Page 125 of Master of My Heart

Chase made his way into the living room. He’d called Richard after he’d retrieved Sabrina, but hadn’t seen him. Chase had assumed he’d gone home, but apparently, Richard and Tom were still there. They looked up as he walked in. Theo was there, too, standing at the window and staring at the rising sun.

“Good job last night,” Richard said, beaming at Chase.

He shrugged. Inside, he was glad Richard was happy. “Thank you.”

“Tell us what happened.”

Chase sat down on the couch and recounted the previous night’s mission. The older men and Theo listened attentively until the end.

“You killed him?” Tom asked, frowning.

Tom didn’t get upset easily, so Chase’s stomach lurched.

“He was beating Sabrina,” Chase said deliberately. “She was barely conscious, bloody and broken. Yes, I shot him. I shouldn’t have been so kind, though.”

Tom sighed. “You shouldn’t have done that, Chase. He might have had information we could have used.”

Chase glanced at Richard, who nodded. “He’s right.”

“You don’t think he’s the main guy?”

“It’s possible, but we don’t know for certain because you killed him.”

Chase stood and crossed his arms as he walked across the room. His only regret was that a bullet to the head was too quick to be painful.

“Corey said the room had electronic equipment and cameras,” Richard said. “There was probably someone watching, but the equipment was fried before he could get a look.”

Chase turned and stared at them. There was another person. “Fuck.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Fuck. I fucked up. I’m sorry.” The thought of someone else out there wanting Sabrina, watching her be beaten and raped, made his blood boil. And now they had to start from scratch to find out who he was. “Fuck,” he repeated, turning to look out the window.

“Maybe Sabrina heard or saw something,” Tom said with a sigh. “I know why you did it, Chase, and I understand.”

“Am I to be corrected?” Chase asked, not turning around. “Correction” was a nice way of saying punished for doing the wrong thing. The Brotherhood was pretty firm in their expectations and didn’t take this kind of thing lightly.

The men didn’t answer right away. “I don’t think this was an official Brotherhood mission,” Richard said slowly. “We don’t have the right to correct you.”

Chase let out a long exhale through pursed lips and turned back around. “Thank you.”

“Did you call Jayson and let him know Sabrina is okay?”

He nodded. “Right after I called you. Told him to stay home, though, since she’s sleeping.” Chase tilted his head. “She’ll heal, right? Even with all that happened?”

“Yes.” Theo turned and studied him with that intense cerulean gaze of his. “She will be fine physically. Mentally? Probably, but it is an unknown until she awakens.” Theo had looked in on her when they arrived back at the condo. “I am eager to talk with her. She is unlike other demi-Immortals I have encountered in a very long time.”

“Richard said the same thing,” Chase said. “How is she different?”

“She is not merely half-Immortal. She is much more than that. I cannot tell for certain how much, but the Immortality is at least two generations deep in her. Perhaps more.”

“What does that mean? I mean, I know it means she’s extra-Immortal. But why?”

Theo looked thoughtful for a minute. “It is very unusual to have such a female born these days. One of my brothers could not accidentally do such a thing. It is possible that he fell in love with a half-Immortal, but again, unlikely.” Theo frowned. “I fear that her presence foretells of a dark time approaching.”

Richard and Tom looked at each other, and Chase felt a chill run through his body. Theo, while usually serious, looked more sober than Chase had ever seen him.

“What makes you think that?” Richard asked quietly.

“Who would need such a powerful Daughter as Sabrina? And why would they risk her being adopted and raised by humans if not for some need of powerful magic? Emotions make them stronger.” Theo’s gaze swept over the two Elders. Chase saw them shiver ever so slightly. “I know each of you, and each of the other US Elders. I see no darkness in your hearts. You hide nothing from me. This only increases my concern because whoever decreed her birth is powerful enough to hide from us.” Theo paused. “Only a great evil would bring about such a creature.”

Chase stiffened. “You’re saying Sabrina’s evil?”

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