Page 142 of The Vampire's Storm

“Good reasons,” Ari pressed.

The king shrugged. “Aren’t you tired of hiding?”

“I know nothing else,” Ari said.

“Well, the weight has been heavy on my shoulders. There is chaos out there, sure, but we will soon settle into a new normal.”

“I think you might be looking through very optimistic glasses, nephew.” Ari sighed.

Ari and Brayden shared a look.

The king seemed tired and worn down. Perhaps his absence had taken more of a toll on his brother.

The situation was very delicate and still unfolding.

“I don’t blame Brooklyn. She brought Isabella back to life. I’m not angry with her. I can’t be,” Willow said. “Plus, as a former human, I understand her wanting to protect her race.”

Brayden couldn’t argue with that.

He was concerned for Logan, who had returned to Maine without his mate. He’d been unsuccessful in finding her and was now stalking the halls like a lioness without her cubs.

It was painful to watch.

When Craig told him the assassin had demanded he give him a kill order on the human, Brayden had cringed.

There was no fucking way that was happening.

She might have changed history for the entire living population on earth—for both races—but if she was Logan’s mate, then she had the protection of the king.

“You might want to ask her why she hasn’t told anyone about the serum.” Vincent pointed out.

Interesting point.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Logan walked into the operations room, his now permanent scowl front and center.

“Mate”—Mack slapped him on the shoulder— “you doing okay?”

He sat down at a desk and shook his head. “Can’t find her. The feds must be protecting her.”

After seeing Brooklyn on the newscast, he’d stayed behind in Seattle while the others had returned to Maine. His orders were to bring her home.

He’d failed.

It was likely the feds had destroyed her phone, as even that was untraceable.

“You’ll get her back,” Mack said.

His eyes shot up. “I don’t want her back. I want her dead.”

The government was right to protect her. Many vampires would want her dead, even if the king had shared an announcement with everyone saying this time they were not going to counter it with a fake-news campaign.

He had accepted it.

Shockwaves were vibrating around the world among humans and vampires.

Every news channel was airing it twenty-four seven. Brooklyn had been interviewed a dozen times, sharing information.

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