Page 39 of Rathgar

Almost on instinct, my brain switches into battle mode. I push aside the pain and terror of seeing Iris and Lara like this. I file away the confusion and the aching, gnawing need to drop everything and everyone else in my search for Janie. I’ll find her. I will. But first I have to save the people in front of me.

Crouching down, I rustle through the fallen guard’s belongings. He’s stopped moving at this point, but everything’s sticky and covered with blood. No matter. Keys still work no matter how bloody they are.

Finally I find a keycard shoved into a secret pocket of his pants and practically rip the seam trying to get it out. Swiping it through the lock, I thank my lucky stars that it unlocks with only a small hiss and not a grating, rusty jangle.

I check over my shoulder once more. Ivar’s there helping Soren move the fallen guard’s body, while Orri’s standing there, transfixed, at the woman in the cage.

I don’t have time for this. I yank open the door and Iris runs to me with arms outstretched. “Dada!” She yells, and for a moment, all the world stops turning.

This child — this little one who I’d had the pleasure to get to know over the last several months — was calling me dada. She’d gone from being afraid but curious at first, and now she was reaching up to me with tearful, awestruck eyes. We’re still in danger and I’m surprised we haven’t triggered any alarms yet, but I wrap Iris in my arms and kiss the top of her head. Her soft, sweet scent softens the edges of anxiety.

My heart swells despite the adrenaline and fear, and I know in my heart what I’ve suspected all along. Iris and Janie — they’re it for me. I don’t care who Iris’s deadbeat father is. Iris is MY little girl, and Janie is my heart-mate. There’s no other way around it.

That realization gives me courage, and I look up to Lara for answers.

She looks dirty and exhausted, but not injured from what I can tell. Hopefully that means the same for Janie, but since she’s not here…

Lara’s face blanches. “He took Janie,” she says, her voice a hoarse whisper. “Find her. We’ll go with the others.”

My heart skips a beat, battle rage threatening to break free once more. That bastard really wanted to get under my skin, didn’t he?

He chose the wrong day to fuck with an Aesirheim Alpha.

I hug Iris close to me one more time, letting the feel of her soft skin give me strength. “You’ve been so brave, baby girl. So brave.” I kiss her forehead and check for injuries — thankfully, she seems fine. Just frightened. “Can you be brave for me while I go get your mommy?” I glance up at Lara, and she gives a curt nod in response. “I’ll be right back. I’m gonna go get mommy back from the monster, okay?”

“Okay,” her small voice lingers in my head. “R-Rathgar.”

First Dada. Now my name.

Yeah, there’s no way I’m letting this little girl go.

Soren appears at my side; I hand off Iris to Lara while he helps the both of them out of the cell. Orri’s snapped back to reality, and my attention returns to the small, curled-up woman on the cage floor.

“She’s in heat,” Lara informs me, voice low. “Her mate…” Her voice breaks and she can’t finish the sentence. “Please, she can’t stay here, but she’s having trouble walking, and…”

“I’ll take care of her.” Orri’s voice startles me. He swoops up the half-conscious woman in his arms and with both of them heading for the exit, I set my sights on the final destination.

Kovarx…and Janie.

SLAYING THE VILLAIN

JANIE

“You don’t get it, do you?”

Whoever this man is, he really loves hearing himself talk. He’s been monologuing ever since they shoved me into this small, concrete room with him.

But talk is a lot safer than the alternative, and if I can just keep him going long enough…

“No, I guess I don’t.” I try to give him my best doe eyes. Making him think he has the upper hand. Making him think I’ll do whatever he says.

I may be a woman and I may be of Earth, but I’m not new to dealing with jerks. It’s all about their ego, in the end. But this is more than just a random dude catcalling me or getting a little too handsy after a few drinks.

Not only is my life on the line, but Iris’s is, as well. And, I realize with a sickening shudder, so is my unborn baby.

I’m sitting in a flimsy folding chair like a prisoner on some kind of crime show. My wrists are bound and my stomach aches and cramps along with the rest of my muscles, and I try to offer the baby a silent apology.

When they dragged me away, a cold determination set in on top of the fear. I may be a captive of one of the most notorious aliens in the world, but I will not bow to him. I will do my best to be brave. I will uphold my honor, just as Soren and his fellow alphas would in the face of danger.

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