Page 95 of The Bonds of Nyx

A side door opened, and I stumbled to a halt as Archer appeared. “Where the fuck is she?” I growled, stalking up to him.

The mage held up his hands in surrender. “Maeve and Adrian have her at a secondary location. I only found out when we were getting them out,” he murmured. “I have Thea and the kids. Could really use your help in settling them.”

All the rage was expelled, and I blew out a breath. “Are they okay?”

Archer led me through the door and into a darkened hallway. I shuddered when the power of the wards washed over me. As we walked, I eyed the space and listened to Archer recount the escape—Grey splitting them, taking Ivy with her and Kingsley, Nash with them, purposefully putting space between Ivy and the kids to protect both of them. The anger swelled in me again until Archer said, “Maeve gave me specific orders to keep an eye on the other team. She’s weeding out any potential spies.”

We paused at the only door in the long hall. Another keypad sat beside it.

“If Grey were here, I think I’d kill her,” I muttered as the door swung open. “If I’d known…”

Archer tensed and turned back to face me. “Ivy has Adrian. They’ve probably completed the bond, finally, so he can keep her power under control.” His eyes darkened with anger and sadness. “Just help her by being there for the girls. That’s all we can do until we’ve been given the all clear to leave.”

I gritted my teeth but nodded. For Ivy, I’d tamper down on my need to be at her side to protect her sisters. As much as it pained me, I promised her silently that I’d keep them safe.

We waited until the rest of our team arrived. Our prisoner was in a separate bay, and the Born vamp remained behind towatch him. The others joined us with sullen nods, exhaustion crumbling their bodies.

Archer guided us inside; the inner warehouse had been gutted and turned into a small compound ready for an army. There was a large open-plan kitchen and two long tables for soldiers. A gym was set up to the side, and several glass doors led into private rooms, likely for high-ranking officers in the Queen’s army. Bunks were set up beyond the gym.

“There’s food already prepared and sitting out for you guys, so eat if you want. Showers are off to the side of the kitchen, I highly suggest you use them,” Archer stated, pointing towards both areas. “You guys get the bunks. Try to keep any and all nudity to the showers because we do have children staying with us. They’re the new Queen’s sisters, so protect them like you would her.”

The two soldiers bowed their heads. The scrawny mage spared me a glance before rushing towards the door to the showers, and the other headed straight to the kitchen.

Archer eyed me for a moment. “I think you should hit the showers.”

I shook my head and started for one of the glass doors, where I sensed the girls were waiting. As I drew closer, I caught sight of Thea, who looked up and brought a hand to her mouth.

The room was small, but someone had pushed two beds in and formed one large nest in the middle and filled it with thin blankets and pillows. Ginny and Maisie were asleep, cocooned in their own cotton sheets, while Eloise turned and stared at me. When our eyes met, she blinked and buried her head in a pillow.

“They’ll be okay until you shower and eat something,” Archer muttered, scratching the back of his neck. “Thea and I got them mostly settled.”

“Have they eaten?” I asked, stepping away from the glass.

Archer nodded. “Only a little. Thea cooked, made them something they like. We got them to eat a few bites, but they’re anxious. They’re worried about Ivy. I don’t think they like being split from her, especially so soon after what happened to their mother.”

I breathed a sigh and closed my eyes. “Yeah, I don’t blame them.”

Silence passed between us as we stood in front of the room. My mind wandered in too many directions, most of which led to Ivy.

“There’s a locker for you in the showers with a change of clothes,” Archer offered. “Gear, if you choose to shift.”

My eyes opened, and I nodded in his direction. Without a word, I made my way to the showers and finally sent my mate a thought.

Are you okay, Angel?

Her reply was slow, but her beautiful warmth filled me.I’m fine. Safe with Adrian and Maeve. Are you okay? Are the girls safe? Are you with them?

I smiled to myself at the barrage of questions as I entered the showers. It was set up like a locker room, with individual shower stalls on one side, sectioned off by lockers, and then sinks and toilet stalls on the other wall. I found the locker Archer had given me and pulled out a towel, the change of clothes, and the other essentials.

I’m with the girls. They’re resting. I only just got in, so I need to shower.As I closed and locked myself into one of the stalls, a flash of an image made its way through the bond: Ivy, undressed in front of a foggy mirror, her nipples hard and her hand too close to her perfect cunt.

Angel, you’re really testing my patience here.

Her tired laugh filtered down the bond.Sorry. That was an accident.

The image stayed in my head as I turned the shower on and stripped. Most of my internal injuries had healed, but there were several dark bruises still marring my skin. I kept that away from the bond, ignoring the twinges of pain as best I could.

What I couldn’t ignore was my cock, hard just from the mental image of my mate.

---