Chapter Eleven

It was almost too quiet when they walked through the nearly invisible portal. Even though he knew for a fact, men were fanning out to surround the buildings, he couldn't detect a single thing.

Kendrick whispered and the air around them vibrated. With a soundproofing spell in place, he looked to him. "Use whatever you have at your disposal."

Kincaid couldn't help the thrill of excitement, despite the dire circumstances. It was rare to be able to use one's full power. If Kendrick was giving him the freedom to use his magic as he wished, he would not waste the opportunity.

"He looks like a kid at Christmas," Law teased.

"Him? I'm just as eager to get started. There are spells I haven't used in over a thousand years," Justice added.

Kendrick stepped between them. "Are you four comfortable being a distraction?"

Law grinned. "You bet your royal ass we are."

Kendrick sighed then looked to him. "Kincaid?"

"Sir, I was on the team that found the kids. I can't wait to meet these assholes."

"Good answer." Kendrick cracked his neck. "Meryn did say we were to provide a signal. Let's oblige."

When the last unit leader confirmed they were in place, Kendrick lifted both arms, his hands curled as if he were clutching something. His whispered phrase sounded close to the guttural language Kincaid had heard earlier. Under their feet, the earth began to shake as two molten lava hands formed and twisted out from the ground. Each hand grabbed the side of the building housing a door and ripped the entire thing away, throwing it into the woods.

Within their soundproof bubble, they couldn't hear anything, but from the comms line, Colton's maniacal laughter, followed by a long howl was heard.

Kendrick lowered the soundproofing spell. "Do you think that worked?"

Gunshots in the distance echoed around them.

Law rubbed his chin. "I would say it did."

"Gentlemen, we have a building to secure," Kendrick said, before running ahead.

They easily kept up and without the two heavy, metal doors, they easily made their way inside.

Guards appeared to pour out from the left and right into the main chamber. Off to one side, a screaming fae was under a device that looked like it was pulling light out of him.

There was no thought. His air magic reacted forming a blade. Like a hot knife through butter, the top portion of the device was sliced away from its housing by the ceiling. Seconds later, he used an air current to push it from falling on the man and ended up crushing the device's operator instead.

"Good job!" Law called out.

The Ashleigh brothers worked in tandem as one unit. Kincaid could see that this was as easy to them as breathing. Thane would lift, Law would shoot, and Justice would incinerate.

Kincaid smiling, turned just in time to see one of the guards level his arm behind Kendrick, the gun pointed at his king's head.

A primal cry wrenched from his throat as his vision darkened and his rage took over. He raised his power hand and swung his arm away, intending to fling the guard backward.

What actually did end up flying backward was the man's head, sliced cleanly from his neck and cauterized.

The Ashleigh brothers seeing what almost happened encircled Kendrick immediately.

Thane spun him around. "Can you do that again?"

"I don't know, maybe?"

"Clear this building. We cannot risk him anymore," Thane ordered.

The Sword of Storm Keep had spoken.

Taking a deep breath, he brought up both hands. As the remaining guards advanced, he held on to the fear he had felt at the possibility of losing his king. Unlike the other elements, air seemed almost eager to help.

The wind whipped like giant scythes, and though heads were rolling, little blood was shed as his fire element sealed the wounds. Before he knew it, he stood panting in the middle of the room, the only ones left breathing were himself, his king, the Ashleigh brothers, Meryn's squad and the poor fae strapped to the device.

As they approached the gaunt man, he looked up at them. "Please, kill me," he begged brokenly.

Kendrick easily broke the straps. "Let your queen decide. She has lost far too many children. If you can hold on for just one hour and you still want to die after returning to éire Danu, I will send you off peacefully myself," he promised.

Tears trickled out of the corner of the man's eyes, disappearing into his hairline. "I can hold on for a bit longer."

Kendrick eased him off the metal table and got him propped up against the wall. He tapped his headset. "Darian, Oron, main building is clear."

"Damn boyo! That was impressive!" Gambit said, slapping him on the back soundly.

"Control room is clear," Legolas said, holding up some square metal boxes.

Gunshots in the distance had Kincaid turning for the door. He looked back and Thane nodded. "Go to your unit. We'll keep the portals secure."

Kincaid took off running to the North. That's where Aiden and the éire Danu warriors were fighting. He approached the kicked in door and eased down the hallway. When he got to the main room, he was shocked to see that the warriors were pinned down on either side by the guards. He could see at least two bodies on the ground.

Not a blade this time, but a noose. He sent out his magic like a large lasso. He clenched both fists and pulled as hard as he could. The razor-like noose tightened and heads began to fall.

To his left, the noose tightened a fraction slower and one of the guards was able to get a shot off. He felt a punch to his side before those guards were laying on the ground as well.

Seeing that their enemies were down, the warriors began to fan out. The sounds of fighting were heard in the guard's rooms and in a room off to one side.

Gasping, he dropped to his knees. Breathing was becoming difficult.

"Aeson, it was Kincaid! Kincaid is down!" Balder yelled.

"What!"

Kincaid kept his hand pressed to his ribs. He smiled. "I helped," he said, fighting for each word.

Ari came running up, his hair floating about his head like a mane. "Caid? Shit!" He looked around and saw that one of their healers, Heath, was already treating Leon and Broden.

Kincaid coughed and blood flew from his mouth. "Probably nicked a lung," he guessed.

"You fucking think?" Ari yelled.

Brie jogged over. "Can you heal yourself or do you need to go to Noctem Falls?"

"Give me a second," he wheezed.

He just needed a second to think, to clear his head so he could concentrate on his healing magic, but the pain overrode his thoughts.

Moments later, his breathing eased, and the pain cleared. Heath looked down at him. "I need the extra set of hands," he explained.

"He needs to rest," Ari said.

Brie put a hand on Ari's arm then looked down at Kincaid. "You good?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Go," she ordered, pointing to their downed men.

Kincaid struggled to his feet, then went to Leon's side. "Hey buddy, you're not supposed to stop the bullets with your body."

"Har, har," Leon whispered.

Kincaid laid his hands on his friend and sent his magic forward. The bullet had hit his ribs but instead of exiting out the back like his had, it had ricocheted around his organs.

"We're going for a ride."

"Tell Aeson, I left my pinwheel recipe in the book above the fridge," Leon said, gasping for air.

"No," Brie whispered. "Kincaid, you save him, that's a motherfucking order, do you hear me!"

Kincaid called on his air magic and created a floating gurney. He looked over to Heath. "Broden?"

"I got him, he'll be fine. Save, Leon, please," he begged.

Kincaid simply ran, keeping his hand on the floating disc.

He entered the doors and straight to the portals. "I need a warrior from Noctem Falls!" he screamed.

"Here!" a familiar voice called out.

"Declan, it's Leon I have to get him to surgery, like, now!"

"Grab my hand, don't let go," Declan ordered.

Kincaid held on and lifted the invisible gurney over their heads.

The large lion- shifter made his way through the gathering people like a football player. When they reached the portal Kincaid saw Darian's eyes widen. "Go!" he said, already reaching up to his comms line.

Declan pulled him through and raced past the people in place to organize the survivors.

"Here!" a female voice called.

"Serenity, Kincaid says Leon needs surgery, now!"

"Rheia!" Serenity yelled.

Kincaid looked at the pregnant dark-haired woman in scrubs. "I thought Meryn said you would be in éire Danu," Kincaid said.

"We didn't need two surgeons in one place, so to keep my mate happy I came here. What do we have?" she asked, starting to evaluate Leon.

"My healing magic followed the trail of the bullet. It looks like it bounced around his body." Kincaid ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know how else to describe it than that."

"No, that's exactly what I need to know." Rheia looked around. "I wish Anne was here, but she's better off where the chaos is."

"I'm not a nurse, but I have healing magic, use me. Please save my brother," he pleaded.

She took in his appearance. "You were injured?"

He looked down at the blood on his chest. "Heath healed me."

"How much blood did you lose?"

"Hardly any, just coughed a bit."

"I can't have you passing out during surgery." She turned to Serenity. "Get him scrubbed in and send a message down to Vivi. This one," she'll point to Leon. "Will need blood."

She eyed Leon floating in mid-air. "Are you holding him up?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Okay, change of plans. Follow me, we'll get Leon on an actual gurney, then you'll need to clean up."

"Yes ma'am."

Rheia smiled. "You éire Danu boys are so polite."

"We can cook too," Leon joked weakly.

"Then by all means, let's get you well," she said, then met his eyes.

It was going to be close.

*****

Zadie sipped her cappuccino and watched as Meryn acted like some sort of battle air traffic controller. What would amuse her if things weren't so tragic is that it didn't matter who she was talking to, she spoke to everyone the same. Prince of the Vampires or Dav, the pub owner, it didn't matter. These people were thousands of years older than she was, but her common sense directness had proven repeatedly to get results and that's what they desperately needed.

"Are they killing the bad men now?" Cody asked, walking in from the courtyard.

She had heard from Cord that Kyrn was helping the kids set things up in the house. They were getting comfortable being around him and by organizing the classroom, they really felt a sense of ownership. More importantly, it kept them from the darker things that were happening in the queen's chambers. She looked down at Cody, or it was supposed to.

"I believe they are." She held out her arms. "Do you think you could give me a hug?"

Cody scrambled into her lap with his washcloth Mr. Bear. "Do you miss Mr. Kincaid?"

"I do. I've never had a mate before, humans don't get them. It's amazing to find someone just for you, but it's also scary at the thought of losing them."

Cody rested his head against her chest. "I wish Mr. Kincaid was home."

She leaned back so she could look at him. "Why is that honey?"

"I heard Ms. Bayberry wants to make him his favorite foods, but she seemed sad when she saw we hadta wait."

They both turned at Meryn's outburst.

"What are you doing, single-filing that shit? Fucking send them in as many across as the portal will allow," Meryn ranted into her headset. "I want to clear that facility in the next twenty minutes, not the next hour."

There was silence, then she practically snarled. "That's it, Colton, I'm telling Rheia."

Zadie watched as Meryn grinned then deliberately disconnected the call. She picked up her phone and sent a text.

Motion from the backdoor had her turning. Aeron was peeking in. He saw Cody and gave a thumbs up with a questioning expression. She nodded. The little boy was fine where he was. Aeron smiled and ducked back out.

Cody leaned in. "She's really cool and tells everyone what to do."

When her own phone had dinged earlier alerting her to keep an eye on Meryn, she thought the men were being overly cautious, but she could see Meryn's patience was starting to wear thin and that the evening was taking its toll on the smaller woman. She was now sitting more than standing and she was on her third coffee. She flagged Izzy down. "Maybe she should go de-caf?" she suggested quietly.

Izzy winced. "Her last one was de-caf. Cord brought in some snacks, but she's not eating. I bet she won't until everything is over."

She waved Ryuu over.

He bowed. "Yes, Lady Zadie?"

"Maybe we could tempt her with those Toast'Ems that Kincaid brought back for her?" she suggested.

Ryuu froze for a second, then smiled. "Excellent idea. I forgot she had a stockpile in her bat cave. Give me one moment."

After a few minutes, Ryuu came back in with a small platter of assorted breakfast treats. Without looking Meryn picked one up and began eating.

Ryuu placed a hand on his heart and inclined in head in thanks.

"Anne, I need an update," Meryn said, working on her second pastry.

"People are stopping once they get on this side of the portal, they think they've been tricked since it's so cold. It's taking Brennus, Portia, Molvan and a lot of neighbors to keep them moving," Anne reported.

"I'm getting numbers from Aiden now. We lost half," she reported through gritted teeth.

"Oh, no. The queen is going to be devastated," Anne spoke quietly.

"Since we're splitting the group, half of half still means about seven-hundred are heading your way. Anne, we need to close that portal in twenty minutes. I want the men back before possible reinforcements arrive at the facility and it turns into a pitched battle."

"Leave it to me," Anne said, then disconnected.

Next, she dialed Magnus.

"How's my Auntie?" she asked, by way of greeting.

"She has been instrumental in getting people to come through the portal for sorting. I have never seen anything so beautiful in all my years. The queen is standing at the back of Level Six and is radiating a warm light. The fae are instinctively drawn to it. They are looking to her like she is their mother."

"She kinda is."

"I believe it. I am the Prince of my people, but this is something different," Magnus shared.

"We need to keep the portal area clear. I'm trying to get the guys out in the next twenty minutes."

"Agreed. We will be ready, Meryn," he promised.

"Magnus, if she starts to blink in and out or some shit, like a lightin bug. Shove her through the portal and tell Oron to get her home."

"On your authority?" Magnus teased.

"Auntie left me in charge while she and Darian were gone, technically I am speaking with the authority of the royal palace."

Magnus chuckled. "Then she will have no one else to blame but herself. I will watch her like a hawk. Also, Sebastian finished his, what in the devil did he call it? Elevated Magic Pudding or some such nonsense."

"Yes! Tell him he's amazing."

"I absolutely will not. He is hard enough to live with as it is."

"I'll tell him later."

"He'd probably want to hear it from you anyway. I will go through and check the site myself in eighteen minutes. Get some rest, young lady," he said, then disconnected.

Meryn's phone buzzed and she looked down. Frowning she looked up, saw her, then frowned fiercer.

Zadie squeezed Cody a bit tighter. "Kincaid?" she asked, fearing the answer.

"Kinda. One of the doctors that kisses Vivi's ass is answering Rheia's phone for her. He said that Kincaid came in with Leon. Both had been shot," she quickly held up her hand. "Kincaid is fine, slightly punctured lung or something, but they don't think Leon is going to make it."

Zadie felt tears gather. Leon was one of the warriors who had truly made her feel welcome. They had just been laughing together in the kitchen.

"He can't die," she said, blinking quickly to fight back her tears.

"They're doing everything they can," Meryn said. "If anyone can save him it's Rheia and Serenity."

She sent off a text, then dialed another number.

"Hey chér ," Gambit answered.

"I need that site clear, Gambit."

"Working on it, darlin'."

"Status?"

"All bad guys are dead, all good guys with one exception are doing fine. Survivors are moving at a good clip now, we should be finishing up in about twenty minutes."

"Data?"

"Legolas snagged their hard drives, and all equipment has been melted."

"Melted?"

"Affirmative. If Deadpool had more fire in him, some of our missions could have been a lot easier. There's no hacking back into melted metal."

"The dead enemies?"

"Your grumpy witch is using a molten lava hand to both incinerate and bury them. Nothing will remain. I am secure enough in my masculinity to admit that was some sexy shit."

"Which grumpy witch? Kendrick or Thane?"

"The red-head."

Meryn grinned.

"Ut oh," Gambit muttered.

"What now?"

"Hearing scuttlebutt that some of the warriors want to stay until they hear about Leon," he said, in a low tone, with no playfulness, he was all business now.

"The fuck they are. Gotta go."

"Bye shug," Gambit said.

Meryn hung up. Then called her mate. "Aiden, I need the guys home the second the survivors come through."

"I do too, baby, but a lot of the éire Danu warriors want to wait and see if there are any updates from Noctem Falls. They feel news will travel faster here with an open portal."

Meryn tapped a few buttons, then pressed the side of her headset. "Listen up guys, I know you're worried about Leon, but I need you to come through the portal. Every second you're there, we risk reinforcements arriving."

"Meryn…" Aeson started.

"I am asking you to trust me as a princess of éire Danu," she said, firmly. "Right now, I am responsible for each and every one of you. While you are there my attention is divided, and I can't get any information out of Noctem Falls."

"We trust you, we do, Meryn," Aeson answered quickly. "It's Leon," he said simply.

"I am texting my contact in Noctem Falls right now. He is literally standing outside the operating room. The second something happens. I will let you know. But, it will be easier to update you, if you're home."

"As you command, Your Highness," Aeson answered.

"You're goddamn right," Meryn muttered, causing a few of the warriors to chuckle lowly. "Oh, shut up and get your asses home."

"Yes, ma'am."

She disconnected then turned to Ryuu. "I am never ruling shit. No how, no way. This sucks."

Ryuu's mouth twitched. "But, you are doing beautifully."

"Yeah, well if I don't, someone will fuck it up."

Zadie coughed into her hand. "Hyper-independence."

Meryn stuck her tongue out. "I know you are, but what am I?"

Zadie stuck her tongue back out at her. "He's right though Meryn. You cut through the shit, and you made this work."

Meryn shrugged and ducked her face. "We all have our strengths. You keep the kiddos happy, and I order warriors about, at the end of the day we both still have empty coffee cups."

Zadie stared. "Why does that feel like it needs to be an ‘Unmotivational' poster?"

A shrill ringtone had Meryn sighing. She answered. "Yello."

"Meryn, we may have run into a snag," Kendrick reported.

"If any of the warriors are saying they're staying, fucking shock their asses," she started.

Kendrick laughed. "No, they're getting ready to go. That's not it."

"Then what?"

"Sweetheart, we need someplace to start moving the dead to," he said, softly.

"Fuck!" Meryn looked around and the normally full dining room was empty. "Cord!"

The squire appeared instantly at the doorway. "Little Meryn, what is it?" he asked, hurrying over.

"We have the survivors in the town's square, but I forgot about where we were going to put the dead."

Cord inhaled sharply. His eyes narrowed as he thought, then he snapped his fingers. "The old amphitheater. It's still under renovation, but the center area should be clear. It's been cold enough that refrigeration shouldn't be an issue."

"Did you hear that?" Meryn asked Kendrick.

"Loud and clear. The second the survivors are through; we'll open a portal to the amphitheater. It shouldn't take long to carry them through. We should be done in under a half an hour."

"Thank goodness."

"Ryuu?"

Ryuu stepped closer to the phone. "Yes, heika ?"

"How is she?"

"Crashing," the squire answered. "Do try to get here in the thirty minutes you promised."

"Understood," Kendrick said, then hung up.

Meryn whirled, hands on hips. "Rude!"

"True and you know it," Ryuu said, his expression worried. "I am letting it go this far because we both know how invaluable you are. The second this operation is over, you need rest."

"You won't see me fighting ya on that," Meryn said, yawning.

"I will go change your sheets and make sure your pillows are just right," Pip offered. He passed her his phone. "I don't mind helping with the phone, but I'd rather take care of you." He kissed her forehead and walked toward the sleeping quarters.

Meryn smiled as Pip walked out. "I love him so fucking much."

Ryuu nodded. "That you do."

Cody sat back and had her lean down. She felt him kiss her forehead. "There, now you can feel better too."

Zadie felt her heart warm. She leaned in and kissed his face repeatedly wherever her lips could land. Cody began to giggle and thrash, but his heart wasn't into it. Zadie could tell he was soaking up the attention.

When Zadie relented, she saw Meryn was watching them closely. "I know Aiden wants a girl, but maybe a boy wouldn't be too bad either."

Cody nodded seriously. "You need to have a boy Auntie Meryn, so that he can grow up and protect you."

"Auntie?" Meryn whispered.

Zadie wasn't sure how the odd woman would accept the familial claim. "Uh, the kids started calling Aiden, Uncle Aiden, because he was one of the ones that rescued them and…"

Meryn blinked. "I am an Auntie," she whispered. "Ryuu, we now have nieces and nephews outside Penny, Ame, Yuki and future nuggets."

"Yes, denka ," the squire said, bowing.

"Make sure we prepare the appropriate chaos inducing gifts, like drums and tattoos."

"Yes, denka ," Ryuu said, nodding as if it were a normal request.

"No way, Meryn," Zadie protested. "I have to live there too."

Meryn held up her hand. "Thems the auntie rules. Just be thankful I am only giving coffee to the ten- and fifteen-year-olds."

"The ten-year-olds don't need coffee."

"I was drinking coffee at ten," Meryn said.

"I was too, and I think we can both agree our childhoods weren't exactly picture perfect," Zadie refuted.

"Okay, I will compromise on giving the ten-year-olds coffee, but they all have to be in-Doctor-nated."

"Agreed."

Zadie sat back while Cody quizzed Meryn about who the Doctor was. Before they knew it Meryn's computer was buzzing. She picked up. "Hey baby."

"We're on our way back. Any news?" Aiden asked.

"Nothing yet," she answered.

"We'll be there soon."

"I'm not going anywhere."

There was silence.

"Stop rolling your eyes!" Meryn demanded.

"I'm not…"

"Hurry home," she ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," he said, then hung up.

Zadie rocked slightly with Cody in her lap. "Did he mean they were all coming here?"

Meryn winced. "Probably." She looked at Cord.

"We'll use those low heated tables Ryuu introduced. I'll get them set up along with a light meal," Cord said, before giving a low bow. "Thank you, Meryn. What you did today, it will not be forgotten."

She just gave a half shrug. "It's kinda what I do."

"I'm also sending food to your bedroom so you can retire the moment you can." He wagged a finger at her. "To bed, the moment the men are home and not a second later."

"I know, I know."

Meryn's phone dinged and she looked down.

When the small woman closed her eyes and let her head drop back, Zadie feared the worst.

Sniffling a bit, Meryn looked at her. "He made it."

Zadie sat back in relief. "Thank god."

Meryn snorted. "If you're thanking anyone, thank your superhero. He was instrumental in the surgery being a success. You should reward him later."

Zadie raised an eyebrow. "By playing vacuum?"

Meryn just smiled. "Hasn't failed to produce smiles yet."

Zadie shook her head and cuddled Cody close. She just had to wait a bit longer, then her mate would be home, and she would be complete again.