Page 55 of Anger

“But Ranson could have called me!” Tisiphone retorted.

Lamia opened her mouth to argue and snapped it shut. Tisiphone was right. Ranson could’ve contacted those in Refuge.

“I’m going to open a portal. Stay away from it. Should you touch it, it will cause a great deal of pain,” Tisiphone said. Her eyes unfocused and refocused and a portal burst into being. “I need Chimera.”

Chimera came through the portal as a human male. He headed for the bed as the portal shut, and he lay next to Mac.

“Not the first time we’ve done this, boy,” Chimera chided, placing a hand on Mac’s head and heart. He closed his eyes and went still.

“Hear me, Joe McIntyre, I am your lord and commander. You shall obey me. Mac, you will accept the gift of strength given to you and shift into Lamia. Fight the corruption attached to your soul mate and use our strength to win the day,” Tisiphone murmured.

Lamia watched as Tisiphone’s own eyes closed. A soft glow arose around Mac as Lilith, Baba Yaga, and Jase watched. Lamia noted figures crowding her doorway but paid them little heed. Once again, minutes ticked by, which slowly turned into hours. But Lamia realised how Mac lay quieter, more serene, and knew that Chimera and Tisiphone were helping him.

“How long has it been?” Lamia asked tiredly.

“A full twenty-four hours now,” he replied. “Twelve since they arrived.”

“And still they fight,” she muttered, worried.

“Lamia, that forced bond has been attached to you for thousands of years. Mac’s has existed only a few hours. Alainen’s slave bond has buried itself deep inside you. But Mac has the righteous on his side,” Lilith said from where she sat.

There was a noise from Chimera, and Lamia looked up. Her bed broke as he shifted and rolled off the mattress. Settling himself on the floor, Chimera placed one paw on Mac’s head and the other on his chest. Chimera’s eyes shut as he once again gave Mac his strength.

“That’s not a good sign, is it?” Lamia whispered.

“No, honey, it’s not,” Lilith answered.

Lamia ducked her head and closed her eyes. Joining those fighting to save her mate, Lamia poured her own strength and love into Mac. She’d kill herself to save him, and that was final.

Vladimir/Vampire

“How are they?” he murmured to Manfred, who watched with worried eyes.

“There is no change. They all remain in battle,” Manfred replied.

“Mary says Mummy needs to feed,” Vladimir said.

“Yes. Elder Abuse is rising and is hungry. I shall leave these in your hands, brother,” Manfred agreed and walked off.

Vladimir exchanged glances with Jase. “Have you slept?”

“I’ve dozed. Lamia needs me,” he responded.

“Jase, go spend some time with Willow and the triplets. I will keep watch for a few hours. Should something change, I’ll call,” Vladimir said.

Jase sent him a grateful look and rose to his feet. “Thank you.”

It was a testament to how tired Jase was when he left the room without an argument.

Vladimir settled in. He’d not leave until Lamia opened her eyes. Lamia had suffered enough, and Vladimir experienced rage at the thought of what Alainen had done to her. The man was a true narcissist.

Alainen had a lot to answer for. His punishment would come, and Alainen would pay for every harm he had caused. Vladimir would ensure that. Irideesa had been an innocent, and there was no doubt in Vladimir’s mind that Alainen had seduced and abused Irideesa.

As his former self of Mir’ald, Vladimir had become aware of the rumours around Alainen and Irideesa. He’d been planning to speak to her after their shift, but events had overtaken them.

After that, it didn’t seem worth bothering about. They had more important things to consider, such as survival. But a reckoning was coming, and it had that backstabbing bastard’s name on it.

Chapter Eleven.

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