Page 82 of Lahaina Noon

The plan hadn’t changed too much. There was really only one way to approach, and they still needed to take out the guards. The plan to have the Shadow King isolated and unable to shift into the shadows was solid, if a little unorthodox. They would have to trust they had sufficient lure to get him outside of his base.

Vaughn wasn’t so sure about that part. Once he was out, he hated that Bridget had to get near him to use her power on him. He’d been agonizing over it for weeks. He sensed eyes upon him and looked up at the hood of Tar’n. He saw the hood dip slightly and frowned. He sometimes thought the ancient dragon could see into his mind.

The hood dipped again.

He sat back, floored. Okay, this was a little unnerving. It seemed like Tar’n could read his thoughts and agreed with him their plan to lure the Shadow King out was shaky.

Once again, the hood dipped, and he heard a low chuckle come from that direction.

“We need better bait,” Vaughn said suddenly. Everyone in the room stopped and looked at him. “The plan, it’s solid; it will work, but we need to provide him with a better reason to be outside at that time. He’s not stupid. We need something that he can’t resist. What is it he wants most in the world that would draw him out? Get him to lose sight of the significance of the day?” He looked around the room, seeing frowns of concentration. They agreed with him, he could see that, but it seemed no one could think of the one thing the Shadow King wanted, besides more power.

Vaughn sat there, his brow furrowed, chin in his hands, thinking. They needed to get this figured out, and soon or, they would miss their chance and have to wait two more months. He didn’t think they could fend off the attacks that much longer. Reports were coming in from all over the world. Shadows were attacking wielders, ambushing dragons, stealing precious artifacts and generally wreaking havoc. They were getting bolder by the day. He slammed his hand on the table, making everyone jump. “Think!” Vaughn commanded, “What does a King who can just take anything really want? What is the one thing he doesn’t have?”

The answer came from a small, soft voice at the doorway. “Me,” Bridget whispered.

“Absolutely not!” Vaughn roared as he paced the length of his bedroom. His steps were quick and forceful.

Bridget stared at the carpet in detached interest. “Vaughn,” she began.

“NO!” he whirled, smoke pouring from him like a chimney.

He watched her turn on the bathroom exhaust fan, in an effort to clear up the room a bit. He sat on the bed, with his hands clenched in his hair. Quietly, she sat next to him, her hands in her lap, and waited.

He grabbed her and crushed her to him, “I can’t lose you,” he whispered. “It would kill me.”

She heard the note of panic in his voice and began to run her fingers through his hair. “Vaughn,” she tried again, and this time he was silent. “We both know he wants me. I’m the prophecy. I’m the one foretold to destroy him. How else can I do that if you don’t let me get close to him?” She heard him heave a big sigh. “Think, my love, he tried to grab me in Italy. He’s been trying to have his shadows grab me for weeks now. I’m the one thing he can’t have, and you know I’m right.”

He growled, “That part is right. He. Can’t. Have. You.” He bit out each word like it had a terrible taste.

She smiled, “My fierce warrior. That’s why I’m willing to do this. Because I know you won’t let him have me. I know you will protect me and bring me home. We have a wedding to plan, remember?” She kissed his burning brow, jumping back before her lips were scorched. His flames were close to the surface.

He looked at her, defeated. “I can’t save you though, can I?”

She looked at him, his eyes full of misery.

“I couldn’t save you at the point. He almost had you because I wasn’t fast enough.” He dropped his head again.

“Vaughn,” she whispered, “That wasn’t your fault. I shouldn’t have wandered away from the group. He found me alone and isolated. He surprised us because we never thought he would come himself. This is different. This time, we are bringing the fight to him, and you will be by my side the whole time.”

Vaughn looked at her. He knew she was right. He knew this was the way it had to be, but the thought of setting her out as bait in a trap, like a carrot dangling on a stick, he couldn’t stomach it. The thought of losing her or her being harmed gave him a cold sweat. He’d barely slept at all since she was attacked. When she slept on the plane, he lay awake the whole time, watching the scene over and over in his head. The Shadow King grabbing her, wrapping his tendrils around her throat. He wanted to kill the bastard for touching his mate, but to think he’d almost taken her away forever, he wanted to go full scorched earth. He stood and pulled her up to him.

Grab a blanket, meet me on the roof in ten,he told her. The smile on her face lit up the room and told him she knew exactly what he was doing. It settled his heart. Vaughn strode into the dining room and told the group the plan was going ahead with Bridget as bait. He left them to finish out the small details after advising he was going to be out of pocket the rest of the night.

There was some protest, but he growled and said, “If my mate is going to risk her life for you all, then I get to spend a night with her away from all of this.” He went to the kitchen and packed a small cooler with water and a light dinner. He’d already grabbed a coupleof towels and a brush for her, knowing she hated how messy her hair could get. He smiled at the strawberries and whipped cream in the fridge, thinking he could have some fun with those, when he sensed someone behind him.

He turned and saw Jack standing there with his arms crossed, looking concerned. Vaughn stood there, waiting for the man to say what was on his mind.

“I heard you’re making Bridget the bait to lure the Shadow Douche from his hidey hole.”

Vaughn smiled quickly at the nickname and nodded. Not trusting himself to say more.

“I don’t like it!” Jack burst out, throwing his hands out in an explosive gesture. “It’s not safe, she’s not safe, how can you do that to her?” he demanded.

Vaughn understood Jack’s feelings. He’d been there himself not too long before. “Jack, my brother, I know. But this was her idea, not mine. I tried to talk her out of it, but she’s determined. She’s the Wielder of Prophecy, and as she pointed out, how can she fulfill her role if we keep her coddled behind the line of fire? You’ve known her a long time. Have you ever talked her out of something when she has her mind set on it?”

Jack studied Vaughn’s face. His shoulders sagged as he sighed. “Take care of her.”

Chapter 44

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