I pivoted slightly and stared at the guards outside the—now—silent room, ordering, “Let the five of them in.”
Kimber and her harem had been barred from the room.
Guards instantly parted and guns lowered.
The silent five walked inside, their footsteps just as quiet.
Dorian sauntered to stand beside his brother, crossing his arms and surveying the shocked faces of all the gawkers. He chuckled softly under his breath. “Are they happy you’re home, brother? I can’t tell right now.”
Lord Xenon dropped the papers in his hands on the table, his black eyes narrowing. “Brother? What…” His gaping mouth shut with an audible click. “You know what? I don’t fucking care right now. He’s a druid. Whatever. I don’t have time for that nonsense.” His tired—and slightly crazed—eyes turned toward Bel and me. He boomed violently, “It is about fucking time you got back!”
We stared. That brazen comment didn’t deserve a response.
Lord Cato cleared his throat and patted the other lord’s shoulder, then stated studiously, “What Lord Xenon meant to say is, we are thrilled you are back safe and sound.” His gaze ran over me from head to toe, making sure I was indeed fine from my trip.
He added absently, “And did you find the Breaker?”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m fine. Just got kidnapped and shit. But I’m fine now. I wouldn’t recommend S’Kir. Definitely a one-star rating.”
Kimber growled softly behind me.
Too bad. It was true.
My father’s shoulders tensed, and danger leapt into his gaze, rage bleeding into his eyes. “Are they dead?”
“Of course.”
King Belshazzar yawned and hiked a thumb over his shoulder. “The girl. She’s the Breaker. She has many names, but her given name is Kimber.”
All eyes traveled to the woman behind me, all judging…
No expressions were good. Tired eyes turned sour.
“That wisp of a druid is supposed to bring peace to this war?” Lord Xenon blinked sluggishly and rubbed at his face. “Please tell me this is a joke.”
Kimber jerked forward between Bel and me, growling, “I don’t know what my job is supposed—”
I smashed my hand against her face, stopping her tirade and pushing her back behind me. “You were doing so well. Try to keep your mouth shut and learn.”
“But—”
“No,” I cut her off again. As patiently as I could, I stated, “Everyone in this room is at least ten times older than you. Now is the time to be quiet while the adults talk.”
She instantly bristled.
Good God. “Look, Kimber, you’re not half bad. You remind me of me when I was your age. But you still have a lot to learn. And if you don’t believe me, look at your men. What are they doing? The older people with more experience are being quiet and listening. Understand?”
Her lips pinched into thin lines. But she stayed blissfully silent.
I nodded once and turned back around, sighing softly.
This was going to be interesting.
King Belshazzar scratched at his chin and then crossed his arms just like his twin. “It’s not a joke, Lord Xenon. Kimber’s the Breaker. She’s young in the head, but not in years of life. She’s powerful.”
Once again, I felt Kimber stiffen behind me.
The druid still stayed quiet, though. That was progress.
One of the vampires manning the many screens that had been installed in the command center murmured gently, “I hate to intrude, but it looks like the forces are moving.” He lifted a finger and pointed at a satellite video of a vast area with infrared figures converging together—there were many people on the screen, too many to count.
Lord Cato jerked his attention to the screen indicated. “Are they on schedule for the attack?”
“They’re one mile out from the target. Right on time.”
Bel wound his way through the military personnel in the room to stare at the screen. “Those are friendlies?”
“Affirmative.”
“What is the target?”
“Kapustin Yar.”
“Russia.” King Belshazzar grunted, turned around to stand next to the lords, and evaluated the papers on the table. “Tell me more.”
I moved forward to stand next to my father but kept my eyes on the screen. This was a massive attack with the number of people we had on the scene.
Lord Cato explained quickly, “We were able to uncover the major base in Russia—what we’re getting ready to seize in ten minutes—but unable to find the military home base inside the United States of America. We believe there is information in Kapustin Yar containing the whereabouts of it.”
“How many other bases are set up across the world?” I asked.
“Too many. But they all get their information from the two chief players. We’re about ready to take out one. Hopefully, we’ll find the last one as a prize during this attack.”
“Effectively cutting off their orders for a time.” Bel nodded his head approvingly. “You’ve done well.”
“Thanks.” Lord Xenon cracked his neck. “No rest for the wicked, right?”
“None.” King Belshazzar smacked Lord Xenon’s shoulder and winked. “I knew you two could handle it.”
“Barely.” Lord Cato snorted. “I hope never to do this again.”
“If done well, we won’t have to.” I squinted at the screen. “How are the vampires and druids playing together?”
Lord Xenon waggled his right hand back and forth in the air. “So-so. Less death than we expected, but more fights are breaking out as the days tick by.” He lifted a haughty brow. “The druids are wondering where their king is in all this.”
King Belshazzar’s fangs showed. “Well, that bastard isn’t coming back.”
Lord Cato shook his head at him. “That will not benefit our needs. But if you two were there, it would help tremendously.”
I peered straight at my soul mate. “You did want to fight more.” I pointed at Dorian while keeping my eyes on the deceiver. “He could pass for his son, too.”
Bel placed his hands on the table, leaning toward me, an evil glint lingering in his gaze. “Look at you. Being a liar-liar.”
I glared down my nose at him. “It works for the situation.”
“As did my deception.”
I sniffed.
Lord Cato grabbed my arm, still in the air and aimed at Dorian. His eyes locked onto my wrist…the soul mate mark. The tone my father used was quiet. “Who is the lucky man?”
King Belshazzar snorted and pushed off the table. “Quit the bullshit, Lord Cato.”
Innocence looked at me from my father’s eyes.
“Oh. My. God.” I yanked my arm out of his grasp. “Are you fucking shitting me? Both you and Joshua?”
Lord Cato’s nose scrunched up. “Joshua may have told me.”
“How long?” I growled. “How long have you known?”
His head teetered back and forth, and his brown eyes held my gaze steadily. Finally, he answered, “Since the very beginning. Joshua had been frightened and came to me. He thought you were both dead.”