Nikolas (20 page)

“If she’s even there. I’m having my doubts,” Zeke said.

“She’s there. I know for sure.”

“And how do you know this, exactly?”

Nik took a deep breath and answered, “Because I spoke to her.”

Zeke laughed, but when Nik maintained a straight face, Zeke sobered. “You’re serious?”

Nik nodded. “Actually, I think my shifter spoke to hers. I know this is going to sound crazy, but when I went to my room to rest, I meditated. In a previous session, I saw Sophia. She was running, and a hand reached out to grab her. The next few times it was dark. Sophia was there; I could feel her presence. But she was being kept somewhere dark. Normally, my shifter stays in the back of my mind while I’m relaxing. This time he shoved his way to the front, and I swear to all that’s holy, it connected with Sophia. Or her shifter to be more precise. The voice in my head said we needed to hurry. It wasn’t sure how long it could keep Sophia strong. My spirit asked where they were, and hers replied the prison infirmary. Zeke, I know it sounds crazy. Have you ever heard tale of any of your siblings being able to talk to their mates that way?”

Zeke shook his head. “No, but I don’t know if anyone meditates, either. I’m not dismissing what you say happened, though. If the gods make creatures that have wings and can fly, why wouldn’t they give us the abilities to communicate with each other? At least some of us.”

Nik hadn’t thought about it that way. “Thank you. I was beginning to doubt my own sanity.”

Zeke stood and took his plate to the dishwasher. “I doubt mine every day, my friend.” He grabbed Nik’s plate when he finished eating and cleaned up the kitchen. “Have you heard from Tessa? The last time I spoke to Elizabeth, Tessa was still healing from her wreck.”

“She’s actually in Greece, believe it or not. What I didn’t tell you earlier is that we believe Rafael’s uncle is behind all the trouble our mates are getting into. He’s the one who ostracized your father all those years ago for mating with a human.”

“Alistair. I’ve heard about him. Why would he start targeting mates now?”

“Rafael and the Counsel have been going around and around ever since his father died and he became King. He refuses his seat at the proverbial round table. On top of that, he is now mated to a human. Gregor is mated to Tessa, who is related to Jonas. Dante is mated to Isabelle, who is Jonas’ daughter. Now, I’m fated to be with Sophia. As you said earlier, we will eventually become one interconnected Clan. How Alistair knows who is mated to whom is beyond me, but it is becoming clear he does.”

“Why is Tessa in Greece? Don’t tell me she’s already on her honeymoon.”

“Unfortunately, no. Isabelle’s son was kidnapped.”

“Isabelle? As in my sister Isabelle? She doesn’t have a son.”

“Yes, your sister, and yes, she does. She kept him a secret. He’s been living with a couple up in Tennessee all these years. His name is Connor, and she didn’t want his biological grandfather to find out about him. Someone found out and took him. Whoever it is convinced Isabelle to get on a plane with them. They said it was the only way to get the boy back. Now, Isabelle is being held on one island and Connor somewhere else. The fates might be bringing our families together, but there are others at play who are trying to keep us apart.”

“Damn. It almost makes me glad I don’t know who my mate is. At least this way I know she’s probably a lot safer.”

“Truth, but once I get Sophia back, I’ll be damned if she ever gets hurt again. I’ll stake my wings on that.”

Sophia had to be dreaming. The fluid running through her veins must not be helping her gain her strength back. Not only was her shifter talking, but a voice had responded. She was worse off than she thought. Too much longer in the hole and she’d probably have died. Someone entered the room. Voices told her there were two men and a woman. They were talking about her. “You need to bathe her before we put her back.”

“She is too weak to be put in the hole. Please, at least put her back in a cell.”

“It is not your business what we do with this prisoner other than cleaning her up. Remember your place, woman.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Sophia’s IV was removed. Her stretcher was lifted off the table and taken to a different room. The woman worked quickly to remove Sophia’s clothing. Rough hands lifted her into a tub of hot water. If she was strong enough, she might have care that she was naked in front of strangers. The sound of footsteps retreated from the room. Then, she was alone with only the woman. She took a chance and opened her eyes. The woman was of African descent and had a kind, motherly face.

“I didn’t do it,” she whispered to the lady.

“Shh, it doesn’t matter, child. I’ve heard them talking. They know you aren’t strong enough to have killed Asaad, but they need to pin it on someone. You were there; case closed.”

“But I didn’t do it. My parents are missing. I’ve got to find them,” Sophia vowed. “Nobody knows where I am. I can’t die in here.”

“I will do my best to have you moved back into a cell. I cannot make you any promises, though.”

Warm water flowed down Sophia’s face. She had no idea if it was the bath water or tears. At this point it didn’t matter. Her life was over.

No it isn’t. Nik knows where you are and he’s coming for you. Hang on a little longer.

Sophia closed her eyes and let the woman bathe the stench off her body. A few minutes later the water was being drained, and she was being dried off. The woman put clean clothes on her, not asking if she could help. Sophia did raise her hips when the pants were being slid up her legs.
Her hair was still a ratted mess, and her mouth tasted like road kill smelled. At least her body was clean. “Open up, child,” the woman said as she pressed something to Sophia’s mouth. “It’s not a toothbrush, but if you chew on it, it will help.” Sophia accepted the gift into her mouth. She didn’t expect it to be enjoyable. Whatever the plant was had a minty taste mixed with something she couldn’t identify.

“They will be back for you soon. I suggest you play a weakling as long as you can,” the woman said with a small smile.

When she started to stand, Sophia grabbed her arm. “Thank you. My name is Clara Fort, just in case.”

“I will remember you in my prayers, Clara Fort.” With that, the woman left her alone. She realized she was still sitting in the tub when the men came to retrieve her. Once she was loaded on the stretcher, they bypassed the infirmary and took her to the original cell she’d been held in. She thanked the gods for small favors.

Sophia settled back into the dull routine of waiting on her tray to come. No longer was she so weak she thought she was dying, but she wasn’t so strong she felt like dancing. If she ever got out of that square room she now called home, she was going to dance every day.

Nikolas and Zeke were waiting at the airport for Gregor and Tessa. Dante had Isabelle and Connor safely on their way home to the States. Nikolas had enjoyed Ezekiel’s company, but he was anxious to see his cousin. Gregor was more like a brother since their fathers had been close and raised the boys together. Tessa’s father had been kind enough to lend his private jet to them since Dante and Isabelle were on the Clan plane. When the jet landed, Zeke let out a low whistle. “Life is good being a Gargoyle.”

Nik laughed. “You do realize that’s your cousin’s jet, don’t you?”

“Tessa doesn’t have a jet.”

“No, but Xavier does. Don’t tell me you didn’t know that.” Nik frowned at the other man whose mouth was wide open. “There they are,” Nik said and got out of the car. He jogged over to the jet and met Gregor at the bottom of the steps. “Brother, it’s so good to see you.” Nik and Gregor wrapped each other in a tight embrace, slapping each other on the back. When they broke apart, Nik held onto Tessa’s arms and grinned until Gregor growled.

“Tessa, good to see you again. I guess you know this guy,” he said, thumbing at Zeke.” Zeke, this is my cousin, Gregor.”

Zeke shook hands with Gregor and hugged Tessa. He also got a growl from her mate, but if he noticed, he ignored it.

“Let’s grab your luggage so we can get back to the villa. We have a lot to tell you,” Nik said as they waited on the crewman to unload the plane. Once the bags were in the back of the vehicle, they all piled in.

“Please tell me you’ve found Sophia,” Tessa said from the backseat.

“She’s in jail,” Zeke told his cousin.

“Jail? Sweet little Sophia’s in jail? For what?”

“Murder,” Nik and Zeke responded in unison.

“Yeah, right. Really, where is she?”

Zeke turned in his seat. “So much has happened in the last few weeks, and we’ll explain it all once we get to the villa. But for now, our biggest concern is getting Sophia out of prison. The Egyptians aren’t known for speedy trials or fair treatment of inmates.”

“You weren’t kidding. And you know for sure she’s there?” Tessa asked incredulously.

“I do,” Nik said.

“How do you know, Brother?” Gregor asked.

Nik and Zeke looked at each other. Nik had no problem telling Gregor, but he didn’t know Tessa very well. Zeke nodded, so Nik told them honestly, “Through our minds.” He looked in the rearview mirror for Gregor’s disbelief.

Instead of frowning, Gregor gave a small smile. “That’s how Dante found Connor. Even though they’d never met, the boy drew pictures for Dante giving him clues to where he was being held. It’s no surprise you and Sophia can connect the same way.”

“It’s not exactly the same. I didn’t speak to Sophia. My shifter spoke to hers.”

Tessa butted in, “That’s impossible. She isn’t a half-blood yet. You must have been talking to her.”

“Oh, she’s a shifter all right and has been for a few years now,” Nik huffed.

“I would know if she’s been through the change.” Tessa leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest.

Zeke confirmed what Nik told them, “It was a surprise to me, too, but Xenia saw proof for herself.”

“Xenia? Your sister Xenia?”

“Apparently, Sophia phased to talk Xenia off the ledge, to show her she isn’t the only one with fangs and claws. As Nik said, there’s a lot that has happened. Here we are. Let’s go inside and get you and Gregor settled. Then we’ll tell you everything.”

“I can’t believe she didn’t tell me,” Tessa muttered as the car rolled up to the front of the villa.

Nik and Zeke helped Gregor get their luggage inside. Once they had their bags unpacked, everyone met in the living room and took a seat. Nik had poured Scotch for Gregor, but he had no idea what Tessa drank. She didn’t hesitate to let him know. “I’ll take a beer if you have it. I have a feeling I’m going to need more than one though.”

She wasn’t lying. By the time Nik and Zeke told her and Gregor everything that had transpired, she was on her eighth longneck. If they didn’t have shifter metabolism, they would all be tipsy. The beautiful redhead was pacing the room. Gregor was giving Nik the details of their adventure in Greece. When he finished he said to Tessa, “Red, come sit down. You’re making everyone nervous.”

Tessa sat down next to her mate but hopped back up again. “I can’t believe she’s kept this from me. Why wouldn’t she tell me she’s transitioned?”

Gregor stood and grabbed her, stopping her from pacing. “You didn’t know Isabelle had a child, either.”

“Is that what’s really bothering you? Or is it the fact Jonas trained her without telling you?” Zeke asked. “You should know by now that Jonas has plenty of secrets of his own. It seems keeping secrets runs in our family. Speaking of which, now that Cyrus is the only sibling left who has yet to transition, I’m going to see him as soon as we find Sam and Monica. I won’t have another Cordelia on my hands.”

“I agree you should tell Cyrus. Jonas’ secrets cost him his relationship with Isabelle, and in turn, almost caused her to lose Connor. I think we’re past all that. Now that Rafael knows about us, he will want to absorb us into his Clan. Since I’m Gregor’s mate, I’m already part of the Stone Society. As for Sophia, I guess I can understand. I kept Gregor at bay for years, too.”

Nik picked up a stack of photos and started passing them out. “Julian scanned the photos that were sent to Rafael and emailed them to me. I have printed them out so we can all study the markings. Since Xenia is a history professor, we are going to enlist her help as well.” Before Nik sat down in front of his computer, he grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, lowering the volume. He kept the news channel on just on the off chance someone found Sam and Monica.

Tessa set up her own computer and began looking at the clues they had so far. While Nik and Gregor discussed getting Sophia out of prison, Zeke called Xenia.

“I wonder if Xavier has any connections here. It’s a long shot, but as old as he is, he might know of a clan in Africa,” Gregor said.

“Julian found a clan in South Africa, but he hasn’t been able to find out if they’re connected to Alistair in any way. I have yet to sense any other Goyles, other than the people who were following Sophia. I’m pretty sure one of the larger men was a shifter.”