Page 127 of Dawn of Chaos and Fury
“Has Tessa?” she asked in irritation.
“Yes,” Luka answered. “Granted, those were life or death situations, but she’s not averse to it.”
“If I were meant to fly, I would have been given wings,” she said. “Figure out something else.”
“Why aren’t there guards out here anyway?” Razik asked, stepping closer to study the tall metal gates.
It was a good point, and a question Luka didn’t have an answer to. He’d come to get Theon and Tessa out of here; thenthey could all regroup. He’d clear the air with Tessa. He’d be back with his Ward, and things could move forward.
Pushing on the gate, it swung open easily, and everything in him went on high alert. Something was very wrong here. Not even the wards around the property were active.
“Be prepared for anything,” Luka said in a low voice, shifting his eyes to see everything more vividly.
“Don’t expect me to protect you if we have to fight,mai dragocen,” Razik said, walking at Eliza’s side.
“The only one who’s going to need protecting is you. From me,” she grumbled.
He chuckled low, and Luka could swear her lips twitched, hiding a smile.
They were an odd couple.
Pulling his attention back to the estate, he wasn’t entirely sure where to go. He’d only been to this estate once. The only thing he had to go on was the Tracking Mark that was guiding him deeper into the estate grounds.
They stuck to the shadows, trying to stay out of sight. Rounding the main building, they all went still. In the center of the courtyard stood the Anala Heir and her Source. A fire portal was open, and they were ushering Fae children through as quickly as possible.
“What the fuck?” Luka said under his breath.
“What is happening?” Eliza asked.
“I don’t know,” he answered, watching Gatlan move among the children. More than once, he crouched before a scared child, wiping at tears and saying words Luka could just make out. Telling them everything would be okay. They’d be safe soon.
Tana somehow sensed them then, her golden eyes connecting with his. She said something to Gatlan, who nodded, calling to a few others Luka had missed. One was Brigid, Tana’syounger sister, who was closer to Axel’s age. The others were clearly related as well with their various shades of red hair.
Tana moved in their direction, and when she was halfway to them, a seraph Luka recognized fell into step beside her. Luka immediately went on high alert. It was Brecken, one of Tessa’s so-called friends. The same one that had helped her at the Sirana Villas. Luka didn’t know whose side the male was on, and seeing him here with Tana was a little bit of a mindfuck.
“Based on conversations and debts currently owed by Theon, I’m going to trust you will not speak a word of what you have seen here today,” Tana said tightly, flames winding up her arms and into her hair.
“I don’t know what I’m seeing,” Luka said. “Where are you taking them?”
“Where we always take those who are no longer safe,” Tana answered. “But our resources are growing sparse, particularly space. We need to know where Theon stands. We’ve been watching him. Tessa has…changed him in many ways.”
“That’s one way to put it,” Luka muttered.
“Who are they?” Tana asked.
“Razik and Eliza.”
Tana eyed them, amber eyes narrowing, but before she could say anything further, Brecken cut in.
“We have limited time, Tana. We could be discovered any moment.”
“I thought you took care of the guards?” Tana answered, glancing to where Gatlan, Brigid, and the others were continuing to guide the children.
“I did, but I’m not as worried about them as much as I am about…her,” Brecken replied, dark eyes boring into Luka’s.
“Isn’t Theon with her?” Luka demanded.
“He is, but it won’t be enough. Dex and Rordan went after them with a small company of seraphs.”
