Page 51 of Crimson Shifter

A little bit of relief uncoiled in my chest at the king’s support.

“Be that as it may?—"

I groaned in frustration, cutting Zachariah off. “Alek, look into my mind right now. I will open it entirely to you. Please.”

Alek hesitated for a moment, tilting his head. It wasn't often that a vampire laid theirself completely bare to the king's powers willingly. But I didn't have time to waste.

“Now,” I demanded, withdrawing every mental shield I'd ever constructed. I felt the king's presence slide into my consciousness, rooting deep into my mind.

I showed him everything.

Every ounce of love I had for Talon and every fear I had for his safety now.

I showed him the conversation with Edward, the moments with my mother over the past three months. And finally, I showed him the memory of me discovering the mating mark on my thigh.

Alek’s eyes flew wide as I felt his power retreat from my mind.

“I love him,” I said.

Alek’s eyes turned to Zachariah. “Take your team and wend back to the island,” he said. “She's telling the truth. That's an order.”

“Jocelyn,” I said. “I'm going to need you to break the wards.”

“I'm in,” she said, and Benedict groaned.

“Me too,” Avi said, and both Alek and Hawke saidnoat the same time.

“We can't risk the princess,” Alek said, and Avi rolled her eyes. “You will stay here, and I will too. As much as I hate it,” Alek continued. “You and I are needed here. I have no doubt the hunters alongside Benedict and Hawke can handle the rest.”

“We don't have time for this,” I said, my patience running paper fucking thin.

Ajax slid a hand over Grace's cheek before joining Zachariah, who came toward me.

Dagon and Saint flanked either side, and Benedict and Hawk finished the intimidating little circle. Zachariah grabbed my arm, much more gentle this time, but Dagon was still spitting daggers at me.

“If he's dead,” he warned.

“He's my mate,” I said. “I would feel it if he was dead. Trust me, you're going to be the last thing I'm worried about if that happens.”

“Enough,” Alek said in a commanding tone. “Go.”

Zachariah didn't hesitate at the king's command, and I felt his power drench over me as we wended back to the edge of the Zorin island, him using the images in my mind that Alek no doubt projected into him in order to get us to wend just outside the wards.

Jocelyn brought them down with half a thought, and I took one second to be thankful that the powerful hybrid witch was on my side.

A second was all I allowed before I raced at vampire speeds, leaving the rest of them behind. I didn't care what the fuck they did, as long as they helped me take out the guards.

Ajax and Dagon flanked my sides, sticking with me as the rest used scent to propel them around the house where needed. I flew down the stairs, the two powerful hunters at my back as I skidded to a stop.

There were six guards in the basement, each raising weapons as they spotted us. But I couldn't care less, not when my eyes were on my mate who had been beaten and chained. My brother had his knife drawn, pulled back, and aimed at Talon’s heart.

CHAPTER 17

Talon

“I'm guessing the fact that I just felt the wards go down that your friends have gotten wind that I have you,” Edward said. “And since you haven't given me one bit of good information, I have no more time for you.”

I heard what he said but couldn't really register it. He’d tried to beat the information out of me, tried to torture it out of me, and had put more chains around me in an attempt to get me to tell him something useful.

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