She glanced at his companion. Are you sure?
One hundred percent. Since Gershom is so fond of posing as Seth, we thought we’d turn the tables on him. His eyes fell to her legs. You’re limping. Fury rose. They hurt you?
No. I hurt myself when I overpowered the guards.
He stared at her. I’m sorry, what?
These men aren’t soldiers. They’re three of the gifted ones who were taken. We were just about to make our escape.
While General Gershom droned on about Aidan-didn’t-care-what, Aidan swiftly reviewed Dana’s memories.
Holy shite, he muttered mentally. You overpowered the guards and secured your own release.
I know. Her brow crinkled. I’ve kind of been freaking myself out, because I don’t know how the hell I’m doing this.
General Gershom turned toward the approaching soldiers.
The three males with Dana stiffened. Their hands tightened on their weapons.
That’s the asshole who took me, one of the gifted ones told Dana telepathically.
This isn’t the man who took you, Aidan told them all. He’s only posing as him, much like you’re posing as guards, so we can liberate you.
The men’s eyes widened.
A walkie squawked behind Aidan.
Tim mumbled into it, then stepped forward. “General Gershom, sir. The transport trucks have arrived.”
General Gershom responded with a curt nod. “Let’s load them up as quickly as possible.” He motioned to Dana. “Start with this one.”
If Aidan was supposed to remain with the others, he deviated from the plan.
Tim motioned for Dana and her faux soldier escort to accompany him back to the front of the building. Aidan fell in behind them, his eyes on Dana. Her hands had been secured behind her back with a zip tie, but her companions had left the tie loose enough for her to free her hands if the need should arise.
Aidan ground his teeth as he again noted her limp.
It seemed to take them forever to reach the front of the building.
Nelson was gone, kowtowing to General Lane, no doubt. The soldiers who remained offered no objections as Aidan and Tim headed outside with Dana and the other three.
Large military trucks were lined up out front, each protected by half a dozen heavily armed soldiers Aidan knew were Chris’s men.
Tim guided them to the back of the first truck, then stood aside while Dana’s guards helped her inside.
Aidan followed the four into the truck, then let the canvas flap fall back into place. A slice of bright sunlight swept in where the flaps didn’t quite meet, alleviating the darkness.
Dana spun around. Jerking her hands from the zip tie, she hurled herself at him.
Aidan wrapped his arms around her and crushed her to him, lifting her off her feet and burying his face in her hair.
“I thought he’d killed you,” she whispered, her voice choked with tears.
“I feared he’d done the same to you.”
They held each other for a long moment.
“I’m guessing he’s Aidan,” one of her companions murmured. His thoughts identified him as Rick.
Ignoring him, Aidan lowered Dana’s feet to the truck bed and leaned back so he could look down at her. “You’re really okay?” he asked, brushing her loose hair back from her face.
She nodded.
“What the hell?” Rick murmured in astonishment. “His eyes are glowing and he has fangs.”
Aidan glanced at him.
Rick was tall and slim, the uniform he wore too short in the sleeves and tight across his chest. And he gaped at Aidan.
“I told you she wasn’t crazy,” another declared triumphantly. Phil, who was apparently telepathic.
The third man just stared, mouth hanging open.
Dana laughed. Keeping her arms around Aidan, she leaned into his side and motioned to the men. “This is Rick, Phil, and Grant.”
Aidan nodded to them but was more interested in the foot Dana kept her weight off of whenever she moved. He nudged her toward one of the bench seats that ran the length of the truck. “Sit down and let me see what you’ve done to yourself.”
Dana sank down and propped her foot on the opposite knee. “I hurt it when I kicked one of the soldiers.”
Aidan crouched in front of her and examined her cold, dirty foot. The heel was already beginning to bruise. Cupping her foot in his hand, he smiled up at her. “I’ll have to see to it you’re wearing a good pair of boots next time.” His hand heated. The bruise receded, then disappeared.
Dana covered his hands with hers, drawing his gaze. “Did Ethan and Heather survive?”
“Heather did. We’re still waiting to see if Seth was able to fully heal Ethan.”
Nodding, she blinked back tears. “Where’s the real Gershom? Did you defeat him?”
He shook his head. “We don’t know where he is. I half expected him to be here when we arrived.”
Rick took a step forward. “How did that guy in there look so much like Gershom? Are they twins or something?”
“No. They’re more like cousins.”
Sunlight brightened the truck’s interior as the flap pulled back.
Tim stood outside with four more gifted ones.
Dana tugged Aidan’s hand. “Your eyes,” she whispered.
Aidan closed them while he took a moment to bring his emotions back under control. His fangs retracted. He opened his eyes.
Dana smiled. “You’re good.”
He brought one of her hands to his lips for a kiss, then rose. “Let’s see how fast we can get you all out of here.”
Aidan, Seth said in his head. You’re needed at David’s.
Aidan swore and met Dana’s gaze. “I’m needed at David’s.”
Go now, Seth ordered.
Though he was loath to leave Dana, Aidan teleported away.
Gershom stood in the forest, a gentle breeze teasing his hair as he listened to the thoughts of those who thought themselves safe in David’s abode. Ever since Seth’s adopted daughter had alerted Seth to his presence at the army base last year, Gershom had been carefully testing the extent of Ami’s peculiar talent to see just how close he could get before she began to sense his presence.
Close enough to eavesdrop on the conversations and thoughts that cluttered David’s home as the sun set.
A slow smile curled his lips.
Once more, he had gotten the best of his nemesis.
It had been too easy really. While that fucker Seth was busy at the military installation, pretending to be him and liberating his little gifted ones, Gershom would walk right through the front door of David’s home—figuratively speaking—and take that which was most precious to him.
Seth wouldn’t even realize they were gone until it was too late.
Perhaps Gershom would slay David and a few of the Immortal Guardians while he was there just to dig the knife in deeper.
The notion held great appeal.
Listening to the muted speech, he took a quick head count.
Ami sat on a sofa in David’s living room, reading a book to the toddler on her lap. Her husband Marcus sat beside them, so afraid for the two that Gershom could barely find any coherent thoughts in his head.