32. Oria

32

ORIA

M y eyes were stinging from working for too long. I blinked a few times before my vision cleared, but they were dry, and I was exhausted.

"You should take a break."

I looked over my shoulder to see Katarina walking into the room.

"Shouldn't you be asleep?" I asked, getting up from my chair and stretching.

"No, ever since we've come home, they pester me with resting and I'm getting ready to lock them in a room until I deliver," she said, looking over my spell. "I love them, but sometimes they are overbearing, and all these hormones are making me murderous right now."

I laughed as she rubbed her stomach.

"I'm not pregnant, but I get where you are coming from," I said with a smile, but it quickly faded. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, though my sister was the alchemist, not me," she said sitting on a stool, but her face fell. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring up Serena."

"I don't mind. He loved her and that's ok," I said. "If I remember correctly, they sent you away with Ryder and Soren when they thought there was no hope."

"They did," she said.

"How do you get over that betrayal?" I asked. "I know they did it for a good reason, but goddess I hate that they thought they knew better."

She took a deep breath, placing a hand over her stomach. "If they hadn't pushed me to safety, then I wouldn't have had a chance to meet you and if I hadn't met you, then… I don't think we would have survived that encounter."

"You don't?—"

"I do know that. When Zev pushed me to Soren and told him to take me, we were surrounded by people," she said, biting her lip. "Aeon was already injured, Zev and Lucien were no match for the coven. My magic was already weakening, and it was only a matter of time before all of us were captured. I was mad, furious, but they gave us a chance to survive that they saw we didn't have, and also to give this little one a chance to have her daddies."

My lip quivered as I was hit with emotions I was trying to bury. I didn't want to be mad; all I wanted was to curl up to Max and have him tell me everything was going to be ok, and that we were going to get them back. The emptiness from Ryder, Soren and Gray was hard enough, this space between Max and I was unnecessary.

"I've been told what to do all my life. I've never had a choice, and they took another choice from me," I said, taking a deep breath. "But you're right. If they hadn't sent Max and me away, then I wouldn't have been able to do this."

"I know it's hard, these possessive men are a pain in the ass sometimes," she said, glancing at the door. "I know you're there!"

Her blond mate came walking in with a big smile. "I'm sorry, Kit Kat, you know I'm a possessive beast because I love you."

He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her cheek.

"Yeah, yeah." she rolled her eyes, but when she looked at him, she had nothing but hearts in her eyes.

"Sometimes as bonded men, the only way we know how to protect our mate is sometimes to let them go," Lucien said, looking at me. "It's an impossible decision to make, but I'd rather die than have her suffer."

I nodded.

"Why don't you take a break," Katarina said, patting my back. "Walk to the village and check out our shops, get a bite to eat, maybe take a handsome shifter with you."

Lucien growled and I laughed. So possessive.

"Aeon did say to take a look at the shops to see if I found anything extra I might need," I said, standing. "Thank you for listening and giving me insight."

"I owe you so much, you gave us the chance we needed, right when we needed it and I'll always be so grateful." Katarina grabbed my hand and squeezed it. "Now, go get Max and relax, get some sleep and we will head out tomorrow morning."

"Kit Kat," Lucien said.

"Don't start, I took your request into consideration and I'm going," she growled at him.

I packed my bag with the things I had made and put on my necklace. The knife Aeon and I had been working on earlier called to me. We hadn't been able to infuse it with the magic we wanted, but I had an urgency to take it. I grabbed it before I slipped away, admiring that she was so feisty with them, but I didn't want to be there while they argued. I climbed the steps to the main floor seeing Zev walking towards me.

"Have you seen Katarina?" he asked, his scowl still securely in place.

"She's downstairs?—"

"Kit Kat, please." Lucien's voice was right behind me.

"No, I told you, you can't force me to stay here. You do realize I am the one who saved your ass that night," she snapped.

"Hellcat, I thought you were resting." Zev's voice was softer, and his scowl completely disappeared.

"Oh, for fuck's sake," she growled.

"She said she is going," Lucien said, and I scurried away.

"Katarina," Zev said softly.

Arguing erupted as I ran away looking for Max. The bond led me to the kitchen with doors that opened to a beautiful backyard. Aeon and Max were sparring shirtless and my mouth went dry.

Goddess, Max was sexy.

Max glanced over at me when Aeon hit him in the face knocking him back. I flinched, wanting to run to him.

"And that's why you never look away during a fight." Aeon chuckled.

Max rubbed his cheek. "I can't help it when a beautiful woman shows up."

"I'm sorry," I said, wincing when he removed his hand; it was all red.

"It's fine," Max said, walking to me.

"Yeah, we were done," Aeon said, wiping his forehead as I tried not to look his way.

Katarina was a very lucky woman because all of her mates were extremely attractive.

"I need to go grab a few things before we head out tomorrow," he said, clapping Max on the back. "Be ready by three in the morning, so we can do the spell and find out where your mates are at."

"Of course," I said, giving him a smile. "Th-thank you, Aeon, for finding us."

"I owe you, we all do," Aeon said with a handsome smile.

He nodded at us before leaving.

"Are you ok?" I caressed his cheek, sending a little bit of healing to him.

"Better, I missed you," he said, cupping my cheek in one of his big hands. "I don't like this."

"I know, I just—" I took a deep breath. "It's gonna be fine. Want to head into town with me? I want to go see a few stores to see if I can find some tourmaline or quartz and maybe we can eat before we turn in for the night."

"Are you asking me out on a date, Sol?" He smirked.

"Maybe a last chance to enjoy in case anything goes?—"

"Oria," he said, hugging me. "We will get them back and take care of Laima."

"I'm just being realistic," I said against his chest.

"Come on, let's go on a date." Max grabbed my hand, leading me through the kitchen to the front door.

The Belladonna estate was enormous with a small town just down the road. It was late afternoon, and the small town was busy.

"Food or shop first?" I asked, feeling a little bit of excitement as kids ran around and people went from shop to shop.

"Shop," he said, grabbing my hand, leading us to a small shop.

There were a few people who looked at us warily, but they kept to themselves. Music was playing as a few restaurants had people eating outside.

We walked in and a bell rang announcing our arrival. There was a desk in front with a register, but no one was there. The shop had an amazing selection of stones, gems and every imaginable crystal. Max gave me a basket to put the handful of stones I had grabbed.

"Hello!" Max yelled out looking over the desk as I came down one of the aisles.

"Maybe they stepped out," I said, feeling his worry.

"It might be nothing, but we should leave," he said, holding out his hand for me.

"Ok." I set my basket down when I felt a surge of energy.

"Max," I said, pulling him back.

A blast of energy barely missed Max, coming closer with each blast. He pulled me down as another one narrowly missed us, we got up and ran to the door when we froze.

Taylin walked out of the shadows looking grim. "I tried, Max, but you put me in an awful position."

"Let her go, Taylin; if you care for her like you say you do, let her go," Max said, as Taylin came closer. "Please, brother."

"You mated with her?!" he snarled.

We were still holding hands, but I wanted to hide behind Max.

"I tried to save you, but you left me no choice," Taylin said, as a dozen men came in.

He released his magic on us as they surrounded us. Max tried pulling me behind him, but a man wrapped his arms around me.

"No!" Max snarled, fighting the men.

"Taylin, please," I cried out, struggling against the man who had me in a hold.

One of them injected him with something as they held him down.

"Taylin, stop!" I screamed. "Help!"

The man holding me shoved me against the wall, slapping me.

"That's all you got you, asshole?" I snarled, moving to Max before he punched me in the face, and I saw literal stars.

There was a big commotion until I felt someone picking me up. I assumed it was Max except Taylin was holding me, bridal style.

"No," I slurred, trying to push away from him. "Put me down."

"Take him and I'll deliver her," he grunted when I pushed against him, trying to get away.

"Max," I cried out, when Taylin started walking away. "Please, Taylin, no!"

He didn't stop walking as I tried to look over his shoulder. My heart was pounding too quickly, blood was roaring in my ears; I needed to see Max. In a move I didn't know I had in me, I went limp throwing him off balance, when he overcorrected, I threw my body back. I wound my leg over his shoulder as we fell to the ground. With my legs around his neck as I pulled on his arm, hearing it pop out of his socket.

Taylin roared in pain as I ran to Max when I saw a gun pointed at his head. Max was on the ground with his hands behind his back with one guy kneeling on his back, another pointing a gun at his head and a third kneeling close, in case he moved. I had a gem that would freeze all of them, but I couldn't risk Max getting shot.

"Do it and he dies, Oria," Taylin snarled.

My lip trembled as I resigned myself to losing another mate. The pain was almost enough and when I was hit again, I welcomed the darkness.

I woke up in the back of a car that abruptly stopped, and I rolled forward in between the seats.

"You fucking assholes," I said, trying to get up, but my hands were tied behind my back.

I felt sluggish as I moved, but what felt too real was the silent bond in my chest. My lip quivered as the reality of my situation hit me. They had caught me.

"Sorry, Ria," Taylin said, helping me up. Every time he touched me, I wanted to vomit.

"Fuck you, Taylin," I cried.

He bent down to carry me and all I wanted to do was scream. The moment we stepped into the building, I felt Laima. Bile rose into my throat, and I started to panic.

"Put me down, Taylin." I cried. "Please."

I couldn't breathe. My heart felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest.

"Ria!"

Taylin's face was in my line of vision but he was blurry as I realized I was sobbing.

"Ria," he said softer. "Breathe."

"I-I can't," I cried. "Not… Not without them."

"Ria." He grabbed my face. "Breathe."

"No, I don't want to," I said, crying harder. "There is no point without them."

"Ria," Taylin whispered. "I need you to get up, lives are depending on you. Their lives depend on you."

His words caught my attention. "They are here?"

He nodded, but I could see anguish in his eyes.

"What is taking so long?" Laima snarled. She looked older, still beautiful, but that youthfulness had started to wane.

I wanted to run away from here. My body was begging me to leave, but Taylin said they were here, and if I knew Mother, she was about to make sure I stayed with her for the rest of my life, however long she deemed.

"She's going through bond withdrawals," Taylin said, picking me up.

His voice was hollow.

"Even better," she said, walking away and all I wanted to do was stab her or blow her up.

He followed her through a series of hallways until we ended up at what looked like jail cells. Taylin immediately tensed and when he rounded a corner I saw them. I tried to push off of him, except all he did was hold me tighter. Ryder and I locked eyes as relief and dread sat on my chest.

"We did not agree on this," Taylin snarled, using his magic to hold me still.

"You didn't agree to it," Laima snapped.

"That means we didn't agree to it!" he yelled, setting me on the floor.

One of her manicured brows raised as if she couldn't believe he had raised his voice at her.

"Don't forget your place, Taylin," she clipped.

Magic permeated the air, tingling against my skin. Her magic felt familiar, it felt like mine. I struggled against Taylin's magic, trying to get a better look at my mates.

"Don't go back on our deal, you promised." Taylin set me down. "I have followed you, did as you asked, and I have never once gotten what was due to me."

"Due to you?" she laughed. "You willingly helped, you pushed for their bond to be broken and you pushed for more power."

Taylin was turning red, his face was contorted with anger.

"I have stuck to your terms." She rolled her eyes.

"He is a part of those terms." Tay pointed at Max who was unconscious on the floor. "And so is she."

"The moment they mated, you should have known, that broke our deal," she sneered.

"That was never stated." He walked up to her.

Their combined magic was stifling, but he was distracted and I was able to free myself from his magic. They continued to argue as I slowly crawled to my men. They had varying degrees of injuries, but Gray and Max worried me the most. Something was wrong.

Don't, Heaven. Ryder's voice was so soft in my head; I wondered if I didn't just make it up.

It's not worth it. Soren's voice was just as soft, bringing tears to my eyes.

"Don't make me regret ever bringing you in this," Laima yelled.

"You begged me, bitch!" He grabbed her by the throat.

The air crackled with magic before Taylin was blasted back into the bars. I rushed to Gray who was lying on the floor like Max. The moment I touched him it eased some of the tension in me, but it quickly returned when I felt a sickness in him.

"Gray," I said, trying not to panic, pushing his hair out of his face.

Another surge of magic slashed through the air as I hunched over Gray protectively.

He's been infected with Kark. Soren softly said. We all have.

I looked up at Soren. His eyes were red, his skin was pasty, and blood coated his shoulder and thigh.

He needs you to heal him. Ryder said. He was infected first.

I looked over my shoulder to see Taylin looking down on Laima, arguing. While they were distracted, I could heal them. I whispered my incantation, slowly letting my power release. Kark was eating him alive. My power was slowly repairing all of the cellular damage. It had infected everything it had touched, but I worked to push the sickness back, giving Gray a chance to live another day.

I was yanked back suddenly, yelling out in pain as a sickening crunch happened when I was knocked into a wall. I was lifted up; I shook my head to dispel some of the spots in my vision. My arms were radiating pain as I noticed Taylin behind her looking motionless.

"Here's what is going to happen." Laima brought my attention back to her, but I growled at her. "You will willingly make Oria for me and heal anyone I tell you to. You will do anything I ask for and when I need you to, you will heal the army we've been making for the war."

"No." I said with conviction. "I will not help you and I will not be in a stupid tower for the rest of my life."

"Oh, darling, you say that like you have a choice," she laughed.

"I won't?—"

"You will do it or else they die," she snarled. "I hear Kark is an awful way to die."

I looked over to my mates, my fear spiked exponentially.

"Don't do it," Ryder shook his head.

"The only way you keep them alive is by making the vials of your power," she said, walking towards me. "If you refuse, I'll leave you in the room with them until they die slowly one by one."

"Let me heal them, and you let them go," I said, looking back at the woman who I thought was my mother for so long. "If you do that, I agree to your terms and I will never leave."

"No!" Soren snarled. "Don't do this."

"We are not worth it, Heaven," Ryder said.

"Let them go so they can look for you?" she scoffed. "Take my deal."

"Then they stay with me," I said quickly.

Laima looked at me and then the guys.

"If you keep me away from my mates. I'll go through withdrawals and that will hinder my ability to make Oria," I said, grasping for anything.

She looked back at Taylin as if she were confirming what I just said. He nodded.

"If you do anything, Oria, I mean, step out of line once," she said, grabbing my throat and pushing me against the wall. "I will kill all of them and I'll find a way to keep you working even if I have to ask the Master."

Addie said once they have you, that's it. Soren's soft voice was barely audible.

I'm sorry, but you said let the world burn and that goes both ways. I'm already caught and it's only a matter of time before she figures out a way to force me to do it.

I nodded to her terms.

"You have some catching up to do and I need healing." She grabbed my arm.

I took one look back at them.

This isn't the end. I love you.