Page 104 of My Haven
Mikel lifted his arms and both hands burst into flames.
Aiden turned to eye one of the armed men, the outline of his third form becoming more defined. “I would not,” he growled.
The enforcers hesitated.
Aiden squeezed. “Release Genevieve Taylor, now,” he ordered.
Thax gasped and shook his head.
Aiden threw the man at Caiden’s feet. “A present,” he said, then turned to the warriors. “Do what you have to.”
Caiden thought back to what Meryn said. Grinning, he turned to his brothers. “It’s past time we reminded this city why the Ironwoods and Ashleighs are the sword and shield of Storm Keep.”
His brothers’ answering grins were feral.
Caiden exhaled and sent his air magic forward. Brick by brick, board by board, they dismantled the enforcer building, tossing the debris across the city to hit the windows of the Witches’ Council’s meeting room in the castle.
It was as if the building became a flower opening to bloom. Layer by layer was removed until, at last, he saw his mate hunkered down in a small cell. She removed her arms covering her head and looked around, tears streaking clean tracks down her dirty cheeks.
“About time!” she said, then hiccupped and began sobbing.
He flew to her side and pulled her close. “Never again. You will never be without me at your side again.”
She buried her face in his chest and nodded. “I can live with that.”
When she looked up, he saw pure terror in her eyes. “They were going to wipe my mind. I would have lost everything,” she whispered.
Ultimately, it was her terror that broke the restraints he built around his magic. He became the center of a tornado. Around him, his brothers kept innocents safe, as the unit witches guarded their brothers. He saw Troy shielding Arlo with water, both looking extremely satisfied at the destruction.
When he saw the enforcers leveling their weapons at him, his brothers, his mate and his commander, he didn’t hesitate. He picked up the enforcers and flung them at the castle. He sent every one of them flying to their deaths except for one. Thax. Using his air magic, he lifted the screaming man and dropped him on the remnants of the iron bars that were used to cage his mate, effectively impaling him.
Taking a deep breath, he pulled in his magic until the air around them was calm.
Thane walked over and eyed the dead enforcer. “Nice touch.”
Caiden looked down at his mate. “See, my love. They won’t hurt you again,” he said, repeatedly running his hands over her hair.
“You killed them, like really killed them,” she said, staring at Thax’s mangled corpse.
Caiden traced the bruise on her cheek and turned to snarl at the dead body. “He put his hands on you!”
Genevieve wrapped her arms around his waist. “He can’t anymore,” she said, holding him back from stepping toward the body.
“Kirbs!” Arlo sobbed as he ran forward, throwing his arms around Genevieve’s neck, his momentum swinging her away from Caiden. “Oh my god! Are you okay!” he asked, crying as he checked her over from head to toe.
“I’m okay, Caiden got to me before they could do anything,” she said, hugging her best friend close.
Arlo kissed her forehead, then launched himself at a stunned Caiden. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” he said, weeping.
Caiden did his best to maneuver Arlo back to his feet.
Troy walked up to stand next to her. “Is this a normal response or should I be worried?” he asked.
She smiled. “Before you, me and my sister were his only family. I think this is okay.”
Troy simply took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’m glad you’re safe.”
She looked around at the devastation the Ironwoods and Ashleighs left of the enforcer building. “I know I was just in a cage but seeing you all here I feel safer. I know that even if I were taken again in the future, you all would come for me.” She paused. “Being with you makes me feel safer, but I wonder if this place will ever feel like home.”
