Page 147 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

Remi couldn’t figure out why the good guys from the OC’s elite winged squadrons would be after him, but their body language spoke for them.

It wasn’t a fair fight. Something stung his arm. His wings collapsed, and he plummeted, the wind of his fall thundering in his ears.

Then, lights out.

****

That night at home, Dom leaned against a pillar at the edge of the salon, gazing down on the shoals and the sea beyond. He and Maddy had made love, eaten a late dinner, and talked about her future in OneWorld.

Now, they stared at the beautiful view. Then she gasped. “Dom. Look.”

She pointed south toward a mountain. It had blown its top. A volcanic eruption.

He looped his arm around her waist.

They watched fire and ash spew from the peak. Rivulets of red lava creeped down the mountainside, heading for the valleys.

Madeline sprinted to the side of the house overlooking the expansive lawn. “Where’s Freki?”

“Hunkering down if he knows what’s good for him.”

When a cloud of thick ash spread outward, encroaching on their home, Dom waved his hand through the air to drop shields around their place. The sky grew dark, a twisting, impenetrable black haze.

Dom approached the protective barrier, inhaled, and released his breath. The toxic volcanic gases and debris moved on. “That was fun,” he said. “Don’t go out without me, Maddy. Things are getting...”

“Wack?”

“Sure. That works.”

“Check in on our friends,” she said.

“Our friends?” asked Dom, a pleased grin curving his lips.

Maddy gave him a hesitant nod. “Yes. They’re my friends, too.” She raised her arms and laced her fingers around Dom’s neck. “This is my home. This is my life. I have friends, and I have you.”

Dom pathed the Feard.

After verifying that he and Indy were safe, Ohngel added,No sign of your mate’s sisters. And the army’s pretty thorough. But they’ll keep an eye out for them.

Damn. She’s not gonna be happy about that.

When Ely reported in, Dom said, “Everybody’s fine except I haven’t reached Remiel. And bad news. Ohngel’s Earth contacts haven’t found your sisters.”

“But they’ll keep trying?”

“Yes.”

She leaned her cheek on his chest.I love you, Dom.

I’m sorry your life has turned upside down, but I’m not sorry I found you.

She tilted her head to stare into his green eyes.If everything I’ve gone through was necessary to bring me to you, I’m good with it.

He kissed Maddy’s choppy blonde hair.Perhaps happiness comes with a cost.

You sound like a philosopher.

Fuck. Don’t tell the Feard. They already think I’m getting soft. Best not to overload them.

---