's nose. He wipes over his forehead; his face is flushed red from exertion.

"I think they're not coming in. We should get the check."

"Suits me." Kendrick raises his arm to signal the waitress.

All of a sudden, Andrenior strolls up. He and Gideon almost hit each other in the face as they wag their arms around. A family getting out of their car turns and stares.

"Your dad seems to be the confrontational type." With a snort, Kendrick drops a ten-dollar bill on the table. "That should cover our coffees. We'd better go before they play around with their powers, or worse, give Cassum's mate an opportunity to escape again."

The young wolf is bent down already, all set to jump. The sight of Kendrick rushing out of the diner blights his plan. My focus shifts to Andrenior and Gideon to catch bits of their fight.

"Maybe you forgot during the years you chilled in Marush's dungeon that it's close to impossible to location shift when a target is moving, especially if you don't know the terrain."

"You are an upcoming Sentinel. Nothing should be close to impossible."

When Andrenior pushes Gideon against the hood of the car, I step between them. "Not here, guys. People are staring."

And judging from the body language of the cook standing in the entrance of the diner with his hands propped on his hips, he's considering calling the cops. The late afternoon breeze carries along a strong animalistic scent. He smiles with teeth.

Crap, he's a werewolf and we are on his territory.

Kendrick and Cassum's mate have picked up on it, too, their fingers twitching by their side.

"Guys, we should go." I pull Kendrick by the hem of his shirt.

"And retreat like a coward with his tail tucked between his legs? I don't think so." With a deep rumble, he returns the deadly smile.

The cook spins on his heel and disappears in the diner.

"There, you see. He's afraid of me." Kendrick grins. "Now we can go." He turns to Cassum's mate. "And you, don't run away again. Otherwise, you'll taste your own blood."

Cassum's mate snorts. "So what? You're gonna kill me anyway. I don't get what you're waiting for."

"Dude, why do you keep saying I'm gonna kill you?" Kendrick rubs his neck, confusion edged in his puckered brows.

I hold my breath. Don't say it.

"That's why you came to our territory, right? To avenge your sister's death."

Kendrick pulls his brows even further together. "I already avenged her death."

I internally squeal. Don't say it.

"Yeah, but I was the one who killed her. I swear I didn't know—"

A deep rumble cuts him off. Kendrick's eyes are diluted with rage. Fur covers his whole hand; his nature is close to breaking free.

I pull him back by his arm. "Don't. It's not what Cassum wants."

"You knew about this?" His glare turns to me.

"It was part of the vision I had." I shrink back, my wolf whimpering in submission of the Alpha before her. "Please, Kendrick, you have to understand. Cassum has forgiven him. She wants him to find happiness."

He growls, his joints popping as his wolf fights for control. "I don't give a fuck what Cassum wants. I was her Alpha and it's my duty to punish her killer. It's the only way to set her spirit free."

"Well, technically, she was her own Alpha," Andrenior remarks. "And her spirit can only find peace with the help of a Caomhnóir, so you should probably listen to Raelyn."

I step in front of Cassum's mate to shield him from Kendrick's wrath.

A dark chuckle mixes with another rumble. "Are you seriously taking his side? After everything we've been through. Your betrayal, you leading me on?"

"Kendrick, don't—"

"Think very carefully here, Raelyn. If you are against me, you are not the female I thought you were."

"I can't allow you to kill him. It's not what your sister wants." And I'm not the only one with a say in this. If he shifts, both Gideon and Andrenior will use their powers to stop him. He could even die. Tears flood my eyes. "Please, Kendrick, if you love me, you have to trust me."

"Love?" His snort is filled with so much bitterness that my stomach cramps. "Do you even know what love is?" My eyes beg him to stop talking, but he isn't finished. He points at Andrenior and Gideon. "If you choose them over me, we two are done. I'm not going to tolerate another betrayal."

"Kendrick, please. I love you."

"Then step aside and let me do what I need to do."

The air deflates out of my shoulders. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that."

Without another word, he turns away. The driver's door to the car squeaks open and then shuts with enough force for the bang to hurt my sensitive ears. The engine revs.

"Kendrick." Vision blurred from my tears, I reach out to him.

"Let him go, Raelyn."

"No!"

He can't leave.

I leap forward, my fist hitting the side window. "Open up!"

Shifting the gear into drive, he doesn't look at me. In the next breath, he takes off with spinning tires, leaving me behind in a cloud of exhaust fumes.

Sobs shake my body and I would've dropped to my knees if two strong arms hadn't enveloped me.

"Let him go. It's better this way." Gideon pulls my head against his shoulder. His shirt catches my tears, but his calming energy does nothing to stop my heart from shattering into hundreds shards of glass.

It's over. I could see it in his eyes.

This time, I lost him for good.

~~~~

© Sally Mason 2018

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